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 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 Compact Cars of November 2011

As mentioned, I'm including hatchbacks again so the i30 is back in the mix.



$20,990 is a hard price to beat which helps the Mitsubishi Lancer into first place.

The Hyundai i30 is slightly more expensive than its competitors but fuel efficiency is also slightly better. Oh and it comes with a full size spare tyre.

The Mazda 3 comes in third place. Fuel consumption isn't bad but not as good as the other two.

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 Compact Cars of October 2011

While the $25,000 cap on price did not affect the light car segment it's not the case with the compact cars. The cheap Mitsubishi Lancer is still in the mix but it now goes up against the Mazda 3 which is on sale and the Lancer's nemesis, the Subaru Impreza.

All contenders come with Space Saver spare tyres so they're on equal footing in that department.



$20,990 is a hard price to beat which helps the Mitsubishi Lancer into first place.

This is probably the first time the popular Mazda 3 makes the list. Usually the trim level I was after (the Maxx) was hovering around the $26-27,000 mark. Now the Mazda 3 is on sale so the Neo comes with goodies like alloys and extended warranty.

The Mazda 3 fits in between the Lancer and Impreza in terms of fuel economy and price and is consequently second.

The overall cost of running the Impreza is considerably more than the other contenders thanks to being fuel thirsty and the fact that you're recommended to use Premium Unleaded to run it.

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!