Honda Jazz

Also known as a Honda Fit, this 5-door hatchback was introduced in mid-2001 in Japan, early 2002 in Europe, late 2002 in Australia, early 2003 in Brazil, and we're still waiting in America. There's a sedan model in Japan, too, the Fit Aria.

Depending on the country, there are 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.4 liter 8-valve engines or a 1.5 L VTEC. A continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT) is standard in Japan, export markets have this as an option and a 5-speed manual is standard.

The back seats fold up vertically (like movie theater seats), as well as flat down, enhancing already-excellent space efficiency.