Josh's Picks: Top 2005 Compact Sedans

1) Toyota Corolla
​The Corolla is competing fiercely with the Honda Civic and Mazda3, with the new trim line "XRS" as shown on the Toyota Matrix, which has the same platform as the Corolla. The "XRS" has many sport features which stand out on the street, such as a stock body kit including side skirts and front and back sport bumpers. The Corolla is also known as the best non- hybrid car for fuel economy, with gas mileage City: 26 - 32 Highway: 34 - 41 (miles per gallon), which is impressive. Under the hood you have a standard 130hp 1.8 liter I-4, or the optional 170hp 1.8 liter I-4. Inside you can have an optional leather seating for five, a sunroof, and power everything. The Corolla should be a hybrid but the gas mileage is fine for now. The Corolla has a loud engine while on the highway and doesn’t have the best emergency handling.
Pricing: Starting MSRP $13,680 - $17,455 
2005 Toyota Corolla 4dr Sedan​

2) Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda is the first hybrid car company, with its debut of the 1999 Honda Insight which gets up to 62 miles per gallon. It remains the leading hybrid car. So now the Civic has been added to the hybrid family. With a tiny 93hp 1.3 liter I-4 engine you will not have fun going up a mountain. Honda has nice features for older and younger. With remote CD compatible for the younger and headroom of 39.8 inches in front it is useful for all ages. The EPA gas mileage is: City: 48 Highway: 51 MPG. The Civic reliability is excellent as usual for every Honda. The Civic hybrid doesn't have many optional features such as leather. And the engine is so weak, with the 1.3 liter 93hp engine, don't buy a mountain house!!
Pricing: Starting MSRP $13,160 - $19,800
2005 Honda Civic Hybrid shown.

3) Mazda3
The Mazda3 is based on the Ford Focus sedan. With the same suspension and almost the same engine they are almost the same vehicles. The 3 has a standard 144-hp, 2.0-liter I-4, an optional 148hp 2.0-liter I-4 or optional 160hp 2.3-liter I-4. Some of the standard features include: driver and passenger airbags, SIRIUS satellite radio system, and radio controls on your steering wheel. The average gas mileage for the 3 is City: 24 - 28 Highway: 29 - 35 MPG. The 3's reliability is surprisingly outstanding for the first year redesigned. So I recommend the 3.
Pricing: Starting MSRP $13,680 - $17,105
2005 Mazda3 4dr Sedan shown

4) Scion xA
Scion is a Toyota company with two small hatchbacks; the xB, which is a box on wheels (literally) but very reliable, and the xA, a smarter looking car with less room in the back seat then the xB. The xA has a small 108hp 1.5 liter I-4 engine which it shares with the Xb and the Toyota Echo. The xA doesn't have an essential safety feature: stability control. But a weird thing about this car is that it has optional neon lighting in the cabin. The ride is fair but choppy and the engine is noisy. The gas mileage for the xA is: City: 31 - 32   Highway: 37 - 38 MPG. The positive features about this car are the price, the reliability, and the comfort. Go try the new car company on the street, they got it right the first time!
Pricing: Starting MSRP $12,480
2005 Scion xA 4dr Sedan shown

5) Nissan Sentra
​The Nissan Sentra is the exact model as the 2004 (carryover,) but it should be redesigned soon. But for now, the Sentra has a standard 126hp 1.8 liter Inline-4cyl. For optional engines there is a 165hp 2.5 liter I-4, and 175hp 2.5 liter I-4. The gas mileage for the Sentra is 27 city and 35 MPG highway. The Sentra lacks standardized features compared to other compact sedans and has not many useful optional features. The Sentra has a below average reliability but has low depreciation, an average ride, and has a lower base price.
Pricing: Starting MSRP $12,600 - $17,700
2005 Nissan Sentra 4dr Sedan shown 

All pricing courtesy of cars.com. EPA gas mileage courtesy of cars.com .