Economy cars should be able to carry at least four adults comfortably for a long trip. To better carry bulky items, the rear seat should fold down, the flatter the better. Split-folding rear seats, which allow one section to fold while the other remains upright to accommodate passengers, are best. The best small cars ride smoothly, even over uneven road surfaces, but are not so softly sprung that they wallow when turning, braking or accelerating. If you buy an automatic-equipped car, favor those with four speeds.
Some cheaper cars come with three-speed automatics, which can feel clunky when shifting.
Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our All The Reviews Reviewed chart. As the above chart indicates, the Ford Focus is the overwhelming choice among reviewers as the best pick in the economy car class, with 11 reviewers naming it as an outstanding automobile. The Honda Civic ranks second based on six wins from reviewers and the Mazda Protege comes in third with two highly ranked reviewers picking it as one of the best in its class. No other economy car was recommended by more than one of the top reviewers. If your budget is severely restricted and you want a new car, experts point to the Hyundai Accent.