New vehicles in Australian showrooms appear to be getting bigger and bigger.
Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless demand for conventional small passenger vehicles, which accounted for 84,360 of the 1.2 million new car gross sales in Australia final yr.
Whereas this was a lower on the yr prior, the small section was the most important by way of conventional passenger automotive gross sales in 2023 – and it’s simple to see why.
Fashionable fashions such because the Hyundai i30 and Toyota Corolla are two of the best-selling nameplates within the section, which has nearly 30 fashions to select from.
However what would the CarExpert staff choose? We gave our journos the liberty of choosing one budget-friendly and one hotter or extra premium possibility, so long as each conformed to the VFACTS definition of “small” – itself some extent of competition.
Jack Fast: Toyota Corolla Hybrid or Hyundai i30 Sedan N
Toyota Corolla Hybrid
I do know that is the boring reply (insert whitegoods joke right here) however with the current replace the Toyota Corolla obtained it’s not lagging behind the competitors within the infotainment sport.
There’s no denying the Corolla Hybrid is an extremely environment friendly car. I keep in mind driving one from residence to the workplace in a number of the worst visitors I’ve pushed in for a really very long time and getting a exceptional common of three.7L/100km. That’s insane.
If I needed to choose a variant particularly I’d go for the Corolla SX Hybrid hatchback which at the moment begins from $35,260 earlier than on-roads. It’s the hybrid variant that has probably the most tools however nonetheless retains a spare wheel – the ZR Hybrid solely has a tyre restore package.
Hyundai i30 Sedan N
This efficiency automotive cut price is such a hoot to drive round city, however it might probably additionally maintain its personal out on the observe.
The i30 Sedan N continues to be solely accessible in a single extremely specced variant priced from $52,000 earlier than on-roads. The one possibility you’ll be able to choose (however you’d be foolish to take action) is a sunroof.
Fortunately with its newest replace the i30 Sedan N retains its rip-snorting 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine which produces 206kW and 392Nm. The exhaust additionally nonetheless produces loads of pops, crackles and bangs that carry a smile to your face each time you downshift.
Now the actual query – six-speed handbook or eight-speed dual-clutch auto?
MORE: Purchase a Toyota Corolla
MORE: Purchase a Hyundai i30
Scott Collie: Subaru WRX or Honda Civic Kind R
Subaru WRX
This seems like a loophole, however in accordance with VFACTS the Subaru WRX is a small automotive.
Though it isn’t excellent, the most recent WRX continues to be a little bit of a unicorn. It’s a compact, all-wheel drive efficiency automotive with the choice of a handbook transmission and – because of a current replace – a full suite of energetic driver assists.
I’d fortunately have a base mannequin with the handbook transmission, though I’d additionally wish to hold a couple of thousand {dollars} apart to unencumber a bit extra noise from the exhaust, and to sharpen up the marginally doughy throttle response with a tune.
Honda Civic Kind R
Whereas we’re speaking loopholes, the Civic Kind R is my premium choose.
Certain, the Honda badge doesn’t carry the identical stage of bragging rights as an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz brand, however the Kind R is priced according to a high-end variations of the A-Class or 1 Collection. It’s additionally way more fascinating to me.
In truth of all of the vehicles I drove final yr, the Civic Kind R was my favorite – if I wanted to purchase a brand new automotive tomorrow, I’d need it to be one in every of these.
The vary of issues it might probably do for the worth is exceptional. Our launch assessment confirmed you could possibly drive it day-after-day because of its supple trip and sensible inside, and it’ll demolish a again highway like few vehicles this facet of a Porsche 911.
On observe, it affords near the proper mix of approachability and functionality. It flatters from the second you permit pit lane, and pushing more durable simply reveals an increasing number of functionality.
There’s greater than only a trace of Porsche GT about the way in which all of the controls really feel, which is concerning the highest praise you can provide a automotive.
MORE: Purchase a Subaru WRX
MORE: Purchase a Honda Civic
William Stopford: Skoda Scala
You’re taking a look at some of the unfairly missed automobiles on the Australian new automotive market.
Well packaged, elegantly styled, and good to drive, the Scala is just too typically ignored.
After one thing extra thrilling? The Hyundai i30 Sedan N, Subaru WRX RS sedan and Cupra Leon VZx stand out to me, although contemplating the staff gained’t cease speaking about how nice the Honda Civic Kind R is, I think that ought to be on my shortlist, too. I simply must drive the factor…
Should you’re seeking to go electrical, the MG 4 is my choose of the cut-price, small Chinese language EVs. It’s well-packaged, engaging, and has a pleasant trip/dealing with stability.
I’d love a Corolla-sized sedan with a richly appointed inside, an extended listing of options and a punchy turbo powertrain. Of the premium-brand small vehicles available on the market, the Audi A3 comes closest to assembly my tastes.
MORE: Purchase a Skoda Scala
Josh Nevett: Mazda 3 or Honda Civic Kind R
Mazda 3
Mazda could not fairly match the European producers on the subject of high quality, however the hole is certainly closing.
The Mazda 3 is a cushty, sensible and comparatively dynamic small automotive that additionally appears to be like nice as a hatch.
My choose of the vary could be the mid-spec G25 Evolve SP. For $34,520 earlier than on-road prices, you get a 2.5-litre, 135kW four-cylinder engine, wi-fi smartphone connectivity, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat and sporty design accents in and out.
It’s an amazing bundle. And the color? Soul Crimson, in fact.
Honda Civic Kind R
The Civic Kind R isn’t fairly as reasonably priced because it was once, however the newest technology of sizzling Civic has been in comparison with Porsche’s GT merchandise on the subject of dealing with and driving really feel, so simply over $70,000 is a small value to pay for a real driver’s automotive.
The brand new automotive can also be way more subtle than its predecessors. Ridiculous exterior styling selections have made approach for cleaner, extra palatable strains, and inside you’ll discover all of the creature comforts that new automotive consumers demand in 2024.
Honda has honed this recipe over greater than twenty years now, and it exhibits.
MORE: Purchase a Mazda 3
MORE: Purchase a Honda Civic
James Wong: Audi A3
For the longest time the Volkswagen Golf was billed because the premium compact automotive for the individuals, however nowadays the Audi A3 appears to embody that mantra slightly higher.
Audi has additionally managed to get its engine specs extra aligned with the European market, together with the wonderful 1.5 TFSI mild-hybrid within the base 35 TFSI.
The posh marque’s tech has lengthy been a reduce above the broader VW Group for consumer friendliness and connectivity, and the present one has the identical stuff you anticipate in Audi’s flagship merchandise.
With an up to date mannequin on the way in which with a extra refined tackle the present technology’s already strong foundations, I’d be eager on a well-specced 35 TFSI Sportback in District Inexperienced.
MORE: Purchase an Audi A3
Jordan Mulach: MG 4 or Audi RS3
MG 4
After I consider a small automotive, a metropolis runabout crosses the thoughts. With gas costing most of an arm and a leg, I’d be tempted to go electrical and there’s in all probability no higher value-for-money EV available on the market than the MG 4.
MG appears to have aced it with the 4’s packaging and know-how, plus it appears to be like nice throughout all grades. I don’t even really feel the necessity to go for the quick XPower, because the common automotive will likely be loads zippy sufficient for Brisbane’s streets.
By all accounts it’s additionally a strong long-haul cruiser, that means I wouldn’t be afraid to take it on the motorways.
Audi RS3
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, should you’re going to discover a loophole, go huge – and it’s laborious to discover a cooler “small” automotive than the Audi RS3.
Its turbocharged five-cylinder sounds precisely like its distant Audi 90 quattro IMSA predecessor, and offers greater than ample outputs of 294kW and 500Nm, driving all 4 wheels and generally with extra of a rear bias.
Inside you discover all of the options you could possibly ever need with supplies to make it really feel like a correct premium providing. Actually, there’s no drawbacks.
I’d discover it laborious to go previous the sedan, not solely as a result of it has a nicer form however these rear seats are in all probability going to be offering a little bit of soundproofing if the exhaust was upgraded.
MORE: Purchase an MG 4
MORE: Purchase an Audi RS3
