Hyundai I30 News

Has it really been 40.5 years since Hyundai entered the Australian market?Bankrolled by the Western Australian tycoon, Alan Bond, who also helped this country win the America’s Cup yacht race in 1983, ‘Bond Motor Sales’ quietly launched the X1-series Excel in February, 1986.This was an Italian-designed front-wheel drive small car from Korea about the size of a Toyota Corolla but the price of a Toyota Yaris, with a name that even the importer could not pronounce correctly, as early adverts on YouTube prove. “Say Hi to Hyundai!”With just 1786 registrations in that first year, sales were slow to start with. But the severe economic recession heading into the 1990s that “Australia had to have” fuelled demand to the point that, 10 years later in 1996, the Excel was number three overall, behind the Holden VS Commodore and Ford EF/EL Falcon.But it wasn’t just down to one model.Soon to be free of Bond and with a firmer financial footing due to a new importer, Hyundai rapidly expanded with the mid-sized Sonata (from 1989), Scoupe (from 1990) and Lantra (from 1991, and later badged Elantra). The latter also brought greater independence from ‘technology partner’ (read: engine supplier) Mitsubishi, ushering the brand’s first in-house powertrain.From the “Drive-away, no more to pay” mentality that quickly became a rod on Hyundai’s back when they finally went beyond mere cheapness, to the hugely popular X3 (1994-2000) Excel’s alleged propensity to lose steering control due to bad welding, big hurdles certainly lay ahead for Hyundai.However, it came good eventually.So good, in fact, that today Hyundai has outgrown Mitsubishi by several multiples, while one model ranks as the best car of the 2020s so far, period.Which one? Read on!Inspired by the contemporary VW Polo, the Getz was the first time Hyundai introduced an internationally focused model built to beat the world’s best.For the price, it was certainly compelling, with crisp (and now timeless) styling, rorty engines, agile handling and great packaging. A giant leap from the charmless LC Accent range.The Getz heralded Hyundai’s outward-looking philosophy, bringing with it a new maturity.Prior to the i30, Hyundai’s answer to the VW Golf, Ford Focus and Mazda 3 was the XD Elantra hatchback.Coarse, uncomfortable and cheap are words to describe the interior, suspension, powertrain and styling of the 2000’s XD series.In contrast, the German-developed i30 was created to run with the best from Europe. The resulting taut styling, strong architecture and ergonomic packaging elevated the Hyundai to new heights for the brand.The CW wagon was uniquely appealing in its practicality and aesthetics, while all local models benefited from Australian road tuning.Subsequent generations continued the class act, leading to the hot-hatch redefining i30N a decade on.The Ford Transit Custom, VW Transporter and Mercedes-Benz Vito have long slogged it out for world’s-best mid-sized van honours, but their lofty pricing and often-exxy running costs won’t suit all budgets.Here’s where the Korean/German co-developed TQ iLoad really stepped up.Unveiled in 2007, it adopted best-van engineering practices in its short-bonnet front-engined/rear-drive layout, rigid platform construction, advanced crumple zones and car-like yet work-orientated cabin presentation, and all within a big and boxy carryall.The masterstroke, of course, was pricing that substantially undercut the A-league Euros. The iLoad democratised the modern van, fair and square. Just like today’s Staria continues to do.The most impressive new model released this decade (so far)?Easy, that would be the Ioniq 5. With breathtaking ambition and drive, the Hyundai EV punches so far above its weight on so many fronts that, privately, most rival carmakers must surely look at it with equal parts reverence and fear.What’s not to love?There’s the retro-futuristic design that defies sizing categorisation like it defies time; the E-GMP 800-volt architecture that provides a rock-solid base for cutting-edge EV tech that, until recently, was reserved for $250K-plus Porsches; a minimalist yet thoughtfully-executed interior offering the luxury of space, ambience and exquisite detailing; and a rapid, refined and rewarding driving experience that is as relaxing in the standard versions as it is rabidly rousing in the uniquely unhinged 5N.Five years on, still one of the world’s best EVs.The fifth iteration of Hyundai’s three-row mid-to-large SUV is a breath of fresh air to look at, sit inside, drive and live with.Unusually easy and relaxing to use, its square-edged styling affords excellent vision, perfect practicality and a source of endless debate, while the petrol-electric hybrid powertrain and sophisticated drivetrain provide pleasing performance as well as parsimony.A bold and brash statement in an all-too-often boring segment. And such great value. A great example of a single car that do everything, and with poise and panache to boot.The S Coupe, or Scoupe, was clearly created to be an affordable and fun sporty runabout.But the vague handling, sloppy gear shift and unrefined powertrain were leagues behind Japan’s coupes of the era from Toyota, Honda and Nissan.The problem stemmed with the platform – underneath the sleek silhouette was the humdrum, cheapo Excel econo-hatch. Great for keeping costs down. Terrible for finesse. And the unruly turbo version that followed was downright terrifying on wet roads.At least Hyundai listened, because the next-gen Coupe benefitted from a dynamic once-over by Porsche, and it showed.Can half a million Australians be wrong? Perhaps not, but the last, ‘90s-blobject Excel was an enigma.Big for its price and positioning, as well as powerful and reliable, it even became the best-selling car in Australia for a month in mid-1996.But it was crude to drive and ride in, and early examples suffered from sub-par quality in places where it really shouldn’t – namely the front-end structure that, due to insufficient welding, could lead to total steering loss. Oh dear. Remember, this was the era of sophisticated superminis like the Toyota Starlet and Echo, Nissan Micra and VW Polo.And how many generations of Aussies have had to endure Excels being driven with the rear fog light trying its best to sear off your retina?The early 2000s were the C-segment hatchback halcyon days.This was the era of the quality-defining VW Golf Mk4 and dynamics-redefining Ford Mk1 Focus, while the Toyota Corolla, Holden Astra, Honda Civic, Peugeot 307, Mazda 3 and Renault Megane all brought something individual to the small-car party.Yet the third-generation Elantra only brought noise, vibration and harshness to the fore. It looked, felt and drove like an economy car designed for American rental agencies.Thankfully, the i30 was waiting in the wings to fix all that.

The striking next-generation of an Australian favourite has just been revealed in its South Korean home market, and it might not be too far away from landing here.Hyundai’s Avante sedan, known as the i30 sedan in Australia, will soon enter its eighth generation with a sharp new design.For now, there is no official news on the new-generation i30’s future Down Under, with the local branch tight-lipped for the time being.Given the Avante is expected to launch in South Korea in the coming months, it is fairly certain it will arrive in Australia as the new i30 in the first half of next year given the current version of the car sold in Australia is also built in South Korea. The current generation is available in Australia with petrol and hybrid options, but it may follow in the footsteps of other recent Hyundai launches in going predominantly hybrid or hybrid-only.Hyundai is facing emissions fines on its internal combustion offerings under the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). This coupled with the brand’s growing trend to introduce hybrid options across its line-up could mean it will only offer the hybrid version of the new i30 when it gets here.It would also follow the strategy of its Kia sister brand, which offers the next-generation Kia Seltos small SUV only with a hybrid set-up, despite a petrol model being available elsewhere. The Avante will be available globally with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 111kW and a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor set-up, producing 117kW.The future of the 1.6-litre turbo dual-clutch N-Line model and the full performance 2.0-litre turbo i30 N is yet to be determined.The new-generation sedan will feature a bold and futuristic exterior with a boxy design, along with sharp creases on the body. There is a bar-style front light design, with separate horizontal and vertical strips, giving the car sleek poise. On the inside, there is a larger central touchscreen display and a raised digital driver display.The i30 lineup has undergone a serious overhaul over the past few years Down Under.South Korean production of the hatchback ended in 2023, requiring Hyundai to source it from Europe, but that proved too costly, seeing the model, apart from the high-performance 'N' grade pulled from sale last year. This was despite the hatch proving more popular than the sedan when the pair were on sale together, and one of the most popular hatchbacks on sale in Australia generally.The i30 remains one of Hyundai's better selling models in Australia despite a more than 30 per cent decline in 2026 so far.

The car landscape has dramatically changed in the past 10 years, with new brands entering the fray and dynamic market conditions shifting buyer wants.Data from 2016 shows how different the cars were captivating the attention of Aussies only a decade ago.The Toyota HiLux led the way, and the Ford Ranger was not far behind, but there was a theme of hatchbacks dominating the other top places. The Toyota Corolla took out second place, while the Hyundai i30 was in third and the Mazda3 sat in fifth. Toyota continued to feature down the list with the Camry sedan, followed by the Australian built Holden Commodore. Further down list, the SUV revolution can be seen to take shape in Australia, starting with the Mazda CX-5. After the Mitsubishi Triton ute in ninth place, there were three SUVs in the Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-3.The best-selling brands in 2016 has changed a lot compared to today. Toyota is still parked up at the top of the charts, but several big names have now been replaced by Chinese carmakers.Mazda and Hyundai occupied second and third, while Holden secured fourth. The Japanese duo of Mitsubishi and Nissan followed next, with Volkswagen being the only European brand in the top 10 after that. Subaru came ninth in the standings, with Kia finishing in 10th, highlighting the brand’s rapid development in Australia. Top selling cars 2016 Top selling brands 2016 In 2021, there were clear changes to the market, but also some consistent themes.The HiLux and Ranger duopoly was in full swing at the top of the standings, with Toyota’s ute still edging Ford’s.Third position showed SUVs were taking over as the RAV4 picked up a huge chunk of sales.There were still examples of a past market, with the i30 and the Toyota Corolla hatches sandwiching the D-Max ute.Further down, SUVs increase their presence further, with the Mazda CX-5, Toyota Prado and MG ZS all making up the top 10, along with the Triton ute. Pure internal combustion power remained a dominant player, with best-sellers such as the RAV4 and Corolla still yet to make its full hybrid transition. Top selling cars 2021 Toyota was still on top as a brand in Australia, while Mazda and Hyundai continued their holding in the top three. Ford was hot on the heels of Hyundai, followed by Kia which had surged up the sales charts in five years to claim a spot in the top five. Mitsubishi and Nissan still occupied high places in the standings as did Volkswagen. The big shift was the appearance of the only Chinese brand in the top 10, in MG. This foreshadowed what we see today where BYD is fast approaching a potential top-two finish in Australia.Subaru picked up a 10th place finish. Top selling brands 2021 Fast forward to 2026, and only three top 10 sellers from 2016 remain. The Ranger and HiLux continue their battle at the top of the standings, but they are in decline.Some unfamiliar names a few years ago are emerging as top choices for Aussie motorists.The Chery Tiggo 4 small SUV has emerged as the best-selling SUV in 2026 to date.Hyundai's Kona is next on the list followed by the D-Max Ute.Mitsubishi's Outlander large SUV is sitting sixth, while the long-awaited launch of the new Toyota RAV4 has resulted in a burst of sales for the popular family car.The Mazda CX-5 remains a regular feature at the top of the sales charts, with GWM's Haval Jolion sitting in ninth currently.Rounding out the top 10 is Ford Everest.This data only represents the first four months of the year, but it does show the general trends of where the market is headed.Top selling cars 2026 (up to April)Top selling brands 2026 (up to April)There are no surprises in the top four best-selling brands so far, with Toyota out in front, followed by Mazda, Kia and Ford.A monster month from BYD has pushed the Chinese giant brand into fifth, overtaking Hyundai. This is despite the brand not having a single car in the top 10 best sellers.The final four highlight the success of Chinese brands in Australia as GWM, Chery and MG are all present, along with Mitsubishi.Former mainstays Nissan, Subaru and Volkswagen are gone, and Holden has closed up shop completely.

Thousands of Hyundai i30 N units have been hit with an urgent recall, according to a notice from the Federal Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts. There are 7293 examples of the i30 N impacted by the recall for model years between 2017 and 2022.The recall concerns a manufacturing defect with the fuel pump causing engine stall.“Due to a manufacturing defect, the fuel control valve in the high-Pressure fuel pump could allow excess fuel to enter the pump. If this occurs, the engine could stall resulting in a sudden loss of motive power whilst driving,” the notice reads.“A sudden loss of motive power whilst driving may increase the risk of an accident causing injury or death to vehicle occupants.”A spokesperson for Hyundai Australia said there have been reported incidents of this issue occurring in Australia.The i30N affected by the recall has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 206kW and 392Nm.The latest i30 N hatch model continues to be powered by the same set-up, but it is not part of this recall. The Hyundai i30 has undergone a serious model reshuffle in Australia, with cheaper variants of the Czech-built hatch being pulled from the lineup due to import cost pressures.This leaves the i30 N-Line and N variants as the only options for buyers in showrooms.

Fuel prices continue to increase in Australia.Hybrid models generally offer better fuel efficiency than a comparative petrol model, but they are also more expensive. Questions remain about how much going hybrid actually saves buyers on fuel and how long it will take to pay off the extra upfront cost. Below is a comparison based on some of the most popular models in Australia offering petrol and hybrid choices and the potential increased savings in the current climate. Figures have been calculated based on the average yearly kilometres driven at 15,000km, and the cost to fill-up based on average NSW pricing data using the official recommended fuel for each model. Small car/sedanHyundai i30 sedanThe Hyundai i30 is one of few passenger car models which are available with petrol and hybrid variants in its lineup. Many of its rivals have become hybrid only, such as the Toyota Corolla and Camry as well as the Honda Civic. The hybrid is cheaper to fill up and goes further on its tank, so it takes around four years to pay off the $4000 hybrid premium - well within the seven-year warranty period for the car. This is also due to the smaller and more efficient hybrid motor compared to the bigger petrol engine.Small SUVChery Tiggo 4 The Chery Tiggo 4 is one of the cheapest SUVs on the market, with a drive-away price under $30,000 for both petrol and hybrid variants. The Hybrid carries a $6000 premium over the petrol, which means it will take roughly seven years to pay off the extra cost. This is part due to the $850 year-on-year saving, which is less than many of the other cars on this list. Unlike the other examples, there is no change in engine capacity between petrol and hybrid variants of the Tiggo 4.  The seven-year break-even point matches the seven-year warranty provided on the car. Medium SUVGWM Haval H6There is a $5000 gap between pricing on the petrol and hybrid versions of the Haval H6, but the smaller and more efficient hybrid engine sees savings of more than $1000 year-on-year. The H6 hybrid offers an average of more than 500km of driving range than the petrol. This means the extra cost of the hybrid can be paid off in just under five years. This falls within the seven-year warranty period for the H6. Large SUVHyundai Santa FeThe Hyundai Santa Fe was CarsGuide’s 2026 Overall Car of the Year, and offers one of the most competitive hybrid/petrol pricing comparisons. This is because the hybrid Sante Fe is less than $4000 more expensive than the petrol and offers more than 400km average driving range. With nearly $1200 of savings each year, it would take around three years to pay off the hybrid premium, and the majority of the car’s seven-year warranty will also still be valid.UteThis comparison uses the cheapest dual-cab variant of the Toyota HiLux Workmate and the single-variant BYD Shark 6. While these utes are obviously not variants within the same lineup, the Shark 6’s petrol status offers savings over the diesel ute. It also has a smaller fuel tank, which makes filling up cheaper. The HiLux is also slightly more expensive to drive-away, costing about $59,500 in NSW.Fuel efficiency on the Shark 6 dramatically decreases when the ute has less than 25 per cent of battery charge, dropping to 7.9L/100km. This still makes it less expensive to run than the diesel HiLux. *Petrol engine only fuel use figure not provided by Ford but calculated over several CarsGuide road tests once battery had been depletedThe plug-in hybrid set-up in the Canon Alpha does make it cheaper to run overall, but the substantial price difference between the plug-in hybrid and the petrol, means it would take eight years to break even on the extra cost. The Ranger PHEV is more of a curve ball, it is harder to hit on exactly how much fuel it will use. It all depends on how ofter you charge the battery. If you don't charge it every night it'll be more expensive to run than the diesel, as it needs to be topped up more often. If you regularly charge it the cost equation flips and it's a wallet saver.You'll need to be vigilant about charging to pay off the $15,000 premium, though.

Toyota’s undisputed hybrid dominance continued in the past year but with new emissions laws closing in, more brands are vying for a slice of the fuel-sipping hybrid market.The biggest success story so far appears to be Hyundai, which has moved to electrify some of its top-selling nameplates. The Korean juggernaut now ranks second in Australia for total hybrid sales, amassing 28,819 hybrids registered in 2025.While this still trails Toyota’s total of 116,635 hybrid units by a significant margin, it’s a reasonably rapid rise for Hyundai, which has managed to double its hybrid tally year-on-year.This is thanks to the roll-out of key hybrid variants for its most popular nameplates, like the Kona small SUV (now 46 per cent hybrid by sales), Tucson mid-sizer (52 per cent hybrid), the Santa Fe, which launched as a hybrid (hence its whopping 82 per cent hybrid sales mix), and the recently-launched Palisade hybrid, which made up 32 per cent of the large SUV’s sales (this figure combines the previous model as well).Hyundai is perhaps a victim of its own mainstream success in that its total for 2025 was still only 37 per cent hybrid, 60 per cent combustion, and just two per cent electric. The brand therefore still managed to attract a penalty under Australia’s tough New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), despite its hybrid growth.Hyundai’s hybrid strategy has managed to outfox its traditional Japanese rivals Honda and Nissan thanks to the widespread availability and affordability of its hybrid options.The Kona, for example, is available as a hybrid in base form, priced at $36,950 before on-road costs, while the most affordable Nissan Qashqai e-Power ST-L is priced at $45,640 (before on-roads), and the cheapest Honda ZR-V hybrid is priced at $54,900 (drive-away).The same can be said across the range, with the Santa Fe a plugless hybrid success when measured against its Kia Sorento sibling, which was previously only available as a hybrid in top-spec GT-Line form. Kia has now expanded its hybrid offering to include the base S at $59,630 before on-roads. In comparison, the base Santa Fe Hybrid can be had from $57,650.However, there are storm cells on the horizon for Hyundai. Not only does its two per cent EV volume mean the more affordable Chinese-built Elexio mid-size SUV must help out on the sales front in 2026, but the next brand down for hybrid sales, BYD, has rapidly caught up despite fielding only two hybrid (albeit, plug-in hybrid) offerings.The Shark 6 ute is undeniably one of the biggest success stories of 2025, shifting 18,073 units, but the mid-sized Sealion 6 is also a force to be reckoned with, achieving 9055 registrations in the same period.In total, these two plug-ins bring BYD’s tally to 27,128 units, just shy of Hyundai’s total for the year, and by far leading the charts for plug-in hybrids specifically.In addition, the market-leading Toyota will put pressure on Hyundai’s line-up with the introduction of its next-generation RAV4 and its plug-in hybrid variants imminently. Toyota sold 51,869 units of just the RAV4 hybrid in 2025.The Japanese giant has also transitioned most of its passenger car and non 4x4 line-up to hybrid only, with a strong proportion of Corolla Cross, Corolla, and Camry making up its yearly total.Meanwhile Kia, whose hybrid total for 2025 came to 9401 units, is doubling down by not only adding additional hybrid variants of the Sorento, but it will soon launch a more heavily hybridised next-generation Seltos.Kia’s key advantage over its sibling is its relative dominance in the EV space, with its line-up of the EV3, EV5, EV6, EV9 and outgoing Niro accounting for 8131 units in 2025, eclipsing its hybrid total, accounting for 10 per cent of its total sales, and putting it firmly in the positive column for NVES credits which will pay dividends in the coming years.

While utes and family SUVs dominate the top ranks of the sales charts, small, affordable cars remain extremely important to anyone who doesn’t need so much car.That’s why it’s one of the key categories we’re paying attention to in the 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year (COTY) awards, in this case specifically those models with entry prices below $50,000.Rather than just hatchbacks and small sedans, we’re including small SUVs in the category given the dwindling number of hatches on sale, and consumer tendencies to opt for a small SUV, even as a first car.Based on review data from our team of journalists, our shortlist of 10 finalists below (in alphabetical order) is a broad group with some interesting variety in their offerings.And, as you’ll notice, the cars eligible for the award don’t necessarily have to be new as of this year - they just need to be on-sale as of January 1, 2026, with a variant under the $50K mark.This category's winner and two runners-up will be announced on February 6, 2026. The Hyundai i30 has been a favourite for years, with its current-generation hatch nearing a decade old. From first cars to fleet cars and hire cars and even sports cars, the offering is broad.But there’s a recent development that judges have strongly considered, and that’s the discontinuation of the standard i30 hatchback in Australia. The well-liked but less popular sedan and the spicy N versions in both hatch and sedan have all been enough to secure the i30 a place amongst the finalists, though.We’re fans of the i30 Sedan, formerly the Elantra, for its packaging and its efficiency in its hybrid form, and the N version has been widely regarded as one of the best-value hot hatches in the world. With pricing from $29,250 before on-roads and the hybrid only $4000 more expensive, the i30 Sedan offers up decent value for money. Even the N only just sits over the $50K mark with its $52,000 starting price. Extremely strong points for the judges to consider.Well-loved by the CarsGuide team, the Kia EV3 is as good as we wish the larger and better-selling EV5 was. But Kia’s small electric SUV faces strong competition from cheaper entrants from China that offer strong showroom presence.Starting from $47,600 before on-roads, the EV3’s line-up stretches to a hefty $63,950, but most agree the base model is the smartest buy as well as the nicest to drive. Key points that have drawn judges to the EV3 are its cute (but not tacky) styling, its clever packaging, and the useful but not extravagant features.It’s one of the more expensive competitors in our finalists, and it’s being outsold by rivals quite convincingly, but the CarsGuide COTY doesn’t reward showroom figures. Game on.Like the i30 earlier in this list, the Mazda3 is a veteran of the new small car market, with its current generation having been unveiled in 2018.Once seen as pricey compared to rivals, the Mazda3 is now a rather budget-friendly option as cheaper cars have disappeared over the years - and its sleek styling has held up nicely to boot.Starting from $31,310 before on-roads, the Mazda3 has gradually changed with the times, having been through a couple of tech and line-up changes. The hatch and sedan both offer up a competitive front-row environment and engaging dynamics, and despite its age is still one of the best-selling small cars alongside the i30, both trailing the ever-popular Toyota Corolla.Judges have always noted its small boot and lacklustre rear seat, but the former still beats the Corolla and there aren’t many truly spacious second rows in hatches. Is standing out where it matters enough for the judges?Furthering the mix of old and new in the finalists for the category, the MG S5 EV has found favour with judges for backing up its excellent first impressions.Newcomers in the field of budget small SUVs have tended to disappoint, especially dynamically, but the CarsGuide team was impressed by not only how the MG S5 fares compared to the brand’s earlier efforts, but also how it performs even without comparing it to other MGs.Available from $40,490 drive-away and costing just $47,990 for its top-spec variant, its extremely competitive price and solid list of features bolster an already strong offering.Scoring highly in every category across CarsGuide’s review format, the MG S5 EV shouldn’t be considered an underdog in the COTY fight. Mini, even with its less traditional models, is near-universally loved. So it should be little surprise that one of its new models sits in this list.The Countryman is now available in both petrol and electric, though its starting price is a hefty $49,990 before on-roads for the base Countryman Core. That means it just sneaks into this COTY category, even if getting into its EV version starts from $64,990.Still, Minis are rarely on shopping lists for their value offering, and the Countryman offers impressive tech and features, plus dynamic driving and of course that fun Mini styling.In a category where value and convenience are key, it’ll be a hard sell, but the current Countryman is essentially a BMW for less money, and arguably more interesting. Take that into consideration, and things are looking up.It’s been a big couple of years for the Qashqai, with Nissan’s small SUV scoring a big facelift quite quickly after its current third generation showed up. In early 2026, the Qashqai will go hybrid-only and start from $45,640 before on-roads with its front-wheel-drive-only, 140kW e-Power hybrid the only option. But its petrol offerings fell within the bounds of the COTY judging timeline, and so are also part of the consideration.Attractive styling, smooth power delivery and handling, and a now up-to-date interior with practical features all contribute to a convincing package, but the imminent loss of its petrol-only models will mean the Qashqai is set to become around $10,000 more expensive than before at its base level.Nissan’s extremely competitive ownership offering (the warranty is 10 years and 300,000km if you service with Nissan, five-year/unlimited kilometres otherwise) makes the Qashqai even more tempting. Ticking a lot of boxes there.Stylish, niche, quirky… French. The Peugeot 308 in its current generation leans in hard to all of these things, not least because it’s only available in a single, high-spec hybrid variant for $48,990 before on-roads.It’s gorgeous inside, outside, and to drive, but it’s cursed with limited commercial and perceived value appeal - only 88 were sold in 2025.The 308’s features list is strong enough to rival much more expensive alternatives, and its strongest points in terms of dynamics are most likely to appeal specifically to driving enthusiasts.There’s a lot to like about the Pug 308, it’s just that most people forget it exists. A CarsGuide COTY trophy in the cabinet would surely help with the latter issue…Toyota’s baby icon has gone through some changes lately. In the last few years, we’ve seen it grow up from the simple, affordable ‘first-car’ option it once was to be a simple, much less affordable option. Oh, and now there’s a version of it that’s basically a rally car for the road.A Yaris used to be something you could reasonably buy new as a teenager if you were thrifty, now it’s a $28,990 (before on-roads) option at its entry level thanks to its increased level of safety kit and having gone hybrid-only,Fortunately, it’s still an excellent light car, and even though it’s outsold by all its rivals it still does exactly what a city car should do - getting you around efficiently and with no fuss.In terms of how it snagged a spot in the finals for this category, it helps that the GR Yaris hot hatch is one of the two best drivers’ cars Toyota currently builds.Getting into a German SUV doesn’t have to be an expensive operation, and the $34,990 starting price (before on-roads) for the VW T-Cross is proof. Even the top-spec R-Line comes in at $41,490, and the features list is healthy.To boot, the T-Cross is fun to drive, and judges enjoy its practicality inside, plus the sharp styling outside.While not as efficient as some in its class, nor as cheap to own in terms of servicing, the T-Cross offers a step-up from rivals in the class that are seen as practical budget offerings.Still, its last update was in 2024, so it’ll have some work to do to convince judges it’s still up to date.Alphabetically, and probably in terms of public familiarity, the last to make the shortlist is the Zeekr X, a small electric SUV designed in Sweden but built in China.Cousin to the Volvo EX30 and Smart #1, the Zeekr X has good pedigree and the performance to back it up.Liked by judges for its value, bold style and on-road performance, the Zeekr X is one of the bigger unknown quantities in this COTY category.A recent price cut makes it a $49,900 offering before on-roads, meaning it only just slips into the sub-$50K contest, but with its list of features it should prove a compelling contender. 

Amidst all the excitement of new car brands arriving in Australia (seemingly by the day), it's easy to forget that not every member of the class of 2025 will be joining us in the new year.

An updated version of an iconic hot hatch could be in the works.

Are you sitting on a future classic?