Ultimate Guide: Best Small Cars in Australia (2025)
Navigating city streets or enjoying road trips across Australia is easier with the right small car.
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These vehicles offer a great balance of affordability, performance, and ease of maintenance. Here's our detailed look at the top small cars available in Australia for 2025:
1. Kia Cerato
- Price Range: From $27,990 drive-away
- Engine: 2.0L MPI (112kW)
- Fuel Economy: 7.4L/100km
- Highlights: Stylish exterior, roomy interior, excellent infotainment system, solid warranty (7 years unlimited km). Great value and popular among Australian drivers.
The KN Cerato offers a superb combination of comfort and practicality, making it perfect for everyday use. Its impressive infotainment system and spacious cabin add to its appeal. Backed by a strong warranty, it offers peace of mind to buyers.
Kia has retired the Cerato nameplate and replaced it with the all-new Kia K4, check out the full review here.
2. Suzuki Swift
- Price Range: From $23,490 drive-away
- Engine: 1.2L Dualjet (66kW)
- Fuel Economy: 4.8L/100km
- Highlights: Highly economical, compact yet surprisingly spacious, exceptional handling, ideal for city driving. A proven favourite in Australia for affordability and reliability.
The Suzuki Swift excels as a city car, offering outstanding fuel economy and nimble handling. Its compact size is deceptive, as it provides ample interior space. Known for reliability and affordability, it's an ideal first car.
3. Mazda 3
- Price Range: From $31,990 drive-away
- Engine: 2.0L Skyactiv-G (114kW)
- Fuel Economy: 6.2L/100km
- Highlights: Premium interior feel, superb driving dynamics, advanced safety technology, and excellent build quality. A stylish and sophisticated choice.
The Mazda 3 delivers a premium driving experience with excellent handling and superior interior quality. Advanced safety features and stylish design elevate its appeal significantly. It's ideal for drivers who value refinement and performance.
4. Hyundai i30
- Price Range: From $25,490 drive-away
- Engine: 2.0L (120kW)
- Fuel Economy: 7.4L/100km
- Highlights: Comfortable ride, comprehensive safety features, strong value proposition, well-equipped infotainment, and spacious cabin ideal for families.
Hyundai's i30 is the practical choice for families, providing spacious interiors, comfortable rides, and strong safety features. Its intuitive infotainment system enhances user experience. This vehicle represents excellent value for money.
5. Volkswagen Polo
- Price Range: From $28,990 drive-away
- Engine: 1.0L TSI (85kW)
- Fuel Economy: 5.4L/100km
- Highlights: Compact premium feel, strong turbocharged performance, superior build quality, outstanding handling, and packed with technology typically seen in larger models.
The Volkswagen Polo combines premium build quality with energetic turbocharged performance. Its high-tech features and comfortable ride position it as a standout compact car. Perfect for urban drivers seeking a touch of luxury.
6. Toyota Yaris
- Price Range: From $25,990 drive-away
- Engine: 1.5L (88kW)
- Fuel Economy: 4.9L/100km
- Highlights: Renowned reliability, class-leading fuel efficiency, agile handling, advanced safety suite as standard. Ideal for budget-conscious drivers seeking dependability.
The Toyota Yaris is praised for its unbeatable reliability and fuel economy. It offers agile handling suitable for both city streets and highways. Its comprehensive safety package makes it an ideal option for budget-conscious drivers.
7. Honda Jazz
- Price Range: From $28,990 drive-away
- Engine: 1.5L (89kW)
- Fuel Economy: 5.8L/100km
- Highlights: Versatile interior with Magic Seats, efficient and reliable engine, exceptional cargo space for its class, easy maneuverability for urban environments.
Honda Jazz impresses with its versatile Magic Seats, allowing flexible cargo and passenger configurations. Its efficient engine ensures economical driving without sacrificing performance. It's no Honda Prelude, but it's perfect for urban settings.
Check out what ZigWheels have to say about the 2025 Honda Jazz.
Top Picks by Category
- Best Value: Kia Cerato – Outstanding balance of affordability, performance, and features.
- Most Economical: Suzuki Swift – Lowest fuel consumption among cars listed.
- Premium Feel: Mazda 3 – High-quality interior and engaging driving experience.
- Family Favourite: Hyundai i30 – Spacious and practical, perfect for families.
- Urban Specialist: Volkswagen Polo – Compact yet premium city car with robust tech.
Final Verdict
Australia's best small cars offer a diverse range of options for all types of drivers. From fuel efficiency to premium interiors and affordability, there's something to meet every need in 2025.
Prices listed are indicative drive-away prices in Australia, accurate as of May 2025. Always confirm with local dealerships for the most current offers.
