Small Fry Are Big On Value

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday November 11, 2006

BILL McKINNON

They're cheap to buy and run, are well designed and fun to drive - no wonder small cars are a hit, writes BILL McKINNON.

Small cars have had a big year. The class is heading towards record sales figures - nearly 110,000 by December 31, at the current rate - due to the strength of the mid-year fuel price spike and because the front runners are well-engineered, stylish, competent drives and have low starting prices.

The growth in small-car sales has tapered off in the past few months as petrol prices have fallen. However, nobody would suggest that they're going to stay at current levels for too long, especially with the Christmas holidays almost upon us - a period when motorists are ripe for gouging.

We did a huge 10-car comparison in August in Friday Drive; the popularity of the class warrants another look today. We'll stick to the five cars at the head of that contest.

The Mazda2 came in fourth; it will soon be replaced by a new model, so the Ford Fiesta sneaks into fifth spot.

There are variations in fuel consumption across the field but, as far as your hip pocket is concerned, the differences amount to small change. The NRMA's running costs analysis on these cars, based on driving 15,000km a year, shows a weekly fuel bill of just $25-$35. Happy motoring indeed.

We've listed recommended retail prices here - the standard rate is $15,990; the Toyota Yaris starts at $14,990 - but there are deals to be done. Check the following pages, or see drive.com.au

Ford Fiesta, from $15,990

The German-engineered and built Fiesta has a solid, robust quality, excellent dynamics and firm, supportive seats front and rear, with plenty of front seat travel to accommodate tall drivers.

It has another, less appealing, European attribute: 95 octane premium unleaded is recommended for its 74kW, 1.6-litre engine. No complaints about performance, though. There are quicker cars here but the 1.6 pulls strongly across a wide rev range and would be fine with the auto option.

Back seat room is tolerable for a couple of adults and the boot is relatively large.

Anti-lock brakes are a stand-alone option at $700, or packaged with the four-speed auto for $2200. Base model is a three-door LX and the five-door starts at $16,490, though we've seen it advertised in recent weeks for just $14,990.

The Fiesta achieved four stars out of five in Euro NCAP crash tests.

It recorded average scores on the NRMA Insurance collision repair cost and theft scales. The NRMA estimates running costs at $128.55 a week, with a fuel component of $30.87.

Fuel consumption: (manual-auto) 6.6 litres/100km-7.5 litres/100km; premium unleaded.

Mitsubishi Colt, from $15,990

This buys the base five-door manual ES. The Colt's 77kW, 1.5-litre engine is matched with a continuously variable automatic transmission in the $18,990 LS.

It's a smooth, efficient drivetrain, which returns unbeatable economy for an automatic.

Colt also leads the pack with the market's longest warranty - five years or 130,000km, and 10 years-160,000km on the drivetrain (non-transferable.)

Anti-lock brakes and power windows are standard. Side-curtain airbags add $1200.

The Colt works well as a city car. Its ride and handling are severely taxed by higher speeds and country roads. There's plenty of headroom and legroom but the boot is small and the child restraint anchors are inconveniently placed.

It is a midfield performer in security and relatively expensive when it comes to crash repairs. Overall running costs are $131.90 a week, $25.54 of which is petrol. It has a four-star Euro NCAP rating.

Fuel consumption: 5.6L/100km; regular unleaded.

Suzuki Swift, from $15,990

A five-door hatch, the Swift is powered by a zippy 74kW, 1.5-litre engine with a smooth-shifting five-speed manual. A four-speed auto adds $2000.

The Swift handles confidently and securely, steers accurately and rides comfortably. In a class where non-stick rubber is the norm, its 185/60-15 Bridgestones give good grip.

Tall drivers may find that their seat has insufficient travel and the seat itself, as is often the case in Japanese small cars, is short and narrow. Rear seat and boot space are tight.

The Swift wins the standard equipment contest. Anti-lock brakes, air-conditioning, two front airbags, in-dash CD player, power windows and mirrors and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls are standard. The $17,990 S model adds side and curtain airbags, 15-inch alloy wheels and foglights.

The Swift S scored four stars out of five in NCAP tests. It's average for security and repair costs. It will cost you $134.98 a week overall, including $34.20 on petrol.

Fuel consumption: (manual-auto) 7.0L/100km-7.5L/100km; regular unleaded.

Honda Jazz, from $15,990

The Jazz range starts with the 1.3-litre GLi manual. A continuously variable transmission costs an extra $2000.

CVTs can sound noisy and feel odd to drive at first but they are natural partners with small engines because they maximise performance and efficiency while also shifting more seamlessly than a conventional automatic.

The 61kW Jazz engine feels more powerful than its output suggests. It runs second to the Colt in the fuel economy contest, on regular unleaded.

No other small car has the outright space, or space efficiency, of the Honda. It's a kid-carrier par excellence and it will also take four large adults in comfort. The big boot can be configured in several different ways.

A compliant ride in town can become bouncy on the open road, where handling is in the don't-push-it category.

Anti-lock brakes are standard.

The Jazz has a four-star ANCAP score and an average collision repair cost rating but it's the easiest car here to steal. It will cost you $128.76 a week to run, including $26.45 worth of fuel.

Fuel consumption: 5.7L/100km; regular unleaded.

Toyota Yaris, from $14,990

The Echo replacement is now Australia's top-selling city car. It should finish 2006 in fifth spot overall, behind first-placed Commodore, then Corolla, Falcon and Mazda3.

It's also Drive's pick of the class.

The 63kW, 1.3-litre engine in the base-model three-door YR is a more refined engine than the 80kW, 1.5-litre in the premium Yaris models. It goes surprisingly well, even when the car is fully loaded, and returns great economy. It is complemented by a comfortable, controlled ride and excellent handling.

Two front airbags and anti-lock brakes are standard; add driver's side knee, front seat side and curtain airbags for $750 and you've got the only five-star NCAP scorer here. A four-speed auto adds $1500. You can also have two extra doors for $1200.

Like the Jazz, the Yaris has an unconventional but refreshingly different and efficient dash layout, with storage cubbies everywhere. Comfortable seats, easy-to-read instruments and clear vision all round the car are other attractions.

The back seat slides fore and aft and, pushed back, has plenty of legroom but the boot is tiny.

Yaris running costs are $127.02 a week, including $27.36 on petrol. It is relatively expensive to repair after a low-speed crash. Security is average.

Fuel consumption: (manual-auto) 6.0L/100km-6.5L/100km; regular unleaded.

NRMA weekly running costs are for new cars that travel an average of 15,000km a year. They include capital (cost of funds and depreciation), fixed costs (registration, CTP, comprehensive insurance etc) and operating costs (fuel, servicing, repairs and tyres.)

© 2006 Sydney Morning Herald

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