As Australia’s inhabitants continues to develop, our cities have gotten each greater and busier.
Regardless of this, metropolis vehicles have misplaced their attraction, with new automotive consumers as a substitute pivoting to compact SUVs and crossovers with additional floor clearance and an elevated seating place.
However there’s nonetheless a case to be made for one thing smaller that’s simple to drive, simple to park, and ideal for the workplace commute or a visit to the outlets.
There are nonetheless loads of automobiles on sale as we speak that match that standards – the Kia Picanto, BYD Dolphin, Toyota Yaris, Mazda 2, and MG 3, to call a couple of.
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Abarth 500e -
BYD Dolphin -
Toyota Yaris -
Kia Picanto
However that’s to not say the time period ‘metropolis automotive’ has a single definition, as you’ll see from our nominations under.
In spite of everything, some want cargo capability to lug masses round city, whereas others is likely to be higher served by a luxurious sedan that takes the stress out of lengthy hauls in peak-hour site visitors.
So, with out additional ado, listed below are town vehicles that every member of the CarExpert editorial staff would purchase.
Tell us your decide within the feedback under!
Marton Pettendy: Hyundai i20 N
I’m going to be boring right here and keep on with a mainstream model that gives a five-year guarantee, lifetime service plan and a well-populated nationwide vendor community for the instances I go away town.
However Hyundai’s smallest scorching hatch is something however boring, with extra energy and torque than its solely direct competitor, the Volkswagen Polo GTI, and a guide transmission blessed with frivolously sprung, completely positioned pedals that make the day by day grind as pleasurable as heel-toeing within the twisties.
The i20 N additionally comes with all the protection and multimedia tech you want. And at simply $35,500 earlier than on-road prices, it’s not solely Australia’s most reasonably priced bona-fide scorching hatch however the final of an important but dying breed.
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James Wong: Abarth 695
Sure, I’m loopy.
There are few metropolis motoring experiences extra alive and fascinating than the Italians’ ‘pazzo’ tackle the Fiat 500, particularly with a guide gearbox.
It’s loud, it’s fast, and it’s flippin’ lovable. There’s no parking spot it will possibly’t slot in, as a result of it’s principally a four-wheeled bike.
For me, a Melbournian in Australia’s most European metropolis, why not do because the Europeans do?
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Jack Fast: BYD Dolphin
Whereas I wish to say the Ford Ranger Raptor only for laughs, I can’t in good conscience. Many individuals select this, although.
With this in thoughts, my final metropolis automotive is an EV resulting from how nippy they’re at low speeds, how quiet they are often, and likewise how simple charging them will be (offered you may have house at house).
There are many small EVs to select from, however the one which stands out essentially the most at the moment is the BYD Dolphin, which begins at $29,990 earlier than on-roads. That is wild as a result of many petrol-powered equivalents at the moment are pricier on the base degree.
One other metropolis automotive I’d love to select, however can’t as a result of it’s not offered in Australia, is the Citroen Ami. Technically not a automotive however fairly a quadricycle, I noticed heaps of those throughout my European vacation final yr and thought they’d be so enjoyable to drive round in.
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William Stopford: Mazda 2
I might have stated the Ford Puma, given its compact dimensions, barely increased experience peak, however enjoyable hatchback-like dealing with, however Ford Australia went forward and dropped it. Boo!
I’ll hold it easy and go along with the confirmed (codeword for bloody previous) Mazda 2. The infotainment is horribly dated, however I nonetheless love the best way it drives. It nonetheless appears to be like sharp, and it feels constructed to final.
The MG 3 Hybrid+ is a runner-up, as I discovered it economical and the transitions between petrol and electrical energy usually clean, although it’s nonetheless in want of a tweak or two to its powertrain.
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Jordan Mulach: Hyundai i20 N
What’s the purpose in having one thing small if it will possibly’t be enjoyable too?
The i20 N is, by all accounts, a pint-size i30 N, with the flexibility to outperform its huge brother on the fitting highway.
It’s an absolute pleasure to drive and is arguably nearer in its ethos and execution to a real Eighties hatchback than some other mannequin on sale in Australia.
Add in backing from a significant model plus limitless occasions for homeowners, and it’s exhausting to disregard why it is a efficiency automotive discount.
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Josh Nevett: Abarth 695
It’s not lengthy for this world, however the petrol-powered Abarth 695 will go down as a pint-size motoring icon.
Compact, quick, enjoyable and comparatively sensible with the again seats folded down – what extra might you need from a automotive that’ll spend its time zipping across the metropolis?
And in my humble opinion, there’s no higher sounding four-pot going round. The 132kW T-Jet makes a mockery of some V8s with regards to aural thrills, all whereas sipping lower than 6.0L/100km.
Whereas you should buy the 695 with a guide transmission, I’d take the auto for day by day duties within the concrete jungle.
No matter variant and specification, Abarth’s remaining ICE mannequin will deliver a smile to your face throughout each drive, and also you’ll by no means battle to discover a appropriate parking house on the finish of it.
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Sean Lander: Peugeot Accomplice
Let’s be trustworthy, when you’re trying into shopping for a micro automotive and stay in a constructed up space, you in all probability aren’t eager to be the native Uber. So a three-seater van makes good sense.
It’s solely about 200mm longer than a GWM Ora, can take as much as 1000kg of payload and the BEST half is you possibly can park in loading zones to rapidly duck into a store and seize your decaf-almond-soy-oat-milk latte.
It even is available in an EV model!
Yeah, I’m having a little bit of enjoyable right here, as a result of as the agricultural simpleton I’m, I detest the existence of those tiny vehicles. If you need to succumb to the requirement of a small automotive, it’s possible you’ll as properly have one that’s sensible too.
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Max Davies: Mini Cooper
It’s a metropolis automotive, so in my thoughts smaller is best.
Admittedly, I used to be swayed by Sean’s Accomplice decide for the loading zone advantages and was contemplating going for a Volkswagen Caddy, however then I remembered I’d have restricted use for that. I’m subsequently sticking to the traditional metropolis automotive formulation and going for the three-door Mini Cooper.
I’ve at all times preferred the look of the current-generation Coopers. They attraction to me as cute little issues with funky styling, even when they’re nowhere close to as little because the Minis of previous was once.
That matches completely as one thing enjoyable and simple to drive round metropolis streets, particularly as a result of it has these nippy driving traits fashionable Minis are identified for. The inside can also be a enjoyable place to be with its left-field setup, and it’s all backed up by usually sturdy BMW tech – it simply ticks loads of packing containers for me.
The one factor is it’s pretty expensive, beginning at slightly below $42,000 earlier than on-roads for the bottom mannequin. Nonetheless, this may be on the prime of my metropolis automotive listing, and it wouldn’t be dreadful on longer weekend drives both.
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