The best cheap cars
…and decent budget cars rolling out of Australian showrooms.
Cheap in 2011 no longer means a terrible tin can; From $11,790 for the Suzuki Alto to $12,990 for the Nissan Micra, there's a choice of five five-door hatchbacks that are safer, better equipped and better built than ever.
Ten years ago, the cheapest cars in the local market were the $13,990 three-door Hyundai Excel and the $13,000 Daewoo Lanos.
Since then, average Australian income has jumped 21% in real terms, according to ACTU, even as the price of gasoline has fallen from 80 cents a liter to $1.40 or more.
But car prices have fallen in real terms, thanks to increased competition, a strong dollar and new brands heading in from China.
Technology trickling in from more expensive cars or like stability control mandated by the authorities has made these budget cars more attractive than ever.
Malaysian manufacturer Proton was among the first to slash retail prices in the face of a dangerous onslaught from China, launching the $11,990 S16 sedan into the passenger car market last November.
Now Suzuki has taken the lead on pricing. (And Proton, with limited supplies waiting to replace a possibly cheaper model later this year, couldn't make that comparison to the S16.)
All their rivals find new homes. While the overall automotive market is sluggish, down 5.3% year-over-year, passenger car sales fell just 1.4%. Around 55,000 light vehicles were sold by the end of May, which is the second largest segment after small cars and ahead of compact SUV sales.
Suzuki Australia general manager Tony Devers says the passenger car segment has grown dramatically over the past five years as Australians have become more urbanized and more oriented towards urban areas.
According to Suzuki, car buyers fall into two camps: people over 45 are looking for a second car, and people under 25 are looking for university and urban transportation.
“Which alternative is a four- or five-year-old car with less economy and safety?” Devers says.
VALUE
You get a surprising amount of kit in a cheap car these days: power mirrors (in all but the Alto), air conditioning, plenty of safety features, power windows (front only, but all four in Chery), and quality audio systems.
There is only $1200 between the cheapest and the most expensive, and the resale value is pretty close too.
The dimensions of the vehicles are also largely the same, as is the power. You need to be Mark Webber to tell the difference between the least powerful (Alto 50 kW) and the most powerful (Chery 62 kW).
The Micra wins in terms of Bluetooth, USB input, and steering wheel audio controls, but it's also the most expensive.
The Alto is the cheapest, but it doesn't miss out on too many amenities other than power mirrors. And for an extra $700, the GLX has fog lights and alloy wheels.
TECHNOLOGY
The four low-cost cars we tested come with a new era of downsized engines. In Micra and Alto, these are three-cylinder power plants. The three-cylinder models were a little rough at idle, but so economical that they set the path for the future of city cars. In real-life conditions, it was difficult to determine any differences in power.
“It's amazing that these are three-cylinder machines,” says guest tester William Churchill. "They're pretty fast for a trio." From a low-tech standpoint, it's hard to distinguish between the lock and unlock buttons on Alto and Chery keyfobs, while the Micra adds a find car button that hums.
Design
The Micra looks the most grown-up and least quirky, having lost its bug eyes in the latest facelift. It also sits best on wheels with small gaps in the wheel arches.
One of our guest test drivers, Amy Spencer, says she loves Chery's SUV-like look. It also has sleek alloy wheels and an attractive interior.
The Chinese have gone out of their way to increase cabin space, even if the seats lack support and some of the details aren't the best. Alto and Barina are similar in appearance. Inside, both have comfortable and supportive seats, but the Holden's on-board computer is too fussy and busy to read easily.
Cabin dimensions are the same across all four cars, although the Micra has the best rear legroom and boot space, while the Alto has a tiny trunk.
Chery also received points from Spencer for its handy storage compartment on the dashboard.
She and fellow test volunteer Penny Langfield also noted the importance of vanity mirrors on visors. Micra and Barina have two vanity mirrors, Chery has one on the passenger side and Alto has one on the driver's side.
SECURITY
Langfield noted that security is one of the most important aspects to consider.
"That's what you worry about the most with a small car," she says.
But cheap doesn't mean they skimp on security features. All of them have electronic stability control, ABS and electronic brake force distribution.
Chery only has dual front airbags, but the rest come with six airbags.
According to the Australian New Car Assessment Program, the Chery has a three-star accident rating, the Barina and Alto four stars, and the Micra has not yet been tested, but the previous model with dual front airbags only had a three-star rating.
DRIVING
We took our three young volunteer drivers on a short trip around the city with lots of hills and some freeway cruises. The Chery suffered a bit from being straight out of the box, having only covered about 150km and most of that was in testing.
The brakes may still be lapping, but until they warmed up, they felt soft. Then they became a little harder, but still not felt.
The Chery air conditioner also has a ringing sound in the fan, which may disappear after a while.
We also noticed that it spins a bit when you push the clutch in, indicating perhaps a slightly sticky throttle while it's still new.
However, Chery received positive reviews from all quarters for its responsive and "quick" engine. However, Langfield noted that "it was a bit sluggish going uphill".
“I heard all the hype about it being the cheapest car, but it drives better than I thought,” she says. Spencer was delighted with the sound system: "It's great when you turn up the power."
However, she instantly fell in love with Micra.
“I have loved this car ever since I backed it out of the parking lot. It's pretty fast. I love big mirrors. I like how the dashboard gives it some space. It's not crowded here.
She also liked the seat height adjustment in the Micra and Suzuki: "It's comfortable for short people."
Churchill says the Micra's gauges are easy to read and the steering wheel audio controls are comfortable.
“Smoothness” was how Langfield described power, shifting and smoothness.
“He has a good audio system. The radio is nice and high,” she says, turning up the volume on Triple J. She also likes the wide cupholders.
Barina is a reliable, durable and powerful city car. “Driving is easy, but the LCD screen on the dashboard is a little distracting and very busy,” says Churchill. Langfield agrees, but says, "I'm sure you'll get used to it after a while."
She liked the "smooth gearing" but found it to be "a bit relentless in some places, but it kicks in when you need it."
Suzuki surprised everyone with its plucky three-cylinder engine. “He takes off when you want him to. It feels more intuitive and responsive,” Langfield says.
But Spencer laments the lack of trunk space. "There will be no weekend hiking with these boots."
Churchill says shifting was easy and clutching easy. “The easiest way is to sit down and just go.”
VERDICT
Chery is a real surprise. It's better than we thought and we got good reviews for style, sound and power.
Barina seems safe, strong and reliable, while Micra seems to be the most refined, albeit the most expensive. But we have to agree with the players.
While we found good and different points across all four, we appreciate Suzuki's readiness and price as the leader of this package.
Langfield has the last word: "All these cars are better than my car, so I have nothing to complain about."
VOTING
Penny Langfield: 1 viola, 2 micra, 3 barina, 4 cherry. “I just enjoy driving. You feel like driving a real car, not a toy.”
Amy Spencer: 1 Micra, 2 Alto, 3 Barina, 4 Cheri. “Good car in every way. It has little storage space and is simple to look at and easy to drive.”
William Churchill: 1 viola, 2 barinas, 3 cherries, 4 micros. “I can get into it and I didn’t have to get used to driving. The dashboard is also easy to use.”
SUZUKI ALTO GL
Cost: $11,790
Body: 5-door hatchback
Engine: 1 liter, 3-cylinder 50kW/90Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual (4-speed automatic option)
Fuel: 4.7 l/100 km; CO2 110 g/km
Dimensions: 3500 mm (D), 1600 mm (W), 1470 mm (W), 2360 mm (W)
Safety: 6 airbags, ESP, ABS, EBD
Guarantee: 3 years/100,000 km
Resale: 50.9%
Green rating: 5 stars
Features: 14" steel rims, A/C, auxiliary input, full size steel spare, front power windows
BARINA SPARK CD
Cost: $12,490
Body: 5-door hatchback
Engine: 1.2 liter, 4-cylinder 59kW/107Nm
Transmission: User manual 5
Fuel: 5.6 l/100 km; CO2 128 g/km
Dimensions: 3593 mm (D), 1597 mm (W), 1522 mm (W), 2375 mm (W)
Safety: 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, TCS
Guarantee: 3 year / 100,000 km
Resale: 52.8%
Green rating: 5 stars
Features: 14" alloy wheels, front power windows, air conditioning, USB and Aux audio input, auto headlights, optional full-size spare tire
CHERRY J1
Cost: $11,990
Body: 5-door hatchback
Engine: 1.3 liter, 4-cylinder 62kW/122Nm
Transmission: User manual 5
Fuel: 6.7 l/100 km; CO2 159 g/km
Dimensions: 3700 mm (L), 1578 (W), 1564 (H), 2390 (W)
Safety: ABS, EBD, ESP, dual front airbags
Guarantee: 3 years / 100,000 km
Resale: 49.2%
Green rating: 4 stars
Features: 14" alloy wheels, full size steel spare, air conditioning, 4 power windows and mirrors.
NISSAN MIKRA ST
Cost: $12,990
Body: 5-door hatchback
Engine: 1.2 liter, 3-cylinder 56kW/100nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual (XNUMX-speed automatic option)
Fuel: 5.9 l/100 km; CO2 138 g/km
Dimensions: 3780 mm (D), 1665 mm (W), 1525 mm (W), 2435 mm (W)
Safety: 6 airbags, ESP, ABS, EBD
Guarantee: 3 years/100,000 3 km, 24 years XNUMX/XNUMX roadside assistance
Resale: 50.8%
Green rating: 5 stars
Features: Bluetooth, A/C, 14" steel wheels, full size steel spare, auxiliary entry, front power windows
PROTON C16 G
Cost: $11,990
Body: 4-door sedan
Engine: 1.6 liter, 4-cylinder 82kW/148Nm
Transmission: User manual 5
Fuel: 6.3 l/100 km; CO2 148 g/km
Dimensions: 4257 mm (D) 1680 mm (W) 1502 mm (W), 2465 mm (W)
Safety: Driver airbag, ESC,
Guarantee: three years, unlimited mileage, XNUMX/XNUMX roadside assistance
Resale: 50.9%
Green rating: 4 stars
Features: 13" steel wheels, full size steel spare tire, air conditioning, remote central locking, front power windows
USED CAR OPTIONS
There are a few options for a brand new light car if you're buying something used and reasonable.
Among them, Glass' Guide lists manual versions of the 2003 Honda Civic Vi five-door hatchback for $12,200, the 2005 Toyota Corolla Ascent sedan for $12,990, and the Mazda 2004 Neo (sedan or hatchback) for $3.
At the time, the Civic impressed with plenty of interior space and comfort, a solid reputation, and a long list of equipment including dual airbags, ABS, and power windows and mirrors.
The Mazda3 lineup was an immediate hit with critics and consumers, bringing style back to the brand. The Neo came standard with air conditioning, dual airbags, a CD player and remote central locking. The Toyota Corolla has long been a dependable and dependable model in the compact car class; The 2005 versions came with dual airbags, air conditioning, ABS and proven reliability.
