Ranking of near-luxury compact cars, including sedans, hatchbacks and coupes, generally priced $20,000 to $35,000. Audi A3, Acura TSX, Volvo S40 and more. Rankings based on an in-depth analysis by U.S. News editors of all published auto ratings, reviews and test drives.

<!-- TODO: we need to limit this to 3 lines of text of it will mess up formatting -->The Volkswagen GTI, a performance variant of the VW Golf, offers the most fun per dollar of nearly any car on the market.
<TABLE class=score-card><TBODY><TR><TH colSpan=2>U.S.News Scores</TH></TR><TR class=overall><TD>Overall:</TD><TD class=score>8.5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Performance:</TD><TD class=score>8.9</TD></TR><TR><TD>Exterior:</TD><TD class=score>NA</TD></TR><TR><TD>Interior:</TD><TD class=score>9.1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Safety:</TD><TD class=score>8.6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Reliability:</TD><TD class=score>5.0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<!-- TODO: we need to limit this to 3 lines of text of it will mess up formatting -->The 2010 Audi A3 has sports car-like performance in the body of a sleek hatchback, which makes it unique within its class.
<TABLE class=score-card><TBODY><TR><TH colSpan=2>U.S.News Scores</TH></TR><TR class=overall><TD>Overall:</TD><TD class=score>8.2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Performance:</TD><TD class=score>8.8</TD></TR><TR><TD>Exterior:</TD><TD class=score>8.5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Interior:</TD><TD class=score>7.9</TD></TR><TR><TD>Safety:</TD><TD class=score>10.0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Reliability:</TD><TD class=score>5.0
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<!-- TODO: we need to limit this to 3 lines of text of it will mess up formatting -->Reviewers have mixed feelings about the 2010 BMW 1-Series. On the plus side, the 1-Series is precise on the road and refined on the inside.
<TABLE class=score-card><TBODY><TR><TH colSpan=2>U.S.News Scores</TH></TR><TR class=overall><TD>Overall:</TD><TD class=score>8.2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Performance:</TD><TD class=score>9.0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Exterior:</TD><TD class=score>7.3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Interior:</TD><TD class=score>6.8</TD></TR><TR><TD>Safety:</TD><TD class=score>NA</TD></TR><TR><TD>Reliability:</TD><TD class=score>7.0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<!-- TODO: we need to limit this to 3 lines of text of it will mess up formatting -->The Volvo C30's distinctive look and extensive list of safety features will attract many buyers.
<TABLE class=score-card><TBODY><TR><TH colSpan=2>U.S.News Scores</TH></TR><TR class=overall><TD>Overall:</TD><TD class=score>8.1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Performance:</TD><TD class=score>7.9</TD></TR><TR><TD>Exterior:</TD><TD class=score>9.0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Interior:</TD><TD class=score>8.0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Safety:</TD><TD class=score>NA</TD></TR><TR><TD>Reliability:</TD><TD class=score>6.0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<!-- TODO: we need to limit this to 3 lines of text of it will mess up formatting -->The TSX is a fun-to-drive vehicle at an affordable price. Reviewers especially praise its high-quality cabin and long list of standard features.
<TABLE class=score-card><TBODY><TR><TH colSpan=2>U.S.News Scores</TH></TR><TR class=overall><TD>Overall:</TD><TD class=score>8.0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Performance:</TD><TD class=score>7.4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Exterior:</TD><TD class=score>7.2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Interior:</TD><TD class=score>8.2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Safety:</TD><TD class=score>10.0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Reliability:</TD><TD class=score>7.0
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<!-- TODO: we need to limit this to 3 lines of text of it will mess up formatting -->
The 2010 Volvo S40 boasts a classy exterior and tasteful interior, and a long list of safety features. It is kept out of the top of its game.
[Yahooautos]

- MSRP: $23,290 - $24,990
- Invoice: $21,724 - $23,378
- Avg. Paid: $22,664 - $24,392
- MPG: 21 City / 31 Hwy
<!-- TODO: we need to limit this to 3 lines of text of it will mess up formatting -->The Volkswagen GTI, a performance variant of the VW Golf, offers the most fun per dollar of nearly any car on the market.
<TABLE class=score-card><TBODY><TR><TH colSpan=2>U.S.News Scores</TH></TR><TR class=overall><TD>Overall:</TD><TD class=score>8.5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Performance:</TD><TD class=score>8.9</TD></TR><TR><TD>Exterior:</TD><TD class=score>NA</TD></TR><TR><TD>Interior:</TD><TD class=score>9.1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Safety:</TD><TD class=score>8.6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Reliability:</TD><TD class=score>5.0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

- MSRP: $27,270 - $30,850
- Invoice: $25,361 - $28,690
- Avg. Paid: $26,928 - $30,449
- MPG: 21 City / 30 Hwy
<!-- TODO: we need to limit this to 3 lines of text of it will mess up formatting -->The 2010 Audi A3 has sports car-like performance in the body of a sleek hatchback, which makes it unique within its class.
<TABLE class=score-card><TBODY><TR><TH colSpan=2>U.S.News Scores</TH></TR><TR class=overall><TD>Overall:</TD><TD class=score>8.2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Performance:</TD><TD class=score>8.8</TD></TR><TR><TD>Exterior:</TD><TD class=score>8.5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Interior:</TD><TD class=score>7.9</TD></TR><TR><TD>Safety:</TD><TD class=score>10.0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Reliability:</TD><TD class=score>5.0
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

- MSRP: $29,000 - $40,150
- Invoice: $26,680 - $36,940
- Avg. Paid: $29,205 - $40,610
- MPG: 18 (2009) City / 28 (2009) Hwy
<!-- TODO: we need to limit this to 3 lines of text of it will mess up formatting -->Reviewers have mixed feelings about the 2010 BMW 1-Series. On the plus side, the 1-Series is precise on the road and refined on the inside.
<TABLE class=score-card><TBODY><TR><TH colSpan=2>U.S.News Scores</TH></TR><TR class=overall><TD>Overall:</TD><TD class=score>8.2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Performance:</TD><TD class=score>9.0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Exterior:</TD><TD class=score>7.3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Interior:</TD><TD class=score>6.8</TD></TR><TR><TD>Safety:</TD><TD class=score>NA</TD></TR><TR><TD>Reliability:</TD><TD class=score>7.0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

- MSRP: $24,100 - $26,300
- Invoice: $22,654 - $24,722
- Avg. Paid: $22,355 - $24,394
- MPG: 21 City / 29 Hwy
<!-- TODO: we need to limit this to 3 lines of text of it will mess up formatting -->The Volvo C30's distinctive look and extensive list of safety features will attract many buyers.
<TABLE class=score-card><TBODY><TR><TH colSpan=2>U.S.News Scores</TH></TR><TR class=overall><TD>Overall:</TD><TD class=score>8.1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Performance:</TD><TD class=score>7.9</TD></TR><TR><TD>Exterior:</TD><TD class=score>9.0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Interior:</TD><TD class=score>8.0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Safety:</TD><TD class=score>NA</TD></TR><TR><TD>Reliability:</TD><TD class=score>6.0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

- MSRP: $29,310 - $37,950
- Invoice: $26,959 - $34,882
- Avg. Paid: $29,018 - $37,333
- MPG: 20 City / 28 Hwy
<!-- TODO: we need to limit this to 3 lines of text of it will mess up formatting -->The TSX is a fun-to-drive vehicle at an affordable price. Reviewers especially praise its high-quality cabin and long list of standard features.
<TABLE class=score-card><TBODY><TR><TH colSpan=2>U.S.News Scores</TH></TR><TR class=overall><TD>Overall:</TD><TD class=score>8.0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Performance:</TD><TD class=score>7.4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Exterior:</TD><TD class=score>7.2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Interior:</TD><TD class=score>8.2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Safety:</TD><TD class=score>10.0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Reliability:</TD><TD class=score>7.0
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

- MSRP: $26,200 - $31,350
- Invoice: $24,628 - $29,469
- Avg. Paid: $24,782 - $29,733
- MPG: 21 City / 29 Hwy
<!-- TODO: we need to limit this to 3 lines of text of it will mess up formatting -->
The 2010 Volvo S40 boasts a classy exterior and tasteful interior, and a long list of safety features. It is kept out of the top of its game.
[Yahooautos]
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