best small cars 2019

Hunting the best small cars of 2019? In Australia the standouts were Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, Hyundai i30, Kia Cerato and Volkswagen Golf, each brilliant for slightly different reasons.

Corolla: rock-solid reliability, cheap servicing and great safety tech, though a bit beige to drive. Mazda 3: classy cabin and sharp handling, offset by a firmer ride and higher pricing. Hyundai i30: big value and long warranty, with generous spec; some base engines feel merely fine. Kia Cerato: huge cabin and seven-year warranty, but not as engaging as the keenest rivals. Volkswagen Golf: refined, punchy and polished, but DSG servicing and running costs deserve a look.

Test-drive your top two and buy the one that makes the daily grind less grim; your future self in peak-hour will buy you a coffee.