Compact cars: Toyota Echo, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Ford

Small Cars, Sassy Attitudes
By Dean Adams Curtis

The small car market is under 10% of the U.S. auto sales last year. However, with fuel prices what they are, analysts predict that small car sales will double in 2007, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in the industry. Just check out this overview of sassy new model designs and you'll see why.

TOYOTA
The auto maker's Echo has been replaced by the popular Yaris. Toyota hopes the 70,000Yaris will be sold in the U.S. market during 2007.

HONDA
A new small entry, the Fit, has been a big hit around the world. Honda forecasts that 50,000 Fit will be sold in the United States during 2007.

NISSAN
Nissan's intro of the new Versa is designed to replace the entry-level Sentra.

FORD
Did you know that Ford has been selling a flex-fuel Focus in Sweden and it has yet to intro in the U.S.? What's up with that Detroit? Perhaps it's because Focus is designed in Europe and because the maker has bet we won't by them.

GOING SMALL:

MANY COMPACTS CAN HANDLE

WHAT YOUR FAMILY NEEDS

By Keith Turner

Barbara has a dilemma. While anxiously awaiting the birth of her first grandchild, Barbara is concerned that her current vehicle won’t be able to handle the transportation duties of today’s active grandparents.

“I love my two-door (Toyota Celica) sports car, but there’s no room in the back for child seat,” laments Barbara. “And a convertible just isn’t right for a newborn baby.”

So in preparation for her granddaughter’s arrival, Barbara is going car shopping.

Like most new parents (and grandparents) the transition into life with children means many changes, including a family-friendly vehicle upgrade. Because children are in a car seat until at least the age of 12, and the safest place for children to ride is in the back, accessibility and legroom are of the utmost importance for expanding families. While two-door vehicles are fine for a single or childless couple, they aren’t equipped for handling a baby on board.

Suzuki Aerio

Compact Room

Compacts are surprisingly roomy

Here’s a quick look at the best small cars for today’s active families:

Chevrolet Aveo – With a new, hip design due out in 2007, the Aveo comes packed with value-added features, including front side airbags and a price that starts below $10,000.

Ford Focus – With a base price of around $13,000 and high fuel mileage, the Focus is a truly economical pick for young families.

Honda Civic – Comfort, reliability and fuel economy combine to make the Civic one of the most impressive small cars on the market. While its styling may be on the conservative side, the value – and resale value – is tough to beat.

Hyundai Elantra – While not overly exciting design-wise, the Elantra makes up for it in value, with an attractive starting price in the mid-teens and fuel economy in the low 30s.

Mazda Mazda3 – Mazda replaced the Protégé with this model, but did not sacrifice value, comfort and style in doing so.

Mini Cooper – The Mini Cooper’s tall, flat roof provides extra headroom and the unique design ensures that the coolness factor will not be sacrificed as your family grows.

Nissan Sentra – Like the Corolla and Civic, the Sentra is a mainstay among young families. Nissan is entering its sixth generation of the Sentra, adding style, space and interior flexibility for active families.

Suzuki Aerio – The Aerio’s sporty styling may catch your eye, but it’s the interior space and spunky performance that will hold your attention.

Toyota Corolla – Right there with the Civic is Toyota’s extremely popular Corolla, which continues to press young families with its handling and interior space versatility.

Sassy Small Cars (Continued)

CHEVROLET
The Chevrolet Cobalt meanwhile, was one of the top 10 best-selling cars during the first quarter of this year, moving more than 50,000 new vehicles.

DODGE
Daimler Chrysler's Dodge Caliber is a fun driving experience that we truly enjoyed. Note how closely all the makers are coming to the same design, but with the angular design slanting forward from back to front, Caliber manages a racy-sporty feel.

MSRP: $14,145-$16,230
City: 28 mpg
Hwy: 32 mpg

* only compact car in its class with 5-star crash rating and 32mpg

SMALL LUXURY

Are American's changing their habits and thinking small when it comes to their autos? Perhaps. This in some small way could be due to the dawn of small luxury cars that until recently auto makers had reserved for their European markets. Maybe you know the reason already, gas prices top $6.60 a gallon in the Euro zone. Thus, small luxury cars from Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW and Mercedes all have rolled of ships state.




Small Cars, Sassy Attitudes By Dean Adams Curtis The small car market is under 10% of the U.S. auto sales last year. However, with fuel prices what they are, analysts predict that small car sales will double in 2007, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in the industry. Just check out this overview of sassy new model designs and you'll see why. TOYOTA The auto maker's Echo has been replaced by the popular Yaris. Toyota hopes the 70,000Yaris will be sold in the U.S. market during 2007. HONDA A new small entry, the Fit, has been a big hit around the world. Honda forecasts that 50,000 Fit will be sold in the United States during 2007. NISSAN Nissan's intro of the new Versa is designed to replace the entry-level Sentra. FORD Did you know that Ford has been selling a flex-fuel Focus in Sweden and it has yet to intro in the U.S.? What's up with that Detroit? Perhaps it's because Focus is designed in Europe and because the maker has bet we won't by them.	GOING SMALL: MANY COMPACTS CAN HANDLE WHAT YOUR FAMILY NEEDS By Keith Turner Barbara has a dilemma. While anxiously awaiting the birth of her first grandchild, Barbara is concerned that her current vehicle won’t be able to handle the transportation duties of today’s active grandparents. “I love my two-door (Toyota Celica) sports car, but there’s no room in the back for child seat,” laments Barbara. “And a convertible just isn’t right for a newborn baby.” So in preparation for her granddaughter’s arrival, Barbara is going car shopping. Like most new parents (and grandparents) the transition into life with children means many changes, including a family-friendly vehicle upgrade. Because children are in a car seat until at least the age of 12, and the safest place for children to ride is in the back, accessibility and legroom are of the utmost importance for expanding families. While two-door vehicles are fine for a single or childless couple, they aren’t equipped for handling a baby on board. Suzuki Aerio Compact Room Compacts are surprisingly roomy Here’s a quick look at the best small cars for today’s active families: Chevrolet Aveo – With a new, hip design due out in 2007, the Aveo comes packed with value-added features, including front side airbags and a price that starts below $10,000. Ford Focus – With a base price of around $13,000 and high fuel mileage, the Focus is a truly economical pick for young families. Honda Civic – Comfort, reliability and fuel economy combine to make the Civic one of the most impressive small cars on the market. While its styling may be on the conservative side, the value – and resale value – is tough to beat. Hyundai Elantra – While not overly exciting design-wise, the Elantra makes up for it in value, with an attractive starting price in the mid-teens and fuel economy in the low 30s. Mazda Mazda3 – Mazda replaced the Protégé with this model, but did not sacrifice value, comfort and style in doing so. Mini Cooper – The Mini Cooper’s tall, flat roof provides extra headroom and the unique design ensures that the coolness factor will not be sacrificed as your family grows. Nissan Sentra – Like the Corolla and Civic, the Sentra is a mainstay among young families. Nissan is entering its sixth generation of the Sentra, adding style, space and interior flexibility for active families. Suzuki Aerio – The Aerio’s sporty styling may catch your eye, but it’s the interior space and spunky performance that will hold your attention. Toyota Corolla – Right there with the Civic is Toyota’s extremely popular Corolla, which continues to press young families with its handling and interior space versatility.	Sassy Small Cars (Continued) CHEVROLET The Chevrolet Cobalt meanwhile, was one of the top 10 best-selling cars during the first quarter of this year, moving more than 50,000 new vehicles. DODGE Daimler Chrysler's Dodge Caliber is a fun driving experience that we truly enjoyed. Note how closely all the makers are coming to the same design, but with the angular design slanting forward from back to front, Caliber manages a racy-sporty feel. MSRP: $14,145-$16,230 City: 28 mpg Hwy: 32 mpg * only compact car in its class with 5-star crash rating and 32mpg SMALL LUXURY Are American's changing their habits and thinking small when it comes to their autos? Perhaps. This in some small way could be due to the dawn of small luxury cars that until recently auto makers had reserved for their European markets. Maybe you know the reason already, gas prices top $6.60 a gallon in the Euro zone. Thus, small luxury cars from Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW and Mercedes all have rolled of ships state.

DODGE Daimler Chrysler's Dodge Caliber is a fun driving experience that we truly enjoyed. Note how closely all the makers are coming to the same design, but with the angular design slanting forward from back to front, Caliber manages a racy-sporty feel.

SMALL LUXURY

DODGE
Daimler Chrysler's Dodge Caliber is a fun driving experience that we truly enjoyed. Note how closely all the makers are coming to the same design, but with the angular design slanting forward from back to front, Caliber manages a racy-sporty feel.