Best Compact Cars of December 2011

With the Mitsubishi Lancer SX not seemingly available anymore, the Hyundai i30 goes to the number one slot.

While currently cheaper than the i30, fuel consumption is slightly worse and you only get a Space Saver spare tyre.



It's been a long time since the Subaru Impreza has been back on this list, mainly because of its price and fuel consumption being on the high end. However with so little competition in the under $25,000 bracket for safe compact cars, it's managed to slip back in.

Best Light Cars of December 2011

The Hyundai Accent Elite Sedan is still at the top. Although it might be thirstier than its competitors with fuel, it's still cheaper overall and comes with a full size spare tyre.

The Suzuki Swift comes in second place as it sits in between the Hyundai Accent and Ford Fiesta in terms of overall price. Comes with a space saver spare tyre.

Diesel has slightly gone up in price recently resulting in the Ford Fiesta being dropped from the list and being replaced by the Hyundai i20. Mind you, there's not much in it between any of the cars in this class.

Best Cars of December 2010

Once again, apologies for the delays but I'm pretty much copying+pasting November's results since there was actually no change in the winning cars :) (prices may have changed though).

#1 Subaru Impreza R

Base Model Estimated Price: $23,990

Pros:

• Sedan
• 5 Star ANCAP Safety Rating
• Made in Japan
• Subaru resale value

Cons:

• None

#2 Mitsubishi Lancer SX

Base Model Estimated Price: $21,990

Pros:

• Sedan
• 5 Star ANCAP Safety Rating
• Made in Japan
• 5 year, 130,000km warranty

Cons:

• None

#3 Honda Civic Limited Edition

Base Model Estimated Price: $24,990

Pros:

• Sedan
• 5 year, 140,000 km warranty (for a limited time)

Cons:

• Thai import

Best Compact Cars of December 2009

The i30 still stays on top as best value for money, however the Cerato is now even better value, pushing into the leaderboard, and so is Subaru's Impreza, which is currently on sale. All contenders have ESC standard.

#1 Hyundai i30 SLX

Base Model Estimated Price: $24,490

Pros:

• Full size spare


• Great Warranty


• Best fuel economy out of contenders (7.2L/100km)

Cons:

• None

#2 Subaru Impreza R

Base Model Estimated Price: $24,990

Pros:

• Made in Japan


• All-Wheel Drive


• Subaru's good resale value

Cons:

• Poor fuel economy (8.9L/100km)

#3 Kia Cerato Limited Edition

Base Model Estimated Price: $20,990

Pros:

• Great Warranty


• Full Size Spare

Cons:

• Kia's poor resale value

Best Large Cars of December 2008

Hooray! An affordable large car is back on the charts with the Holden Commodore being massively reduced from its original price (probably around $10,000 less when you consider all the other charges and stamp duty).

#1 Holden Commodore

Base Model RRP: $29,990

Pros:

• Only large car under $32,000


• ESP Standard


• Big 3.6L Engine


• Alloys standard


• Alarm standard

Cons:

• A bit thirsty with fuel


• No full size spare


• Metallic paint extra


• Questions about parent company GM's future

Best Compact SUVs of December 2008

This month the Suzuki Grand Vitara enters the fold and we now have 3 Japanese made Compact SUVs all at the same price of $29,990. It was a tough decision, especially between the Mitsubishi Outlander and Suzuki Grand Vitara, but the Suzuki Grand Vitara won thanks to it not having any cons.

#1 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Base Model Estimated Price: $29,990

Pros:

• Alloy wheel standard


• Full size spare tyre


• ESP Standard


• Excellent warranty

Cons:

• None

#2 Mitsubishi Outlander

Base Model Estimated Price: $29,990

Pros:

• Safe


• Alloy wheel standard


• Alarm standard


• ESP Standard


• Excellent warranty

Cons:

• Space Saver spare

#3 Toyota RAV4

Base Model Estimated Price: $29,990

Pros:

• Full Size spare standard


• ESP standard

Cons:

• Alloy wheels extra


• Alarm extra


• No ESP option

Best Medium Cars of December 2008

No changes except the Toyota Camry Altise has replaced the Hyundai Sonata due to a cheaper price thanks to End of Year sales.

#1 Kia Magentis

Base Model Estimated Price: $23,190

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

Cons:

• Alloy wheels extra


• A bit thirsty on fuel

#3 Mazda 6

Base Model Estimated Price: $30,375

Pros:

• Made in Japan


• ESP standard


• Full size spare

Cons:

• Premium unleaded recommended


• Alloy wheels extra

Best Compact cars of December 2008

Not much of a change in the hotly contested Compact cars segment although the Mitsubishi Lancer has reduced in price another $1,000.

#1 Subaru Impreza

Base Model Estimated Price: $24,990

Pros:

• Subaru resale value


• Metallic paint standard


• ESP standard


• All-wheel drive


• Great warranty

Cons:

• Space Saver spare


• Poor fuel economy

#2 Mitsubishi Lancer

Base Model Estimated Price: $20,990

Pros:

• ESP Standard


• Excellent warranty

Cons:

• Space Saver spare

#3 Toyota Corolla

Base Model Estimated Price: $21,990

Pros:

• Full size spare

Cons:

• Metallic paint extra


• No ESP option

Best Light Cars of December 2008

Not much of a change in this category, probably because it's one of the most popular nowadays.

#1 Toyota Yaris

Base Model Estimated Price: $15,990

Pros:

• Made in Japan


• Full size spare

Cons:

• None

#2 Mazda 2

Base Model Estimated Price: $17,768

Pros:

• Made in Japan


• Extra year warranty

Cons:

• Space saver spare

#3 Fiat Punto

Base Model Estimated Price: $19,990

Pros:

• Full size spare

Cons:

• None