The best unseen car purchases
Craig Duff looks at the unsung heroes in every segment.
There are many good buys and high-end models that go unnoticed as more recognizable models grab everyone's attention. SAFE choices are usually not rewarding - that's why they are secure - and security becomes anonymity on the go. Any Mazda owner will confirm this, as there are too many similar cars to be considered separate.
For buyers willing to take less-traveled roads into consideration, there are decent cars that still stand out, often because they are a relative rarity on the road. Quirky looks, the "second tier" badge, and late life models all fall into this category. This makes them the main contenders for the role of alternative transport. This also makes them a fair game to bargain on price.
World
Hyundai i20 and Mazda2 top sales charts in the passenger car class. Fair enough too. Both have five doors, are relatively roomy, solidly built, look half decent, and handle well. They occupy the leading position, but there are other cars in this class that deserve attention.
The Kia Rio is a more manageable version of Hyundai that seems to be suffering from the $500 premium. Write that down to the 15-inch wheels on the base model, not the 14-inch ones on the Hyundai, and be thankful for the difference. Kia is more attractive to drive. It was Carsguide's 2011 Car of the Year and is still one of the best buys in the segment.
Similarly, the Ford Fiesta is highly regarded for its driving performance and perky 1.5-liter engine. It's also one of the few passenger cars with a six-speed automatic, although like the competition, the automatic costs $2000.
EASY CHOICE: HYUNDAI I20 FIVE-DOOR
PricePrice: Starting at $16,590.
Warranty: 5 years/unlimited km
ENGINES: 1.4-liter, 4-cylinder, 74 kW / 136 Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual; FORWARD
Thirst: 5.3 l / 100 km, 126 g / km CO2
PricePrice: Starting at $16,290.
Warranty: 5 years/unlimited km
ENGINES: 1.4-liter, 4-cylinder, 79 kW / 135 Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual; FORWARD
Thirst: 5.7 l / 100 km, 135 g / km CO2
LITTLE
The Mazda3 is unrivaled in this class, but the car's smartest technologies are reserved for options and/or upscale models. However, 3 here is a simple small number.
Look for more and the VW Group has a couple of serious contenders. Golf destroyed its rivals in markets around the world as the best car of 2013. Mazda came later, and experts were divided over which car was better. The Golf starts at $21,490, which is only $200 less than the Skoda Octavia sedan. The Octavia has most of the Golf's features but a lot more, making it perfect for families who need room without worrying about badge envy.
SMALL CHOICE: MAZDA3
PricePrice: Starting at $20,490.
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km
ENGINES: 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, 114 kW / 200 Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual; FORWARD
Thirst: 5.8 l / 100 km, 136 g / km CO2
ALTERNATIVE: VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
PricePrice: Starting at $21,490.
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km
ENGINES: 1.4 liter 4-cylinder turbo engine, 90 kW/200 Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual; FORWARD
Thirst: 5.7 l / 100 km, 133 g / km CO2
SUV
Default options here include Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4. Reliability, ride height and looks have made Mazda the number one midsize SUV with a starting price of $1. The CX-28,000 is the most enjoyable car to drive, with all the modern comforts and practical alcoves and drink slots.
Pick a smart opponent from left field and you'll have a hard time getting past the Skoda Yeti. The Yeti is physically smaller than the Mazda, but matches the CX-5 in terms of seating space, and the rear seats fold 40-20-40 to carry bulky items. The plastics of choice here are durable, not soft to the touch, and easy to maneuver around town. Another less considered option is the Kia Sportage. A starting price of $26,000, decent ergonomics and a spacious interior, and a five-year warranty make the South Korean SUV an attractive family car. Throw in cheap service at a limited price and the Sportage is a good value alternative.
OFF-ROAD CHOICE: MAZDA CX-5
PricePrice: Starting at $27,880.
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km
ENGINES: 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, 114 kW / 200 Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual; FORWARD
Thirst: 6.4 l / 100 km, 148 g / km CO2
PricePrice: Starting at $23,490.
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km
ENGINES: 1.2 liter 4-cylinder turbo engine, 77 kW/175 Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual; FORWARD
Thirst: 6.0 l / 100 km, 140 g / km CO2
FAMILY
Big cars once meant Commodores and Falcons, not high-riding SUVs. The Holden is still the best-selling large sedan and has an enviable combination of local suspension setup, ease of driving, and interior/trunk space for a family of five.
Fabrics and plastics handle spilled drinks and sunlight, and fuel consumption is comparable to many midsize cars. Commodores are still popular enough to be ubiquitous, and that's where the Chrysler 300 comes in. The US-built sedan caught on by being just as spacious and more extroverted.
The car is also sold with petrol and turbodiesel six-cylinder engines. Another diesel to look out for is the SkyActiv unit found in the Mazda6 sedan and wagon. The Model 6 features best-in-class build quality and more austere styling inside and out, making it a premium production family car.
The lack of a transmission tunnel helps with Mazda's trim, though it's a full-on four-seater rather than the five benches found in Holden and Chrysler.
FAMILY CHOICE: HOLDEN COMMODORE SV6
Sedan Holden Commodore SV6.
PricePrice: Starting at $35,990.
Warranty: 3 years/100,000 km
ENGINES: 3.6L V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual; rear drive
Thirst: 9.0 l / 100 km, 215 g / km CO2
ALTERNATIVE: CHRYSLER 300
PricePrice: Starting at $43,000.
Warranty: 3 years/100 km
ENGINES: 3.6-litre V6, 210 kW/340 Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic; rear drive
Thirst: 9.4 l / 100 km, 219 g / km CO2
