Best Small Cars

Drive

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

Drive Image

Best Small Cars in 2024 - Drive Car of the Year

Model
Category
/vehicles/showrooms/makes/volkswagen

Volkswagen Polo

2023 Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Life 1.0L Hatchback FWD

Best Urban Car under $30K

Best Urban Car under $30K

View ArrowForwardIconView details
Category

Best Urban Car under $30K

/vehicles/showrooms/makes/volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf

2023 Volkswagen Golf 110TSI Life 1.4L Hatchback FWD

Best Urban Car under $50K

Best Urban Car under $50K

View ArrowForwardIconView details
Category

Best Urban Car under $50K

/vehicles/showrooms/makes/hyundai

Hyundai Kona

2023 Hyundai Kona Hybrid Premium 1.6L SUV FWD Hybrid

Best Small SUV under $50K

Best Small SUV under $50K

View ArrowForwardIconView details
Category

Best Small SUV under $50K

/vehicles/showrooms/makes/volvo

Volvo XC40

2023 Volvo XC40 Ultimate B4 Dark 2.0L SUV 4WD

Best Small SUV under $80K

Best Small SUV under $80K

View ArrowForwardIconView details
Category

Best Small SUV under $80K


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

Winner: Volkswagen Polo

1 / 3

Volkswagen 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

Finalist: Toyota Yaris Cross

2 / 3

The 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

Finalist: Hyundai i30 Sedan

3 / 3

The 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

Show More +
Show More +

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

Winner: Volkswagen Golf

1 / 3

It 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

Finalist: BYD Dolphin

2 / 3

One 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

Finalist: MG 4

3 / 3

The 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

Show More +
Show More +

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

Winner: Hyundai Kona

1 / 4

The 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

Finalist: Kia Seltos

2 / 4

The 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

Finalist: Nissan Qashqai

3 / 4

The 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

Finalist: Ford Puma

4 / 4

The 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

Show More +
Show More +

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

Winner: Volvo XC40

1 / 4

With 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

Finalist: Volkswagen T-Roc

2 / 4

Volkswagen’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

Finalist: BMW X1

3 / 4

The 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

Finalist: Hyundai Kona EV

4 / 4

Is 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

Show More +
Show More +

Drive Marketplace: Cars for Sale

new

2023 GWM Haval Jolion

Hybrid 1.5L SUV FWD Hybrid
$37,490
Drive Away
KilometersIcon20 kmFuelTypeHybridIconHybridTransmissionSpecsIconConstantly Variable TransmissionLocationSpecsIconQLD
new

2024 Mazda 3

Pure 2.0L Hatchback FWD
$36,499
Drive Away
KilometersIcon10 kmFuelTypePetrolIconPetrolTransmissionSpecsIconSports AutomaticLocationSpecsIconQLD
new

2023 GWM Haval Jolion

1.5L SUV FWD
$34,490
Drive Away
KilometersIcon20 kmFuelTypePetrolIconPetrolTransmissionSpecsIconSports Automatic Dual ClutchLocationSpecsIconQLD
new

2024 Mazda 3

GT 2.5L Hatchback FWD
$43,218
Drive Away
KilometersIconNAFuelTypePetrolIconPetrolTransmissionSpecsIconSports AutomaticLocationSpecsIconWA
new

2023 GWM Haval Jolion

1.5L SUV FWD
$34,490
Drive Away
KilometersIcon20 kmFuelTypePetrolIconPetrolTransmissionSpecsIconSports Automatic Dual ClutchLocationSpecsIconQLD
new

2024 Mazda CX-30

Astina 2.5L SUV FWD
$48,998
Drive Away
KilometersIcon10 kmFuelTypePetrolIconPetrolTransmissionSpecsIconSports AutomaticLocationSpecsIconQLD
new

2024 GWM Haval Jolion

Hybrid 1.5L SUV FWD Hybrid
$36,990
Drive Away
KilometersIcon20 kmFuelTypeHybridIconHybridTransmissionSpecsIconConstantly Variable TransmissionLocationSpecsIconQLD
new

2024 Volkswagen T-Roc

2.0L SUV 4WD
$72,550
Drive Away
KilometersIcon22 kmFuelTypePetrolIconPetrolTransmissionSpecsIconSports Automatic Dual ClutchLocationSpecsIconVIC

See our winners across 18 different categories in the following groups

Best Family Cars

Best Family Cars

Best Electric Cars

Best Electric Cars

Best Off-Road Cars

Best Off-Road Cars

Best Small Cars

Best Small Cars

Best Affordable Cars

Best Affordable Cars

Best Luxury Cars

Best Luxury Cars

Chat with us!







Chat with Agent