Recently redesigned with surprisingly stunning results, Toyota’s original hybrid is again an aspirational car. Not a fast sports car or an adventurous off-roader, the 2024 Toyota Prius is nonetheless a car we want to drive again. For starters, it just looks better. Its sleek design sacrifices some interior room for sporty proportions that, with a long front end, low roof, and truncated rear quarters, looks more like something we’d expect from Mazda’s house of zoom. The interior, too, feels more normal and not overly wrought with quirky tech design.

Improved body rigidity and handling haven’t transformed the Prius into a sports car overnight, but it’s no longer a numb embarrassment when pushed through a quick corner, either. More important, the Prius remains a fuel-efficiency champ and an aspirational target for hypermilers. With 49 to 57 mpg, the Prius is both a tech triumph and king of the commute.

Crossovers and SUVs are rapidly replacing sedans and hatchback-like sedans, leaving the Prius with few direct competitors. The Kia Niro hybrid, a small hatch with a bit more cargo space, comes close but falls a bit short in fuel economy. The Hyundai Elantra hybrid is about the same size as the Prius, costs less, and comes close in efficiency. Toyota’s own Corolla hybrid sedan is about the same size and costs less, but it can’t match the Prius’ liftback versatility, and the hatchback version isn’t available as a hybrid.

Like the Toyota Phttps://infinityautomobiles.com/honda-cars-for-sale-2/rius it’s based on, the 2024 Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid (PHEV) had an identity that seemed set in stone. Both cars were hailed far and wide for being the ones to beat if you want excellent fuel economy. But they were also notorious for having drab styling and sluggish acceleration.

Last year, Toyota flipped the script by giving both cars a monumental redesign, giving the Prius Prime the kind of makeover overlooked wallflowers dream about. The plain-jane exterior is gone, replaced by sleek, sporty styling. The cabin got ergonomic upgrades and a fresh new look, and Toyota rolled out improvements in range, efficiency, and potency.

Able to travel more than 80 miles on electricity alone with a fully charged battery, the Prius Prime is a leader among PHEVs. It can travel farther on electric power than rivals such as the Kia Niro PHEV and Mini Countryman Cooper SE PHEV. And the fuel economy is stellar. Toyota estimates the Prius Prime will return 52 mpg in combined city and highway driving when in hybrid mode, making it a more efficient choice than the Niro PHEV.

Lastly, there’s the matter of horsepower. With 220 horses under its hood, the Prius Prime is one of the most potent picks in its class, delivering quick acceleration. It has more horsepower than the Niro PHEV and is neck-and-neck in output with the lively Countryman Cooper PHEV.

In the deficit column, the Prius Prime has tight rear seats and less maximum cargo capacity than other models in this class. But it wins the award for Most Improved and is hard to top if you want a stylish, quick, and efficient plug-in hybrid car.

A staple of Toyota’s lineup for nearly 60 years, the Corolla remains one of the best-selling compacts in the U.S. thanks to a combination of reliability, utility, and value. Toyota continues to refine the formula with the 2024 Toyota Corolla.

The Corolla gets nearly 40 mpg on the highway with its standard gas engine, and up to 50 mpg in hybrid form. The roomy interior is trimmed in high-quality materials, the infotainment system is more sophisticated than you’d expect for the price, and it comes with useful driver-oriented features such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. It’s also the only compact hybrid sedan with all-wheel drive, a combination that gives it a little extra performance boost. It’s even available as a hatchback (reviewed separately).

But the Corolla isn’t especially inspiring to drive. It’s not quick, not particularly dynamic, and it won’t tickle your heart rate in a tight turn. For that, you want a competitor like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. The Corolla also falls short in trunk space, trailing rivals such as the Civic or Hyundai Elantra, although the Corolla hatchback option makes this less of an issue. The Nissan Sentra and Subaru Impreza are also worth a look. Still, the Corolla remains competitive for good reason. Buyers today, like before, will find it offers a compelling mix of features and price to suit their needs.

The Sonata has been part of the Hyundai line for more than 30 years, and while some may think the sedan is a thing of the past, the Korean automaker continues to improve this midsize four-door car. The Sonata was completely redesigned last year and still benefits from distinct styling with an updated cabin featuring a clean, high-tech vibe.

Fitting in Hyundai’s lineup between the recently refreshed Elantra and the fully electric Ioniq 6, the Sonata features a comfortable cabin with good space for front and rear seat passengers. Hyundai has always offered excellent value in its vehicles, and the Sonata is no exception. All trim levels come with an extensive list of standard features, including LED headlights, a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Adding to its appeal, the Sonata is offered with three powertrains, including a fuel-efficient hybrid rated at 51 mpg for city driving, and a powerful turbocharged engine that delivers quick acceleration in the N Line model. While we wouldn’t call the Sonata’s performance sporty, it handles well with more than adequate power.

The Sonata isn’t the best seller in the Hyundai lineup, but last year’s redesign has been well received. Sales of this eye-catching sedan have increased by more than 26% over last year. That’s impressive, as the Sonata has some tough competition in the midsize sedan market, going up against perennial favorites such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima.

The Lexus ES is the smallest sedan in the Lexus portfolio, similar in size to its Toyota Camry cousin. While the Camry is geared toward family practicality, the ES is designed for maximum comfort. Other sedans in this class boast a sporty driving experience that often translates into a stiffer ride. Not the 2025 Lexus ES. Its sophisticated suspension prevents unwelcome jostling from rough road surfaces and, like all Lexus models, its cabin is designed with excellent sound-deadening material to protect passengers from exterior noise.

All front-wheel-drive gas models use a silky smooth V6 engine with 302 horsepower. That’s plenty of motivation to merge confidently into traffic, no matter the pace. The ES is powered by a 203-hp four-cylinder engine when equipped with all-wheel drive. Hybrid models also have four-cylinder engines, but their electric motors raise the total output to 215 hp. The luxury hybrids make excellent commuter cars, with official fuel-economy ratings of 44 mpg.

With high-quality materials, the Lexus ES cabin is as attractive as it is comfortable. Lower trims come with appealing imitation leather, while top models get genuine leather in inviting color combinations. Seating is spacious for front and rear passengers, and trunk space is on par with others in the midsize luxury class segment. A modern infotainment system offers a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and an excellent voice recognition system.

Although the 2024 model’s crash-test ratings suffered when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revised its testing methods, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration again gave the 2025 Lexus ES its top five-star rating. Every Lexus ES trim comes with a comprehensive suite of safety technology that includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, lane-tracing assist, lane-departure alert with steering assist, road sign assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams.

The closest competitor to the Lexus ES is the Acura TLX. It leans more toward sport than luxury but is similar in size and basic feature content. The sharp-handling rear-wheel-drive Genesis G70 and Genesis G80 bracket the ES in size and provide opulent cabins. While several midsize luxury sedans have mild-hybrid tech, the ES is the only full-on hybrid in the segment; the Genesis Electrified G80 sedan is all-electric.

Now entering its third year of production, the Toyota Crown is somewhat of a hybrid-hybrid, a vehicle that defies typical categorization. The fuel-efficient Crown hybrid has the exterior dimensions and cabin space of a traditional large sedan, but it offers a higher, more SUV-like seating position, providing a better view of the road.

The Crown is built only with all-wheel drive, making it a good choice for buyers who live in temperamental climates. Two hybrid systems are available: the standard Toyota hybrid system on lower trims has a total output of 236 horsepower, and the Hybrid Max system on the top Platinum trim boasts a system total of 340 hp and 400 pound-feet of torque. That’s plenty of oomph for this shapely sedan. High-tech display screens include a 12.3-inch configurable driver information display to monitor the Crown’s efficiency in real time, and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen that connects wirelessly to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Although its unusual packaging means the Crown doesn’t have many direct competitors, rival hybrid sedans include the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Honda Accord Hybrid. There are also hybrid SUVs such as the Kia Sportage and Honda CR-V for drivers wanting all-wheel drive. But again, none of these options offer quite the same combination of features and characteristics as the 2025 Toyota Crown.

The 2025 Toyota Corolla Hatchback remains one of the top choices in this small, but value-packed segment. Compact hatchbacks offer the efficiency and maneuverability of a compact sedan combined with the utility of an easy-to-access cargo area. It’s a configuration that used to be part of most automakers’ lineups, but with the popularity of small SUVs, compact hatchbacks like this one have become far less common.

Based on the popular Corolla sedan, the Corolla Hatchback features the same base engine and standard front-wheel drive. With 169 horsepower, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder packs a solid punch that gives the Corolla Hatchback plenty of pickup around town and usable power on the highway. The suspension delivers a well-composed ride that favors comfort over performance. Long drives are especially pleasant thanks to the comfortable seats, standard adaptive cruise control, and a 41-mpg highway fuel-efficiency rating.

There are just three trim levels for the Corolla Hatchback — SE, Nightshade, and XSE — so it’s easy to choose your best fit. All are well-equipped with automatic climate control, a leather-trimmed steering wheel with auxiliary controls, an 8-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and selectable drive modes. The Nightshade version adds distinctive black exterior trim and 18-inch bronze wheels. Passenger room up front is plentiful although rear seat footroom is tight. Behind the rear seat is 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space, a nice bump up from the Corolla sedan’s 13-cubic-foot trunk.

Although the hatchback category has shrunk over the years, there are still a few solid competitors. The Honda Civic continues to offer great value, a comfortable ride, and a wide range of trim levels. The Mazda3 is another great hatchback with a sporty ride, eye-catching styling, and solid value. For a slightly different take on the traditional hatch, there’s the Kia Soul. It’s sized and priced similar to the Corolla hatchback, but has more upright styling and a slightly lower starting price.

Most car companies have forgone the sedan, replacing traditional cars with popular crossover SUVs. And while Volkswagen’s SUV lineup includes the Taos, Tiguan, and Atlas, it is still investing in the compact Jetta sedan, giving the four-door car fresh styling and upgraded features for the 2025 model year.

The Jetta arrived in the U.S. more than 40 years ago, and the sedan is currently in its seventh generation with its last major redesign in 2019. With the demise of the larger Arteon last year, the Jetta and smaller Golf GTI hatchback are the last of VW’s passenger car offerings. For 2025, the Jetta gets fresh styling front and rear, giving the sedan a more modern look.

Volkswagen continues to offer the Jetta in a range of trim levels with a healthy set of standard features throughout the lineup. The interior is upgraded with a cleaner design, highlighted by a standard 8-inch touchscreen display and automatic dual-zone climate control with soft-touch haptic “buttons.” All variants also come standard with a full suite of advanced driver-assist features.

Engine options carry over to the 2025 model year, with the standard 158-horsepower engine or the more powerful 228-hp powerplant exclusive to the sportier Jetta GLI. The GLI is also the only Jetta offered with a manual gearbox. The three-pedal version has been discontinued for the rest of the lineup.

The Jetta stands out with its overall comfortable ride and spacious interior, but the capacitive-touch controls can be frustrating to use. Rivals include the Honda Civic, Kia Forte, Hyundai Elantra, and Mazda3. We count the Civic as a class leader, while the Kia and Hyundai models stand out for their value. The Mazda3 is the sportiest choice, though its performance results in some sacrifices.

The 2025 VW Jetta is the outlier of the group; despite its new modern styling and more space for rear passengers, it’s just about average for the class.

The 2025 Nissan Sentra is one of the least expensive new vehicles you can purchase today. It offers a bit of style and a robust list of standard safety features for the money. The Sentra offers a comfortable ride and impressive seats, making it a good companion during long commutes. Tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and extras like a premium sound system and dual-zone climate control are included on the upper trim levels. The Sentra was refreshed last year, so its modern exterior provides a sleek vibe.

The Sentra appeals to budget shoppers who only require basic transportation, but we recommend that buyers consider the following: It offers just one engine — a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that puts out a meager 149 horsepower. Not only is the power output below average for the class, but the 2.0-liter also falls behind in fuel economy. Rated near 35 mpg for combined city and highway driving, it’s respectable but not a class leader. The 2025 Sentra has to compete against the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra, which have models rated near 50 mpg, as well as high-performance variants. Even with its comparatively low price, it’s a bit of an uphill battle for the Nissan Sentra.

Kia’s playbook is simple: Beat the class leaders on features and price. The 2024 Forte accomplishes this quite handily with a sticker price that starts around $21,000 and includes a long list of goodies. And with styling inspired by Kia’s upscale sports sedan, the svelte Stinger, the Forte is also a looker. But its top rivals cost a bit more for a reason: They’re more fun to drive.

Don’t get us wrong. The Forte isn’t bad behind the wheel. It’s comfortable and easy to operate, handling daily drives with little fuss. But with one of the weakest base engines in its class, it lacks the zip of the Mazda 3, and its occasionally flinty ride lacks the polish of the Honda Civic’s. Fortunately, the Forte’s top-tier GT trim solves one of these issues with its 201-horsepower turbo engine. But it comes at a substantially higher price.

The Forte’s competitors offer more variety, too, including hatchback and hybrid versions. But in this class, only the Subaru Impreza offers all-wheel drive.

In the end, perhaps it’s better to focus on what the Forte is, not what it isn’t. And that, again, is simple. Just as Kia intended, it’s a well-equipped car at a very good price.

As sporty coupes go, there’s nothing quite like the Mini Cooper. It has one-of-a-kind styling inside and out and performance that makes it a thrill to drive. Fully redesigned this year, the 2025 Mini Hardtop gets revised styling, new features, and an upgraded cabin with a more premium feel.

With every new generation, Mini rolls out its new models in phases, so the two-door hardtop is the first to show off the new styling. It’s still very much in tune with its predecessors, with round headlights sunken into a steeply raked front end and a two-tone roof, but new triangular taillights help distinguish it from older models.

There will be two models sold in the United States: the base Cooper hardtop and the higher-performance Cooper S hardtop. Both are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that sends power to the front wheels. The Cooper S is rated at 201 horsepower, which is slightly more than the previous version. Mini says everything about the suspension is geared toward agile handling, so sharp steering, minimal body roll, and excellent stopping power remain part of the package.

The new interior design is dominated by the 9-inch, circular touchscreen that sits front and center in the dashboard. Mini says it’s the first OLED display in the industry so the readability and colors are exceptional. The rest of the interior is a mix of soft-touch materials and metallic accents that contribute to the premium feel. There’s also a variety of driver-selectable “Mini experience modes” that adjust the graphics and ambient lighting in the cabin to reflect different themes.

Given the Mini’s unusual characteristics, there aren’t many direct competitors. The Audi A3 has similar levels of performance and luxury but a more conventional hatchback design. The BMW 2 Series is a traditional coupe with great performance, but it has a substantially higher price. Additional versions of the new Mini, such as a four-door model, are expected to follow later in the year.

The Audi A3 small luxury sedan was fully redesigned for the 2022 model year. For 2024 it gets an exterior refresh but is otherwise unchanged from last year. The styling update makes the A3 a bit sportier and more modern without straying from the current Audi design aesthetic. There are only two trims, so there aren’t a lot of choices, but both are loaded with standard features. It’s a true luxury car, no matter which trim you choose. Power comes from a turbocharged four-cylinder mild-hybrid engine that delivers good fuel economy along with strong acceleration that’s matched by crisp handling. The large digital instrument cluster and infotainment screens give the A3 a high-tech, premium look in keeping with its luxury car status. The driver and front passenger have supportive front seats with moderate bolstering for comfort on winding roads. The back seats are roomy enough for three adults on all but the longest drives, but trunk room is a bit tight, so pack accordingly.

The competitive BMW 2 Series delivers a more performance-focused drive and is available as a four-door sedan or two-door coupe. The Alfa Romeo Giulia has a wider range of trims, more room, and more power, but comes at a higher price. The Cadillac CT4 is comparably priced and has a bit more passenger space.