Small Cars 2012

With the price of gas hitting $3.82 a gallon, a small, fuel efficient car might just be the best investment right now. Small cars are not pricey, are fun to drive and don't require a large parking spot. It is the perfect automobile for a small family of four to five people, and it can be used for running errands and covering short and long distances without spending much on gas. There was a time when small cars were considered cheap and bland because of the poor design and low-cost interiors. However, the recent developments in automobile designing made them sporty and desirable. Now everyone wants or needs a Volkswagen Golf, Mini Cooper or a Fiat 500.

Many people have a wrong idea that small cars are not a safe buy; this belief is completely false. Today every new car has to undergo a series of stringent federal and industrial safety standards and crash test ratings to come out in the market. These stringent measures have increased the safety performances of all automobiles which run on the US soil.

BEST SMALL CARS 2012

FIAT POP 500			HONDA CIVIC EX COUPE
Maker	Fiat, Italy		Maker	Honda, Japan
Models Available	Pop, Sport and Lounge		Models Available	Sedan, Coupe, Si Sedan, Si Coupe, HF, Hybrid and Natural Gas
Engine	1.4 Liter, Single Overhead Cam (SOHC), 4 cylinder and 16 valve		Engine	1.8 Liter, 4 cylinder, 16 valve DOHC i-VTEC
Fuel Economy	25/30 mpg (city/highway)		Fuel Economy	22/31 mpg (city/highway)
Torque	4000 rpm		Torque	4400 rpm
Horsepower	6500 rpm		Horsepower	7000 rpm
Drive Type	Front Wheel Drive		Drive Type	Front Wheel Drive
Transmission	5 Speed Manual		Transmission	5 Speed Manual
Fuel Type	Gas		Fuel Type	Gas
Fuel Tank Capacity	10.5 gallons		Fuel Tank Capacity	10.5 gallons
Safety Features	4 Wheel ABS, Airbags, Stability and Traction Control, Tire Pressure Monitoring, Cruise Control, Electronic Power Steering		Safety Features	4 wheel ABS, Airbags, Stability and Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Cruise Control, Electronic Power Steering and Tire Pressure Monitoring
Additional Features	USB Connection, Mast Antenna, BOSE Speakers, External Temperature Display, Satellite Radio Service and Auxiliary Audio Input and iPod Integration		Additional Features	USB Connection, XM Radio, External Temperature Display, Bluetooth Hands Free, Power Monitor Screen
FORD FIESTA SE HATCHBACK			KIA RIO SX
Maker	Ford, USA		Maker	KIA Motors, South Korea
Models Available	S Sedan/Hatchback, SE Sedan/Hatchback and SEL Sedan/SES Hatchback		Models Available	LX, EX and SX
Engine	1.6 Liter, 16 valve, Duratec 14		Engine	1.6 Liter, 4 cylinder and 4 valve
Fuel Economy	29/38 mpg (city/highway)		Fuel Economy	30/40 mpg (city/highway)
Torque	5000 rpm		Torque	4850 rpm
Horsepower	6350 rpm		Horsepower	6300 rpm
Drive Type	Front Wheel Drive		Drive Type	Front Wheel Drive
Transmission	Powershift 6 speed Automatic		Transmission	Electronically controlled 6 Speed Automatic
Fuel Type	Gas		Fuel Type	Gas
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.4 gallons		Fuel Tank Capacity	11.4 gallons
Safety Features	4 wheel ABS, Airbags, Stability and Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Cruise Control, Electronic Power Steering, Integrated Blind Spot Mirrors and Tire Pressure Monitoring		Safety Features	4 Wheel ABS, Airbags, Stability and Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Cruise Control, Electronic Power Steering, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children and Tire Pressure Monitoring
Additional Features	USB Connection, SIRIUS XM Radio, External Temperature Display, Bluetooth Hands Free, Available Power Moonroof		Additional Features	USB Connection, 4 Speakers, UVO Infotainment System, External Temperature Display, Bluetooth Hands Free, Start button with Smart Key
CHEVROLET SONIC 2LS			MAZDA TWO TOURING
Maker	Chevrolet, USA		Maker	Mazda, Japan
Models Available	1LS, 2LS, 1LT, 2LT, 1LZ and 2LZ		Models Available	Sport and Touring
Engine	1.8 Liter, Ecotec		Engine	1.5 Liter, 4 cylinder and 16 valve DOHC
Fuel Economy	25/35 mpg (city/highway)		Fuel Economy	30/40 mpg (city/highway)
Torque	3800 rpm		Torque	4000 rpm
Horsepower	6300 rpm		Horsepower	6300 rpm
Drive Type	Front Wheel Drive		Drive Type	Front Wheel Drive
Transmission	Powershift 6 speed Automatic		Transmission	Electronically controlled 6 Speed Automatic
Fuel Type	Gas		Fuel Type	Gas
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.2 gallons		Fuel Tank Capacity	11.3 gallons
Safety Features	ABS, Airbags, Stability and Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Electronic Power Steering, On Star Crash System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and Key-less entry		Safety Features	ABS, Airbags, Stability and Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Cruise Control, Electronic Power Steering, Anti Theft System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and Key-less Remote Panic Button
Additional Features	USB Connection, 6 Speakers, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio, Auxiliary Audio Input Jack, External Temperature Display, Bluetooth Hands Free, Key-less Entry System and Trip Computer		Additional Features	USB Connection, 6 Speakers, Auxiliary Audio Imput Jack, External Temperature Display, Bluetooth Hands Free, Key-less Entry System
HYUNDAI VELOSTER			HYUNDAI ACCENT SE
Maker	Hyundai, South Korea		Maker	Hyundai, South Korea
Models Available	NA		Models Available	GLS, GS and SE
Engine	1.6 Liter, GDI, DOHC, 4 cylinder with Dual CWT		Engine	1.6 Liter, 16 valve, GDI, DOHC, 4 cylinder with Dual CWT
Fuel Economy	28/40 mpg (city/highway)		Fuel Economy	30/40 mpg (city/highway)
Torque	4850 rpm		Torque	4800 rpm
Horsepower	6300 rpm		Horsepower	6300 rpm
Drive Type	Front Wheel Drive		Drive Type	Front Wheel Drive
Transmission	Powershift 6 speed Automatic		Transmission	6 Speed Manual Transmission
Fuel Type	Gas		Fuel Type	Gas
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.2 gallons		Fuel Tank Capacity	11.4 gallons
Safety Features	ABS, Airbags, Stability and Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Electronic Power Steering, Vehicle Stability Management, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and Key-less entry		Safety Features	ABS, Airbags, Stability and Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Electronic Power Steering, Vehicle Stability Management, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and Key-less Entry
Additional Features	USB Connection, 8 Speakers, Pandora Internet Radio, Auxiliary Audio Input Jack, External Temperature Display, Bluetooth Hands Free, Key-less Entry System and XM Satellite Radio with Navigation		Additional Features	USB Connection, 8 Speakers, Pandora Internet Radio, Auxiliary Audio Input Jack, External Temperature Display, Bluetooth Hands Free, Key-less Entry System and XM Satellite Radio with Navigation

It is my personal opinion that car fanatics won't be satisfied with just eight names. Don't fret because here are some more names which are arriving to set the roads on fire in the coming months.

• Ford Focus ST (Expected release mid 2012 or early 2013)
• Toyota Prius C (Launched and a good green car)
• MINI Paceman (Expected release in mid 2012 or early 2013; it is cute, reliable and fast)
• Dodge Dart (Expected release in mid 2012; an impressive car with a ferocious look)
• Cadillac ATS 2013 (Expected release next year. An amazing sedan for people who live uniquely)

Small cars are not only fuel efficient, they also provide a range of amazing features and accessories which makes driving more fun and safe. They are perhaps the best mode of transport for people who have a fixed budget and a small family.