2010 Honda Civic Sdn LX $9,990

The 2010 Honda Civic compact sedan/coupe is one iconic car whose reputation is well-deserved. Icons often get complacent after establishing their excellence, but the Civic continues to be a leader more than three decades after its first appearance on American soil. The fact that the current-generation Civic is still one of our top compact-car picks in its fifth year on the market speaks volumes about Honda's commitment to excellence with this bread-and-butter vehicle. Offered in a variety of flavors to suit a wide range of tastes, the Civic belongs on every compact-car shopping list. Long known as Honda's smallest car, the Civic no longer holds this title, as the company's own Fit and Insight are more diminutive. Indeed, the compact segment has become more of a junior midsize segment in recent years -- the current Civic is virtually the same size as the Accord was 15 years ago. But this pumped-up Civic nonetheless retains the virtues for which it is justly famed: agility, efficiency, comfort and a reputation for reliability. Its only glaring flaw is the unavailability of desirable features like Bluetooth, stability control and rear disc brakes on lower trim levels such as the volume-selling LX. Some of the Civic's aesthetic touches are a bit bizarre, particularly its dual-tiered instrument panel, which combines digital and analog gauges into a "Jetsons"-style presentation. But most shoppers will probably view this as a forgivable quirk in an all-around impressive car. They'll likely be more focused on the Civic's extensive array of models, from the efficiency-minded (though rather pricey) Hybrid and clean-burning natural-gas GX to the high-performance Si. If you like the way the Civic looks and feels, chances are there's a specific model to fit your lifestyle. The compact segment has become quite competitive in recent years, and the Civic is by no means alone at the top. The redesigned Mazda 3 is its strongest rival, offering performance that only the Civic Si can best, plus superior sophistication and the convenience of a hatchback model. The Volkswagen Golf and Jetta also perform well and offer more refinement and hatchback/wagon versions, though their fuel economy in non-diesel form is lackluster. The Subaru Impreza is also worth considering, as is the Hyundai Elantra, a better-equipped and more affordable take on the Toyota Corolla's formula. And if you want a hybrid, we'd recommend the Toyota Prius over the expensive and slow Civic Hybrid. But otherwise, you can't go wrong with the justly iconic 2010 Honda Civic.