• If you are looking for a small car to drive that cost under $20,000, you have plenty of options to consider that many analysts have given high acclaim. Economic cars are typically subcompact and offered by a variety of domestic and international manufactures.
  
  

2011 Ford Fiesta

• "The Fiesta is as good a small car as can be found, sourced from anywhere in the world," praises Auto Week. "That it comes from the Blue Oval is remarkable and heartening; its brilliance is the first ray of sunshine on what has been a seemingly midnight horizon," according to the magazine's auto experts. Ford included features typically offered in more luxury vehicles, such as an airbag located near the driver's knees and heated seats. The car holds 12 gallons of gas and provides 29 miles per gallon in the city and 38 miles per gallon on the highway. The interior of the car offers a contemporary design and can hold adults of any size comfortably. The 2011 Ford Fiesta Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starts at $13,320 as of October 2010.
  
  

2010 Honda Civic

• The U.S. News & World Report ranks the 2010 Honda Civic number two on the "Affordable Small Cars" list. The MSRP starts at $15,655 as of October 2010. Honda boasts the 2010 Civic Sedan gives 26 miles per gallon in the city, 34 miles per gallon on the highway and holds 13.2 gallons of fuel. The four-cylinder engine provides 140 horsepower with 6,300 rpm. If you do not want the basic sedan or couple model, you can opt for one of the six trims. "For a reliable and enjoyable-to-drive small car, you're not going to do much better than the 2010 Honda Civic," notes Edmunds.
  
  

2011 Kia Forte

• The 2011 Kia Forte received small mechanical upgrades, visual alterations and an addition of the five-door hatchback. "The Kia Forte is "good enough to compete against perennial segment stars from Honda and Toyota," notes Edmunds. The vehicle features six-speed transmission, push-button start and 156 horsepower at 6,200 rpm. The fuel tank holds 13.7 gallons of fuel and the car gets 25 mile per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon city on the highway. The Kia Forte 2011 starts at $13,695 as of October 2010.