While the market for compact cars continues to shrink, there remains a dedicated fan base who keeps resisting the move toward SUVs as the default vehicle option.

Part of the reason they can remain so loyal to their vehicle of choice is because of the strong new options that continue to be pushed out each year by the manufacturers still working in this segment.

Take for example the Hyundai Elantra, a compact ride that’s been in the U.S. market for more than 30 years, and is now on its seventh generation.

I recently spent some time testing the 2023 Hyundai Elantra, which stands out in the segment due its bold design, including distinct creasing and angles, that make it stand out among compact sedans, along with some of the best technology in the segment.

Competing with popular vehicles such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Volkswagen Jetta and Nissan Sentra is no picnic, but the Elantra does a strong job of holding up as an overall package — even if it may not lead the segment in all categories.

Read on for a full breakdown on this standout sedan that gives you a lot for a reasonable price.

Despite the seemingly unstoppable trend toward SUVs and other larger vehicles, the class of small but fun-to-drive cars still has its share of devotees.

One such contender in this niche category is the Mazda3, which comes in sedan and hatchback models.

This vehicle hasn’t had a full redesign since 2019, but the 2021 version does introduce some new engine options and make other slight refreshes.

I recently got a chance to test out the impressive 2021 Mazda3 Turbo Premium Plus hatchback model, and I’m back with a full report on how it measures up, and who might be a good fit for this vehicle.

In addition to looks and performance, one of the most important elements that plays a major role in most car buying decisions is the technology, from infotainment setup to safety features.

If you’re going to use a vehicle for many years, you don’t want to get something that’s outdated and not up to snuff in terms of user experience and its ability to keep the driver and passengers safe.

This review will take a look at the tech and safety offerings on the 2020 Toyota lineup, based on my time driving a 2020 Toyota Corolla.

Infotainment controls (voice)
Voice commands are one of the best innovations that allow for vehicle safety, by freeing the driver from distractions tied to changing radio stations, fixing the climate settings, making phone calls and more.

The Corolla’s infotainment system delivered in this regard, as voice commands worked extremely well across the board. The navigation system also understood spoken addresses clearly, changing radio stations by voice was a breeze, and via Bluetooth it was also a smooth process to make phone calls by voice.