If you feel the need to downsize your car or don’t want to squeeze into every parking space, you’re not alone.
Last year, more than 47,000 cars in the small car and light car segments were sold and with 15 models on offer, there is still plenty of choice for new car buyers.
These range from roadsters like the Kia Picanto to modified pocket rockets like the Hyundai i20 N, all trying to cram as many features into a small platform for as little money as possible. Good.
It can be difficult to narrow down the list of models to consider, which is where it comes in Car expert The team joins in with our own picks for the high-end and budget-friendly categories below.
Scott Collie: Skoda Fabia or Mini Cooper
Skoda Fabia
The Fabia punches above its weight when it comes to trunk and cabin space, and all that space won’t cost you a fortune.
It’s sleek to drive and quite nice to look at too. Skoda’s seven-year warranty is also welcome if you want to live with your small car for a long time.
Little Cooper
I know it’s small, expensive, and luxurious inside, but I’ve always liked the three-door Mini.
I’ll have mine in Cooper S JCW Sport guise, which is a bit more powerful and a lot more stylish.
THAN: Buy a Skoda Fabia
THAN: Buy a Mini Cooper
Josh Nevett: Abarth 695
You buy an Abarth with your heart, not your head.
I know Scott probably won’t buy one, but I’ve been coveting one of these scorpion-crested nuggets for a while now.
The sound coming from the Monza exhaust is an example of the engineering wizardry that gives the 695 a quintessentially Italian feel. It’s backed by fun styling.
After driving around with a boyish grin, you’ll also have no trouble getting into any parking spot in the city.
Is it realistic? Are not. Is it cheap? Hell nah.
I don’t care, I want one anyway.
THAN: Buy an Abarth 695
Fast Jack: Mazda 2 or Mini Cooper
Mazda2
If I had to buy an affordable city car, I don’t think I’d go past the venerable Mazda 2.
I know it’s pretty outdated by 2024 and has now had countless upgrades done to stay current, but the Mazda 2 is one of the few small cars that still evokes the feeling of a car. big on the road.
Last year, I drove the Mazda 2 G15 Evolve on a trip back to my family’s farm and it didn’t feel underpowered, even on the highway at 110km/h.
Personally, I’d opt for a hatchback variant, but the Mazda 2 is also the only car in the segment to offer a sedan body style if that interests you.
Little Cooper
I recently spent some time abroad driving the new generation Mini Countryman and was delighted with the looks and functionality of the interior.
I’ve yet to experience the new Mini Cooper properly, but it has a very similar interior layout with a circular 9.4-inch OLED touchscreen infotainment system taking center stage, along with a dashboard surface. with fabric.
On paper, the range-topping electric Cooper SE looks like a great car with 160kW and 330Nm. Personally it would be my pick of the range.
The Cooper SE also has a sizeable 54kWh battery pack with a claimed WLTP range of 403km, meaning range anxiety isn’t as much of a problem as it was with the outgoing model.
THAN: Buy a Mazda2 car
THAN: Buy a Mini Cooper
Jordan Mulach
Kia Picanto
A cheap car with lots of features and a seven-year warranty – what’s not to like?
The Picanto seems to go against my principle of buying a car that’s a little bigger than what I need, but you don’t really feel like you’re missing out on anything.
Although I haven’t driven one yet, I’ve heard good things about its chassis and engine, plus the fact that it’s offered in a manual is almost as rare as it sounds which makes it interesting. than.
Toyota GR Yaris
It’s hard to deny that the GR Yaris is probably one of the hottest hatchback models on the market.
Think of it as the modern Pulsar GTI-R (yes, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty here). It’s a small car with a small engine cranked up to 11, delivering one of the most forgettable driving experiences this side of a supercar.
I, like most, only drove the pre-updated model, with its awkwardly high seating position and suspiciously cheap interior materials. In the Rallye version, it’s a pocket rocket that forced me to recalibrate my brain, as its grip level was scary yet thrilling.
It actually reminds me more than anything of a properly modified Bugeye WRX STI. From what we have seen of the facelift, all the concerns should be addressed and the GR Yaris will be better for it.
THAN: Buy Kia Picanto
THAN: Buy a Toyota Yaris
William Stopford: Mazda 2 or Hyundai i20 N
Mazda2
It may be old but the Mazda 2 is still my choice among the more affordable light cars.
The powertrain is strong, even with the six-speed automatic, and overall it’s a fun drive. The level of standard safety equipment across the range is excellent, with even LED headlights and blind-spot monitoring available from the base model upwards.
That makes the base G15 Pure all you really need and the one I’d recommend to those looking for an affordable city car.
However, the interior is a bit dated, especially the technology, and this most recent upgrade doesn’t feel as luxurious as the previous version.
Hyundai i20N
Among the more expensive light cars, there are a lot of really interesting options including the Mini Cooper and Toyota GR Yaris.
I’ll give the edge to the Hyundai i20 N. After testing it out on the track, I found it to be really fun to drive, but it’s also easy to use, and costs thousands of dollars less than a the similarly desirable Volkswagen Polo GTI.
THAN: Buy a Mazda2 car
THAN: Buy a Hyundai i20 car
James Wong: Volkswagen Polo
Although many of these are advertised as ‘city cars’, the reality in Australia is that people buying smaller cars still need them to do most things.
Thinking from the perspective of the first or last car buyer, it’s inevitable that the majority of owners will still need some off-road or even road trips.
My sister owned a current generation Polo 70TSI Trendline before the facelift and having spent a lot of time as driver and passenger, I think it would still be my choice in this group.
You can get a facelifted model with many of the premium technologies available on larger VW models, and the 1.0 TSI turbocharged petrol engine is a great little engine that offers plenty of performance and fuel economy. Great material in the real world.
Sure, servicing is a bit pricey and it requires 95 RON premium fuel, but no other light car is as comfortable in town and on the open road as the Polo.
THAN: Buy a Volkswagen Polo
