Dollars and sense; some small sedans are a good value, but look for more than a low price.(includes related testing and ratings information)(Product/Service Evaluation)

There are several good reasons to buy a small sedan. They are easy to maneuver in tight spots, they typically provide very good fuel economy, and they're relatively inexpensive. The best models also provide ample power, efficient interior design, and an array of cabin amenities. While a small sedan is not the best choice for a large family or for carrying a lot of cargo, it can be just right as a commuter vehicle, a second car, or an urban runabout, or for buyers on a tight budget.

Small sedans typically have base prices of $14,000 to $18,000. By contrast, most midsized family sedans cost $22,000 to $27,000. In addition, a small sedan will typically use about $800 worth of fuel per year, about $200 less than a four-cylinder, midsized family sedan, such as a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry.

But small sedans vary greatly in performance, comfort, accommodations, safety equipment, and fit and finish. A low or discounted price can be attractive, but the money saved may not be worth the compromises in the total package.

Each of the five cars we tested for this report has its good points, and several of the cars are very inexpensive--the Hyundai Accent is priced under $13,000, and the Chevrolet Cavalier and Dodge Neon have deep discounts. But only the Suzuki Aerio performed relatively well in our tests. Because it was a new model for 2002 and its sales were relatively low, we don't have enough reliability data from our annual reader survey to recommend it. The other four cars rank at the bottom of our small-sedan Ratings. This reinforces the fact that a low price alone doesn't make a car a good value. For the top-ranked cars in this category, see "Shop Smart" and the Ratings chart on the facing page. A high-scoring, reliable used car may also be a better option than most of the cars here.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Although the Suzuki Aerio had the highest overall score in this group, it still ranks only midpack in our small-sedan Ratings. With its high roof and roomy interior, the Aerio provides easy access and easily accommodates tall people. Its rear seat and trunk were also the best of the group. But the ride is very stiff. Overall fuel economy of 25 mpg was not exceptional for this class. The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla both got 29 mpg in previous tests. All of the cars in this test use regular fuel.

The Aerio has a 145-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and is available with either front- or all-wheel drive. We chose the $14,699 GS front-wheel-drive sedan, which includes power windows, locks, and mirrors. Unfortunately, we couldn't find one with an antilock braking system, since all the ABS-equipped models we saw had AWD. With an automatic transmission, its sticker price was $16,294, including destination charge. As with all small sedans, the standard transmission is a five-speed manual, which provides a little better fuel economy than the automatic. The Consumer Reports Wholesale Price--which includes buyer rebates and what the dealer paid after incentives--is $15,171. (All CR Wholesale Prices were effective as of January 2003.)