I am currently looking at a couple smaller cars to replace my aging Subaru, but am somewhat hesitant if I’m going to be going 2 hours on the highway for a commute. My question is to folks here that maybe have experience with Hyundai Accents and/or a Ford Focus size cars. Specifically I a…

If this is about saving money, your first consideration is NOT TO BUY AN AWD car. They consume more fuel than an equivalent 2 WD vehicle. Last year my wife and I took a 2 1/2 week vacation in the East. We rented a 4 door Hyundai Accent and thoroughly enjoyed driving it. It does NOT wander at highwa…

I have taken many very long trips including cross country with two kids in a 1970 VW Beetle. I survived. Back in the 60’s and 70’s some of the small cars were sensitive to wind. Of course some large cars were, including a friends large Buick I drove on a long trip. The three cars I have driven o…

Depending on what your comfort level is with their somewhat spotty reliability, the small VW’s are probably the nicest compact-type cars for highway driving.

Thanks for the point. Really was hoping to hear from someone that has driven a recent model Accent. Also awesome to hear that the engine noise is significantly improved compared to the Focus, as that is a major complaint I have heard about taking the Focus on the highway. Good reminder on the AWD. …

Small cars are more aerodynamic than SUVs, so with turbulence created by large trucks and strong winds, I believe you are better off in a small car than an SUV. SUVs have a larger contact area on each side for wind to push you out of your lane. In addition, the smaller width of a small car gives y…

The winter tires are so good now that many AWD owners are switching back to 2 WD. The cost of a set with extra wheels is much less than spending the extra money on gas, maintenance and later repairs on AWD vehicles.

Good idea for an alternative. Will definitely keep that in mind if I go the small 2WD route.

If the OP is concerned about safety, he should be aware that the Accent is not very good at protecting its occupants in the event of collision. For just a few dollars more, you can buy a Hyundai Elantra that is actually more reliable than the Accent, only gets one mpg less than the Accent, is more…

Forget size as a determinant of wind stability on the highway. Go for test drives. Aerodynamics, suspension design, wheel and tire selection, and even wheelbase and tracking width are far more critical than size alone. Some of the most stable vehicles are the smallest, and some of the least stable …

Get a Pontiac Vibe or Toyota Matrix with the 1.8 liter engine, you won’t be disappointed.

Small Cars and Highway Driving

General Discussion

RallyNorth May 22, 2009, 1:32pm 25

My friend has a Civic and raves about it, for many of the reasons you’ve named above. He’s already made me promise to give his a test drive.

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