Motoring TV 2016 Small Car of the Year (01:43)

Crossovers may be all the rage these days, but compact cars are still big sellers around the world—including right here in Canada.

The 2016 model year is home to some stiff new competition in the small car segment, with an all-new version of the Honda Civic hitting the market, as well as the Scion iM and a Volkswagen Jetta powered by a new turbocharged 1.4-litre gas engine.

"When the Honda Civic was introduced in 1973," says Graeme Fletcher, "only 747 cars were sold (in Canada) that year."

Over time that number has grown exponentially, with the Civic staking its claim as Canada's best-selling passenger car for the last 19 years.

It has a good shot of retaining that title for another year with this complete overhaul, with a sharp new look and two new engines under the hood, as well as improvements to ride and interior comfort, an a smartphone-friendly infotainment system.

Based on the Toyota Corolla, the Scion iM is better than the popular sedan in just about any regard, according to Graeme.

It's comfortable, roomy, and comes loaded with plenty of goodies.

"If there is a hitch it is that (the iM) just does not engage the driver in quite the same manner as its peers," Graeme says.

And then there's the 2016 Jetta.

While most Car of the Year nominees are new or reworked, the Jetta is nearly identical to the previous model year's version.

Except for one very important item: The engine.

The turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder found under the hood of the new car is better than its predecessor is every regard, and carries the Jetta into Small Car of the Year contention with ease.

But which took the title as Small Car of the Year for 2016?

Check out the video to find out!

This segment originally appeared on Episode 13 of Motoring 2016.