Looking for a top-rated mid-size car? RACV's News and Lifestyle experts have reviewed the top-rated medium cars in Australia for 2016. Find your next car here.
Australia’s Best Micro and Light Cars in 2016
Australia’s best cars 2016: Best Micro Car
Winner: Kia Picanto Si
Kia Picanto epitomises what this class is all about. It is small, affordable, very easy to drive and has five-star safety. It gets the jump on its competitors in the value-for-money stakes with an attractive drive-away price of $14,990, low insurance costs, a class-leading list of standard features and an industry-leading seven-year-warranty.
The Kia’s 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine and a conventional four-speed automatic deliver a pleasing mix of relatively nippy performance and fuel economy well suited to this type of city-centric car. And it’s competent enough on the open road. You can see a few signs that this smart-looking European design and Korean-built car has been manufactured to a price, but generally speaking, it is solidly constructed.
Picanto is tiny but interior space is used efficiently. The front seats provide better than expected comfort and support, while all the controls are conveniently placed and simple to use. In the rear, there is more legroom than you’d imagine and the headroom is also quite good. Boot space is modest, but the split/fold rear seats add a little extra versatility. It was disappointing, although not surprising, to find that Picanto carries only a tiny space-saver spare wheel.
Micro cars | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
VALUE FOR MONEY |
||||
Pricing |
Critical |
6 |
5 |
3 |
Cost of depreciation ($) |
Medium |
3 |
7 |
4 |
Running and repair costs |
High |
9 |
9 |
8 |
Fuel consumption |
Critical |
9 |
9 |
9 |
Warranty and dealer access |
High |
9 |
8 |
4 |
Insurance |
Low |
7 |
6 |
2 |
Standard features |
High |
8 |
6 |
6 |
DESIGN AND FUNCTION |
||||
Safety |
Critical |
6 |
7 |
6 |
Environment |
Critical |
7 |
7 |
7 |
Seating comfort |
Medium |
7 |
6 |
7 |
Space |
Low |
6 |
7 |
6 |
Practicality |
Medium |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Ergonomics |
High |
7 |
6 |
7 |
Build and finish quality |
Medium |
6 |
5 |
7 |
ON THE ROAD |
||||
Performance |
Medium |
6 |
5 |
7 |
Ride |
Medium |
6 |
5 |
6 |
Handling |
Medium |
6 |
4 |
7 |
Braking |
Medium |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Smoothness and quietness |
Low |
6 |
5 |
7 |
OVERALL AVERAGE |
754 |
712 |
668 |
Australia’s best cars 2016: Best Light Car
Winner: Suzuki Baleno GL
Even at $17,990 drive-away, Baleno is far cheaper than most of its rivals. It backs this up with economical fuel consumption and affordable servicing/repair costs.
Baleno has one of the roomiest cabins in the class, while judiciously chosen standard equipment adds to the driving ease. The interior layout is simple and functional with a number of driver assistance features unexpected in entry-level models at this price point, such as a reversing camera, satellite navigation and Apple CarPlay. While the trim materials reflect the price, the fit, finish and general build quality look good.
Baleno is almost as roomy as some models in the next class up. The front seats have a good range of adjustments and provide a respectable level of comfort. There’s a surprising amount of rear leg room, plenty of head room and a massive boot.
The performance and on-road ability of the GL model is solid rather than spectacular, with power and torque figures around average for the class. As such, it is not an exciting drive, but around town it’s well mannered. However, the steering is a little vague just off centre, and when pushed along a bit harder it isn’t as composed as some of its sportier-feeling competitors.
Light cars | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
VALUE FOR MONEY |
||||
Pricing |
Critical |
8 |
8 |
6 |
Cost of depreciation ($) |
Medium |
6 |
6 |
6 |
Running and repair costs |
High |
8 |
8 |
7 |
Fuel consumption |
Critical |
9 |
7 |
9 |
Warranty and dealer access |
High |
3 |
9 |
3 |
Insurance |
Low |
3 |
6 |
7 |
Standard features |
High |
6 |
4 |
6 |
DESIGN AND FUNCTION |
||||
Safety |
Critical |
7 |
6 |
7 |
Environment |
Critical |
7 |
6 |
7 |
Seating comfort |
Medium |
6 |
7 |
7 |
Space |
Low |
8 |
7 |
5 |
Practicality |
Medium |
5 |
6 |
4 |
Ergonomics |
High |
8 |
7 |
6 |
Build and finish quality |
Medium |
5 |
5 |
6 |
ON THE ROAD |
||||
Performance |
Medium |
6 |
5 |
7 |
Ride |
Medium |
7 |
6 |
7 |
Handling |
Medium |
5 |
6 |
7 |
Braking |
Medium |
6 |
6 |
6 |
Smoothness and quietness |
Low |
5 |
5 |
6 |
OVERALL AVERAGE |
726 |
718 |
702 |