2011 AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards: Premium Compact Car

AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA) are based on 73,000 surveys completed by owners of new cars and light trucks in the United States in the first half of 2011.

Premium Compact Cars generally carry a premium price in relation to their size.  A MINI Cooper or Audi A3 would fall into this category.  These cars generally have premium materials, technologies, and features not usually seen in most compact cars. 

This year's AutoPacific IVA Premium Compact Car winner is the 2011 Volvo C30.

Read on to see the entire list of category candidates and how they scored.

*NOTE: Results for 2010 Model Year Vehicles are Included in the 2011 Model Year Research Because of Availability. Scores Are Shown Where Sample Sizes Allow

#1 Premium Compact Car: 2011 Volvo C30

Rank: #1

Score: 1269

The sporty 2011 Volvo C30 3-door hatchback is the top rated Premium Compact Car in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research.  As the class winner, its owners indicate there is little they would change about their new car with a few notable exceptions.  About 35% want better interior storage and easier ingress/egress.  About 25% of C30 owners want more infotainment technology, more cargo room and better visibility.  C30 owners most like the car’s seat comfort, ride, and power.  The C30 outscores second place Audi A3 by a wide margin. 

#2 Premium Compact Car: 2011 Audi A3

Rank: #2

Score: 1236

The 2011 Audi A3 proves that American drivers are willing to embrace a premium compact hatchback if it offers the right combination of practicality and luxury. The Audi A3’s available turbodiesel engine offers outstanding fuel economy, and its available quattro all-wheel drive provides northern residents with the traction they need to feel safe while driving in difficult winter conditions.

#3 Premium Compact Car: 2011 Volvo S40/V50

Rank: #3

Score: 1217

The 2011 Volvo S40 (sedan) and 2011 Volvo V50 (wagon) are a pair of compact competitors that embrace Volvo’s reputation for safety but also tack on the kind of visually interesting styling that compact premium buyers seem magnetically attracted to. Not quite as sporty as other Euro options, the S40 and the V50 are worth investigating thanks to their pleasant road manners and powerful turbocharged five-cylinder engines.

#4 Premium Compact Car: Fiat 500

Rank: #4

Score: 1195

The 2012 Fiat 500 is the Italian automaker’s first entry into the U.S. market in decades. The subcompact hatchback is a styling tour-de-force, outclassing almost any other vehicle in its class in terms of sheer curb appeal. The Fiat 500 might be tiny inside, but it’s also frugal at the fuel pump and surprisingly practical for urban dwellers who need an inexpensive runabout.

#5 Premium Compact Car: 2011 Volkswagen GTI

Rank: #5

Score: 1185

The 2011 Volkswagen GTI remains a popular hatchback amongst drivers who are seeking out a balance between comfort, fuel economy and performance. Quick and agile without feeling rough over broken pavement, the GTI’s turbocharged torque make it feel much faster than it has any right to be. Volkswagen’s attention to detail in the GTI’s interior also shines as one of its most compelling features.

#6 Premium Compact Car: 2011 MINI Cooper

Rank: #6

Score: 1179

The 2011 MINI Cooper comes in so many flavors – efficient city hatchback, sporty S model, neck-snapping John Cooper Works edition, sun-loving convertible – that it almost feels like it’s impossible not to find a version of the British icon that doesn’t fit the bill. A longstanding favorite on the premium compact scene, the MINI Cooper’s agility and cachet continue to serve it well.

#7 Premium Compact Car: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX

Rank: #7

Score: 1114

Looking for a high performance compact car with a respectable rally racing history? Look no further than the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX, which is offered in both hatchback and sedan body styles. Turbocharged, all-wheel drive and with the kind of aftermarket support most vehicles can only dream of, the WRX is the ultimate tuner car.

#8 Premium Compact Car: 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO

Rank: #8

Score: 1101

The 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO can be thought of as the more hardcore competitor to the WRX. It features the same turbocharged, all-wheel drive combo, but a higher degree of advanced technology is on tap in the form of the EVO’s drivetrain management system. The EVO’s low-rent interior might let it down when compare to other premium compacts, but its amazing ability to keep up with much more expensive sports cars makes it hard to ignore.