The small car category, least glamorous of all segments, is also one of the most important to consumers, as it represents the most accessible new vehicles on the market.
Small cars are often the first new cars for many motorists and account for at least 10 percent of annual sales. So a class bulging with competitors and ruthless competition is welcome news for buyers.
A large part of the appeal of these little `uns is their value for money.
But value is more than just price alone. For a contender to win the category it needs to be well-balanced overall, but with a focus on price, fuel consumption, warranty and operating costs.
Hyundai, part of Korea’s value vanguard, has won this category twice before with such an emphasis.
This year, the smallest car of Hyundai’s range, the Getz, was worthy of its first Best Cars trophy. A winning combination of value, design and dynamics allowed the three-door GL to seize the crown.
It claimed the title over its larger stablemate, the Hyundai Accent GL 3-door, and a newcomer to the category, the Honda Jazz VTi.
Both Hyundais also have a five-year warranty, and the peace of mind this provides to consumers adds significantly to their strength in the class.
The Accent was a close second, with performance one of its strengths. However the price, running and repair cost advantage and practicality of the Getz was enough to get it across the line in front of its sibling.
The Honda Jazz has cutting-edge design and function qualities, with space and ergonomics among the highlights. It also leads the class for performance.
However, its price tag is among the steepest in the class, its running and repair costs trail the best and, like many other Hondas, its security scores could be better.
Final Scores (Out of 5): Getz 3.65, Accent 3.48, Jazz 3.22
Full Details: www.australiasbestcars.com.au.
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter