best small cars 2019 Page 2

Hunting the best small cars of 2019? In Australia the standouts were Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, Hyundai i30, Kia Cerato and Volkswagen Golf, each brilliant for slightly different reasons.

Corolla: rock-solid reliability, cheap servicing and great safety tech, though a bit beige to drive. Mazda 3: classy cabin and sharp handling, offset by a firmer ride and higher pricing. Hyundai i30: big value and long warranty, with generous spec; some base engines feel merely fine. Kia Cerato: huge cabin and seven-year warranty, but not as engaging as the keenest rivals. Volkswagen Golf: refined, punchy and polished, but DSG servicing and running costs deserve a look.

Test-drive your top two and buy the one that makes the daily grind less grim; your future self in peak-hour will buy you a coffee.