Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise the smallest passengers cars. These vehicles range from tiny economy models to slightly larger popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons.

Our Best Buys include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.

Sources say a redesigned Echo is coming for 2006. We'll take their word for it, but we can't fathom why Toyota would bother with a new small car when its youth-oriented Scion models are already successful and a weakening dollar is squeezing entry-level profits to near zero. No word yet on what the replacement might be like or whether the Echo name will continue, but we'll let you know once we hear.