Holden Spark v Kia Picanto v Suzuki Celerio v Mitsubishi Mirage comparison review

• First drive: Holden Spark
• Road test: Kia Picanto
• Mitsubishi updates Mirage for 2016
• Road test: Suzuki Celerio

Cheap and cheerful. It's automotive code for cars that may be affordable but aren't particularly good. The kind that do the basics of transport but nothing more. It was a polite way of describing cars that came from brands that were still finding their way, because what you really meant to say was 'cheap and nasty'.

But no more. The days of cheap and nasty cars are over as every segment of the market has become more competitive. These days most new cars boast better quality, from the way they are designed to the way they drive.

Even at the bottom end, where we've assembled four of the cheapest new cars available today to find out which is best.

First up we have the cheapest new car you can buy, the Suzuki Celerio; the Japanese brand's tiny city car is available from just $12,990 drive-away when fitted with a manual gearbox; $1000 less than the manual-equipped Mitsubishi Mirage ES.

Speaking of the Mitsubishi, we have the higher-specification Mirage LS, which adds some bling and extra equipment over the ES but is still on the road for just $16,990.

Our final two contenders are the two newest pint-sized city cars ? the Holden Spark and Kia Picanto.

The Holden ditches the Barina name of its predecessor to establish the Spark moniker on its own, as the Lion brand tries to find a new audience with younger buyers.

The Kia is the smallest offering the brand has had locally, slotting beneath the already affordable Rio to give the South Korean firm a new entry-point in the range.

So which of these four contender is best? We're not looking for the cheapest car here, that's easy, but we want to find the one that strikes the best balance between affordability and quality. In other words, which one is the most cheerful?

Holden Spark

The Spark is a sign of things to come from the 'Australian car company' in its post-Commodore era as it was developed by Holden's General Motors parent company overseas but tuned for local conditions by the Melbourne-based engineering team.

While the previous Barina Spark was a largely forgettable city car, the latest attempt by GM is a much better offering.

At $16,690 drive-away it is the second most expensive car here, on par with the Mitsubishi. But it does boast the biggest, most powerful engine and arguably the most equipment.

That price includes a seven-inch touchscreen (making it the only car with a touchscreen infotainment display) which runs Holden's MyLink system that includes compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

That technology allows buyers ? particularly the young tech-savvy buyers Holden is targeting ? to connect their smartphone and have the functions mirrored on the screen. Functions such as Apple's Siri voice controlled assistant and even navigation can be accessed; something none of its rivals can match.

Other standard gear includes a six-speaker sound system and Bluetooth connectivity, if you don't plug the phone in.

Missing however are some convenience items such as a reversing camera (despite the screen being present), parking sensors and cruise control.

Despite that, the Spark still feels well equipped for this end of the market. The cabin is very nicely executed by the design team with not only an intuitive layout but also a polished presentation. A variety of trims, including gloss highlights and different textures, give it a feeling of quality.

Space inside is good, particularly up front, but rear accommodation is tight on legroom for adults. One obvious cost-saver in the back are the wind-up windows which may confuse younger passengers (the other three cars here feature electric windows all-round).

Safety is taken care of by the usual systems (stability control, anti-lock brakes, etc) and six airbags provide cover for all occupants in the car, enough to earn the Spark a five-star crash rating from the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

Under the bonnet is a 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). It produces the most grunt, albeit only 73kW of power and 124Nm of torque.

But the Spark has more than enough performance to pull it along in the urban environment. The CVT auto is well sorted and not only helps access the best of the engine's potentially it does so with only a minimum of the flaring revs that typically blight this type of transmission.

On the road, the Spark handles with more composure than its rivals, largely thanks to the local suspension and steering tuning done by the Holden team. The suspension is relatively compliant, although like all these city cars large bumps jar through the cabin, and it always feels sure-footed despite its small 165/65 tyres wrapped around 14-inch steel rims.

The steering is nicely sorted too, with good weighting for around town commuting and easy parking.

Overall the Spark feels like a nicely polished little car.

Holden Spark LS price and specifications*

Price: From $16,690 driveaway

Engine: 1.4-litre four cylinder petrol

Power: 73kW at 6200rpm

Torque: 124Nm at 4400rpm

Transmission: CVT automatic, FWD

Fuel use: 5.2L/100km

Kia Picanto

Kia's entry is a very different proposition to the all-new Spark. The South Korean brand has entered the segment with a car already five years old and with a new Picanto set to arrive within the next 18 months.

But that doesn't mean it should be dismissed because Kia knows what it takes to build a cheap and cheerful car.

At $14,990 drive-away the Picanto undercuts the Holden and Mitsubishi by $2000 and is only $500 more than the Suzuki.

For that money you get a four-speaker stereo, Bluetooth and rear parking sensors but you do miss out on the touchscreen and its clever smartphone integration like you get on the Spark.

However, Kia offers something none of the other here car ? better peace of mind. The Picanto is covered by Kia's standard seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty which is a big plus in any segment of the market.

The Picanto may be a bit older but it still scores a maximum five-star ANCAP rating and includes the usual safety gear including six airbags.

While the cabin does miss out on the feel-good factor of the touchscreen, instead making do with a simple all-red display, if you look past that there is a lot to like about the Picanto's presentation.

The materials are nice for this price and the layout has the typical thoughtfulness that Kia puts into its interiors. For example, small item storage is excellent and the USB input for your smartphone or music player is just above a ledge you can prop your device.

Space is good inside too, with excellent headroom in the back courtesy of the long roofline and legroom is not bad for this class of car; arguably the best of this quartet.

Power for the Picanto comes from a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 63kW and 120Nm. While not underpowered for this size it is hamstrung somewhat by the dated four-speed automatic transmission it is paired with.

The transmission can be slow to react at times, leaving the engine feeling lethargic on take-off and when you want a sudden surge in acceleration. Once it does kick down into the right gear the engine revs hard to extract maximum performance so it gets a little noisy.

Ultimately though the combination does the job and offers up the type of performance you expect at this price.

It is a similar story on the road with the Picanto feeling well sorted, with good suspension and nicely weighted steering for commuting around town. It is perhaps not quite as polished as the Holden over smaller bumps and in terms of noise suppression, but it isn't far off.

Kia Picanto Si price and specifications

Price: $14,990 driveaway

Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol

Power: 63kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 120Nm at 4000rpm

Transmission: Four-speed automatic, FWD

Fuel use: 5.3L/100km 

Suzuki Celerio

If this contest were purely about affordability then the cut-price Suzuki would be the easy winner.

Priced at $14,490 drive-away when fitted with its optional CVT it is the cheapest automatic car you can buy today ? which is important in such a dominant self-shifting market like Australia.

Even at that price you still get all the basics covered including a four-speaker sound system, air conditioning and Bluetooth. But you can forget about items like a reversing camera, parking sensors and cruise control.

More importantly, despite having full coverage from six airbags the Celerio is the only one of the foursome not to earn a maximum crash rating from ANCAP, instead only getting four stars.

Inside the cabin is what you'd expect ? plain and functional. But while it may lack the design flair of the Holden and even the Kia it does feature impressive build quality for the price, with consistent panel gaps and no obvious rattles or squeaks.

The interior offers decent small item storage including a small shelf halfway up the centre console where you can plug-in your USB device.

Space in the Celerio is surprisingly good, despite its compact exterior dimensions, with adequate head and legroom in the back seats. However, one important thing to note is the Celerio is strictly a four-seater, with only four seat belts, unlike its five-seat competition.

While none of these cars will take five in comfort it is good to have the option of squeezing in four passengers if needs be.

The little Suzuki also gets the littlest engine ? a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit that is good for a modest 50kW and 90Nm.

While the performance is adequate most of the time, the three-cylinder engine does have a tendency to vibrate noticeably at idle; such as when you're stopped at traffic lights. It's one of the biggest giveaways that this is the cheapest car on the market.

That's a shame because its on-road manners aren't too bad. Sure, there is limited grip from the little tyres and the suspension has a tendency to crash over bumps more than its rivals, but the Celerio is a nimble and predictable car to drive and a breeze to manoeuvre around in traffic.

Suzuki Celerio CVT price and specifications

Price: $14,490 driveaway

Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol

Power: 50kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 90Nm at 3500rpm

Transmission: CVT automatic, front-wheel drive

Fuel use: 4.8L/100km

Mitsubishi Mirage

The Mirage was an icon of affordable motoring in the '90s and Mitsubishi revived the name with a new model in 2013 that stuck to the cheap and simple formula.

The Japanese brand gave the Mirage a mid-life makeover at the start of 2016 adding more style and chrome-finished trim to lift the appearance ? particularly on the top-spec LS model we're testing here.

Priced from $16,990 drive-away it is the most expensive of this group, $300 more than the Holden, but unlike the all-new Spark the Mirage offers less value.

It comes equipped with the basics including a four-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, air conditioning, cruise control and 15-inch alloy wheels (the only alloys in this contest).

It also get six airbags and a five-star ANCAP crash rating so it ticks the safety boxes.

But it has no touchscreen or smartphone integration to match the Spark and no parking sensors or camera. Its premium over the lower-grade Mirage ES is primarily focused on chrome trim accents and a leather-wrapped gearshift.

Even with the extra trim embellishments the Mirage still lacks the polish of the Holden and the thoughtfulness of the Kia. The low-resolution, orange radio display adds to a feeling of cheapness inside. The seats are the flattest and least comfortable of the four tested here but space in the back is on par with the Suzuki, only slightly behind the Holden and Kia.

The Mirage does win some points back for its boot, which is arguably the largest here with the most width, length and depth.

Mitsubishi didn't change the engine with its update, sticking with the same 1.2-litre three-cylinder. Good for 57kW and 100Nm the three-pot is paired with a CVT auto which tends to flair more than the others here.

Like the three-cylinder in the Suzuki, the Mirage has a noticeable vibration from its three-cylinder engine when you are stationary.

Behind the wheel the Mirage doesn't have the same level of polish as its equivalent priced Holden rival. The suspension crashes over large bumps and gets unsettled by smaller ones. The steering lacks feeling too, not in the sports car sense, but it has a dead-zone that doesn't inspire confidence as a driver.

Mitsubishi Mirage LS price and specifications

Price: $16,990 driveaway

Engine: 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol

Power: 57kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 100Nm at 4000rpm

Transmission: CVT automatic, FWD

Fuel use: 4.9L/100km

Verdict

While all four of these cars represent a quality, affordable new car option, ultimately picking a winner is straightforward.

The Mitsubishi Mirage is the relegated to fourth place in this contest. The latest updates have added a bit more style to the equation but the problem is the substance. The Mirage doesn't have the interior quality and driving experience to match its premium price tag.

In contrast, the Suzuki manages to offer a strong value equation. It may be basic transport but its cheap cost of entry makes it appealing to those on a budget.

Which leaves the Holden and Kia to fight it out for top spot.

The Spark is a very impressive car and without doubt the best of this quartet in terms of standard equipment, interior finish and the way it drives. The smartphone integration is a step above all of its rivals and is a big plus point for modern drivers.

It also offers up great scope to personalise with a more standout range of colours (including red, green and purple) and accessories including colourful grille surrounds, rear spoiler and decal pack which will appeal to young, style-concious buyers.

It goes some way to justify its price premium by effectively including sat nav that others cannot offer, however the almost $2000 premium over the Kia may simply be too much for many buyers.

And that leaves the Kia Picanto to take the honours in this contest. While it may be slightly behind the Holden in terms of on-road appeal and the latest tech goodies, it is a solid, easy-to-drive and thoughtfully designed city car.

Add to that Kia's unmatched ownership credentials and you have a car that is both cheap and should leave those who buy it feeling very cheerful.

*All drive-away prices correct at time of publication.