TMR Small Hatch Comparison Review – Top Ten Shootout
Small Hatch Comparison Review: Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, Holden Cruze, Hyundai i30, Ford Focus, Mitsubishi Lancer, Volkswagen Golf, Subaru Impreza, Kia Cerato, Renault Megane.
OVERVIEW
The small car segment is by far the most popular in this country, and also one of the most densely populated.
No fewer than 18 manufacturers compete there - 26 if we include luxury brands - and buyers have a total of 37 distinct models to choose from. The term “spoiled for choice” is most definitely applicable to buyers of new small cars.
So, to sort the wheat from the chaff, we joined forces with a team from motoring.com.au for a comprehensive group test of ten of the country’s most popular small cars.
Most were base models, and all were automatic hatchbacks, representing the most popular transmission/bodystyle configuration.
Crucially, nearly all of the cars tested (with the Subaru Impreza the sole exception) are priced at less than $25k in base form.
So which cars are worth the coin, and which are best left sitting on the dealership floor?
How we did it:
Our test involved a drive from Melbourne down to Victoria’s surf coast, a short urban loop and a day of performance testing at the Anglesea proving grounds.
We also assessed each car for cabin comfort - both front and rear - and took a close look at the features, mod-cons and overall quality of each car.
Value-for-money was also among the key criteria, and while some contenders impressed us with their gadget count, those with the stingiest spec sheets were heavily marked down.
We’ve assessed each vehicle in descending order of sales ranking according to the latest VFACTS new car sales figures, but take note: in this instance, popularity in the showroom is not necessarily a reflection of the quality of the drive or buying value.
- Want to skip to the verdict? Click here.
”‹The Cars
”‹Mazda3 Neo
- Price: $22,330 plus on-roads (as tested)
- Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder | Output: 108kW/182Nm
- Transmission: Five-speed automatic
- Wheels/Tyres: 15 x 6.0-inch / 195/65R15
- Fuel/CO2: 8.2L/100km / 193g/km