Sip It Good

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday May 31, 2008

Joshua Dowling

Don't let rising petrol prices get you down. Here are 10 cars to consider if you're about to update. By Motoring Editor Joshua Dowling.

Contrary to popular belief, some industry observers reckon Australians are buying a record number of new cars because of rising petrol prices, not despite them.

The thinking: we're getting out of gas-guzzlers and into more fuel-efficient vehicles. The official sales figures back up this theory.

Sales of small cars so far this year are10 per cent ahead of those for the first four months of last year and growing at twice the rate of the new-car market.

Small cars now account for more than a third of all vehicles sold.

Australians are also still embracing the great outdoors - or at least the dream of it. We're not giving up four-wheel-drives just yet, rather we're downsizing to slightly smaller models which, just to add to the confusion, have grown in size in recent years.

You may have noticed there are no diesel cars in this list. That's not only because the price of diesel is so ridiculously high now. Diesel may be betterfor the environment but it's not so good for our lungs (even so-called "clean diesels"). And diesel doesn't make economic sense in anything other than large 4WDs and trucks, or unless you're regularly travelling vast distances on the open road.

With all of the above in mind, here are some of our favourite cars that hopefully will take some of the pain away from visits to the bowser.

Smart ForTwo

From $19,990.

Fuel rating 4.7 litres/100km.

Don't laugh just yet, at least hear us out. In fact, you may get the last laugh in one of these. Despite what many people think, you don't plug it in and recharge it. This is the second-generation Smart city car from Mercedes-Benz, the most fuel-efficient petrol-powered car this side of a hybrid.

It has only a 52kW 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine but it makes light work of the car's 770 kilogram weight.

It won't pin your ears back (the 0-100kmh time is 13.3 seconds) but there is a slightly more powerful turbocharged 62kW version from $21,990 for the revheads (0-100kmh in 10.9 seconds).

The turning circle is the best on the market (8.75 metres) and you won't believe how many parking spaces will open up to you in one of these because it is only 2.7 metres long.

Despite its size, it has a four-star safety rating (the same as a Nissan X-Trail 4WD) and comes standard with dual front and seat-mounted head-protecting side airbags. All models come with an automated manual gearbox but power steering is a $490 option.

There are roomier cars around for the money (it's the same price as a Corolla yet fits only two people and their shopping) but buying one of these can make sense if you get it at the right price.

Be patient and search for an ex-demonstrator or ex-factory company car and you should be able to trim off $2000 to $3000, which will take the sting out of the weak resale value.

Toyota Yaris

From $14,990.

Fuel rating 6.0 to 6.7L/100km.

This is Australia's best-selling "light" car. It's easy to see why. Made-in-Japan quality, a roomy cabin with a clever sliding rear seat (depending on whether you need more space for cargo or passengers), cute looks and a large digital speedo (handy for speed cameras) are among its many attributes.

It is available as a three- or five-door, with a choice of 1.3- or 1.5-litre power.

The 1.3 manual is most efficient (at 6.0L/100km) but the 1.5 manual only sips 0.1L/100km more.

The auto versions of each engine are slightly thirstier but there is little difference between them (6.5 versus 6.7L/100km).

The 1.3 is zippy enough but if the budget stretches, the 1.5 YRS is our pick because it has slightly wider tyres for better road-holding and the 1.5 is better suited to the automatic.

Prices range from $15,190 to $20,790, although there is currently a promotional price of $14,990 drive-away on the base model. Automatic transmission adds $1500 to all Yaris variants.

Dual airbags and anti-lock brakes are standard (which gives the Yaris a four-star rating by NCAP) but a knee airbag for the driver and curtain airbags are a $750 option (and elevate the Yaris safety rating to five stars).

Negatives: stability control is not available until January. And we'd opt for the additional safety pack but be warned - it can take up to three months for delivery because only about one in 10 Yaris customers requests this option.

Mazda2

From $15,750.

Fuel rating 6.4 to 6.8L/100km

Mazda has just released a three-door version of its brilliant Mazda2.

The three-door is a little cheaper than the five-door ($15,750 versus $16,500) but they both drink the same amount of fuel, given their identical 1.5-litre engines, according to official figures.

Prices range from $15,750 to $20,845. Automatic transmission adds $1500.

Excellent build quality, a big boot (for a small car) and zippy driving dynamics are among its attributes.

It is also one of the few Japanese-made light cars sold locally that is available with stability control. This excellent safety aid is, however, a $1100 option bundled with side and curtain airbags.

Dual airbags and anti-lock brakes are standard.

Not many downsides to this car other than a space-saver spare tyre and the fact it sits a little lower than a Yaris - some people prefer this as it enhances the sporty feel.

Suzuki Swift

From $15,990.

Fuel rating 6.3 to 6.7L/100km.

The Swift is one of the most under-rated cars on the market. It's been out for a few years now and received a minor facelift a year ago.

It looks good, drives well, is made in Japan and is powered by a 1.5-litre engine. There are two models: a $15,990 version with dual airbags and anti-lock brakes.

If the budget stretches that far, we'd go for the $17,990 Swift S which comes with side and curtain airbags. (Suzuki also bundles fog lights and alloy wheels into this model.) There is a limited-edition RE Sport from $16,990 but it gets more go-fast bits rather than the extra safety gear. Automatic adds $2000 to any of these models.

Downsides? The electric power steering can be momentarily heavy when parking, the sound system is below average and, as with many light cars, it has a space-saver spare.

Honda Jazz

From $15,990.

Fuel rating 5.7 to 6.1L/100km.

Another great car but our advice comes with some qualifications. This model has been out for almost six years and is due to be replaced in October by a new model that is likely to be safer and more economical than this version.

That said, the current Jazz is still an excellent car.

Quality doesn't appear to have suffered since production of this model switched to Thailand and it has a really clever, flexible interior.

Dual airbags and anti-lock brakes are standard on all models but side and curtain airbags, and stability control, won't be available until the new model arrives.

Prices range from $15,990 to $20,590. Automatic adds $2000.

There are two engine options, a 1.3- and a 1.5-litre, and both are extremely miserly. According to the fuel rating labels, the 1.3 sips between 5.7 and 5.8L/100km (depending on whether you go for the manual or the automatic) and the 1.5 sips between 6.0 and 6.1L/100km. The Jazz, therefore, is the most frugal five-door we've listed here.

Be sure to haggle if you go to buy one of these, as dealers will be keen to shift remaining stock to make way for the all-new model.

Toyota Corolla

From $20,990.

Fuel rating 7.3 to 7.7L/100km.

The Corolla put on some weight when the new model went on sale a little over a year ago but, incredibly, Toyota was able to make the 1.8-litre engine more fuel-efficient.

The Corolla is a roomy car (by small car standards) and has a simple yet functional interior with hard-wearing materials and the overall quality is excellent.

The hatchback's boot isn't as big as a Mazda3's but you get a full-size spare and the Corolla is more fuel-efficient.

Prices normally range from $20,990 to $29,500. Automatic transmission adds $2000.

There is currently a promotional price of $19,990 drive-away for the base model manual.

Dual airbags and anti-lock brakes are standard. Side and curtain airbags are a $750 option on the cheaper models and standard on models priced from $25,500. Stability control won't be available until next year.

Honda Civic sedan

From $21,790.

Fuel rating 6.9 to 7.2L/100km.

The Civic sedan is here because it is among the most economical compared with its peers. Unfortunately not all models are available with all levels of safety equipment.

Prices range from $21,790 to $24,990 for the 1.8-litre models. Automatic adds $2000.

Standard safety equipment includes dual airbags and anti-lock brakes.

The $24,990 model gets seat-mounted side airbags but only the flagship 2.0-litre version (from $30,490) gets side and curtain airbags and stability control but its fuel ratings are a not-so-flash 8.3 and 8.4L/100km (manual and auto).

The automatic-only Honda Civic hybrid sips just 4.6L/100km but costs $32,990. At least it comes with all available safety features.

The Civic sedan is classified as a small car but it has grown so much over the years it is almost a medium-sized car. The interior is cavernous and the cabin controls, with the digital speedometer and a sweeping driver console, make you feel you're piloting a spaceship.

This is yet another Honda to come from Thailand rather than Japan and early examples we tested had annoying quality niggles, such as ill-fitting trim or trim that had fallen away. More recent examples have improved and the perception of quality is excellent.

Toyota Prius

From $37,400.

Fuel rating 4.4L/100km.

When it comes to unleaded petrol-powered cars, this is the most efficient model on the market. But don't panic if you can't afford a new Prius. They make better economic sense as a second-hand car.

Good condition, low-kilometre, ex-fleet and government cars are starting to appear on the used-car market.

Prices generally range from $25,000 to $34,000, depending on the car's age, condition and kilometres.

But we have seen some late-model Prius hybrids at the Manheim Fowles weekly ex-government fleet auctions.

Early 2006 models have sold for as little as $23,000 but 2007 models usually go for about $27,000. Only a handful of Priuses come through each month, so be sure to check the website first. Also, check Toyota used-car showrooms for ex-company fleet stock.

There are two Prius models: a standard grade at $37,400 (when new) and a better-equipped model from $46,900. If you can snag the premium model (known as the i-Tech pack) on the used market, it's definitely the pick of the variants.

The i-Tech models rarely come up at auction but when they do they generally go for between $30,000 and $33,000.

The two are equally fuel-efficient but the standard Prius gets dual airbags and anti-lock brakes, whereas the i-Tech pack comes with side and curtain airbags, a premium sound system with navigation and (as of last year) a rear-view camera, among other minor differences.

There is no way to distinguish the models from the outside, so go straight to the logbook to check the exact description.

A Prius costs the same to service as a regular car and the battery is designed to last the life of the vehicle (at least 10 years).

It's a roomy, practical vehicle and is quiet to drive. The steering and brakes are a little sensitive but otherwise it drives just like a normal car.

Subaru Forester

From $30,490.

Fuel rating 9.3 to 9.6L/100km.

Subaru has just released its third-generation Forester and it's an absolute beauty.

Previous models were criticised for being too small, so Subaru has made the new Forester's cabin roomier without making the rest of the car too big.

Many owners of early-model Foresters actually prefer their car's more compact external dimensions. With this in mind we reckon the company has got the size of the new one just right.

It's powered by a 2.5-litre engine and prices range from $30,490 to $37,490. Automatic transmission adds $2000. Subaru is offering free on-road costs and a factory-backed (as opposed to underwritten by the dealer) extended five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

The Forester won our soft-roader comparison this year ahead of theNissan X-Trail.

The Subaru was praised for its roominess, made-in-Japan quality, sound driving dynamics and, most of all, its five-star safety rating. The Forester is one of the few sub-$40,000 cars on the market that have all available safety features on every model, so the level of crash protection isn't dictated by which model buyers can afford.

All new Foresters come with front, side and curtain airbags as well as stability control. It has already been awarded a five-star rating by Australian NCAP. Resale values are also extremely strong.

Downsides? There aren't many. Subaru engines tend to be thirsty in the first few thousand kilometres until they're properly run-in, and routine services can get expensive above 100,000km. Apart from these minor issues, it's one of my favourite new cars so far this year.

Nissan X-Trail

From $31,990.

Fuel rating 9.3 to 9.5L/100km.

It may not look like it but this is the all-new Nissan X-Trail. The previous model sold so well Nissan didn't want to tamper with the formula, so it left the design largely unchanged.

Interestingly, the automatic version is more efficient than the manual. Customarily, it is the other way around. The X-Trail's auto is more efficient because the 2.5-litre engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that finds the engine's peak power and adjusts ratios accordingly.

At times, it can sound as if you're driving a car with a slipping clutch but that's simply the CVT holding the engine at optimum revs.

The X-Trail is quite zippy for a soft-roader and, as with the Subaru, the full complement of safety equipment is standard on every model. That is: front, side and curtain airbags and stability control.

However, despite having a bigger, heavier body, the X-Trail scored only four stars when it was crash-tested by European NCAP.

The X-Trail is bigger overall than the Forester and has a larger cargo area but it has less headroom and rear seat room than the Subaru.

It drives well enough but doesn't feel as sure-footed as the Subaru. This is probably due to the fact the X-Trail is a little taller and has slightly softer suspension.

The X-Trail's headlights are also weak compared to the Subaru's, which were designed to cope with unlit Australian country roads. That said, we reckon the X-Trail would still find wide appeal among those who have a lot of gear to carry and need to go off-road. The X-Trail has hill-descent control and greater wheel articulation than the Forester.

The X-Trail is $1500 dearer than the Subaru but discounts should begin to emerge now that the new-car smell has begun to evaporate - it is almost a year old.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home