By Brad East
The best city cars in Australia often donโt get the credit they deserve. Frequently overlooked for flashy SUVs or shiny electric imports, smaller vehicles have fallen by the wayside in recent years.
The best city cars in Australia still equate to some of the best-selling vehicles worldwide with reputable brands such as Toyota & Kia dominating the charts.
Whilst small cars donโt have the speed of their larger cousins, they shine for being economical, practical and overall fun to drive.
Itโs why they are perfect for doing everything from the daily school run to enjoying taking the family out for the day. So what are the best city cars in Australia today?
The best city cars in Australia revealed
Toyota Corolla
No car has dominated the small car market like the Toyota Corolla. So it should be no surprise that the Corolla continues to lead the way today. And thereโs a reason why this has always been the case โ it has everything you need. Currently, the 12th-gen iteration of the Corolla comes in three forms โ the Ascent Sport, SX & XR. No matter what you choose, the 2l engine gives it punchy bursts of power as well as options for automatic or manual gears. Those looking for an eco-friendlier option can switch out the 2l engine for a 1.8 hybrid should they wish
But this is just one reason for its popularity. All versions of the Corolla come with no less than 7 airbags to protect the driver and passengers from all angles of impact. Thereโs also a bunch of nifty aids to give drivers warning of hazards such as a Lane Departure Alert and a guide to Pre-Collison Safety.
Donโt think this skimps of luxuries ever. There are JBL speakers included on premium models, heated front seats as well as wireless charging possibilities. All these show why the Corolla continues to sell at least 2,000 models a month nationwide โ one of the best city cars in Australia for all audiences.
Kia Cerato
There are plenty of ways for drivers to configure a Kia Cerato to their needs. The highly popular Korean hatchback comes in no less than 4 different variations. Slightly larger than its rivals, the Cerato certainly doesnโt lack in power with the Sport+ and GT models giving plenty of oomph when you put the pedal down. Even the 1.6 hybrid produces 139hp โ nothing to be sniffed at.
Where the Cerato comes into its own is the range of nifty features that drivers can benefit from. Alongside front/rear parking sensors, it comes with an advanced infotainment system that is just as efficient as it is impressive. Thereโs also the addition of Autonomous Emergency Breaking and Active Cruise Control to make driving easier and safer when on the road. This range of different aids makes the Cerato one of the best city cars in Australia to own no matter where you live.
MG MG3
The revival of MG in recent years has taken the iconic British marque to new heights. Whilst the car is built and made in China, it continues to be one of the most in-demand models across Australia. Itโs one of the cheapest entry-level vehicles on the market today โ making it a popular vehicle for families nationwide. But donโt think the lower price tag impacts its overall quality.
Itโs surprisingly easy to drive aided by its small wheelbase and reactive 1.5l engine. It also feels easy to drive aided by an 8-inch infotainment system and a leather steering wheel to aid grip. Throw in rear parking sensors and surround sound speakers and it becomes a true driving pleasure. All this showcases MG as one of the top small-car makers in Australia today and a brand that looks set to grow further into the future.
Hyundai i30
Seamlessly not to be outdone by their rivals, Hyundai has taken on the city car world with the i30. The i30 is one of the best all-round performing vehicles in Australia today. There are no less than five different which include the feature-laden Active/Elite models or the performance-bred N/N+ variants. No matter what option you pick, you will always be treated to a hoard of key features including a rear-parking camera, cruise control, adaptive braking and support for Apple CarPlay or AndroidAuto.
As you dig further into the i30’s capabilities, this is where the car comes alive. If you pick the N-branded versions, the i30 comes with some of the best performance out of any small car. This comes with blistering acceleration over 4500rpm and an active suspension that makes it particularly nimble. Being loaded with features and great performance, itโs safe to say that the i30 is one of the best city cars in Australia to cater for almost any audience.
Suzuki Swift
Suzukiโs knack for making small cars is nothing to shy away from โ as proven by their iconic Suzuki Swift. The new-for-2024 third generation of their best-selling model continues to shine with great driveability. Exceptionally lightweight, the Swift weighs just 900kg making it particularly nimble through the corners. Furthermore, the ride is particularly solid making it extremely comfortable for both short and long drives.
Where it also shines is within the safety department. It has no shortage of safety aids ranging from automatic emergency braking, weaving alerts, rear traffic sensors as well as blind sport monitoring. All this combines to make the current Swift models some of the safest cars anywhere on the roads today. This makes it one of the best small cars on the road today.
Mazda 2
Mazdaโs penchant for small cars is overlooked towards their SUVs cousins but the Mazda2 continues to shine at the base level. With the current generation almost a decade old, it still delivers on almost all fronts. First and foremost, there are no less than 6 variations to enjoy ranging from the base Mazda 2 to the lively 2 GT. The punchy 1.5l delivers up to 6000rpm giving it one of the highest rev-ranges in the small car market.
But Mazda has continued to innovate with its wealth of varying safety features. This includes a 360ห rear parking camera to give full coverage when in traffic. Furthermore, there is adaptive cruise control and all-angle airbags to ensure everyone is protected should you be involved in a crash. With all these features mixed with a tried and tested formula, the Mazda2 remains one of the best city cars in Australia to drive.
FAQ
Are city cars all 4WD?
No โ most city cars will come in FWD to allow for better manoeuvrability. Some top-end larger models may come in RWD for better performance or 4WD to allow for driving on all surfaces. However, no small-car base models come with 4WD as standard.
Are all city cars hybrids?
Not entirely โ most standard forms of small cars will come with a petrol or diesel version. However, many will include a hybrid option as an additional feature. This will offer slightly less power than top-end versions of cars but more than the base version of a car.
Conclusion
Finding the best city cars in Australia isnโt hard.
Many of the best-selling vehicles in the country fall under this banner as seen by strong sales of vehicles like the Toyota Corolla and MG3 in recent years.
Iconic models such as the Suzuki Swift and Mazda 2 continue to provide safe and enjoyable drives for families throughout the country.
Meanwhile, the likes of the Kia Cerato and Hyundai i30 provide great drivability and safety to underline why these vehicles are perfect for all drivers. Itโs these reasons that underline why some of the best city cars in Australia are some of the best nationwide.
If you want to get hold of a hot hatch today, come and chat with one of Dealifyโs car finance experts today to see how you can own one of the best city cars in Australia today!
Click here for a free finance quote
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