2009 APEAL: Subcompact and Compact Cars

Subcompact Car Segment


Highest Ranked: 2009 Smart Fortwo
The 2009 Smart Fortwo is the most appealing subcompact car according to the results of the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 APEAL Study, ranking ahead of the No. 2-ranked 2009 Scion xD and the No. 3-ranked 2009 Honda Fit, in its first year of inclusion in the study. Last year, the previous-generation Honda Fit was the highest-ranked subcompact car.

The Fortwo is sold as a 2-door hatchback or convertible, equipped with a normally aspirated 3-cylinder engine powering the front wheels through a 5-speed automated manual transmission. EPA fuel-economy ratings range from a low of 33 mpg city to a high of 41 mpg highway. It is offered in basic Pure, up-level Passion, and sporty Brabus trim levels. Options range from the basic, like power steering and air conditioning on Pure models, to the upscale, such as leather and premium audio on the Passion model.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Fortwo hatchback receives a 4-star crash-test rating for the driver in a frontal impact, and a 3-star rating for the front passenger in a frontal impact. In the side-impact test, the Fortwo receives a 5-star protection rating, but the NHTSA noted a safety concern in this measure. The Fortwo also receives a 3-star rollover rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Fortwo “Good” ratings in the frontal offset and side-impact crash tests and an “Acceptable” rear crash protection rating.

In the 2009 APEAL Study, the Fortwo performed particularly well in the Fuel Economy, Exterior, and Visibility and Driving Safety categories. Owners say the Fortwo’s top three attributes are the ability of the seat surfaces to resist soil and lint, seating material that conveys an impression of high quality, and the appearance of the wheels and tires.

Learn More About the 2009 Smart Fortwo
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Ranked No. 2: 2009 Scion xD
Ranked No. 3: 2009 Honda Fit