Commuter with good handling and decent rear seats for adults

Responsive handling and ride quality are generally mutually exclusive, but it's not a concrete rule. I rented a 2014 Mazda3 5-Door 2.5L a few weeks ago, I found the ride to be very good for its handling capability. I think the new ones are a bit pricey but they're a pretty good car.The Mazda6 is just a bigger and more expensive Mazda3.

Although I'm a subaru nut and can tell you exactly how to phenominally increase handling and shift response for only a few hundred dollars in modifications and labor, or how to smoothen a WRX ride a bit, they're overall meh commuter cars unless you need the AWD, in which case they're some of the best.

Ever driven a Ford? The recent fords are pretty stunning in terms of handling and economy. I believe that their dual-clutch auto-manual comes standard, and it's pretty impressive. Not DSG-level but close. The chassis are extremely well-sorted, and the ride is not bad. I doubt it's much smoother than the Mazdas.

I'd also recommend trying a Golf, or a Jetta if the Golf's too small. You'll find great quality, handling, and transmissions there. It'll be a bit pricer, and not sure about the rides, as I haven't driven one recently.

It sounds like any midsize sedan will feel too large to you (and I feel much the same).

The Mazda3 s once it becomes available with a manual seems the top contender. The s does ride even more firmly than the i, though. The sedan might have more cargo space assuming people are in the rear seat.

I agree with acetech09 that the Focus and VWs are worth a look. The 2015 Golf is supposed to be much better than earlier ones. If you want more cargo space, a wagon version arrives early next year (if you can wait that long). And if you think the Mazdas are pricey...

Some outside possibilities include the Hyundai Elantra GT and Kia Forte SX. They don't handle quite as well as the cars above, though.

With any of the compact hatches I wonder if they have enough cargo capacity for four adults.

Mazda3 Definitely does. The rear legroom did surprise me. Not sure about the latter two - I haven't been in either.