What safe small car should I buy?

The dilemma

Stefan and his wife have a 2011 Honda CR-V. It's been the perfect car for them but, with their youngest child now out of the family home, they're keen to downsize. Being happy owners of several Hondas, they're looking at the new Civic but aren't sure if it's their best option. It needs to be economical, easy to own and nice to drive, and if it could have a hatch body, autonomous emergency braking and sat-nav it would be even better.

The budget

About $25,000

The shortlist

The new Civic is a big return to form for a once-flagging franchise but it doesn't offer sat-nav and autonomous emergency braking in this budget range, or a hatch body (yet).

So we'd recommend considering other possibilities. Some can be eliminated because they're simply outclassed (Nissan Pulsar, Mitsubishi Lancer), on the cusp of replacement (Hyundai i30) or don't offer the desired safety tech (Kia Cerato and Holden Astra, the latter albeit temporarily). Others tick off all of Stefan's key criteria but only if he's willing to stretch well past $25k (Peugeot 308, Renault Megane, Skoda Octavia, VW Golf).

Ford Focus Trend hatch, from $23,390

This Ford serves up plenty of agility, poise and satisfaction through the bends, and a pampering ride as well.

Sat-nav is part of its standard fare and its strong, flexible 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine ticks the fuel-economy box (6.2L/100km).

It's covered by a lifetime fixed-price servicing deal with convenient yearly/15,000km intervals.

Autonomous braking and other driver aids can be added to its specification for a $2000 premium.

But a Trend with the full safety motzah will push the starting price beyond $25k.

Its boot isn't that big by small-car standards (316 litres) and its cabin - while classier than it's ever been, ergonomically sound and blessed with a slick, easy-to-use infotainment system - doesn't have quite match the high-quality feel of its rivals here.

Read Drive's Ford Focus reviews: 

She says, he says: Ford Focus Trend
Road-test comparison: Small cars
2016 Drive Car of the Year: Best Small Car

Mazda 3 Maxx hatch, from $22,890

This Mazda gets one up on the Ford with its standard autonomous emergency braking, sat-nav and sub-$25k starter.

Its 2.0-litre petrol engine is willing, economical (5.8L/100km) and its cabin rates highly for style and quality.

Its road manners deliver a very respectable mix of comfort and control and, like Ford, service costs are fixed for the life of the vehicle.

But the 3 needs more regular servicing than the Focus (yearly/10,000km) and isn't as hushed on the open road, nor quite as soul-gratifying through the bends.

Its engine needs to be worked harder for similar results and makes plenty of noise doing it.

Bigger bods will find its back seat a touch squeezy and its boot is this group's tightest (308 litres).

Read Drive's Mazda 3 reviews:

Road test: 2016 Mazda 3 Maxx
Road-test comparison:Small cars

Subaru Impreza 2.0i-L hatch, from $24,490

Much like the new Civic, this new Impreza marks a return to form for the franchise.

But it offers some crucial advantages in this context, not the least offering standard autonomous emergency braking without breaking the $25k barrier.

Its cabin, previously on the tight side, is now one of the roomiest in the class and it also has this group's biggest boot (345 litres).

Its road manners combine a supple, quiet ride with faithful, composed handling and it needs less regular servicing than before (yearly/12,500km versus six-monthly).

But Subaru's fixed-price regime has this group's only use-by date (three years/37,500km).

Its mandatory 2.0-litre petrol engine lacks low-rev fizz and isn't an economy leader (6.6L/100km).

Sat-nav isn't part of the 2.0iL deal - to get it, you need the $26,490 2.0i-Premium.

Read Drive's Subaru Impreza reviews:

First drive: 2017 Subaru Impreza

Drive recommends

The Mazda is the only car here to offer both sat-nav and autonomous emergency braking in the sub-$25k domain and wins the fuel-economy battle. Going strictly by Stefan's criteria, it wins.

But the Ford and Subaru have their advantages. In the case of the former, it's superior driveability and even sweeter road manners. In the case of the latter, it's more space and on-road polish.

Either would be a more than worthy substitute for a 3, so long as Stefan can accept he'll have to stretch his budget a little to get everything he wants.

If he can't, then the winner will come down to what key feature he reckons he can't live without - if it's sat-nav, the Focus wins; if it's autonomous emergency braking, the advantage goes to the Impreza.