New cars in Australian showrooms seem to be getting bigger and bigger.
However, there is still demand for traditional small passenger cars, which accounted for 84,360 of the 1.2 million new car sales in Australia last year.
Although this was down on the previous year, the small segment had the largest sales of traditional passenger cars in 2023 – and it's easy to see why.
Popular car models such as Hyundai i30 and Toyota Corolla are two of the best-selling models in the segment with nearly 30 models for you to choose from.
But what will Car expert choose team? We've given our magazines the freedom to choose a budget-friendly option and a more attractive or premium option, as long as both adhere to VFACTS's definition of “small” – themselves it is also a controversial point.
Fast Jack: Toyota Corolla Hybrid or Hyundai i30 Sedan N
Toyota Corolla hybrid
I know this is a boring answer (insert white goods joke here) but with the recent update, Toyota Corolla get that it's no longer lagging behind the competition in the infotainment game.
There's no denying the Corolla Hybrid is an extremely capable vehicle. I remember driving one from home to the office in the worst traffic I've driven in a very long time and getting a remarkable average of 3.7L/100km. That's crazy.
If I had to choose a specific variant, I'd choose the Corolla SX Hybrid hatchback, which currently starts at $35,260 before on-roads. Being the hybrid variant with the most equipment but retaining the spare wheel – the ZR Hybrid only has a tire repair kit.
Hyundai i30 Sedan N
This performance car is a real bargain to drive around town, but it can also hold its own on the track.
The i30 Sedan N remains only available in a single highly rated variant priced from $52,000 before on-roads. The only option you could choose (but you would be foolish to do so) is a sunroof.
Luckily with the latest update, the i30 Sedan N retains the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 206kW and 392Nm. The exhaust still makes plenty of pops, pops, and pops that make you smile every time you downshift.
Now the real question is the six-speed manual or the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic?
THAN: Buy a Toyota Corolla
THAN: Buy a Hyundai i30 car
Scott Collie: Subaru WRX or Honda Civic Type R
Subaru WRX
This may seem like a loophole, but according to VFACTS Subaru WRX is a small car.
While it's not perfect, the latest WRX is a bit of a unicorn. It's a compact, all-wheel-drive performance vehicle with a manual transmission option and – thanks to a recent update – a full suite of active driver assistance features.
I'm happy to have a base model with a manual transmission, although I'd also like to save a few thousand dollars to tone down a bit of exhaust noise and to improve the somewhat rough throttle response with a tune .
Honda Civic Type R
While we're talking about loopholes, Citizen type R is my premium choice.
Sure, the Honda badge isn't as pretentious as the Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz logos, but the Type R is priced on par with Honda's premium versions. A class or 1 Series. It was also much more desirable to me.
In fact, of all the cars I drove last year, the Civic Type R was my favorite – if I needed to buy a new car tomorrow, I'd want it to be one of these .
The range of things it can do for the price is remarkable. Our launch review found you could drive it every day thanks to its supple ride and functional interior, and it'll destroy a back road like few cars besides the Porsche 911 .
As it stands, it offers a near-perfect blend of accessibility and capability. It's satisfying from the moment you leave the pit lane, and pushing harder only reveals more possibilities.
There's more than a hint of the Porsche GT in the feel of all the controls, which is the highest compliment you can pay a car.
THAN: buy Subaru WRX
THAN: Buy a Honda Civic
William Stopford: Skoda Scala
You're looking at one of the most unfairly overlooked vehicles in the Australian new car market.
Smartly packaged, tastefully styled and drives well, Scala too often overlooked.
After something more exciting? Hyundai i30 Sedan N, Subaru WRX RS sedan and Cupra Leon VZx stands out to me, although the group won't stop talking about how great the Honda Civic Type R is, I suspect it should be on my shortlist too. I just need to drive that thing…
If you are looking to use electricity, MG 4 is my pick of small, cheap Chinese electric cars. It's well packaged, attractive and has a well-balanced ride/handling feel.
I like a Corolla-sized sedan with a luxurious interior, a long list of features, and a powerful turbocharged powertrain. Among the small car models with high-end brands on the market, Audi A3 comes closest to satisfying my tastes.
THAN: Buy a Skoda Scala
Josh Nevett: Mazda 3 or Honda Civic Type R
Mazda 3
Mazda may not be quite on par with European manufacturers in terms of quality, but the gap is certainly narrowing.
The Mazda 3 is a comfortable, practical and relatively dynamic little car that also looks great as a hatch.
My pick from the range would be the mid-range G25 Evolve SP. For $34,520 before on-road costs, you get the 135kW 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, wireless smartphone connectivity, electrically adjustable driver's seat and sporty design accents from the inside out.
It's a great package. And the color? Soul red of course.
Honda Civic Type R
The Civic Type R is no longer as affordable as it used to be, but the latest generation of the hot Civic has been compared to Porsche's GT products when it comes to handling and driving feel, so just over $70,000 is a fair price. too small to buy. A true driver's car.
The new car is also much more complex than its predecessors. Ridiculous exterior styling choices have paved the way for cleaner, more toasty lines, and inside you'll find all the creature comforts new car buyers demand in 2024 .
Honda has been honing this formula for over two decades now and it shows.
THAN: Buy a Mazda 3
THAN: Buy a Honda Civic
James Wong: Audi A3
For the longest time Volkswagen Golf was billed as the premium compact car for everyone, but these days the Audi A3 seems to embody that mantra a little better.
Audi has also tried to bring its engine specifications more in line with the European market, including the excellent 1.5 TFSI mild hybrid on the 35 TFSI base.
The luxury brand's technology has long outpaced the wider VW Group in terms of user-friendliness and connectivity, and the current technology has the same things you'd expect from its products. Audi's flagship product.
With an updated model on the way with further improvements on the already solid underpinnings of the current generation, I would be very interested in a 35 TFSI Sportback in District Green.
THAN: Buy an Audi A3
Jordan Mulach: MG 4 or Audi RS3
MG 4
When I think of a small car, I think of a city car. With fuel costing an arm and a leg, I'd be tempted to switch to electric and there's probably no electric car on the market that's better value for money than the MG 4.
MG seems to have aced it with the 4's technology and packaging, plus it looks great on all levels. I didn't even feel the need to use the high-speed XPower, as the regular car would be fast enough to navigate the streets of Brisbane.
It's also a solid long-distance cruiser by all accounts, which means I wouldn't mind taking it on the highway.
Audi RS3
On the other end of the spectrum, if you're going to find a loophole, go big – and it's hard to find a cooler “small” car than that one. Audi RS3.
Its turbocharged five-cylinder engine sounds exactly like its distant Audi 90 quattro IMSA predecessor and offers more power at 294kW and 500Nm, driving all four wheels and sometimes more rear wheels. than.
Inside, you'll find all the features you could want with materials to make it feel like a proper premium product. Really, there is no downside.
I would have a hard time ignoring the sedan, not only because it has a better shape but the rear seats would probably be a little more soundproof if the exhaust were upgraded.
THAN: Buy an MG4
THAN: Buy an Audi RS3
