Best Small Cars
Looking for something compact?
Are you wanting a car that is small in stature but big on value, equipment and driving enjoyment? These four Drive Car of the Year categories are for those wanting the best small cars on sale.
Many of us live in Australia's cities, where a car with a compact footprint makes the most amount of sense.
The small car categories for Drive Car of the Year 2024 have something for buyers on any budget, with all winners delivering the best big car qualities in compact packages.
If you want big features from your small car, here are our four best.
Drive Car Of The Year
Best Small Cars in 2024 - Drive Car of the Year
2024 Drive Car of the Year - Winner announced
2024 Drive Car of the Year - Behind the Scenes
| Model | Category | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Volkswagen Polo 2023 Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Life 1.0L Hatchback FWD Best Urban Car under $30K | Best Urban Car under $30K | View  View details | |
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| Volkswagen Golf 2023 Volkswagen Golf 110TSI Life 1.4L Hatchback FWD Best Urban Car under $50K | Best Urban Car under $50K | View View details | |
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 | Hyundai Kona 2023 Hyundai Kona Hybrid Premium 1.6L SUV FWD Hybrid Best Small SUV under $50K | Best Small SUV under $50K | View View details | |
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 | Volvo XC40 2023 Volvo XC40 Ultimate B4 Dark 2.0L SUV 4WD Best Small SUV under $80K | Best Small SUV under $80K | View View details | |
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Best Urban Car under $30K
In this category, judges considered buyers who wanted fuss-free compact motoring with a balance of features for the price. As the most affordable category in the Drive Car of the Year 2024 program, value was a crucial factor.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: Volkswagen Polo
1 / 3Volkswagen is a brand best known for its relative refinement compared to its price-point rivals and it's extremely evident from the cheapest car in its wide-ranging showroom line-up.
The updated Polo scores a stack of standard equipment which includes a large infotainment screen and a range of safety technology. It doesn’t just impress on a spec sheet either, as the Polo leans toward the 'premium' level in terms of interior feel and finish, while its driving experience is as polished as they come
Read more about why the Volkswagen Polo won
Finalist: Toyota Yaris Cross
2 / 3The practicality afforded by the Yaris Cross’s SUV body can’t be discounted – it is spacious inside the cabin whether you’re in the first or second row and it’s supremely easy to slide in and out of thanks to its high-riding nature
Read more about the Toyota Yaris Cross
Finalist: Hyundai i30 Sedan
3 / 3The Hyundai i30 Sedan offers a compelling sedan shape, with all the associated space, and a slew of new-for-2024 features that impressed the DCOTY judges.
Read more about the Hyundai i30
Explore our Best Urban Cars under $30K
Best Urban Car under $50K
In this category, judges again prioritised buyers looking for easy urban motoring with a focus on value, but also looked for cars that offered drivers a little more character and style.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: Volkswagen Golf
1 / 3It was the same refinement, class, style and all-around excellence that had previously won over Drive judges that drove the Volkswagen Golf – now in its eighth generation, on sale in Australia since 2021 – to victory once again.
As one judge put it, “There's no Australian household that couldn't take the Golf and make it work for them”.
Read more about why the Volkswagen Golf won
Finalist: BYD Dolphin
2 / 3One of two battery-powered finalists, the Dolphin hatch – and its manufacturer – is new to Australia but BYD has just overtaken Tesla to become the world’s top-selling electric-vehicle maker, so it is no small player in the global car market.
Read more about the BYD Dolphin
Finalist: MG 4
3 / 3The MG 4 doesn’t take the win in this category, but it is the Drive Car of the Year Best Electric Vehicle under $50K – demonstrating its suitability for urban buyers shopping for a small, well-rounded electric car at this ‘affordable’ end of the market.
Read more about the MG 4
Explore our Best Urban Cars under $50K
Best Small SUV under $50K
This popular buyer segment saw judges look for cars that provided flexibility and practicality for a value-oriented buyer. Purchase, operation and ownership costs were critical to selecting a winner.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: Hyundai Kona
1 / 4The new-generation Hyundai Kona debuted in mid-2023 with eye-catching futuristic styling and a sizeable jump in standard equipment, safety and space that more than offset a slightly higher purchase price.
The Hyundai Kona small SUV is without peer for value, technology, safety and performance. The Kona takes the Small SUV genre to new heights and proves that great things do come in small packages.
Read more about why the Hyundai Kona won
Finalist: Kia Seltos
2 / 4The Kia Seltos has always offered strong value to the money-conscious Australian new car buyer, and its most recent update only strengthened that appeal.
Read more about the Kia Seltos
Finalist: Nissan Qashqai
3 / 4The Nissan Qashqai brings plenty to the segment, powered by a host of new technology and materials, a powerful yet efficient turbocharged engine, and a spacious and premium interior, all at a sharp price.
Read more about the Nissan Qashqai
Finalist: Ford Puma
4 / 4The Ford Puma delivers a compact size and high level of features in a stylish, accessible package. Comprehensive safety features, and a punchy turbo engine are just the cherry on top.
Read more about the Ford Puma
Explore our Best Small SUVs under $50K
Best Small SUV under $80K
Buyers wanting to spend a little bit more on a compact SUV are looking for more style and status in their car. In this category, judges maintained a focus on flexibility and practicality but also went further into material choice and equipment levels to find a winner.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: Volvo XC40
1 / 4With a fourth segment win on the trot, the Volvo XC40’s legacy as a DCOTY giant killer is well and truly cemented.
For the past four years, in the face of newer, improved, and varied competition, the Volvo XC40 has continued its dominant march to small SUV success.
Read more about why the Volvo XC40 won
Finalist: Volkswagen T-Roc
2 / 4Volkswagen’s small-car credentials are unquestioned, as such, the brand’s ability to deliver small SUVs to that standard should be nothing of a surprise, and the T-Roc is a high-quality offering with that heritage taken into account.
Read more about the Volkswagen T-Roc
Finalist: BMW X1
3 / 4The new X1 is bigger, roomier, and smarter than the car it replaces, reflecting the expectation of the buyer and the changing nature of the segment.
Read more about the BMW X1
Finalist: Hyundai Kona EV
4 / 4Is an electric vehicle in this segment a little left field? The DCOTY judges don’t think so, with the Hyundai Kona EV earning its way into this tussle on merit.
Read more about the Hyundai Kona EV
Explore our Best Small SUVs under $80K
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