2011 Compact Cars: Five Cars on the Marker Worth Considering

With the increasing number of cars on the road (increasing traffic intensity, consequently) and the threats to the environment that seem to be popping out everywhere, buying an efficient compact car does not only serve you and your family, it can also contribute some good to your community. Be sure to check out the following compact cars if you are buying one soon.

1. 2011 Ford Focus Sedan. With four models to choose from, the S, SE, SES and SEL, Ford offers enough of a variety to fit your personality, whether you're sporty, luxurious, or downright practical. The Sporty Focus SES has a boxy appeal to it, something I personally prefer. Standard to the SES and SEL models though is the Ambient Lighting feature, which adds a classy feel to your interior. Ambient lights at the front and rear footwells and cupholders can be cuztomized to seven different colors to suit whatever mood you're in. More than the Ambient Lighting feature though is the SYNC feature, which connects your car to your favorite mobile gadgets. From getting directions, hands-free dialling, to hearing the latest news, you can program your 2011 Ford Focus Sedan to make accessing your favorite mobile applications safely and conveniently. If you're into music, too, then the SIRIUS Satellite Radio, which provides more than 130 channels (commercial-free music!), is a treat - the Ford Focus Sedan comes with a free six-month subscription to this service. Suggested Retail Price starts at $16,640.

2. 2011 Honda Civic Sedan. While not as luxurious as a Ford Focus Sedan, the Honda Civic Sedan offers great features for a more affordable price. With six models to choose from, you can truly customize your buying experience to fit your style and your budget. The Honda Civic Sedan boasts of smart engineering, powerful braking, and five-speed transmission - automatic and manual. An Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle, the Honda Civic Sedan is also friendly to the environment, not just to your pocket - a great consideration in buying a vehicle in today's times. You also have some interior illumination, like the Ambient Lighting of a Ford Focus, but it is only in Blue LED located in the front driver and passenger-seat footwells. Hands-free calls and navigation are also added features. Suggested Retail Price starts at $15,805.

3. 2011 Mazda3. With its predecessor awarded as the Best Small Car by Motorweek, the 2011 Mazda3 lives up to its name. This series of compact cars from Mazda has always looked sleek and elegant, with high-end features that come at an affordable price. Reasonable luxury, if such a thing ever existed. Its High-Intensity-Discharge headlights add to the already classy form and design of the body - making this compact car look more expensive than it is. Extending this sleekness and elegance from the exterior to the interior, the inside of the 2011 Mazda3 is just classic beauty. With clean-cut lines on cloth-trimmed or leather-trimmed seats, you would feel like you're riding a luxury car inside this compact car. The 2011 Mazda3 also boasts of hands-free connectivity - to your phone, mp3 player, or your iPod, as well as a built-in navigation system. You also have first-class treatment from its welcome lighting in soft blue illumination. Suggested Retail Price starts at $15,800.

4. 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer. I would call this the no-nonsense car. From its serious exterior features, driving around in this car somehow sends a message that you mean business. No frills in the outside, the 2011 Lancer offers 18-inch wheels, a lightweight aluminum hood, sharp lighting design, and a sleek but not showy body. Inside, you also get different options for seating, but, as practical as it is, the 2011 Lancer also offers the option of heated leather seating. As with most compact cars of today, the 2011 Lancer offers hands-free options to call with its FUSE Bluetooth technology. With four models to choose from, if you're the straightforward, get right down to business kind of guy or gal, you can't go wrong with a Lancer. Suggested Retail Price starts at $15,195.

5. 2011 Toyota Prius. Last but definitely not the least, the 2011 Toyota Prius is worth checking out, whether you're a yuppie or not. A hybrid car that is packed with great features, the Pruis 11 might just be the compact car that you need (and want). The Prius 11 offers four models to choose from, and depending on which model you choose, cool features such as a moonroof can be added to your model. Inside, you also have the option of choosing between fabric-trimmed or leather-trimmed, a hands-free bluetooth system to place your calls, and a built-in navigation system. Remote keyless entry is also a standard feature for all four models. More than anything though, its hybrid system is the highest selling point of the Toyota Prius 11. While prices may start at a higher level, in the long run, you'll be saving money and the environment. Suggested Retail Price starts at $23,050.

Overall, all compact cars from these different vehicle manufacturers have their own strong points and unique features to offer. It really depends on what kind of a person you are - which features are necessary for you to be happy driving your car. When it comes to practicality, the Mitsubishi Lancer seems to be the top choice at a very affordable price, but for a more luxurious feel, you may want to choose between the Ford Focus or the Mazda3. For a lasting positive impact on the environment, all five compact cars are energy and fuel efficient, but the hybrid feature of the Prius may appeal more to you. Whichever car you choose, it seems that you can't go wrong with any of these five cars. Drive safely!