Best Light Sedans of March 2012

And now for the best light sedans of March 2012.

In first place we have the Ford Fiesta LX Diesel. While the car looks better as a hatchback than a sedan, both have a decent fuel economy thanks to its diesel engine, even for the $23,990 price tag. Only comes with a temporary mobility kit though (no spare tyre).

In second is the Hyundai Accent Elite sedan. At $19,990 it's cheaper than the diesel Ford Fiesta and comes with a full size spare tyre but its petrol engine can't beat it in terms of fuel economy.

In third place is probably the Hyundai Accent's cousin, the Kia Rio. While the fuel economy is slightly better than the Hyundai Accent the asking price of $22,488 is a bit more too.

Best Light Cars of March 2012

This month we're going to do things a little differently. Instead of just picking the best from each of the light and compact classes for under $25,000, we're also going to rate the best sedans from each class (for those of you who want a more conservative look and prefer a boot). First up though, here is the best from light cars in general (regardless of whether they're a sedan or hatchback).

In first place we still have the limited edition Honda Jazz GE Vibe. Comes with a full size spare.

The Hyundai i20 stays in second place due to slightly worse fuel efficiency when compared to the 1.3L Honda Jazz.

While the Suzuki Swift has the best fuel efficiency out of all the contenders, it has a higher up-front cost making it come in third place. Comes with a space saver spare tyre.

Best Light Cars of February 2012

This month we a slight shift in the leaderboard with the Honda Jazz taking the top spot thanks to the special edition GE Vibe.

In first place we have the limited edition Honda Jazz GE Vibe. Comes with a full size spare.

The Hyundai i20 gets pushed back to second place due to slightly worse fuel efficiency when compared to the 1.3L Honda Jazz.

While the Suzuki Swift has the best fuel efficiency out of all the contenders, it has a higher up-front cost making it come in third place. Comes with a space saver spare tyre.

Best Light Cars of January 2012

This month an extra $1,000 was added to the price of the Hyundai Accent Elite sedan, so now it's no longer at the top as even a $1,000 can make the difference in this segment.

The cheaper prices of petrol have also made diesel not as attractive as it normally is pushing the Ford Fiesta out of the running.

The Hyundai i20 goes from third to first thanks to being good overall when it comes to price and fuel consumption.

Even after the changes in 1st and 3rd, the Suzuki Swift still comes in second place. Comes with a space saver spare tyre.

The new Holden Barina makes it in third place. The fuel consumption is nothing to write home about but you can't argue with the $16,990 price tag.

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 Light Cars of November 2011

I actually put a requirement for sedans only last month but this month it doesn't matter if it's a hatchback or not.

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.



The Ford Fiesta LX Diesel Sedan comes in third. This is the cheapest to fill up but overall is slightly more expensive than the other options (due to a $25,000 price tag). Comes with no spare tyre.

Best Light Cars of October 2011

The change in the price limit to $25,000 does little to the light car segment and we once again have the same results as last month.

The Hyundai Accent Elite Sedan is a new contender but already shoots to the top.

While the Honda City has similar fuel consumption to the Hyundai Accent and it sports a full size spare tyre, it can't compete with its $2,000 price difference.



The Ford Fiesta LX Diesel Sedan is actually the most economical out all of the options here. It's just a pity that it uses goo to patch up tyres instead of offering you a spare wheel of some sort!

Best Light Cars of September 2011

This month, I'm going to be looking at sedans only - consequently it'll really only be Light Sedans, Compact Sedans and Medium Sedans being rated. I'm also taking into consideration whether a spare tyre is included or not since in my experience, I've had to do many a tyre change! Finally, prices are double-checked at corporate websites.

The Hyundai Accent Elite Sedan is a new contender but already shoots to the top.

While the Honda City has similar fuel consumption to the Hyundai Accent and it sports a full size spare tyre, it can't compete with its $2,000 price difference.



The Ford Fiesta LX Diesel Sedan is actually the most economical out all of the options here. It's just a pity that it uses goo to patch up tyres instead of offering you a spare wheel of some sort!

Best Light Cars of August 2011

Once again, the Ford Fiesta is best value for money, especially the diesel version.



Coming (a very close) second place is the new Suzuki Swift which is the best value petrol light car you can get.

The Mazda 2 Maxx has the same fuel consumption as the Honda Jazz but pushes ahead thanks to a slightly cheaper price.

Best Light Cars of July 2011

Once again, the Ford Fiesta is best value for money, especially the diesel version.



Coming (a very close) second place is the new Suzuki Swift which is the best value petrol light car you can get.

The Honda Jazz just misses by being slightly less fuel efficient.

Best Light Cars of June 2011

Once again, the Ford Fiesta is best value for money, especially the diesel version.



Coming (a very close) second place is the new Suzuki Swift which is the best value petrol light car you can get.



This month we have a new car in third place, the Honda Jazz. A reduced price this month makes the Jazz a more attractive option.

Best Light Cars of May 2011

In terms of pure value for money, the Ford Fiesta is the best in this class. For around $20,000 you can get a car with miserly fuel consumption (4.4L/100km in fact) although you'll need to buy the Diesel version to enjoy it.



Coming (a very close) second place is the new Suzuki Swift which is the best value petrol light car you can get.



In third place we have the Ford Fiesta's cousin, the Mazda 2 Maxx which somehow has a slightly higher fuel consumption than the cars in first and second place.

Best Light Cars of October 2009

Suzuki Swift is slightly cheaper this month but the Toyota Yaris Edge (a special edition of the Toyota Yaris) comes with free alloys so it pushes itself to first place.

#1 Toyota Yaris

Base Model Estimated Price: $19,190

Pros:

• Full size spare


• Alloy wheels included

Cons:

• None

#2 Suzuki Swift

Base Model Estimated Price: $16,960

Pros:

• Full size spare

Cons:

• None

#3 Mazda 2

Base Model Estimated Price: $19,190

Pros:

• Metallic Paint standard


• Good warranty

Cons:

• Space saver spare

Best Light Cars of September 2009

Not much of a difference and the Suzuki Swift just makes it to first place mainly because of its cut-throat pricing!

#1 Suzuki Swift

Base Model Estimated Price: $16,990

Pros:

• Full size spare

Cons:

• None

#2 Toyota Yaris

Base Model Estimated Price: $19,190

Pros:

• Full size spare

Cons:

• None

#3 Mazda 2

Base Model Estimated Price: $19,190

Pros:

• Metallic Paint standard


• Good warranty

Cons:

• Space saver spare

Best Light Cars of August 2009

Thanks to the new Toyota Edge, the Yaris is now in first place (I actually accidentally deleted this post so figures might not be completely accurate but the rankings are!).

#1 Toyota Yaris

Base Model Estimated Price: $19,500

Pros:

• Full size spare


• Alloys included

Cons:

• None

#2 Suzuki Swift

Base Model Estimated Price: $18,000

Pros:

• Full size spare

Cons:

• None

#3 Mazda 2

Base Model Estimated Price: $19,190

Pros:

• Metallic Paint standard


• Good warranty

Cons:

• Space saver spare

Best Light Cars of July 2009

With the discovery of discountnewcars.com.au, I'm thankfully able to start reviewing again. Looks like in reality, that in terms of light cars, none of them have a 5-star ANCAP rating (at least the base models don't anyway). This month we see the Toyota Yaris, Suzuki Swift and new Ford Fiesta vying for first place.

#1 Toyota Yaris

Base Model Estimated Price: $16,990

Pros:

• Full size spare

Cons:

• None

#2 Suzuki Swift

Base Model Estimated Price: $17,490

Pros:

• Full size spare

Cons:

• None

#3 Ford Fiesta

Base Model Estimated Price: $20,010

Pros:

• None

Cons:

• Space saver spare

Best Light Cars of May 2009

#1 Suzuki Swift

Base Model Estimated Price: $18,990

Pros:

• Made in Japan


• Alloy wheels standard

Cons:

• None

#2 Toyota Yaris

Base Model Estimated Price: $16,990

Pros:

• Made in Japan

Cons:

• None

#3 Fiat Punto

Base Model Estimated Price: $23,590

Pros:

• Safe

Cons:

• None