noun
A small car, typically with good fuel efficiency and easy maneuverability, often used in urban settings.
街中ではコンパクトカーが便利だ。
A compact car is convenient in the city.
彼女は新しいコンパクトカーを買った。
She bought a new compact car.
Variant with interpunct, sometimes seen in product names or stylized writing.
軽自動車 is a specific Japanese category of ultra-small cars with engine size and power restrictions, while コンパクトカー is a broader term for small cars that may include 軽自動車 but also slightly larger models.
Loanword from English 'compact car'.