When you think of a quick, fun-to-drive compact car, the odds are you’re not thinking of a Suzuki. That might soon change though, if recent reports about the Suzuki Swift’s imminent stateside launch are true.

A staple of fun and economical transportation in Japan and other parts of the world, the Swift has been missing from Suzuki’s North American model lineup for 15 years now. In its absence, the larger (but still tiny by U.S. standards) Suzuki SX4 was left to carry the torch as the company’s entry level model.

While the SX4 is a great car in its own right, it’s not nearly as nimble as the Swift. With the same amount of power as the SX4, but weighing considerably less thanks to a front-wheel-drive-only layout, the Swift is eager to conquer twisty back roads with fuel-saving gusto.

The current generation 2010 Swift is not available here due to stringent U.S. safety and emissions standards.   However, the next-generation 2011 Swift will bear these requirements in mind.  That being said, the next-gen Swift will show up in American showrooms some time around, you guessed it—2011.

As far as pricing goes, you can expect the Swift to be an absolute segment buster—think MINI Cooper for nearly half the price.

To make room for the all-new 2010 Forte, Kia is offering aggressive pricing on 2009 Spectras. With up to $3,500 cash back available on all Spectra models, Kia’s deal-sweetening on a very capable compact (especially for college students) makes sound fiscal sense.

Available as a sedan or hatchback (known as the Spectra5), the Spectra’s practicality and style are undeniable. Trunk space in the sedan is plentiful at 12.2 cubic feet, while the hatchback provides an incredible 18.3 cubic feet of cargo room and even more when the rear seats are folded down.

The Spectra’s 138-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine also lends to its practicality, as it is powerful enough to move you from point A to point B with a smile on your face and efficient enough to deliver a respectable 24/32 mpg (city/highway).

While it’s still too early to call whether or not the Spectra’s successor will be as good as it’s cracked up to be, it’s clear that the Forte will have some pretty big shoes to fill. This deal ends September 30, 2009, so hurry before all the remaining Spectras are gone.

Fact: our planet’s population is growing and land is finite. Which is all the more reason to look into smaller, more efficient cars. Take, for instance the 2009 Toyota Yaris. Despite its minimalist approach to motoring, Toyota has created a car with near-universal appeal.

At only 12 1/2 long, the Yaris puts every inch of its dimensions to surprisingly good use. Capable of seating five people in either 4-door sedan or 3- or 5-door hatchback configurations, the Yaris is one of the most spacious micro-compacts available.

All three body styles feature cutting edge styling that makes the Yaris as fun to look at as it is to drive. Toyota’s 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine produces 106 horsepower. While that may not an incredible amount by today’s standards, it’s more than enough to move the bantamweight 2,300-lb Yaris around town. Moreover, when you’re getting 29/35 mpg (city/highway), you won’t care how fast you’re going.

Still need more reasons to look into this fun-sized Toyota? Right now you can get a huge rebate on the already affordable 2009 Yaris. If you’re looking to cut through traffic on congested city streets, then the Yaris is your scalpel.