So both outlets recently tested small, under $30,000 cars. Car & Driver's comparison test came out first, on May 15th. It was an interesting comparison but some said it was all over the place because some of the cars didn't exactly lineup with each other. In it, they tested the Kia K4 GT-Line hatch, Honda Civic Sport Hybrid hatch, Toyota Corolla FX hatch (which is a given because the FX is only available as a hatch), VW Jetta SEL, Nissan Sentra SL, and the Subaru Impreza RS (which is also only available as a hatch).

If you're a regular reader of C&D, you know how this comparison went down. The Civic Hybrid took the crown, with them giving it high marks for its fuel economy, speed and road manners though they knocked it for not having enough content and its transmission.

The Jetta surprisingly took second, the Corolla 3rd, the K4 4th, the Impreza 5th and the Sentra last.

Motor Trend's comparison test wasn't as big. They only had 3 cars for their test: the K4 LXS - which also happens to be their long term test vehicle -, the Honda Civic Sport sedan, and the Nissan Sentra SR. Like Car & Driver, the Sentra finished last here as well. And from what I've seen online, the problem lies with the fact that it's basically just a reskin of the previous generation: new dudes, old bones. It seriously needs a better engine. Surprisingly the Civic finished second with Motor Trend. Unlike Car & Driver, Motor Trend wasn't wooed by the Civic's on road manners. Instead, it got knocked for value, with Motor Trend saying:

"...you give up a lot, spend a fair amount up front, and get less than you do elsewhere in the segment with the Civic. For us, at under $30,000, the Civic’s technology is too dated, cost cutting too extreme, and its spartan features set prevents us crowning it the new compact king."

The K4 finished first, mainly because you get a lot of value for the money and that apparently it's a "compelling overall package.". I think I would have to agree with Motor Trend's test. Car & Driver has favored Honda for years. not saying they have a bias but if an Accord or Civic is in a comparison, it's usually a given it'll take the crown with Car & Driver. They also have tendency to view mainstream cars through the lens of an enthusiast, and it sometimes skewers their testing results. So from what I've seen with these tests and from what people have said online, the Civic, K4 and Jetta seem to be the best go tos for a sold cheap car. The Corolla is small, the Impreza is forgettable (though it does offer all-wheel drive) and the Sentra is only impressive on the surface.