Research
February 27, 2008
2008 new and redesigned compact cars
2008 new models by body style
Looking for an all-new compact car in 2008? Here's a brief overview of all the compact cars that have been redesigned or are brand-new models to the market in 2008. Some of the highlights include the redesigned Subaru Impreza and the brand-new Volvo C30.
2008 Ford Focus
Redesigned for 2008
List prices: $14,075-$16,375
Ford's popular Focus compact car has been spruced up for 2008 with new styling inside and out. A new two-door coupe has been added to the lineup, too, but only the coupe and sedan models will be available for 2008.
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
Redesigned for 2008
List prices: $13,990-$17,590
After sitting out the 2007 model year, Mitsubishi's compact sedan, the Lancer, returns as a redesigned model for 2008 and now shares its platform with the company's Outlander crossover SUV.
2008 Saturn Astra
New for 2008
List prices: $14,075-$16,375
The Saturn Astra replaces the Ion compact sedan and coupe, which didn't enjoy nearly the success of the earlier small models on which the "different kind of car company" is based. The Astra is an experiment of sorts — an unapologetic rebadging of a car sold overseas, the Opel Astra. By using the same model name, GM is celebrating rather than hiding the origin of this car, which is well-regarded in Europe. It sold close to 500,000 units there last year.
The last time GM tried this experiment, a reworked Subaru Impreza was sold as the Saab 9-2X, and it was an abject failure. A car that was supposed to cost more than the Subaru ended up selling for far less, despite arguable superiority. (People who took advantage were wise indeed.)
So why should this be any different? Because this car isn't sold in the United States by anyone else under any name.
2008 Scion xD
New for 2008
List prices: Starting at $14,550
Scion, Toyota's youth-marketed division, will see its fifth birthday in 2008. Appropriately, the brand has embarked on a hatchback switcheroo this year, redesigning its two entry-level cars. The funky xB goes upmarket, while the xA becomes the xD. It's an entry-level car meant to compete with the Honda Fit and other small hatchbacks, but thanks to an upgraded engine and more safety features, it isn't as basic as its predecessor.
Scion will eventually make more than 40 accessories available for the xD.
2008 Subaru Impreza
Redesigned for 2008
List prices: $16,995-$24,850
From the outside, it's hard to tell that the redesigned Subaru Impreza has any relation to its predecessor. The new grille sits within one frame instead of three, and the hatchback version sports dotted taillights similar to those on the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV.
In the cabin and under the hood, though, it's largely the same car. The base Impreza 2.5i gets a 170-hp four-cylinder engine, while the sportier WRX has a turbocharged version that's good for 224-hp. Either one can be had with a manual or automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is standard. The interior is new — all the better to package new safety features, like side curtain airbags — but it retains the old car's Spartan approach.
A 300-hp Impreza WRX STi topped the previous model line.
Smart ForTwo
2008 Smart ForTwo
New for 2008
List prices: $11,590-$16,590
After years of struggling to commit, Smart says it's finally bringing its tiny ForTwo to the U.S. market. And we mean tiny: The Smart ForTwo is just 106 inches long, more than 3 feet shorter than a Mini Cooper. Park it perpendicular to a Ford Expedition, and its rear end extends just 14.3 inches beyond the Expedition's side mirrors.
Under the auspices of DaimlerChrysler and car dealership mogul Roger Penske, Smart plans to sell the ForTwo in hardtop and convertible form in the United States starting in early 2008.
2008 Suzuki SX4 sedan
New sedan body style for 2008
List prices: TBA
Previously offered only as a hatchback in the United States, Suzuki will add a sedan version of its SX4 compact car for 2008. While the SX4 hatchback is part of a small group of all-wheel-drive compacts that includes the likes of the Subaru Impreza, the SX4 sedan is front-wheel-drive only.
2008 Volkswagen R32
New for 2008
List prices: Starting at $32,990
After the success of its limited-production 2004 R32, Volkswagen is bringing out a new version based on the redesigned Rabbit/GTI. What distinguishes the R32 from the GTI is its 3.2-liter six-cylinder and 4Motion all-wheel drive. Unlike the GTI, the R32 will be produced only as a two-door.
2008 Volkswagen GLI
New for 2008
List prices: Starting at $24,230
Volkswagen last redesigned its Jetta halfway through the 2005 model year. For 2008, the base 2.5-liter inline-five-cylinder engine gets a horsepower boost, and the model's trim levels have been revised; the Jetta is now offered in S, SE and SEL forms. Competitors include the Honda Civic and Mazda3.
The Jetta GLI is a performance-oriented version of the model that features a turbocharged four-cylinder under its hood. The GLI's ride height is reduced for a sportier appearance, and launch control comes standard for models with the DSG transmission.
2008 Volvo C30
New for 2008
List prices: $22,700-$25,700
Volvo took a play out of Mercedes-Benz's book with the entry-level C30 hatchback, which is based on Volvo's compact S40 sedan. Like Mercedes' recent C230 coupe, the four-passenger C30 has abundant safety features and a high-output engine. The running gear should help establish the C30 as a hot hatch to the tune of a Volkswagen GTI or Mini Cooper S, and "like the baby Benz" it will also try to duck the image of entry-level luxury cars being underpowered and meagerly equipped.
The C30 marks Volvo's third S40 spinoff; others include the V50 wagon and C70 convertible. The S40 is related to several cars built under parent company Ford's umbrella — among them the Mazda3 compact car and Mazda5 minivan.
