Best used luxury compact cars, ranked by owner data

We ranked 23 used luxury compact cars sold in the US and Canada in the last five years against each other on three measured things: problems reported by owners, the used asking price, and EPA combined fuel economy.

Data from October 2026. Sources: owner reports, Auto.dev US listings, EPA ratings. How we rank · Best luxury compact cars

Audi A4

Photo: Kickaffe (Mario von Berg) / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

#1 of 23

Audi A4

Score 84 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 (30 of 30 points): median used asking price $17,333 (48 US listings, all model years, Auto.dev): the lowest of the cars no longer sold new (this one until 2025)
  • Fuel economy (13 of 25 points): 26 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 52% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
Used price
$12k–$23k (median $17,333)
Fuel economy
26 mpg
Owner reports
2 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent
Main owner complaint
Oil consumption (burning a quart every 1,000 miles or less)
Best recent year
2023
Years to avoid
2020

Best for

  • Most reliable by owners

    Audi S3

    Owner reports list only isolated problems. Ranked #5.

  • Lowest used price, still sold new

    Mercedes-Benz C-class

    Median used asking price $16,900. Ranked #3.

  • Best fuel economy

    Mercedes-Benz CLA

    33 mpg combined (EPA). Ranked #12.

The full ranking

  1. #1

    Audi A4

    Score 84
    Used price
    $12k–$23k (median $17,333)
    Fuel economy
    26 mpg
    Owner reports
    2 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent
    Main owner complaint
    Oil consumption (burning a quart every 1,000 miles or less)
    Best recent year
    2023
    Years to avoid
    2020
    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 (30 of 30 points): median used asking price $17,333 (48 US listings, all model years, Auto.dev): the lowest of the cars no longer sold new (this one until 2025)
    • Fuel economy (13 of 25 points): 26 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 52% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  2. #2

    BMW 3 Series

    Score 81
    Used price
    $10k–$26k (median $17,820)
    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
    Best recent year
    2020
    Why #2
    • Owner reliability (37 of 45 points): 1 very frequent problem and 1 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 82% of this list
    • Price (24 of 30 points): median used asking price $17,820 (45 US listings, all model years, Auto.dev): lower than about 80% of the cars still sold new
    • Fuel economy (20 of 25 points): 29 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 79% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  3. #3

    Mercedes-Benz C-class

    Score 80
    Used price
    $11k–$27k (median $16,900)
    Fuel economy
    28 mpg
    Owner reports
    1 very frequent problem and 2 recurring in owner reports
    Main owner complaint
    General higher maintenance/repair costs
    Best recent year
    2021
    Years to avoid
    2016, 2017
    Why #3
    • Owner reliability (33 of 45 points): 1 very frequent problem and 2 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 73% of this list
    • Price (30 of 30 points): median used asking price $16,900 (48 US listings, all model years, Auto.dev): the lowest of the cars still sold new
    • Fuel economy (17 of 25 points): 28 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 69% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  4. #4

    BMW 2 Series

    Score 63
    Used price
    No data yet
    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 recent year
    2019
    Years to avoid
    2022, 2023
    Why #4
    • Owner reliability (41 of 45 points): 2 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent: fewer than about 91% of this list
    • Price (0 of 30 points): No data yet (no used listing prices)
    • Fuel economy (22 of 25 points): 30 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 88% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  5. #5

    Audi S3

    Score 58
    Used price
    No data yet
    Fuel economy
    26 mpg
    Owner reports
    Owner reports list only isolated problems
    Best recent year
    2020
    Why #5
    • Owner reliability (45 of 45 points): Owner reports list only isolated problems: the fewest on this list
    • Price (0 of 30 points): No data yet (no used listing prices)
    • Fuel economy (13 of 25 points): 26 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 52% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  6. #6

    Mini Clubman

    Score 52
    Used price
    $12k–$26k (median $19,194)
    Fuel economy
    27 mpg
    Owner reports
    2 very frequent problems and 4 recurring in owner reports
    Main owner complaint
    Upper Engine Mount Failure
    Years to avoid
    2017
    Why #6
    • Owner reliability (18 of 45 points): 2 very frequent problems and 4 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 39% of this list
    • Price (18 of 30 points): median used asking price $19,194 (48 US listings, all model years, Auto.dev): lower than about 60% of the cars no longer sold new (this one until 2024)
    • Fuel economy (16 of 25 points): 27 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 62% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  7. #7

    Cadillac CT4

    Score 51
    Used price
    No data yet
    Fuel economy
    24 mpg
    Owner reports
    2 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent
    Main owner complaint
    10-speed automatic transmission reliability
    Best recent year
    2023
    Years to avoid
    2022
    Why #7
    • Owner reliability (41 of 45 points): 2 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent: fewer than about 91% of this list
    • Price (0 of 30 points): No data yet (no used listing prices)
    • Fuel economy (10 of 25 points): 24 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 38% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  8. #8

    Audi A3

    Score 50
    Used price
    No data yet
    Fuel economy
    28 mpg
    Owner reports
    4 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent
    Main owner complaint
    Engine-specific problems
    Best recent year
    2019
    Years to avoid
    2016
    Why #8
    • Owner reliability (33 of 45 points): 4 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent: fewer than about 73% of this list
    • Price (0 of 30 points): No data yet (no used listing prices)
    • Fuel economy (17 of 25 points): 28 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 69% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  9. #9

    Volvo S60

    Score 45
    Used price
    $19k–$29k (median $23,869)
    Fuel economy
    30 mpg
    Owner reports
    2 very frequent problems and 6 recurring in owner reports
    Main owner complaint
    PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system failure
    Best recent year
    2018
    Why #9
    • Owner reliability (11 of 45 points): 2 very frequent problems and 6 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 25% of this list
    • Price (12 of 30 points): median used asking price $23,869 (47 US listings, all model years, Auto.dev): lower than about 40% of the cars no longer sold new (this one until 2025)
    • Fuel economy (22 of 25 points): 30 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 88% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  10. #10

    Infiniti Q50

    Score 43
    Used price
    $15k–$22k (median $18,286)
    Fuel economy
    22 mpg
    Owner reports
    3 very frequent problems and 3 recurring in owner reports
    Main owner complaint
    Turbocharger failures (VR30 3.0t engine)
    Best recent year
    2022
    Why #10
    • Owner reliability (14 of 45 points): 3 very frequent problems and 3 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 32% of this list
    • Price (24 of 30 points): median used asking price $18,286 (43 US listings, all model years, Auto.dev): lower than about 80% of the cars no longer sold new (this one until 2024)
    • Fuel economy (5 of 25 points): 22 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 19% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  11. #11

    BMW 4 Series

    Score 42
    Used price
    No data yet
    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
    Best recent year
    2021
    Why #11
    • Owner reliability (22 of 45 points): 1 very frequent problem and 5 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 48% of this list
    • Price (0 of 30 points): No data yet (no used listing prices)
    • Fuel economy (20 of 25 points): 29 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 79% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  12. #12

    Mercedes-Benz CLA

    Score 39
    Used price
    $15k–$30k (median $23,080)
    Fuel economy
    33 mpg
    Owner reports
    5 very frequent problems and 5 recurring in owner reports
    Main owner complaint
    Transmission problems (DCT/7G-DCT)
    Best recent year
    2022
    Why #12
    • Owner reliability (2 of 45 points): 5 very frequent problems and 5 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 5% of this list
    • Price (12 of 30 points): median used asking price $23,080 (48 US listings, all model years, Auto.dev): lower than about 40% of the cars still sold new
    • Fuel economy (25 of 25 points): 33 mpg combined (EPA): the best gas or hybrid on this list
  13. #13

    Infiniti Q60

    Score 36
    Used price
    $20k–$32k (median $23,999)
    Fuel economy
    22 mpg
    Owner reports
    1 very frequent problem and 4 recurring in owner reports
    Main owner complaint
    Dated, low-quality interior
    Best recent year
    2019
    Years to avoid
    2017, 2018
    Why #13
    • Owner reliability (25 of 45 points): 1 very frequent problem and 4 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 55% of this list
    • Price (6 of 30 points): median used asking price $23,999 (48 US listings, all model years, Auto.dev): lower than about 20% of the cars no longer sold new (this one until 2022)
    • Fuel economy (5 of 25 points): 22 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 19% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  14. #14

    Audi A5

    Score 35
    Used price
    $13k–$38k (median $21,963)
    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
    Best recent year
    2017
    Years to avoid
    2020
    Why #14
    • Owner reliability (4 of 45 points): 4 very frequent problems and 5 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 9% of this list
    • Price (18 of 30 points): median used asking price $21,963 (46 US listings, all model years, Auto.dev): lower than about 60% of the cars still sold new
    • Fuel economy (13 of 25 points): 26 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 52% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  15. #15

    BMW M4

    Score 34
    Used price
    $47k–$75k (median $64,445)
    Fuel economy
    19 mpg
    Owner reports
    1 very frequent problem and 2 recurring in owner reports
    Main owner complaint
    High Cost of Ownership
    Best recent year
    2020
    Years to avoid
    2016
    Why #15
    • Owner reliability (33 of 45 points): 1 very frequent problem and 2 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 73% of this list
    • Price (0 of 30 points): median used asking price $64,445 (49 US listings, all model years, Auto.dev): lower than about 0% of the cars still sold new
    • Fuel economy (1 of 25 points): 19 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 5% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  16. #16

    Acura Integra

    Score 30
    Used price
    No data yet
    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
    Best recent year
    2023
    Years to avoid
    2023
    Why #16
    • Owner reliability (6 of 45 points): 3 very frequent problems and 6 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 14% of this list
    • Price (0 of 30 points): No data yet (no used listing prices)
    • Fuel economy (24 of 25 points): 31 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 95% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  17. #17

    BMW M3

    Score 29
    Used price
    $36k–$81k (median $56,399)
    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)
    Best recent year
    2017
    Years to avoid
    2020
    Why #17
    • Owner reliability (22 of 45 points): 2 very frequent problems and 3 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 48% of this list
    • Price (6 of 30 points): median used asking price $56,399 (45 US listings, all model years, Auto.dev): lower than about 20% of the cars still sold new
    • Fuel economy (1 of 25 points): 19 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 5% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  18. #18

    BMW M2

    Score 28
    Used price
    No data yet
    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
    Best recent year
    2023
    Why #18
    • Owner reliability (27 of 45 points): 5 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent: fewer than about 61% of this list
    • Price (0 of 30 points): No data yet (no used listing prices)
    • Fuel economy (1 of 25 points): 19 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 5% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  19. #19

    Genesis G70

    Score 28
    Used price
    No data yet
    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
    Best recent year
    2020
    Why #19
    • Owner reliability (18 of 45 points): 3 very frequent problems and 2 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 39% of this list
    • Price (0 of 30 points): No data yet (no used listing prices)
    • Fuel economy (10 of 25 points): 24 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 38% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  20. #20

    BMW i4

    Score 27
    Used price
    No data yet
    Fuel economy
    101 MPGe
    Owner reports
    1 very frequent problem and 3 recurring in owner reports
    Main owner complaint
    Severe depreciation
    Why #20
    • Owner reliability (27 of 45 points): 1 very frequent problem and 3 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 61% of this list
    • Price (0 of 30 points): No data yet (no used listing prices)
    • Fuel economy (0 of 25 points): No data yet (too few EVs to compare)
  21. #21

    Audi S4

    Score 18
    Used price
    $20k–$33k (median $27,786)
    Fuel economy
    24 mpg
    Owner reports
    3 very frequent problems and 5 recurring in owner reports
    Main owner complaint
    Timing chain guide failure
    Best recent year
    2022
    Why #21
    • Owner reliability (8 of 45 points): 3 very frequent problems and 5 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 18% of this list
    • Price (0 of 30 points): median used asking price $27,786 (49 US listings, all model years, Auto.dev): lower than about 0% of the cars no longer sold new (this one until 2025)
    • Fuel economy (10 of 25 points): 24 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 38% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  22. #22

    Lexus IS

    Score 16
    Used price
    No data yet
    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)
    Best recent year
    2021
    Why #22
    • Owner reliability (11 of 45 points): 3 very frequent problems and 4 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 25% of this list
    • Price (0 of 30 points): No data yet (no used listing prices)
    • Fuel economy (5 of 25 points): 22 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 19% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list
  23. #23

    Audi S5

    Score 7
    Used price
    No data yet
    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
    Best recent year
    2016
    Years to avoid
    2018, 2020
    Why #23
    • Owner reliability (0 of 45 points): 5 very frequent problems and 7 recurring in owner reports: fewer than about 0% of this list
    • Price (0 of 30 points): No data yet (no used listing prices)
    • Fuel economy (7 of 25 points): 23 mpg combined (EPA): better than about 29% of the gas and hybrid cars on this list

Not enough data to rank yet

These luxury compact cars are sold here, but we won't rank a car on guesses.

  • Acura ILX: not enough owner reports yet
  • Acura TLX: not enough owner reports yet

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.
  • Used price, 30 points. The median asking price in US listings (Auto.dev), all model years together. 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 used luxury compact car?
The Audi A4 ranks #1 of 23 with a score of 84 out of 100. 2 recurring problems in owner reports, none very frequent, and its used price is $17,333 at the median.
Which luxury compact car has the fewest owner-reported problems?
The Audi S3: owner reports list only isolated problems.
Which luxury compact car still sold new is the cheapest to buy used?
The Mercedes-Benz C-class, with a median used asking price $16,900, 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, used 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.

Not sure which one fits you?

Tell us your budget and how you drive. We rank the cars for you with the same data.

Find my car