Compact Car and Hatchback Shipping
Small cars, subcompacts and hatchbacks: the lowest-cost vehicles to ship, and notes on every model we cover.
Compact cars, subcompacts and small hatchbacks are the easiest and least expensive vehicles to ship. They are short and light, they fit any position on an open car carrier, and they are priced at the base sedan rate in our formula, so almost all of the cost comes from distance, the season and how easy the pickup and delivery spots are to reach. The things that still matter are a lowered car or body kit, a roof box or rack, and whether the car runs.
Jump to: cost table · models by brand · questions
What still matters for a small car
Ground clearance. A stock compact clears a loading ramp without trouble. A lowered car, a front lip or a body kit can scrape; say so, and the company can use low-angle ramps or board extensions.
Roof racks and cargo boxes. Take off a roof box and anything bolted to the rack that can come off. Height is rarely a problem for a small car, but a box can catch wind or the deck above.
Used cars that do not run. Many of the cars below are discontinued and are shipped after a private sale or an auction. A car that does not start or steer needs a winch to load, which adds about 20% in our formula; say so up front rather than at pickup.
Open or enclosed. Open transport is the right choice for nearly every compact. Enclosed (about 50% more in our formula) is for a rare or restored car.
Buying a small car out of state
A low-cost used compact is a common long-distance purchase, and shipping often beats flying out and driving it home once you add a plane ticket, fuel, a hotel and the miles. Have the seller remove personal items, confirm the title and keys are ready for the driver at pickup, and check the car at delivery before you sign the bill of lading. See how to ship a car for the full process.
What it costs to ship compact cars and hatchbacks
Ranges from our published estimate formula for this vehicle class, using this week's diesel price and this month's season. Distance moves the price far more than the model does.
| Distance | Compact cars and hatchbacks, open | Compact cars and hatchbacks, enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| 500 mi | $710 – $960 | $1,070 – $1,440 |
| 1,000 mi | $970 – $1,310 | $1,460 – $1,970 |
| 1,500 mi | $1,140 – $1,540 | $1,710 – $2,310 |
| 2,500 mi | $1,450 – $1,960 | $2,170 – $2,930 |
Compact cars use the base (sedan) class in our formula. Metro pickup and delivery, a running vehicle, no strong north-south direction. For your own route, see the shipping cost estimator.
Formula v2026.09.2 · EIA U.S. diesel $6.35/gal, week of Oct 26, 2026, 52-week average $4.88 · October pricing · road distance as stated.
Estimate, not a quote. Produced automatically by our published formula from public data; your price comes from the licensed auto transport partner you choose. How we estimate · Get your free estimate
Fuel: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Routing: © OpenStreetMap contributors (OSRM). ZIP locations: U.S. Census Bureau.
Compact cars and hatchbacks by brand
Every compact and hatchback we cover. Most of the older ones are out of production and are shipped after used sales, so they are listed with their years. Each model opens to show its notes.
Models people request quotes for most
The compact cars and hatchbacks people asked us for estimates on most often in the last two years, from our own estimate requests. It shows what people asked about, not what was shipped.
Acura
Acura ILX
2013–2022
A small luxury sedan replaced by the Integra. Ships at the base rate.
Acura Integra
2023–present
A compact five-door liftback. The Type S sits lower with a front lip; mention it.
Ford
Ford Focus
2000–2018 (U.S.)
A compact sedan, hatchback and wagon. The electric Focus (2012–2018) should be left with some charge; the ST and RS sit lower.
Honda
Honda Civic
Current
A compact sedan and hatchback and one of the most-requested cars in our estimates. Stock Civics ship at the base rate; the Type R sits low with a front lip, so say so.
Hyundai
Hyundai Elantra
Current
Hyundai's compact sedan, also sold as a hybrid and as the lower, sportier Elantra N. A routine open-carrier car.
Kia
Kia Forte
Through 2024
Kia's compact sedan, succeeded by the K4. Ships at the base rate.
Kia Soul
Current
A boxy, tall small car. Taller than most compacts but well within any deck position; the electric Soul EV should keep some charge.
Mazda
Mazda3
Current
Mazda's compact sedan and hatchback, sold since 2004. All-wheel drive is available on recent models; it ships the same either way.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz CLA and A-Class
CLA current; A-Class sedan sold in the U.S. for a few years
Small luxury sedans. They ship at the base rate on open carriers; AMG versions sit lower, and many owners choose enclosed for a new one.
Mini
Mini Hardtop (Cooper)
Current
One of the shortest cars on the road. Easy to place on any carrier.
Nissan
Nissan Sentra
Current
Nissan's compact sedan. A standard open-carrier car.
Nissan Versa
Sold since 2007
Nissan's smallest sedan and for years one of the lowest-priced new cars in the U.S. Short and light.
Subaru
Subaru Impreza
Current
A compact hatchback (and earlier a sedan) with all-wheel drive. It ships at the base rate; the Crosstrek is the raised version and is priced as an SUV.
Toyota
Toyota Corolla
Current
The model people request estimates for most often in our data, as a sedan, a hatchback and a hybrid. A routine open-carrier car; the Corolla Cross is a small SUV and is priced as one.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen Golf and GTI
GTI current; Golf hatchback ended in the U.S.
A compact hatchback. The GTI and Golf R sit lower than a standard Golf; mention a lowered car or a front lip.
Volkswagen Jetta
Current
A compact sedan; the GLI is the sportier version. A routine open-carrier car.
No models in this list match.
More compact cars and hatchbacks by brand
Chevrolet
Chevrolet Cruze
2011–2019 (U.S.)
A compact sedan and hatchback, last sold in the U.S. for 2019. A routine open-carrier car.
Chevrolet Sonic
2012–2020
A subcompact sedan and hatchback. Small and light, one of the easiest cars to place on a carrier.
Dodge
Dodge Caliber
2007–2012
A compact hatchback replaced by the Dart. It sits a little taller than most compacts but ships at the same rate.
Dodge Dart
2013–2016
A compact sedan built for four model years. Ships like any compact.
Ford
Ford Fiesta
2011–2019 (U.S.)
A subcompact sedan and hatchback, including the lower Fiesta ST.
Hyundai
Hyundai Accent
1995–2022 (U.S.)
Hyundai's subcompact, dropped in the U.S. after 2022. Small, light and easy to ship.
Hyundai Veloster
2012–2022
A sporty hatchback with one door on the driver's side and two on the passenger side; the last years were sold only as the Veloster N, which sits lower.
Mazda
Mazda2
2011–2014 (U.S.)
A subcompact hatchback sold in the U.S. for four model years. One of the lightest cars you can ship.
Nissan
Nissan Cube
2009–2014 (U.S.)
A boxy, tall-roofed small car. Taller than most compacts but still fine in any deck position.
Nissan Versa Note
2014–2019 (U.S.)
The hatchback version of the Versa. Ships at the base rate.
Toyota
Toyota Matrix
2003–2013 (U.S.)
A compact hatchback based on the Corolla, twin of the Pontiac Vibe. Ships at the base rate.
Toyota Yaris
2007–2020 (U.S.)
Toyota's subcompact (sold earlier as the Echo). The last U.S. Yaris models were built by Mazda.
No models in this list match.
Compact cars and hatchbacks: common questions
Compacts are priced at the base rate in our published formula, so the price is mostly distance, season and location. The table on this page shows current estimate ranges for open and enclosed transport; the licensed companies that make offers set the actual price.
Yes. A compact takes the least deck space and weight, and our formula prices a small or midsize SUV about 12% above a sedan or compact on the same route.
Yes. Tell the company it is inoperable when you request your estimate, so a truck with a winch is sent. In our formula an inoperable vehicle adds about 20%.
Not necessarily. What it needs is low-angle ramps or ramp extensions, which some open carriers have and many enclosed trailers with liftgates do. Give the ride height or say it is lowered when you ask for an estimate.
Sources
- American Auto Shipping estimate requests, last 24 months (which models people ask about most; counts are not published)
- American Auto Shipping: How we estimate (base sedan rate, enclosed and inoperable factors)
- Manufacturer model histories for the production years listed (Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota, Honda)