Unless you get a hybrid or electric vehicle, pretty much all cars and smaller SUVs get the same gas mileage -- about 30 mpg.

There are some that under-perform that. But, you would be surprised that you really DON'T get a boost in mpg by going smaller. It's just the way gas engines work.

So, a Honda CRV would be a good option for you. Rav4 is the same. Crosstrek, also a good option -- it is giving you less cargo room and you don't really get any better mpg in the trade. That's why you see a ga-zillion CRVs and Rav4 on the highways -- they are literrally the ALL purpose/maximum space/maximum mileage/best price value vehicle out there.

If you want a Subaru, you could do the Forester as well.

DH wanted to look for vehicles that were a little smaller than my CRV - - this is what we found. You just don't get a notable value for going smaller.

For your price point -- 30K, you can definitely get any of those that I've listed.

We also looked at the Kia Soul (cute car) and the Honda HRV. My opinion is that the Crosstrek seemed better than the HRV. And the Kia Soul -- just didn't have the quality that we wanted inside. Plus we hated the way it automatically shuts off the engine whenever you come to a stop (like at a stop light or in traffic). It was disturbing to wonder "did the car just quit working????".

There are lots of cars out there -- sedans, hatchbacks, small suvs -- but the best value for space, efficiency, quality, functionality comes with those small suvs that you see EVERYWHERE .... CRV, RAv4

Anonymous wrote:Subaru Impreza is a little bigger but has all of the features you mentioned.

+1

The Impreza is AWD, but is otherwise a fantastic car. It comes in a sedan and a hatchback version.

There's also the VW Golf, but I don't know how those are these days.

Link to excise tax exemption in DC
https://dmv.dc.gov/page/hybrid-vehicle-excise-tax-exemption

Look at the Subaru Crosstrek. Got one last year for $26k out the door with all the safety features. If you live in DC consider a hybrid as there is no sales tax on most hybrids. Significant savings from that.

Subaru Impreza is a little bigger but has all of the features you mentioned.

Drive a Prius. You will be surprised by the roominess.

I just sold my 2006 Prius. I loved it the whole time.

We just bought the Prius Prime. We are totally loving it.
The Prime is electric, battery and gas. The doors are
heavy/solid. The hatch is heavy/solid. For a fuel economy
vehicle it is built solid.

Would very much appreciate any suggestions for cars that meet the following criteria:

hatchback - I just like the extra cargo space

good fuel economy - don't need AWD - front wheel drive is fine

good suite of safety features, e.g., blind spot warnings, lane-change warnings, rear-view camera, parking assistance etc.

reliable - not in the shop often

overall solid feel with limited "cabin noise"

ideally $30K or less out the door, all fees included

The car is just for me to commute to work 30 minutes each way and running errands. My kids are grown so I drive by myself about 95% of the time.

Part of the sticking point here is size. My DH is very nervous about me driving a small car on the highway every day, and although it's "my" car, I want him to feel comfortable when I leave for work. So, something like a Honda Fit is too small. But I have to parallel park on the street every day as well, and fuel economy is important to me, so I don't want something too big.

So far I've identified the Mazda 3, Mini Countryman, and Toyota Corolla hatchback as possibilities, but am not super excited about any of these. Thanks very much for any suggestions/ideas.