Best Compact SUVs of January 2009

Once again, it's a battle between 3 Japanese Compact SUVs all around the same price. This time though, the Nissan X-Trail overtakes the Toyota RAV4.

#1 Mitsubishi Outlander

Base Model Estimated Price: $29,990

Pros:

• Alloy wheel standard


• Alarm standard


• ESP Standard


• Excellent warranty

Cons:

• Space Saver spare

#2 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Base Model Estimated Price: $29,990

Pros:

• Full size spare tyre


• ESP Standard


• Excellent warranty

Cons:

• Alloys extra

#3 Nissan X-Trail

Base Model Estimated Price: $29,990

Pros:

• ESP Standard

Cons:

• No Full-size spare


• Alloy wheels extra


• Alarm extra

Best Medium Cars of January 2009

Same contenders as last time, same rankings.

#1 Kia Magentis

Base Model Estimated Price: $23,886

Pros:

• Ridiculously low price


• Alloy wheels standard


• Alarm standard


• Full size spare


• ESP standard

Cons:

• Kia's poor resale value

#2 Toyota Camry Altise

Base Model Estimated Price: $27,990

Pros:

• Alarm standard


• Full size spare


• ESP standard


• Includes alloys

Cons:

• A bit thirsty on fuel

#3 Mazda 6

Base Model Estimated Price: $30,830

Pros:

• Made in Japan


• ESP standard


• Full size spare


• Excellent warranty

Cons:

• Premium unleaded recommended


• Alloy wheels extra

Best Compact Cars of January 2009

The Subaru remains but now the i30 and the Ritmo are added to the line-up. The Ritmo is very cheap but the i30 beats it with value for money.

#1 Subaru Impreza

Base Model Estimated Price: $26,680

Pros:

• Subaru resale value


• Metallic paint standard


• ESP standard


• All-wheel drive


• Great warranty

Cons:

• Space Saver spare


• Poor fuel economy

#2 Hyundai i30

Base Model Estimated Price: $22,972

Pros:

• ESP Standard


• Full size spare


• Alarm standard


• Great warranty

Cons:

• Metallic Paint extra


• No alloys standard

#3 Fiat Ritmo

Base Model Estimated Price: $19,990

Pros:

• Cheap price

Cons:

• No ESC


• No full-size spare


• Metallic Paint extra


• No alarm standard


• No alloys standard

Best Light Cars of January 2009

With a new year comes a new rating system. Safety is now under tighter scrutiny and cars that seemingly had 5 star ANCAP ratings, actually didn't (obviously varies for models - ANCAP sometimes reports on higher trim levels which have more safety features). Extra charges has been increased to $3,000 additional value as well.

Since the Punto is now the only true car to have a 5-star ANCAP rating even at its base trim level, it is also now #1. The Ford Fiesta enters the list at third place.

#1 Fiat Punto

Base Model Estimated Price: $23,590

Pros:

• Full size spare


• Safe

Cons:

• None

#2 Mazda 2

Base Model Estimated Price: $19,500

Pros:

• Made in Japan


• Extra year warranty

Cons:

• No full-size spare

#3 Ford Fiesta

Base Model Estimated Price: $15,990

Pros:

• Made in Germany

Cons:

• No full-size spare