Best Hatchbacks

Love this! This is my 3rd Suzuki Swift, this one being the sport! Such a great car! Show details

Manual deisel – Great car plenty of power from the 1.6 deisel.great fuel economy Show details

Great car until the warranty (7 years) was finished. Engine over heated. Finance team is fantastic, easy to deal with.

The 2012 C4 eHDI 6SP EGS is a very solid and reliable hatch – Just following up on my previous review of this Mk2 C4 which is a 2012 C4 Exclusive eHDI 6sp EGS, this vehicle with 130,000kms is going great guns… Read more

and strong as ever, all I do is change the oil and oil filter every 20,000kms (yes 20k as it doesn't need it every 10k) I use the synthetic 5W-30 only and I change the air filter and fuel every 60,000km and never ever had/have any problems or hassles. Yes and of course I had to change the battery after 8 years (fitted a VARTA stop/start 78aPh type) and after 100,000 kms I had to replace the fan, air conditioning serpentine belt and one of its pullies, as they just wore out, which cost $140 for both, and I did all the replacement jobs myself. This vehicle is bullet proof and a great 1500cc diesel engine hatch, great economy (I still get 950kms per 60 liters tank) has all the bells and whistles of climate control air conditioning, parking sensors front/rear and sides, lane changing sensors, partially covered leather seats with the heated/massage features, variable tinted windows, gps navigation which even today all these features are way up there and in a price range way above of what this vehicle does. Great car and a very reliable car that will not need an engine change until 1,000,000 kms.

I owned Polo for several years, until 2020, when I traded it for another car. Initially, I went to VW dealer for trade in, hoping that new model… Read more

would be better, but I got such a bad offer that I decided to change the make of car (completely different from VW, and I got much better trade-in offer).

In Europe, VW cars had great respect. My husband drove Golf for seven years in Europe without any problems. I do not know what happened here, but I had nothing but trouble with it.

I had problems with engine, brakes, car keys died too quickly.

As a female, I had too many worries and felt unsafe to drive.

I must admit that staff in their repair shop were great and very polite but that did not change the fact that I had to visit them too often.

In any case, that problem is now gone. I hope they have improved in the meantime for their sake.

I bought this adorable little car second-hand 10 years ago, and in the time I've had it, it's been ridiculously cheap to run, cheap to service, and… Read more

wonderfully dependable.

THE GOOD:

✅ Fuel economy has been great. ✅ Parts have been relatively easy to source. Japanese make and very practical. When I needed a clutch cable for it in 2020 I was easily able to find what I needed cheaply from a Suzuki wrecker. ✅ It's fitted with a timing chain, not a belt, so it doesn't require replacement at intervals like many cars this size would! ✅ Apart from regular maintenance and oil changes, I haven't had to do much except change the tyres and battery periodically. Very undemanding, cheap and reliable! ✅ It's tall on the inside. I've moved house twice with this car and transported all sorts of furniture either in the car, or on the roof racks! ✅ Wonderfully small and able to fit into many parking spots that drivers of fancier or bigger cars wouldn't dare attempt ✅ Excellent driver visibility because of the high seat position.

THE BAD: - It's a light and teeny little car, so the road noise is definitely present, especially when on highways. - With a 1.3L engine, it lacks the power that a bigger car gets (but it is very cheap to run). The Manual transmission definitely helps with taking off. The air conditioner on/off button serves as the turbo button. - The car is tall, but not long. Back seats are a little pokey to sit in. - The turning circle is surprisingly wide for such a small wheel span; doing a U-turn on some narrower streets requires a 3-point turn. - It's been a popular second-hand car for this vintage, but in more recent years, sourcing some parts has become harder as the car becomes less common.

Great interior, great engine, great looks! I have the A250 4MATIC with AMG wheels and a sunroof. Everything about this car is top tier. In the 2016… Read more

model I have Apple Car Play and Andriod Auto, but the screen has no touch-screen. The gear box is a little clunky at low speed and when pulling off it can be a bit 'jolty,' but that is the only negative I have. Wow what a looker this car is!

ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS – I bought a 2017 Skoda Fabia NJ63ND Wagon and got onto the expressway to turn on the cruise control and it didn't have it. What 2017 model car does… Read more

not have cruise control as standard!!!

To make things worse, you can't add it later.

ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!!!!

DON'T BUY ONE OR CHECK IT HAS CRUISE CONTROL.

Costly – Wife LOVED her mini, I was pretty happy. Nippy, comfy, sporty and lots of people looking. Solaris orange, only one I ever saw on road. Now the bad.… Read more

The fuel sticker suggested 5.6 Litres per 100 k. Never got less than 10, and even when driving ultra conservatively. $1800 for first 5 services, got told it was km based, but every 6 months (3000 k) the car said service time. I reckon BMW just plugged computer in, saw it didn't need anything and that was it. After 3 years, computer said brakes need replacing, 12000 k. Took to my backyard mechanic, BMW have sensors built into the brakes, BMW would just replace it. But my mechanic said it still had 15000 plus k. 30000 k, computer said auto trans needs service, mechanic had a look, no probs. BMW would just rip you off. Sold mini at 33000k, had to take mini to BMW to remove the warning about trans service, $305 quoted for them to plug the computer in, what a rip off. Loved the mini, but if I buy another it it'll be an older less computerised model.

Great hybrid car – I love my CT200h ! I recently sold due to an upgrade but I had the car for over 5years and it had been such a good investment. I have saved so much… Read more

on petrol as it is a hybrid. When service is due they never find any issues which puts my mind at ease. The moonroof is an amazing addition and the leather interior looks great. Such a reliable car and highly recommended for anyone looking for a cheap affordable car.

Fiat 500 key – How is it possible that Fiat dealers want to charge $2,200 for a fiat 500 2014 model for a remote and key. What a joke. I bought this new with only 1 remote plus spare key. 1 key is worn out. Show details

MG has investigated my vehicle and advised me in writing that the high engine revving I experience during hill climbs is considered normal operation. My concern is that I was not made aware of this characteristic before purchasing the car.”

This is your last chance to buy a manual hot hatch or any kind of car without too much intrusive "safety" features. These cars are not longer… Read more

available in overseas markets (thanks EU), so get one soon. Ours took months to arrive, but we were in no hurry. The handling is superb, it goes into corners like it wants to. In the wet, miles better than our 4WD SUV. The Michelins must be the trick. We were able to minimise the intrusive bings, bongs and ding-dongs that come with most new cars. The latest Korean cars being truly awful. Download the firmware update directly from Korean website. Fuel economy is excellent. Noise level is OK. Performance is fine but not convinced about the claimed 0-100, for example. Do not buy this car to drag automatic cars at the lights. You may win, but I'm not sure what a clutch assembly costs. The ride is very hard and the mechanical front differential tends to make the car twitchy, even on what appears to be a flat road. Part of the experience. With the back seats folded, no problem with baggage. Build quality is fine, I am not that picky. Some point out the thin paint and the panel gaps. The car is built in Turkey and there will be some compromises. But, pretty good. Our car is white, not a fan of the "cyan". There are a lot of gimmicks with which to play and our son and grandson who have an identical car think that's great. Us, not so much.

1 YEAR IN UPDATE. The leaf is still going strong. I have lost 1 bar (9>8)SOH (state of health). I bought at 70.70% and now down to about 68.90%.… Read more

Driven over 11000km without any issues. I still have 100km + range showing( not tested) and l still recommend buying one, although they are starting to get rare now. If you have the ability to drive short distances and then return home to top up, you will rarely notice the range limitation. Super easy, reliable and fun.

Recently purchased a 2014 Japanese Autech variant of the Leaf. So far, l am very very happy with my purchase. l bought it with 9 bars of battery (70.70% SOH) which gives me a real world range of about 90-100km. It is only for city use and this is where it excels. Its nippy, quiet and comfortable and l charge it off my solar, so motoring is essentially free. Its a car thats easy to drive, just a normal car with an electric motor. Leafs have been around a long time now and there are no real issues with the design or build quality. The battery is the weakest link but now batteries can be purchased ex China for somewhere between $4000-$15000, depending on size and its a reasonably straightforward job to replace for a competant person. My advice if buying: only buy if you can charge at home. take a Leaf owner who understands the car with you when viewing your purchase. Get an OBD11 wifi dongle and the Leafspy app. Batteries with: 9 bars + should be pretty good 6-9 bars may be ok but limited range. 6 bars or less of battery will probably need a new battery.

All in all, a great car. Don't let the naysayers talk you out of it. A fantastic city car and an affordable entry into the EV market.

Our MG4 Excite 51 EV has been excellent, sharp pricing (ours is on a novated lease), a fantastic drive, charging and range all as advertised, with… Read more

economical driving we are getting just under 400 km range from the 51 kWh batt; above the spec. Comfortable seats, ideal for city living, easy to park, software is good but has a few quirks (see reviews), has all the features we need. Now over 2 years old, took it for its first service ($240), no faults to report hasn’t missed a beat. No evidence of batt decline, and we live in high temp Darwin.

My Thoughts on MINI Connected INFOTAINMENT - 2024 MINI COOPER – I purchased the 2024 Mini Cooper Countryman in June this year, and while I’m overall happy with the car's performance and design, I’ve encountered a… Read more

frustrating issue with the MINI entertainment system that I believe other potential buyers should be aware of.

One of the key attractions for me was the wireless Apple CarPlay feature, which works flawlessly. I can easily connect my phone wirelessly and use Apple CarPlay within the Mini’s infotainment system. However, the problem arises when trying to use MINI’s own apps through the “MINI Connected” service. Here’s the catch: If I try to download and install an app from the MINI App Store within the Mini’s infotainment system (just like using Apple CarPlay), it won’t work unless I subscribe to “MINI Connected” for $9.99 per month.

To clarify, I have a car I’ve paid for, with a built-in infotainment system, but I can only access and use the apps from the MINI App Store if I commit to paying a monthly fee for MINI Connected. This feels limiting, especially when I can’t simply use apps from the Apple App Store within the infotainment system. The system seems deliberately designed to push users into subscribing to MINI Connected, which is frustrating.

I understand car companies charging for certain premium features like map updates or using proprietary assistants (e.g., MINI’s version of Siri), but this is different. I believe I should be able to download and use basic apps on the infotainment system, utilizing my own mobile data or internet if needed. Instead, I feel locked out of accessing the apps from MINI’s store unless I pay for their subscription service.

It gives the impression that the whole entertainment system is designed not for user convenience, but as a cash grab—charging for basic functionality that should be included. In my opinion, this feels like a form of “daylight robbery.” For those considering the 2024 Mini Cooper Countryman, be aware of these additional costs if you want to use more than just Apple CarPlay in the infotainment system. This is something MINI should rethink for future models or provide more transparency about upfront.

Note: I’m definitely considering raising this issue with the relevant government body or ombudsman

100,000+ well kept and (like on mission impossible) its programmed to explode – Purchased a 2017 Citroen C3 Shine as a demo in perfect condition. Had the car 3 yrs with no problems. The vehicle recently travelled over 100,000 km.… Read more

Now for no apparent reason the cars warning lights come on every like a Christmas Tree. Seems like its nothing more than a sensor problem because the engine sounds & drives like it always has. The typical Orange engine light comes on every time & every now & then the Red STOP engine lights & sounds come on then I have to move off road to shut car down & restart for a reset. Often repeating the process. Bluetooth was another painful experience but maybe another time. I then had to get the car analized and apparently the computer states the engine has a knock?! What the hell is a knock I asked? He didn't know. It must be a Citroën thing. There are some awesome cars on & entering the market so be careful what car you choose. The C3 is a great looking car "but"(YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE LIPSTICK & THE PIG?) Let that one sink or google it. It was the 1st French car I've ever owned. Definetly will never buy a French car ever again. Im happy to show proof of purchase & pictures or the Dash if anyone is thinking of getting themselves a nightmare car. (I'm also open for Citroen to contact me if the know the problem. "I won't hold my breath with that one.) I will update if there are any improvements of the situation.

We bought our BYD dolphin about a year ago and we like the car although there have been some small challenges that were slow to be fixed. Not really… Read more

a problem just minor annoyance.

Recently we have been unable to charge the car with the charger that came with the car. It has taken 4 days and many many calls and emails (and as you can imagine serious frustration) to finally get an appointment to have the car looked at and it will take another week before we can find out why it isn't charging and hopefully have it fixed. And we were told that if the charger that came with the car is faulty it is not covered under warranty (which is for 1 year only) it would cost $1000.00 for a new charger.

Seriously not happy. I don't think I have ever worked with a car company that has been so slow to respond.

I guess it is a good car but I would not buy another.

Nov 2022 build, April 2023 purchased new. Comfortable and good acceleration. Great cabin space for its size. Very economical. Used daily for… Read more

commuting from Adelaide Hills to city, overtakes well and stays planted. Only one brand of tyre fits the wheels. Never skipped a beat, now at 75,000 kms. DSG still as sharp as new. Cruises comfortably to Melbourne as does it handle hills and city. As they never sold in great numbers in Australia (half way between an Octavia and Fabia) longevity is unknown, but supported by 7 year unlimited km warranty. If I get 7 good years out of it, its earned its keep well.

5 stars for the great car...less so for Alfa after sales service – I've owned my diesel Stelvio for almost 3 years now and 40,000km. It hasn't skipped a beat in terms of reliability or performance. It is an absolute… Read more

blast to drive on country roads, including excellent handling on rough gravel via the Q4 AWD system. Manoeuvrability in urban settings is typical for a car of its size ,though at the end of the day this car just wants to be let out of the gate on a twisty stretch of road. I love the stylish, understated and well put together interior and the simplicity of the infotainment system. German rivals have a lot more tech bells and whistles which many buyers like and look for in a vehicle, but the Alfa is much more about driving dynamics and performance. Call me old school, but having actual knobs for aircon, volume control, etc is definitely much safer and more user friendly than having to dig around in a touch screen for basic functions. I drive a lot of rental cars on work trips and it is always a sheer joy to get back behind the wheel of my Stelvio. My only minor quibble isn't with the car but with Alfa Romeo's after sales support. I've decided to get my car serviced at my local Euro specialist after a sub-par experience at a dealership.

The budget friendly euro hatch with hot hatch pedigree – I was lucky enough to join the launch even of the new Cupra Leon V. Over two days I travelled hundreds of kilometres behind the wheel of Cupra's… Read more

entry level 'hot hatch' to see if it was genuinely a hot hatch or simply an economical Euro hatch disguised as one.

Over wet, twisty and undulating back roads the Leon V began to prove it's set up for more than just a run to the shops. It's certainly more softly sprung than the Leon VZ, but that translates to a more 'playful' drive rather than one of razor precision.

Adjustable dampers are a welcomed inclusion, which can help reduce any rigidness for the daily drive. Additionally, tri-zone climate controls, a heated steering wheel, digital drivers display and a large touchscreen help justify the Leon's entry price.

There was a delightful amount of lift off oversteer available. Despite only packing a modest amount of power, there's a lot of torque available for strong mid-range performance.

It's not going to win any drag races or set lap records, but it's an excellent entry point into the Cupra Leon range. Yes, it would be more fun with a manual transmission but having a well appointed set of paddles and a rapid dual-clutch transmission is a fine substitution.

It's the car that more new drivers should be aware of thanks to its attainable price point compared to the more expensive Leon VZ/Golf GTi.

You could opt for a Volkswagen Golf R-Line as a sporty but sensible alternative. But I'll leave it up to you whether you'd prefer the look and feel of the Cupra more.

*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.

After owning a BMW E39 525i for many years I was concerned about driving experience of moving to a front drive 2025 20th Anniversary Edition Mazda 6… Read more

2.5l turbo. First drive dispelled my concerns completely. The 6 is a real match with the E39 for ride, comfort and handling the steering and driving dynamics and the boot is huge. The 2.5 turbo engine is a revelation with bags of torque and more than adequate power with reasonable cruising fuel economy of better than 7l/100kms. The automatic transmission is one of the best I have ever experienced with almost imperceptible shifts and smooth power delivery and much better than most of the CVVT's out there. My purchase was based on the Japanese build quality of the Mazda (second to none), reliability, availability of parts and servicing. The interior of the 6 is spacious and a beautiful place to inhabit for long distance driving. Minor issues such as lack of traction control (careful with the throttle from a standstill on wet roads) and the age of the MZD infotainment system are minor irritations that one can live with. To borrow an old Jaguar marketing slogan "Grace, pace and space"

Love the car. Bougjt it 2023 brand new. Hybrid. Very economical. Very small amount of petrol consumption. All features are great. Very large boot and comfortable to travel on long distances.