Size has become the order of the day on streets and freeways across North America, but it’s not for everyone. While the market has taken a noticeable tilt toward SUVs, crossovers, and pickups, there are those who still prefer the agility and convenience of a luxury compact. Compact cars are ideal for city driving, and they remain a popular choice in busy urban areas. They’re easier to drive down narrow streets, and they fit in much tighter parking spots. When you’re using curbside parking most of the time, a compact car can make life so much more convenient. Plus, they’re often more fun to drive and give you better mileage than larger vehicles.
For city drivers who love driving for its own sake and want a compact vehicle that can squeeze through narrow streets and fit into tighter parking spots than most, these are some of the top luxury compact cars of the year.
#1 Audi A5
The Audi A5 is a lively four-cylinder sporting the kind of elegant design and punch that drivers have come to expect from Audi. Here’s what you can expect from the Audi A5:
261 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder with seven-speed automatic transmission.
- Power to sprint from 0 to 60 in just 5.0 seconds.
- Accurate steering that comes to life on twists and turns.
- Quattro All-Wheel Drive helps the chassis balance on tight corners and turns.
- 24 miles-per-gallon on city driving and 31 mpg on highways.
- Comfortable interior in the front, though the backseat interior can feel a bit tight.
- The Audi A5 is agile, sleek, and beautifully assembled.
#2 Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is the best-selling EV in the world and one of the top-selling compact cars worldwide. For drivers who want to make the switch to electric, the Tesla Model 3 provides a combination of strong driving range and performance. These are some of the features of the Tesla Model 3:
- The Long Range model goes up to 358 miles on a single charge, while the Performance model gives you up to 315 miles. The base rear-wheel-drive model gets up to 272 miles.
- The Model 3 Performance gets to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, about half a second quicker than the Long Range.
- A simply-designed interior based around the touchscreen control panel and low, flat floors that give the vehicle plenty of legroom.
If
there’s one major downside to the Tesla Model 3, it’s that the “Full Self-Driving” option is both pricey and not what it claims to be.
#3 BMW 4
The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is a fun and luxurious drive that doubles down on BMW’s signature front grille style with a distinctive double-kidney grille. It can be a controversial look, but those who love the BMW style will find plenty behind that snout to enjoy.
The BMW 4 comes with two engine options. The 430i has a more modest 255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, while the M440i is powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder coming in at 382 horsepower.
- The M440i gets 0-60 in 3.8 seconds, while the 430i gets there in 5.2 seconds.
- Strong brakes will get you from 70 mph to zero in 149 feet, according to Car and Driver.
- Compact luxury cars are the perfect option for city driving and drivers who prefer agility and control to supersized vehicles. These are three of the top picks for this year’s luxury compacts.