Best small cars you can buy in Australia in 2024: Know price, specs & features

The world may have gone gaga over SUVs in recent years, but nothing can quite replace the role of small cars in the automotive landscape. Whether it’s purchasing an additional vehicle or a gift to a brand-new driver in your family, small cars are a great investment. They’re fun to drive, easy to maintain and they will get you out of a jam more times than you can count, LITERALLY!

While there are so many reasons to check out the small cars for sale, there are 3 key reasons we suggest you keep an eye out for them. First and foremost, you have the cost factor which is lower in the case of a small car. The other two factors that can help you choose among the small cars for sale in Australia are related to its practicality – seating capacity and boot space. These 3 factors establish the ability to accommodate and carry your load (people and luggage alike) without a significant dent in your bank balance.

This blog delves into the top contenders, revealing the best small cars in Australia that have captured hearts and headlines consistently. From urban commuters to spirited performers, these vehicles redefine what it means to be small, proving that size is no limitation when it comes to exceptional motoring experiences. Check out these small cars for sale in Australia

Toyota Corolla

Data for 2023 Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport Auto

In this Toyota’s small car, the maker has left no stone unturned into making it as stylish and effective as any other medium or huge size Toyotas. This 5-seater car has 7 airbags which makes this one of the safest cars on this list. In addition to that, the 16” alloy wheels grab the attention of everybody as you drive by in style and a hefty 470 L boot space will ensure you have space for all everyday trips.

As the tech age is climbing to its prime, manufacturers are also trying to equip the latest technology even in small cars. Corolla gets Toyota Connected Services for up to a year. This makes riding comfortable and waiting in times of emergency a cakewalk.

Available in a Hybrid variant Corolla and boasting both Hatchback & Sedan body-types, Toyota’s small cars like the Corolla are also environmentally friendly and cost-effective, giving you the best of both worlds. Whether you're after a fuel-efficient commuter car or a practical family sedan, the Toyota Corolla has you covered. With its impressive fuel economy, practicality, and Toyota's renowned reliability, it's no wonder that it is a popular pick.

Key Features of Toyota Corolla:

• JBL audio system
• Lane trace assist
• Automatic high beam
• Road sign assist
• Voice recognising Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

What’s good about it?

• Excellent centre of gravity
• Excellent rear suspension
• Powerful pick-up
  

What's not so good about it?

• Lower variants have a small infotainment screen
• Rear seating space
• Pricier than segment alternatives

Toyota Yaris

Data for 2022 Toyota Yaris Ascent Sport Auto

When it comes to affordability and cost-effectiveness, Yaris a popular choice. Yaris, Toyota’s small car, specifically addresses running and repair costs, making it a practical option. For those of you looking to suggest your children their new set of wheels, this car comes packed with 8 airbags. That means the only problem is that this car is too safe for the thrill-seeking youngsters.

While it may not match the Mazda2 in terms of driving experience or subjective aesthetics, the Yaris offers the reliable motoring experience that Toyota is renowned for.

Key Features of Toyota Yaris:

• 18-inch alloy wheel with above-average ground clearance
• Panoramic view monitor
• Active Cruise Control
• Pre-collision safety system
• Intersection Safety

What’s good about it?

• All-wheel drive - Optional
• 8 Airbags
• 5-year Warranty Advantage + 2 years extended engine and driveline coverage

What's not so good about it?

• Infotainment touchscreen
• Noisy engine
• Car tumbles on erratic roads
  

Volkswagen Golf

Data for 2023 Volkswagen Golf 110TSI 8 Auto MY23

If you like this car, there’s a prediction about your personality we’d like to make. You’re out of the ordinary and looking to make your mark long after everybody’s home resting. Volkswagen sees you and respects you for having the same hustle as the VW Golf has.

The bold design, the organised dashboard, and the perfectly symmetrical interior. Sometimes, we feel like the Golf is made for profound conversations and thought rather than driving. However, when you drive this small car, you feel big and powerful. Packed with exciting features and the latest tech, the Golf is filled with reasons to break out of your routine and start an adventure.

Packed with exciting features and the latest tech, the Golf is filled with reasons to break out of your routine and start an adventure. Bringing in the future to your dashboard, VW Golf brings the Innovision Cockpit - Digital Cockpit Pro and 10" Discover Pro navigation system, wireless charging systems and comfort front seats with lumbar adjustment.

Key Features of Volkswagen Golf:

• Bergamo 18-inch alloy wheels
• R-Line exterior and interior styling
• Crash Avoidance Control - With braking at high speeds
• Keyless Access
• Ambient lighting with 30 colours

What's good about it?

• Good and efficient engine options
• Good suspension
• Latest technology options

What's not so good about it?

• More expensive than peers
• Too many clicks in Infotainment
• As cramped as old golf
  

Mazda3

Data for 2023 Mazda 3 G25 GT BP Series Auto

Mazda3 embodies two characters. Sporty curves elicit a sense of excitement and freedom in the Hatch. Sleek and elegant proportions give the impression of a single, dignified brushstroke in the Sedan. Both feature a perfectly crafted premium interior, cutting-edge Skyactiv Technology and the latest in safety features. The result is an unparalleled connection to the road and the car. Guided by Mazda's distinctive Kodo Design philosophy, light and shadow shift beautifully at every turn with the new Mazda3's elevated design.

This small car is good enough for you to step out of your old SUV and jump into this power-packed devil made to wreak havoc in style on the streets. Bose Speakers, Heated seats and more are sure to make you want to choose this car over the one you didn’t want to let go of.

Key Features of Mazda3:

• KODO Design
• SKYACTIV Technology
• i-ACTIVSENSE Safety Features
• Mazda Connect Infotainment System
• Premium Interior and Craftsmanship
  

What’s good about it?

• Stylish and eye-catching design
• Engaging driving dynamics
• High-quality interior

What's not so good about it?

• Limited rear passenger space
• Infotainment system complexity
• Road noise
  
  
  

Kia Cerato

Data for 2023 Kia Cerato S Auto MY23

The Kia small car Cerato is hyper-focussed on giving the drivers a good time. The steering and pick-up will make any driver fall head over heels for this small car. The Cerato continues to build on its reputation for sharp, flowing design and athletic performance, introducing more innovations to its already impressive resume. The ultra-modern cabin is spacious, driver-focused, and firmly immersed in the digital world with the latest generation of infotainment.

Available in two different body types, a sporty hatch and a sleek sedan, the Kia Cerato is exceptionally well made for all the style and design needs.

Fun Fact: Kia Cerato is the first car by Kia in Australia to reflect their new logo.

Key Features of Kia Cerato:

• 10.25-inch touchscreen
• JBL sound system
• Supervision instrument cluster
• Electronic parking brake
• Climate control

What’s good about it?

• Smooth engine
• Build and material quality
• Advanced safety features

What's not so good about it?

• Firm city-handling
• Lackluster interior materials
• Mileage
  

Honda Civic

Data for 2021 Honda Civic VTi-S Auto MY20

Honda's legacy of engineering enjoyable vehicles with exceptional Japanese build quality has been reaffirmed through Civic for a little under a decade now. The 10th generation Civic impresses with its delightful driving experience, increased size compared to its predecessor, and practicality, boasting a spacious 414-litre boot. Furthermore, the car is surprisingly refined and well-equipped, offering excellent value for the price.

When it came to the design of the latest Civic Hatchback, nothing was off limits. Honda upgraded everything. The entire exterior has been refined with swooping curves – making it as sleek on the outside as it is seamless on the inside. There, you’ll uncover and enjoy intuitive tech and superior design touches – all to fill you with a limitless amount of confidence and joy from the moment you first drive home.

Key Features of Honda Civic:

• Honda sensing
• 12 speaker BOSE premium sound system
• Road ahead guarantee
• Bigger windscreen
• Honeycomb panel with concealed vents

What’s good about it?

• Fantastic driving experience
• Sporty like a hatch, classy like a sedan
• Boot space

What's not so good about it?

• Bland exteriors
• Somewhat noisy interior
• Colour options

Subaru Impreza

Data for 2022 Subaru Impreza 2.0i-L G5 Auto AWD MY22

If Subaru Impreza was a person, it would be a robot. Expert craftsmanship, great eye for detail and the ideation of how to make the occupants comfortable all wrapped by the latest technological advancements. This is a tech car. Everything is available and accessible by a tap, touch or push of a button. Subaru has dialled up the energy with an exhilarating infotainment system featuring a huge 11.6" touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity and for the ultimate convenience enjoy fast, wireless Qi charging.

In addition to such an impressive interior Impreza also boasts an athletic exterior design. Impreza steps up the game by taking driving to a new level of comfort and power with the combination of a Boxer Engineer and All Wheel Drive. Enhanced traction makes the Impreza sufficient on all roads and terrains, whether it is a bit sandy or wet road, the Impreza is up for the challenge. If your requirement is for more boot space, the sedan version is what one must go for, however, if boot space can be compromised a bit the 5-door hatch has some enhanced practical features which make driving fun and seamless.

Key Features of Subaru Impreza

• 10 Harman Kardon® speakers and amplifier*
• 8-way power seat with lumbar support - front row
• Self-levelling and Steering Responsive Headlights (SRH)
• Sports pedals
• Electric sunroof
  

What’s good about it?

• Standard safety kit
• Good grip on testing terrains
• Spacious interior
  

What’s not so good about it?

• Bit expensive for its segment
• Average fuel economy
• Infotainment might lag
  
  

Volkswagen Polo

Data for 2022 Volkswagen Polo 70TSI Life AE Manual MY23

The Volkswagen Polo is the small car which creates a big impact and has this effect of grandeur to its driving experience. With boot space enough to hold your weekend getaway spoils and then a bit more, Polo is made for short to medium-distance driving. While this car seems to be a boon in the city traffic, the prolonged journeys might leave you a bit queasy. However, Volkswagen has done some remarkable updates to the interiors and infotainment system, what stands out is the ADAS features that have been added. Features such as Frontal Assist, Lane Assist, and Parking Distance Sensors with manoeuvre braking and more.

Polo has also embraced the digitization age and now comes equipped with a massive screen and a very neat and tidy cockpit which allows drivers to stay engaged but not distract themselves trying to work out the details.

Key Features of Volkswagen Polo:

• 16-inch Palermo alloy wheels
• IQ.LIGHT matrix LED headlights
• Traction Control
• Digital Cockpit
• Air Care 2-zone climate control air conditioning with allergen filter

What’s good about it?

• Posh cabin
• Comfortable for long journeys
• Boot space

What’s not so good about it?

• Alternatives are cheaper
• Base variant
• Expensive pennyworth options

Hyundai i30

Data for 2022 Hyundai i30 Auto MY23

The i30, one of the Hyundai small cars, is amongst the most sold cars in the Australian market in 2022 and 2023. Mostly because it is available in 2 body types and then Hyundai drops the bomb of producing it in ‘N line’ and ‘N’. Now while i30 is a great purchase, depending on your requirements, you must choose the body type of i30.
If you have a small family, boot space and affordability will become a pertinent consideration. In this case, we suggest you go with the Hyundai i30 hatchback. It has ample storage space, both in the boot and more so in the cabin. Solo striders can also opt for this one if they’re looking for a sporty compact car.

The sedan version is a bit more sleek and catering to city driving only. Hyundai’s futuristic design strategy can be seen in every i30, especially the sedan version. The sleek coupe-like structure just accentuates the idea of driving tomorrow.

Key Features of Hyundai i30:

• 7-speaker Infinity sound system
• 10.25-inch infotainment screen
• Twin-spoke 18-inch alloy wheel
• Hyundai SmartSense driver assistance package
• Dual-zone climate control

What’s good about it?

• Good exterior design
• Spacious
• Good in every aspect

What’s not so good about it?

• Can feel its power truly on the highway
• Sensitivity clutch
• Engine gets noisy after repeated use

Conclusion

The year 2024 has ushered in a remarkable lineup of small cars that redefine conventional notions of compactness. Through innovative designs, advanced technology, and remarkable performance, these vehicles have proven that greatness comes in various sizes as can be seen by the best small cars in Australia. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, small cars have demonstrated their capacity to deliver big on efficiency, style, and driving pleasure. In a world where urbanization, sustainability, and connectivity dominate conversations, the best small cars of 2024 pave the way for a future where excellence transcends dimensions, providing a glimpse into the limitless potential of compact automotive brilliance.

FAQs

1. What are the top-ranked small cars in Australia for this year?

Top-ranked small cars in Australia for this year include Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Hyundai i30, and Volkswagen Golf.

2. Which small car offers the best fuel efficiency in Australia?

Toyota Yaris is known for offering excellent fuel efficiency among small cars in Australia.

3. Are there any hybrid or electric small cars recommended in Australia?

Yes, hybrid and electric small cars which are recommended in Australia include Toyota Prius, Hyundai Ioniq, and Nissan Leaf.

4. What is the average price range of the best small cars in Australia?

The average price range of the best small cars in Australia varies from $20,000 to $30,000, depending on the make, model, and features.

5. Which small cars have the highest safety ratings in Australia?

Small cars with high safety ratings in Australia include Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, and Subaru Impreza.

6. Are there any small cars known for their performance on Australian roads?

Performance-oriented small cars like the Ford Fiesta ST and Volkswagen Polo GTI are renowned for their agility and power on Australian roads, however may be more expensive than other rivals.