While buying a car to suit the
winter months in Chicago is a silly
notion, anyone who has slogged
through slushy, unplowed side streets
and alleys knows it’s a consideration
in a car purchase. That, along with
compact size for easy parking and
flexible cargo space for the occasional
Home Depot run, is a must for any urban driver. As we
head into February with Chicago Auto Show incentives
afoot, here are six city-ready vehicles you should
consider if you’re ready to buy in 2017.
SUBARU IMPREZA ($19,215 - $25,415)
All-new for 2017, the Subaru Impreza is the first
vehicle that comes to mind when I think of the perfect
city car. It comes in both sedan and hatchback formats
and has standard all-wheel drive. It also has a base price
under $20K. The 2.0-liter Boxer engine provides smooth
power, and both the sedan and hatch handle really well in
some of the more aggressive driving maneuvers. (Read:
You’ll easily be able to pass slow drivers who park in
the fast lane on the Kennedy.) Impreza has an impressive
array of up-level features, and even if you opt for the
top-tier trim and add the most expensive option package,
you’ll still cash out under $30K. Plus, the available
EyeSight safety system with pre-collision mitigation is
one of the best in the industry.
MAZDA CX-3 ($20,860 - $27,140)
The Mazda3 has been one of my favorite vehicles for
a long time, and the only thing that could make it better
is available AWD. Enter the Mazda CX-3, which has
slightly larger dimensions and (ta-da!) available AWD.
This compact utility vehicle was all-new to the Mazda
lineup for 2016, and it helped usher in the new wave of
cute-ute fanaticism with its sporty handling, excellent
fuel efficiency and decent cargo volume. The 2.0-liter
Skyactiv engine provides plenty of pep, and CX-3 is great
in tight city spaces as well as on the highway. It’s fun-to-
drive and has an attractive, driver-focused interior, plus
with the addition of the available i-Activesense safety
package, CX-3 rates an IIHS Top Safety Pick + award.
KIA FORTE ($17,495 - $22,195)
Over the past few years, the Kia reputation has been air
brushed. I mean, who in a million years thought they’d
ever see a Kia that cost more than a Land Rover? But this
is 2017, and Kia is making a mean product these days.
Case in point: the refreshed Forte. The high-end finishing
touches combined with a solid ride and handling make
this a classy — yet affordable — ride. During a recent
test, I was amazed at all the high-tech features packed in
this compact car. Add leather seats, automatic emergency
braking and a sporty 2.0-liter engine, and you have a car
that’s ready to take your boss to lunch or make a long
road trip. Sure, it doesn’t have all-wheel drive, but the
front-wheel-drive platform combined with the bevy of
available safety features make this an ideal car for an
urban driver. More interested in safety than luxury? Opt
for the S trim with the Tech Package, and you’ll have all
the latest and greatest safety tech for under $22K.
By Jill Ciminillo
Sinclair Broadcast Group
CHICAGO AUTO SHOW 2017
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Canyon Carvers:
City-Friendly Crossovers
continues on Page 12
More Car, Les s Money : The LEASE you can do!
