Highest-Quality Small Cars

J.D. Power surveyed 81,500 purchasers and lessees of 2008 model-year vehicles, after 90 days of ownership, between February and April 2008. Vehicles with less than 100 respondents were not included for ranking. J.D. Power does not release problems per 100 vehicles for individual models, but the industry average for all brands is 118 problems per 100 vehicles in 2008. Reported problems include quality of design, defects and malfunctions.

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Honda Fit

Segment: Sub-Compact Car
Base MSRP: $14,750
EPA Estimated MPG: 27 city / 34 highway

Nuts and Bolts: Front side airbags with passenger-side occupant-position detector; side curtain airbags; interior air filtration; power window, mirrors and door locks; split folding rear seats.

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In Pictures: Highest-Quality Luxury Cars
In Pictures: Best Small Cars For The Buck
In Pictures: Top 13 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars

Honda Civic

Segment: Compact Car
Base MSRP: $15,010
EPA Estimated MPG: 25 city/ 36 highway

Nuts and Bolts: Front side airbags with passenger-side occupant-position detector; side curtain airbags; tilt and telescopic steering column; rear window defroster with timer; fold-down rear seatback.

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In Pictures: Highest-Quality Luxury Cars
In Pictures: Best Small Cars For The Buck
In Pictures: Top 13 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars

Mazda MX-5 Miata

Segment: Compact Sporty Car
Base MSRP: $23,840
EPA Estimated MPG: 20 city / 27 highway

Nuts and Bolts: Dual front side mounted airbags; tilt adjustable steering wheel; steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise control; leather-wrapped steering wheel; four-speaker sound system; power window, mirror and door locks.

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In Pictures: Highest-Quality Luxury Cars
In Pictures: Best Small Cars For The Buck
In Pictures: Top 13 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars

Chevrolet Malibu

Segment: Mid-Size Car
Base MSRP: $19,995
EPA Estimated MPG: 22 city / 32 highway

Nuts and Bolts: Dual-stage front airbags with passenger-sensing system; head curtain side-impact air bags for front and rear outboard seats; front-seat mounted thorax-protection air bags; tire-pressure monitoring system; remote vehicle start.

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