5 Most Affordable Compact Cars That Handle All Weather Conditions

As more extreme, stormier weather approaches each year, it makes sense to worry a little about whether your car can make it through all of it. As we look ahead to a La Niña winter, roads may be even slicker with heavy rain and snow. This means that the winter of 2024/2025 may be your year to get a better vehicle. 

As you upgrade, you’ll want one that can handle all the weather conditions you may face. Still, you might not like all the bulk and bank-breaking that comes with a big truck or SUV. Your ideal, then, would be a compact car that can handle any storm and will meet your budget. Fortunately, you have a few options to choose from. 

Let’s dig in.

• Starting price: $24,250

The Honda Civic continues to be one of the highest rated vehicles on the road. It is a genuine, affordable, sports car. While it is truly compact, it doesn’t feel that way inside. It’s known for its roomy, airy cabin.

It also handles like a dream, despite offering front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel-drive (AWD). It stands out as one of the most engaging vehicles to drive. It handles well on curves and accelerates quickly, even if it’s not the fastest car out there.

It’s also reliable, safe, and fuel efficient. Though the Honda Civic is the highest priced on this list, it more than makes up for its price tag.

• Starting price: $24,170

Tying in many ways with the Honda Civic, the Mazda M3 also handles extremely well. It’s fun to drive, takes corners and switchbacks well, and has responsive steering. As a bonus, this compact car offers an AWD option, so you’ll have more grip in questionable weather.

The one downside to this one is the backseat. By all accounts, the fit is tight, so it’s definitely not the most family-friendly car. But if it’s just you and maybe another person, it’s perfect. This fuel-efficient sporty vehicle ranks high on safety and reliability charts. Again, it’s higher priced than the other affordable compact cars here, but it’s still more than worth the price for which it’s sold.

• Starting price: $22,995

The Subaru Impreza stands out among its competitors for its standard AWD feature. It handles well on the road, and you can expect this to remain true in even the harshest weather. It isn’t the fastest car out there, but it offers responsive steering, and it hugs corners tightly.

The Impreza is safe, reliable, and even promises some comfort. The front seats, in particular, are soft and cushy, setting you up for a nice road trip in the rain or any weather, really, if you’re up for it.

The starting price is a bit lower than that of the Honda or Mazda, so you can save some money without sacrificing too much in value.

• Starting price: $21,625

If you’re looking for the perfect car to buy your teen, the Elantra is a clear winner. It even won the “2024 Best New Cars for Teens” award over at U.S. News. It’s not fast, but it’s capable, roomy, and comfortable. Even with front-wheel drive, you can expect this car to handle the roads well in rainy, icy, or snowy conditions.

The Elantra is a safe, reliable, compact car with excellent braking and steering. You can feel good about your highschool or college kid heading off to school and managing stormy weather. And the price is lower than most of the other contenders here, so it won’t break the bank.

• Starting price: $16,750

For those on a super tight budget, the Kia Rio stands out as the perfect option. Dramatically lower on the price scale, this compact car is still a nice ride in all kinds of weather. 

The Kia Rio is fuel-efficient and nimble. It will handle the roads fairly well, so you can trust it in light rain and snow. Again, at this price point, it will have fewer safety features, but you can still expect it to keep your ride smooth. Even with front-wheel drive, many report this compact car holds its own in all kinds of weather. 

It’s a lot of “bang” for very little “buck.”

In the end, your choice will come down to personal preference and budget. Now, you have plenty of options to choose from. Whether you’re looking for the sportiest or the safest, there’s something for everyone. As a bonus, when you buy any of these cars brand new, you can expect them to last.