10 Lightweight Cars Redefining Performance

Curb weight: 1,805 pounds | Overall fuel economy: 39 mpg | Engine: 1.0-liter 3-cylinder | Horsepower: 71 | zero-to-60 mph acceleration: 14.6 seconds | 60-to-zero mph braking: 139 feet | Base price: $12,490

2012 Smart fortwo

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The smart fortwo is a weird car that feels odd to drive. But of all the production cars from major automakers, this is the lightest and therefore the clearest example of the advantages of saving weight. Because the fortwo is so light, it can get by with a tiny conventional gasoline engine that is much smaller than anything available on any other car in the United States.

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Curb weight: 2,340 pounds | Overall fuel economy: 33 mpg | Engine: 1.5-liter 4-cylinder | Horsepower: 100 | zero-to-60 mph acceleration: 10.3 seconds | 60-to-zero mph braking: 137 feet| Base price: $14,530

2013 Mazda Mazda2

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Like most Mazdas, the Mazda2 flies under the radar. It doesn't have the most power and isn't the fastest in its class, but it is supremely balanced in terms of driving dynamics. It's also astoundingly light: 300 pounds lighter than a Ford Fiesta and 400 pounds lighter than the Chevrolet Sonic. Yet its back seat and cargo hold are decently sized. It does feel less stable on the highway than its heavier competitors, though.

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Curb weight: 2,680 pounds | Overall fuel economy: 33 mpg | Engine: 1.8-liter 4-cylinder | Horsepower: 140 | zero-to-60 mph acceleration: 9.7 seconds | 60-to-zero mph braking: 145 feet | Base price: $19,605

2013 Honda Civic

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The HF highlighted here is the most fuel-efficient Civic other than the Hybrid. It uses aerodynamic tweaks and low-rolling-resistance tires to get slightly better fuel economy than other conventionally powered Civics. Its 140-horsepower 4-cylinder engine is down on power compared with the Kia Forte and Ford Focus, but because the Civic is lighter by 200 and 300 pounds, respectively, its overall fuel economy is 6 mpg better than either of them.

Watch Video:  2012 Honda Civic

Curb weight: 3,155 pounds | Overall fuel economy: 26 mpg | Engine: 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | Horsepower: 175 | zero-to-60 mph acceleration: 8.3 seconds | 60-to-zero mph braking: 129 feet | Base price: $22,710

2013 Nissan Altima

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The Nissan Altima ties the Toyota Camry for the distinction of being the lightest midsize car in America. The Mazda Mazda6 is right on their heels, at only 30 pounds heavier. This is one of the most competitive segments for automakers, as shown by these cars' closely matched weights. But there is more to being a midsize car than weight, such as space to stretch out in, a commodious trunk and a refined ride, all of which the Altima has.

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Curb weight: 3,330 pounds | Overall fuel economy: 22 mpg | Engine: 2.4-liter 4-cylinder | Horsepower: 170 | zero-to-60 mpg acceleration: 10.2 seconds | 60-to-zero mph braking: 139 feet | Base price: $20,595

2014 Subaru Forester

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The Forester is the one of the lightest compact SUVs with all-wheel drive. Where heavier vehicles such as the Hyundai Tucson feel underpowered with 170 horsepower, the Forester feels competent, if not exactly speedy. Once Subaru upgrades the outdated 4-speed automatic transmission to a 5- or 6-speed model, fuel economy should improve, putting it on par with class leaders.

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Curb weight: 3,485 pounds | Overall fuel economy: 28 mpg | Engine: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo | Horsepower: 240 | zero-to-60 mph acceleration: 6.3 seconds | 60-to-zero mph braking: 132 feet | Base price: $34,900

2013 BMW 3-Series

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The BMW 328i is 75 pounds heavier than the Mercedes C250 and 45 pounds heavier than the Acura TSX, but lighter than the rest of its direct competitors. It more than compensates for the slight weight disadvantage, though, with an impressive twin-turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes it sports-car fast. It's also far more fuel-efficient: The 328i delivers 4 mpg better overall mileage than the Mercedes and 3 mpg better than the Acura.

View Pictures:  2012 BMW 328i

Curb weight: 3,615 pounds | Overall fuel economy: 23 mpg | Engine: 3.5-liter V6 | Horsepower: 268 | zero-to-60 mph acceleration: 7.1 seconds | 60-to-zero mph braking: 141 feet | Base price: $33,195

2013 Toyota Avalon

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It is impressive that a car this big weighs less than 4,000 pounds. The comparably sized Ford Taurus weighs 4,040 pounds, as does the Cadillac CTS, which is considerably smaller than the Toyota. The Avalon's smooth, powerful V6 engine delivers good fuel economy, too. It gets 1 mpg better overall mileage than the 20-pound heavier Chevrolet Impala and is 0.1 second quicker to 60 mph. It's also cavernous inside.

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Curb weight: 3,815 pounds | Overall fuel economy: 20 mpg | Engine: 2.4-liter 4-cylinder | Horsepower: 191 | zero-to-60 mph acceleration: 10.4 seconds | 60-to-zero mph braking: 136 feet | Base price: $23,150

2014 Kia Sorento

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The Kia Sorento and its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Santa Fe, are about as big as a 4-cylinder vehicle can be without feeling absolutely lethargic. As it is, the Sorento is tolerable in terms of acceleration, but it won't be winning any stoplight sprints. Still, the fact it gets 20 mpg overall is impressive.

Compare: Kia Sorento vs. Nissan Murano vs. Toyota RAV4

Curb weight: 4,015 pounds | Overall fuel economy: 22 mpg | Engine: 3.5-liter V6 | Horsepower: 273 | zero-to-60 mph acceleration: 6.6 seconds | 60-to-zero mph braking: 132 feet | Base price: $34,320

2013 Acura RDX

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The Acura RDX is a perfect example of how size and weight affect performance. It makes 27 horsepower less than the larger Acura MDX, but it is 0.7 second faster from zero to 60 mph. That's because the RDX is 580 pounds lighter. And, of course, it gets much better fuel economy — 4 more mpg overall, to be precise.

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Curb weight: 4,200 pounds | Overall fuel economy: 19 mpg | Engine: 5.0-liter V8 | Horsepower: 385 | zero-to-60 mph acceleration: 5.5 seconds | 60-to-zero mph braking: 138 feet | Base price: $80,700

2013 Jaguar XJ Series

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The Jaguar XJ's all-aluminum structure weighs less than the steel underpinnings of a MINI Cooper. The result is a large, sumptuous luxury car that handles more like a compact or midsize sport sedan. The Jaguar XJ feels livelier than its competitors and is quicker than all but the Audi A8 L in a sprint to 60 mph.

Read Review: 2011 Jaguar XJL — Flash Drive

*Data for all vehicles supplied by Consumer Reports

For more information on any vehicle in this slideshow, click the links below:

-smart fortwo
-Mazda Mazda2
-Honda Civic
-Nissan Altima
-Subaru Forester
-BMW 328i
-Toyota Avalon
-Kia Sorento
-Acura RDX
-Jaguar XJ

Compare: All 10 Vehicles

Matthew de Paula wanted to be an automotive journalist ever since reading his first car magazine in grade school. After a brief stint writing about finance, he helped launch ForbesAutos.com and became the site's editor in 2006. Matthew now freelances for various outlets.

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