Best luxury compact cars of 2026, ranked by owner data
We ranked 17 luxury compact cars on sale in the US and Canada against each other on three measured things: problems reported by owners, the new asking price, and EPA combined fuel economy.
Data from October 2026. Sources: owner reports, Auto.dev US listings, EPA ratings. How we rank · Best used luxury compact cars
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
#1 of 17
BMW 2 Series
Score 89 out of 100
- Owner reliability (41 of 45 points): 2 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent: fewer than about 91% of this list
- Price (26 of 30 points): median new asking price $41,272 (50 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 88% of this list
- Fuel economy (22 of 25 points): 30 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 87% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
- New price
- $38k–$47k (median $41,272)
- Fuel economy
- 30 mpg
- Owner reports
- 2 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent
- Main owner complaint
- Higher running and potential repair costs associated with BMW ownership
Best for
Most reliable by owners
Owner reports list only isolated problems. Ranked #4.
Lowest new price
Median new asking price $38,640. Ranked #7.
Best fuel economy
33 mpg combined (EPA). Ranked #8.
The full ranking
- #1
BMW 2 Series
Score 89- New price
- $38k–$47k (median $41,272)
- Fuel economy
- 30 mpg
- Owner reports
- 2 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent
- Main owner complaint
- Higher running and potential repair costs associated with BMW ownership
Why #1
- Owner reliability (41 of 45 points): 2 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent: fewer than about 91% of this list
- Price (26 of 30 points): median new asking price $41,272 (50 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 88% of this list
- Fuel economy (22 of 25 points): 30 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 87% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
- #2
Audi A3
Score 75- New price
- $40k–$43k (median $41,093)
- Fuel economy
- 28 mpg
- Owner reports
- 4 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent
- Main owner complaint
- Engine-specific problems
Why #2
- Owner reliability (31 of 45 points): 4 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent: fewer than about 69% of this list
- Price (28 of 30 points): median new asking price $41,093 (50 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 94% of this list
- Fuel economy (16 of 25 points): 28 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 63% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
- #3
Cadillac CT4
Score 74- New price
- $40k–$47k (median $42,794)
- Fuel economy
- 24 mpg
- Owner reports
- 2 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent
- Main owner complaint
- 10-speed automatic transmission reliability
Why #3
- Owner reliability (41 of 45 points): 2 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent: fewer than about 91% of this list
- Price (24 of 30 points): median new asking price $42,794 (49 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 81% of this list
- Fuel economy (9 of 25 points): 24 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 37% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
- #4
Audi S3
Score 71- New price
- $53k–$55k (median $53,390)
- Fuel economy
- 26 mpg
- Owner reports
- Owner reports list only isolated problems
Why #4
- Owner reliability (45 of 45 points): Owner reports list only isolated problems: the fewest on this list
- Price (13 of 30 points): median new asking price $53,390 (50 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 44% of this list
- Fuel economy (13 of 25 points): 26 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 50% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
- #5
Mercedes-Benz C-class
Score 68- New price
- $45k–$54k (median $46,912)
- Fuel economy
- 28 mpg
- Owner reports
- 1 very frequent problem and 2 recurring in owner reports
- Main owner complaint
- General higher maintenance/repair costs
Why #5
- Owner reliability (31 of 45 points): 1 very frequent problem and 2 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 69% of this list
- Price (21 of 30 points): median new asking price $46,912 (50 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 69% of this list
- Fuel economy (16 of 25 points): 28 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 63% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
- #6
BMW 3 Series
Score 66- New price
- $51k–$71k (median $57,510)
- Fuel economy
- 29 mpg
- Owner reports
- 1 very frequent problem and 1 recurring in owner reports
- Main owner complaint
- Early LCI interior complaints about removal of physical climate and shortcut buttons
Why #6
- Owner reliability (36 of 45 points): 1 very frequent problem and 1 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 81% of this list
- Price (11 of 30 points): median new asking price $57,510 (47 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 38% of this list
- Fuel economy (19 of 25 points): 29 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 77% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
- #7
Acura Integra
Score 62- New price
- $37k–$42k (median $38,640)
- Fuel economy
- 31 mpg
- Owner reports
- 3 very frequent problems and 6 recurring in owner reports
- Main owner complaint
- Interior rattles from door panels, dash, glovebox, seatbelts, and speakers
Why #7
- Owner reliability (9 of 45 points): 3 very frequent problems and 6 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 19% of this list
- Price (30 of 30 points): median new asking price $38,640 (49 US listings, Auto.dev): the lowest of this list
- Fuel economy (23 of 25 points): 31 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 93% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
- #8
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Score 47- New price
- $44k–$51k (median $47,230)
- Fuel economy
- 33 mpg
- Owner reports
- 5 very frequent problems and 5 recurring in owner reports
- Main owner complaint
- Transmission problems (DCT/7G-DCT)
Why #8
- Owner reliability (3 of 45 points): 5 very frequent problems and 5 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 6% of this list
- Price (19 of 30 points): median new asking price $47,230 (49 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 63% of this list
- Fuel economy (25 of 25 points): 33 mpg combined (EPA): the best gas or hybrid on this list
- #9
Genesis G70
Score 46- New price
- $40k–$48k (median $43,080)
- Fuel economy
- 24 mpg
- Owner reports
- 3 very frequent problems and 2 recurring in owner reports
- Main owner complaint
- Dealership service and corporate support problems
Why #9
- Owner reliability (14 of 45 points): 3 very frequent problems and 2 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 31% of this list
- Price (23 of 30 points): median new asking price $43,080 (50 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 75% of this list
- Fuel economy (9 of 25 points): 24 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 37% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
- #10
BMW 4 Series
Score 43- New price
- $58k–$73k (median $67,992)
- Fuel economy
- 29 mpg
- Owner reports
- 1 very frequent problem and 5 recurring in owner reports
- Main owner complaint
- High cost of ownership and unexpected repairs
Why #10
- Owner reliability (18 of 45 points): 1 very frequent problem and 5 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 41% of this list
- Price (6 of 30 points): median new asking price $67,992 (46 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 19% of this list
- Fuel economy (19 of 25 points): 29 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 77% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
- #11
Audi A5
Score 36- New price
- $49k–$53k (median $50,675)
- Fuel economy
- 26 mpg
- Owner reports
- 4 very frequent problems and 5 recurring in owner reports
- Main owner complaint
- High maintenance and repair costs out of warranty
Why #11
- Owner reliability (6 of 45 points): 4 very frequent problems and 5 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 13% of this list
- Price (17 of 30 points): median new asking price $50,675 (50 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 56% of this list
- Fuel economy (13 of 25 points): 26 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 50% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
- #12
BMW M4
Score 33- New price
- $100k–$113k (median $109,304)
- Fuel economy
- 19 mpg
- Owner reports
- 1 very frequent problem and 2 recurring in owner reports
- Main owner complaint
- High Cost of Ownership
Why #12
- Owner reliability (31 of 45 points): 1 very frequent problem and 2 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 69% of this list
- Price (0 of 30 points): median new asking price $109,304 (45 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 0% of this list
- Fuel economy (2 of 25 points): 19 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 7% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
- #13
BMW i4
Score 32- New price
- $64k–$71k (median $67,940)
- Fuel economy
- 101 MPGe
- Owner reports
- 1 very frequent problem and 3 recurring in owner reports
- Main owner complaint
- Severe depreciation
Why #13
- Owner reliability (24 of 45 points): 1 very frequent problem and 3 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 53% of this list
- Price (8 of 30 points): median new asking price $67,940 (46 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 25% of this list
- Fuel economy (0 of 25 points): No data yet (too few EVs to compare)
- #14
Lexus IS
Score 31- New price
- $49k–$53k (median $50,830)
- Fuel economy
- 22 mpg
- Owner reports
- 3 very frequent problems and 4 recurring in owner reports
- Main owner complaint
- Carbon buildup on intake valves (IS 250 with 4GR-FSE engine)
Why #14
- Owner reliability (11 of 45 points): 3 very frequent problems and 4 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 25% of this list
- Price (15 of 30 points): median new asking price $50,830 (47 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 50% of this list
- Fuel economy (5 of 25 points): 22 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 20% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
- #15
BMW M2
Score 30- New price
- $75k–$85k (median $78,539)
- Fuel economy
- 19 mpg
- Owner reports
- 5 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent
- Main owner complaint
- Manual transmission feel described as "rubbery," "vague," or not particularly special
Why #15
- Owner reliability (24 of 45 points): 5 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent: fewer than about 53% of this list
- Price (4 of 30 points): median new asking price $78,539 (48 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 13% of this list
- Fuel economy (2 of 25 points): 19 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 7% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
- #16
BMW M3
Score 22- New price
- $96k–$109k (median $102,082)
- Fuel economy
- 19 mpg
- Owner reports
- 2 very frequent problems and 3 recurring in owner reports
- Main owner complaint
- SMG Transmission Reliability & Driveability (E46 Generation)
Why #16
- Owner reliability (18 of 45 points): 2 very frequent problems and 3 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 41% of this list
- Price (2 of 30 points): median new asking price $102,082 (39 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 6% of this list
- Fuel economy (2 of 25 points): 19 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 7% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
- #17
Audi S5
Score 16- New price
- $64k–$68k (median $66,460)
- Fuel economy
- 23 mpg
- Owner reports
- 5 very frequent problems and 7 recurring in owner reports
- Main owner complaint
- Persistent check engine lights with numerous fault codes
Why #17
- Owner reliability (0 of 45 points): 5 very frequent problems and 7 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 0% of this list
- Price (9 of 30 points): median new asking price $66,460 (50 US listings, Auto.dev): lower than about 31% of this list
- Fuel economy (7 of 25 points): 23 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 27% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
How we rank
- Owner reliability, 45 points. Problems that owners report again and again, from our owner reports. A very frequent problem counts twice. Fewer problems than the other cars on this page earns more points.
- New price, 30 points. The median asking price in US listings (Auto.dev). Cheaper than the others earns more.
- Fuel economy, 25 points. EPA combined rating. Electric cars are compared only with other electric cars, in MPGe.
- No guesses. A car needs enough owner reports and three years on sale to be ranked. A number we don't have earns 0 points and says "No data yet". We never compare NHTSA complaint counts between models, because they grow with the number of cars sold.
Questions
- What is the best luxury compact car of 2026?
- The BMW 2 Series ranks #1 of 17 with a score of 89 out of 100. 2 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent, and its new price is $41,272 at the median.
- Which luxury compact car has the fewest owner-reported problems?
- The Audi S3: owner reports list only isolated problems.
- What is the cheapest luxury compact car on this list?
- The Acura Integra, with a median new asking price $38,640, based on US listings.
- How does CarWizz rank luxury compact cars?
- Each car is compared only with the other cars on this page. Owner reliability is worth 45 points, new price 30 points and EPA combined fuel economy 25 points. A car without enough owner reports is not ranked, and a missing number earns no points.
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