The most popular vehicle segment in Australia by some margin and reflected by the huge choice of models that comprise three- and five-door family hatchbacks and four-door sedans. Here are CarAdvice’s top five picks for the segment:
Awesome power delivery once on the move; Grippy tyres and taut handling; Sharp exhaust crackle; Premium interior presentation, practical cabin and boot
Not far off VW Golf R money; Significant amount of tyre roar on coarse-chip roads; Suspension can be a touch firm even in comfort mode on severe bumps; Getting all those stickers off
Good looks - inside and out; plenty of kit; stylish cabin; excellent ride; decent handling; boot space with full-size spare; above average audio system; easy-to-use infotainment system
Entry-level engine a little lacklustre compared to higher-spec options; No AEB, and Traction control can be quite intrusive during spirited driving or harder acceleration; No rear air-vents or USB port
Entry-level specification has everything you need; Hybrid drivetrain offers real-world efficiency and ease; Comfortable and simple to live with
Do the aero wheel covers actually help? As they are pretty awful to look at; Talking navigation lady very judgy; Long nose scrapes more than a 911!
Cabin quality and storage are as good as the segment gets; Sense of balance and poise from the chassis is excellent; Blend of ride and handling is excellent
Infotainment system is due for an update and larger screen; Engine could be gruntier to edge RS closer to Type-R; Boot aperture is tighter than hatch and might deter some buyers
However you cut it, it's still better for the environment; Fantastic integration of smart combustion tech is imperceptible in operation; Performance feels equal to a regular 2.5-litre model
Second row of seating lacks space and light; Calling it a hybrid is a bit unfair towards oneself; Your pockets are unlikely to benefit from owning one
Handsome exterior design; Brilliant widescreen dash display; Bigger boot than the hatch;
Price is expensive; Suspension is firm, noisy tyres; Limited rear seat space;
Strong mid-range performance, alluring exhaust note; Quick, response steering; Agile handling, superb all-weather traction; Improved ride; Clarity of digital instruments, infotainment functions;
Gruff low-end properties (on early prototype); Occassional jarring of gear shifts on loaded throttle (on early prototype); Excellent adaptive damping function a (likely) costly option;
More interior room than its predecessor; Handy parking and reversing technology; Good looks, especially on the inside
Idle-stop and transmission are jolty; Sporty suspension makes for a rough ride; Sat-nav display is difficult to read; No Android Auto available yet
Spacious cabin; Excellent MBUX infotainment; Sharp exterior design; (Mostly) comfortable ride
1.33-litre engine is breathless; Dual-clutch transmission has its quirks; Some cheap materials inside
Improved real-world range; Studio-like interior accommodation; Dramatic styling left unchanged; Entertaining dynamics
High price against growing list of competitors; Infotainment and safety systems showing their age; Ride quality doesn't match urban aspirations
