New automobiles in Australian showrooms appear to be getting bigger and bigger.
Nonetheless, there’s nonetheless demand for conventional small passenger automobiles, which accounted for 84,360 of the 1.2 million new car gross sales in Australia final 12 months.
Whereas this was a lower on the 12 months prior, the small phase was the biggest when it comes to conventional passenger automobile gross sales in 2023 – and it’s straightforward to see why.
In style fashions such because the Hyundai i30 and Toyota Corolla are two of the best-selling nameplates within the phase, which has virtually 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 rivalry.
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 acquired it’s now not lagging behind the competitors within the infotainment recreation.
There’s no denying the Corolla Hybrid is an extremely environment friendly car. I keep in mind driving one from dwelling to the workplace in among the worst visitors I’ve pushed in for a really very long time and getting a outstanding 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 essentially the most tools however nonetheless retains a spare wheel – the ZR Hybrid solely has a tyre restore equipment.
Hyundai i30 Sedan N
This efficiency automobile discount is such a hoot to drive round city, however it will probably additionally maintain its personal out on the monitor.
The i30 Sedan N remains to be solely accessible in a single extremely specced variant priced from $52,000 earlier than on-roads. The one possibility you may 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 convey 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 appears like a loophole, however in response to VFACTS the Subaru WRX is a small automobile.
Though it isn’t excellent, the most recent WRX remains to be a little bit of a unicorn. It’s a compact, all-wheel drive efficiency automobile 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 need to preserve just a few thousand {dollars} apart to release 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.
Positive, the Honda badge doesn’t carry the identical degree of bragging rights as an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz brand, however the Kind R is priced consistent with a high-end variations of the A-Class or 1 Sequence. It’s additionally much more fascinating to me.
In truth of all of the automobiles I drove final 12 months, the Civic Kind R was my favorite – if I wanted to purchase a brand new automobile tomorrow, I’d need it to be considered one of these.
The vary of issues it will probably do for the worth is outstanding. Our launch evaluate confirmed you would drive it every single day because of its supple trip and sensible inside, and it’ll demolish a again street like few automobiles this aspect of a Porsche 911.
On monitor, it presents near the right mix of approachability and functionality. It flatters from the second you allow pit lane, and pushing tougher simply reveals increasingly 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 may give a automobile.
MORE: Purchase a Subaru WRX
MORE: Purchase a Honda Civic
William Stopford: Skoda Scala
You’re taking a look at one of the unfairly neglected automobiles on the Australian new automobile market.
Well packaged, elegantly styled, and good to drive, the Scala is simply too usually 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 received’t cease speaking about how nice the Honda Civic Kind R is, I think that needs to be on my shortlist, too. I simply must drive the factor…
When 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 checklist of options and a punchy turbo powertrain. Of the premium-brand small automobiles in the marketplace, 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 unquestionably closing.
The Mazda 3 is a cushty, sensible and comparatively dynamic small automobile that additionally appears nice as a hatch.
My choose of the vary can 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 excellent package deal. And the color? Soul Purple, 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 scorching 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 automobile.
The brand new automobile can also be much more subtle than its predecessors. Ridiculous exterior styling decisions have made means for cleaner, extra palatable strains, and inside you’ll discover all of the creature comforts that new automobile patrons demand in 2024.
Honda has honed this recipe over greater than 20 years now, and it reveals.
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 automobile for the individuals, however as of late the Audi A3 appears to embody that mantra a bit higher.
Audi has additionally managed to get its engine specs extra aligned with the European market, together with the superb 1.5 TFSI mild-hybrid within the base 35 TFSI.
The posh marque’s tech has lengthy been a minimize above the broader VW Group for person friendliness and connectivity, and the present one has the identical stuff you count on 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
Once I consider a small automobile, a metropolis runabout crosses the thoughts. With gasoline costing most of an arm and a leg, I’d be tempted to go electrical and there’s most likely no higher value-for-money EV in the marketplace than the MG 4.
MG appears to have aced it with the 4’s packaging and expertise, plus it appears nice throughout all grades. I don’t even really feel the necessity to go for the quick XPower, because the common automobile shall be lots zippy sufficient for Brisbane’s streets.
By all accounts it’s additionally a strong long-haul cruiser, which means I wouldn’t be afraid to take it on the motorways.
Audi RS3
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, when you’re going to discover a loophole, go huge – and it’s arduous to discover a cooler “small” automobile 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 typically with extra of a rear bias.
Inside you discover all of the options you would ever need with supplies to make it really feel like a correct premium providing. Actually, there’s no drawbacks.
I’d discover it arduous to go previous the sedan, not solely as a result of it has a nicer form however these rear seats are most likely going to be offering a little bit of soundproofing if the exhaust was upgraded.
MORE: Purchase an MG 4
MORE: Purchase an Audi RS3