The Prius is the granddaddy of hybrid vehicles, and it still has some of the most fuel-efficient ratings of any car on the market. However, the futuristic stylings have grown to leave a stale taste in our mouths. We don"t find the odd center stack to be intuitive, for instance. But the hatchback design does give plenty of room for passengers and cargo. If you"re in the market for a hybrid, there are honestly many more modern interpretations.

The roomy interior and comfy seats are a plus, but the 2021 Subaru Impreza falls to the bottom half of our list because of poor material quality. At these prices, things shouldn"t feel so...cheap. The reliability ratings for the Impreza are also not on par with competitors, but there are few compacts that offer all-wheel-drive.

The 2021 Nissan Leaf has some great range thanks to a large battery. It"s also one of the cheapest EVs on the market. Having said that, it"s pretty cramped when it comes to space, even for a compact car. The interior design is clean, if a little spartan and cheap looking.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra has a spacious interior for its size, and the trunk also has high volume measurements. Plus, the Sentra is one of the least expensive vehicles on the market. Those looking for a bargain will surely find it here. But while other competitors may be more expensive, we also think they"re simply better cars. The Sentra provides a lackluster driving experience, has an underpowered engine, and features a bland dated design inside and out.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is now two years into a redesign, and it does feel much more upscale compared to past versions. But it finishes near the bottom half of our pack, however, for so-so engines that leave much to be desired when you"re zooming around the city. There are also cheaper options that have more features.

The 2021 Kia Forte ended up ninth on our list because of its underpowered engine and finicky driving performance. But it did get good marks for an attractive design and a good list of standard features for the price point.

The 2021 Hyundai Veloster has a funky design and a somewhat tight backseat, but it"s also peppy and fun to drive with a well-powered engine. The other thing holding it back is below-average fuel economy.

The 2021 Hyundai Ioniq stands out with three versions: traditional hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and pure EV. The hatchback styling may not be for everyone, but it allows for a spacious interior. Inside, the Ioniq is just as standard looking, something the Prius may want to think about emulating. Even though it"s standard looking, it is looking a little dated at this point, even though it"s not very old.

Last year, Toyota released a redesigned Corolla. It has outstanding fuel economy ratings for a non-hybrid vehicle. And if your main focus is fuel economy, there"s now a Corolla Hybrid model offered. The 2021 Corolla has great reliability ratings and an array of standard safety features. The engine does leave something to be desired, however.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is completely overhauled this year and features a, frankly, off-the-wall design. Sharp angular lines cut deep into the side door panels, and the rear of the car looks like a fishtail from the side. Like its Kia cousin, it packs a lot of features in for the price. The interior is also nicely upgraded and has a more premium feel than the cost would suggest. New this year is a hybrid version.

The 2021 Mazda3 sports a fetching design. Clean, curvilinear lines wrap around the attractive vehicle. Inside, buyers would be forgiven for thinking that they wandered into the luxury compact category. The perennially sporty driving capabilities of Mazda set this small car above the competition.

VW"s Golf has sporty handling and an upscale interior. Its powerful engines make even trips to the grocery store a fun affair. And with an array of styles (regular hatchback, Sportwagen, etc.), there"s something for everyone.

If there were one hybrid car we would suggest buyers purchase, it would be the 2021 Honda Insight. The design borrows heavily from the much-celebrated Civic. Just because you"re driving a hybrid car doesn"t mean it has to be from the future. The Honda is fun to drive and comes with a long list of standard safety features.

The 2021 Honda Civic has a sporty exterior and nimble handling to match. The interior is intuitive, and the Civic comes with an impressive array of safety features. Package all of that at an attractive price point, and you"ve got one great car! That"s why it"s our #1 compact car pick.

Author Alot Auto Team Last Updated: May 07, 2021