Ford Ranger’s 3rd win in 4 years, aided by a model refresh and some extra kit being added in 2016. Ford Ranger XLT 3.2 is Australia's Best 4x4 Dual-Cab Ute.
Motoring
Australia’s Best Small Cars in 2016
Australia’s best cars 2016: Best Small Car under $35,000
Winner: Kia Cerato S
There’s an air of quality and attention to detail in Mazda3, along with strong safety credentials.
The drive-away price of the Cerato S had a strong bearing on results this year. At $19,990 for either the manual or automatic, hatchback or sedan, it’s a very attractive proposition, backed by an industry-leading warranty.
Cerato efficiently tackles urban commuting but is flexible enough for longer highway journeys too. Reasonable power is available with 112kW backed up by 192Nm of torque, and for most driving situations Cerato gets around without any fuss. The Korean manufacturer has been producing its own engines and transmissions for some time now with favourable success in regards to durability and efficiency.
Cerato backed up its value numbers with consistent scoring for space, practicality, comfort and equipment. The S model lacks some interaction features such as a touch-screen control centre, which also accounts for the absence of a reversing camera. They’re in a $500 AV upgrade; it’s hard to argue why you wouldn’t at this price.
Yet one thing the S does supply which you don’t find as standard too often in this class is a front parking sensor system as well as for the rear. And it’s great to see a fully compatible and matching spare wheel in the boot.
| Small Car Under $35,000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
VALUE FOR MONEY |
||||
|
Pricing |
Critical |
10 |
6 |
5 |
|
Cost of depreciation ($) |
Medium |
9 |
6 |
5 |
|
Running and repair costs |
High |
8 |
8 |
7 |
|
Fuel consumption |
Critical |
6 |
8 |
8 |
|
Warranty and dealer access |
High |
9 |
4 |
3 |
|
Insurance |
Low |
7 |
7 |
5 |
|
Standard features |
High |
4 |
6 |
6 |
|
DESIGN AND FUNCTION |
||||
|
Safety |
Critical |
7 |
7 |
8 |
|
Environment |
Critical |
5 |
7 |
7 |
|
Seating comfort |
Medium |
6 |
6 |
7 |
|
Space |
Low |
6 |
5 |
5 |
|
Practicality |
Medium |
7 |
6 |
5 |
|
Ergonomics |
High |
6 |
7 |
8 |
|
Build and finish quality |
High |
6 |
8 |
8 |
|
ON THE ROAD |
||||
|
Performance |
Medium |
6 |
8 |
7 |
|
Ride |
Medium |
6 |
7 |
7 |
|
Handling |
Medium |
6 |
7 |
8 |
|
Braking |
Medium |
5 |
7 |
6 |
|
Smoothness and quietness |
Low |
6 |
7 |
7 |
|
OVERALL AVERAGE |
762 |
754 |
750 |
Australia’s best cars 2016: Best Small Car over $35,000
Winner: BMW 125i
An exquisite interior and rewarding drive overcome some shortcomings in the smallest Benz.
The evolution of the BMW 1 Series since its introduction in 2004, which has seen the model continue with its rear-wheel-drive chassis, has helped keep the German maker’s smallest model at the top of the class for driver appeal. BMW has also proven it can make cars with benchmark ergonomics, and the 125i Sport Line is no exception.
When finding the optimal driving position for your size, the 1 Series is king. Anyone can get comfortable, yet cleverly there seems to be no wasted space either.
It’s in these two areas – the seemingly telepathic handling and its brilliant ergonomics – where the 125i really puts its nose ahead of the opposition. Frankly, it really needed to in order to offset the points it gave away due to its premium price.
The 125i also has strong safety credentials, including front and rear parking sensors, a rear camera, lane departure warning and a pedestrian warning feature.
The 125i’s interior, while intimate, still conveys the message that this is a luxury car, albeit downsized into a sporty hatchback. It has everything you need and nothing you don’t. Minor controls such as heating and ventilation, audio and driving modes are clearly laid out and logical without looking like labelled kitchen containers.
| Small Car Over $35,000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
VALUE FOR MONEY |
||||
|
Pricing |
High |
5 |
6 |
7 |
|
Cost of depreciation ($) |
Medium |
5 |
6 |
7 |
|
Running and repair costs |
Medium |
7 |
6 |
5 |
|
Fuel consumption |
Critical |
7 |
8 |
7 |
|
Warranty and dealer access |
Medium |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Insurance |
Low |
3 |
8 |
7 |
|
Standard features |
High |
6 |
7 |
6 |
|
DESIGN AND FUNCTION |
||||
|
Safety |
Critical |
9 |
8 |
9 |
|
Environment |
Critical |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
Seating comfort |
High |
8 |
7 |
7 |
|
Space |
Low |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Practicality |
Medium |
6 |
5 |
6 |
|
Ergonomics |
High |
7 |
6 |
5 |
|
Build and finish quality |
Critical |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
ON THE ROAD |
||||
|
Performance |
High |
9 |
8 |
6 |
|
Ride |
High |
6 |
7 |
6 |
|
Handling |
High |
9 |
8 |
7 |
|
Braking |
Medium |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
Smoothness and quietness |
Medium |
7 |
6 |
6 |
|
OVERALL AVERAGE |
858 |
848 |
810 |
