Three Great Economy Cars

Give or take a few dollars, the average price of a new car in the United States is $30,000. The same amount not too many years ago was the beginning price for a luxury vehicle.

But average new car price or luxury entry-level plateau, neither category guarantees anything in the automotive world. There are plenty of good $30,000 cars and plenty of not-so-good cars for the same amount.

But what if a new car buyer has about half the amount to spend ? What can they get for their money? In a word: plenty.

Here's a look a three economically priced new cars that provide great gas mileage, a fine ride and a good deal.

2009 Toyota Corolla

Its name connotes royalty, but who would have known 40 years ago when it was first sold in the United States that the Toyota Corolla actually deserved such a lofty title?

Corolla means "little crown." Now in its fifth decade and with more than 33 million sold, the Toyota Corolla, a little engine that could, continues to be royalty.

The 2009 Toyota Corolla isn't a hybrid, nor does it boast any other high-tech refinement or embellished marketing campaigns. The Corolla just remains among the finest basic transportation cars ever made.

The Corolla debuted in the U.S. in 1968, two years after it debuted in Japan. In five decades, the vehicle has compiled almost unfathomable statistics. It's now made in 13 countries; It's available in more than 140 countries; And it's estimated a new Corolla is purchased about every 40 seconds.

The 4-door LE, one of five available models, includes a 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder, 132-horsepower engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission. It has a 9.2-second rating in the 0-60 mph standard acceleration test.

It's consistency and durability that matter for workhorses. Step on the gas, use the brakes, turn the steering wheel. Everything is smooth, tight, consistent.

Safety Features — Driver and front passenger front, seat-mounted side and side curtain airbags, ABS brakes; Warranty — Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 5 years/60,000 miles; Corrosion 5 years/unlimited mileage; Gas Mileage Estimates — 27 mpg (city); 35 mpg (highway); Base Price — $16,650.00.

2008 Honda Fit

One friend took out the rear-seat head rest while driving so he could get a better view out the rear window. Another friend ripped through the gears of the automatic transmission to test the car's sportiness. And a lot of other friends still didn't recognize The Fit.

Honda's entry-level vehicle in 2008 is much the same as it was in its debut 2007 year. Which is to say: Fit owners benefit from one of the most economical, efficiently constructed and versatile vehicles available.

The base and sport models include 1.5-liter, 16-valve, 109-horsepower, 4-cylinder engines. The base edition includes 14-inch wheels, electric-assist power steering, two-speed front wipers and a rear wiper, air conditioning, power windows and locks and an AM/FM radio with CD player.

The Sport model features 15-inch alloy wheels with wider tires, additional body styling, keyless entry, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an upgraded MP3-compatible audio system with an auxiliary jack.

The Fit's interior is efficiency defined. The five-speed manual shifter is nicely positioned and there are small, manual-shift steering wheel paddles. The controls and dials are handsome, if simple, logically configured and offer nice ease-of-use characteristics.

The Fit offers surprisingly nice drive. The car won't establish any speed records. But since it's lightweight and efficiently constructed, the Fit moves around pretty nicely, with 0-60 mph in less than 10 seconds. Cornering and maneuvering is confident and at all speeds, although the Fit can't boast of a quiet disposition.

Safety Features — Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock brakes, tire-pressure monitor; Fuel Mileage (estimates) — 33 mpg (city), 38 mpg (highway); Warranty — Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 6 years/60,000 miles, Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles; Base Price — $16,070.

2008 Suzuki SX4

The new SX4 sedan adds another few options to the now 14 available SX4 configurations, including the country's least expensive all-wheel drive car.

The sedan, which replaces the Aerio, has a 2.0-liter, 143-horsepower 4-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive and a 4-speed automatic transmission.

The SX4 is a nimble, tight-maneuvering, entry-level sedan. It has substantial leg and head room and a spacious trunk — for its class.

The Suzuki's lack of power, similar to other sub-compacts' personalities, did not affect its ability to swiftly and conveniently maneuver through city traffic and in and out of parking situations.

For its entry-level status, the SX4 also offers anti-skid braking and steering wheel and cruise control functions.

The new Suzuki may not be as gas mileage efficient as some of category leaders, but the Sx4 has plenty of other qualities and should do well in a competitive field.

Safety Features — Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights; Standard Features & Equipment — Air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, split folding rear seat (hatchback), power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, intermittent wipers, rear wiper/washer (hatchback), floormats; Fuel Mileage (estimates) — 23 mpg (city), 31 mpg (highway); Warranty — Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,00 miles; Powertrain, 7 years/100,000 miles; Corrosion, 3 years/unlimited miles; (24-hour) roadside assistance program, 3 years/36,000 miles; Base Price — $14,1719.

James Raia is a featured writer for Xomba.com. You can read the rest of his work here .