Smart News

The Czech Republic's Skoda brand will return to Australia in October.But you can forget those clunky yet sturdy Eastern European Skodas of the Cold War period.The new Skoda is owned by Volkswagen and with the disciplined German parent comes Teutonic know-how, engineering and quality standards.In Australia, the new-look brand will be distributed by Volkswagen Group Australia, after its debut at the Sydney Motor Show.Sales will kick off with the mid-size front-wheel-drive Octavia sedan and wagon and a funky-looking five-door wagon-cum-people mover called the Roomster, both built at a modern plant at Mlada Boleslav near Prague.Topping the range will be the high-performance 147kW, 2-litre FSI turbocharged Octavia RS.The line-up will be fleshed out next year with the VW Polo-sized Fabia, which has just been revealed at the Geneva Motor Show.By early 2009, the next-generation version of its long-wheelbase Superb sedan should be available.Skoda's key selling point will be prices, expected to start from about $16,000 for the Fabia, up to the mid-$40,000s for the Superb.Though it uses VW engines and components, being built in low-cost Eastern Europe means Skodas are 5 to 8 per cent cheaper, yet bigger, than their equivalent Volkswagen models.Volkswagen Group Australia executives believe this makes them particularly appealing for cost-conscious Australian buyers who hanker for a European car.Originally, Skoda chairman and chief executive officer Detlef Wittig had hoped to get the brand into Australia last year, but pricing and local identity issues delayed the plans.Now these hurdles have been cleared, the company is moving ahead quickly.Volkswagen Group Australia general manager, press and public relations, Matthew Wiesner has been appointed head of Skoda Australia and it's his job to relaunch the brand.At first the Octavia and Roomster will be sold through 15 existing VW dealerships.Wiesner emphasised that Skoda and VW would be distinct, even more so than BMW, which sells its Mini brand through associated dealers."You won't see shared Volkswagen-Skoda showrooms. We've got to give them more separation," he says."Obviously we need to protect what we've done with Volkswagen, but at the same time grow the Skoda branding."Eventually up to half of VW's 56 dealers nationally could sell Skodas."By the end of 2008 we'd like to have about 25 dealers," he says."The regional-rural side of the business will be very important, particularly with Skoda's turbo-diesel line-up."With VW's well-developed network and highly trained technicians, servicing and logistics should not be a problem.Wiesner is mindful that the company's lack of profile will need to be addressed. Skodas have not been sold here for almost 25 years."We've got to be creative about how we sell the Skoda message. We need to reasonably clever in how we go about it," he says."It's a pretty congested market, so we have to come up with a reasonable answer to the question of why you would consider a Skoda."He is not about to spill the beans about just what he has in mind, at least until the cars go on sale in October.He is also aware of other brands such as Renault, which has struggled to regain ground in our market when re-launching in 2001 after being popular here in the 1970s.The French company has poured millions into Australia over the past six years trying to get traction for its products.Australia is one of the most congested new car markets in the world, a fact that Wiesner is acutely aware of.He describes himself as "cautious but optimistic" about Skoda.Today there are 41 different passenger car brands seeking a slice of the sales pie and Skoda must find its place in an ultra-competitive market.Ultimately, too, if the Czech is a success it could cannibalise VW sales.`Yes, we have to be mindful of that," Wiesner says. "That's why it has taken such a long time to put this together."We need to be very careful how we approach both marques, because there's no point robbing Peter to pay Paul."You get one opportunity to do it properly."Wiesner conceded that positioning Skoda and not sacrificing VW sales was one of the hardest aspects of developing the new business.Ultimately, the spin doctors, through print and television advertising, will be working overtime to tell consumers that each brand is distinct."We're hoping the Skoda buyer will be an aspirational European buyer who might not have been able to stretch themselves before," Wiesner says."They might always have been Japanese buyers who have aspired to Europe and hopefully we'll give them that opportunity."Last year VW Group Australia had a stellar year, selling more than 20,000 vehicles, so the arrival of Skoda presents a real threat to VW's continuing local growth.Apart from Skoda, Fiat and Dodge are recent returns and the prospect of China-sourced cars arriving soon courtesy of Ateco Automotive will add further sales congestion.Nor is the Skoda boss prepared to predict sales forecasts, saying only that the Skodas would be good value."Volume is important, of course, but we're here for the long haul, so that's something we see as a long-term challenge," he says."We don't want to place any unwarranted expectations on the brand."But we do have to make sure it is accepted in the market place."Skoda's rise in Europe is a result of the crumbling of the old Eastern bloc countries.I N 1991 it came in from the cold when Volkswagen AG bought 30 per cent of shares in a newly established joint-venture company.Later, it increased its holding to 70 per cent and in 2000, bought the remaining shares to assume 100 per cent ownership.Today Skoda sells cars in more than 90 countries, has plants in seven countries and employs more than 27,000 people.Last year it sold 549,667 vehicles, an increase of more than 11 per cent over the previous year, a sales record for the brand.The Octavia was the highest-selling model worldwide at 270,274, outselling the Fabia's 243,982.From its humble origins, the Czech carmaker has embraced the capitalist West and will soon embrace Australia. HERE IS THE COMING LINE-UPFABIATHIS VW Polo-sized light car borrows visual cues from the Mini Cooper and Suzuki Swift.Launched at last year's Paris Motor Show, it offers ultra-frugal, three-cylinder, High Torque Performance (HTP) petrol and TDI engines, as well as a 16-valve, 63kW, 1.4-litre and 77kW, 1.6-litre petrol models. The 1.6-litre is offered with a six-speed tiptronic automatic. The 1.4 and 1.6 petrol units are likely to come to Australia.At 3992mm long and with a wheelbase of 2462mm, the Fabia is just 76mm longer overall and sits on a 3mm longer wheelbase than the Polo. It also has 300 litres of luggage space.Among the car's features in Europe are six airbags, climate control airconditioning and active headlights. But Australia is unlikely to see this level of equipment.PRICE: From about $16,000 OCTAVIAPEOPLE familiar with the VW Passat recognise the Octavia.Like the Passat, this mid-size offering is available as a front-wheel-drive sedan and wagon and will be aimed squarely at the premium-priced Japanese models such as the Mazda6, Honda Accord Euro, Subaru Liberty and soon-to-be Ford Mondeo.In Europe, an all-wheel-drive wagon using a Haldex system is also available.The three-model line-up consists of the entry Classic, mid-range Ambiente and luxury Elegance. A high-performance RS model is also sold.The Octavia is powered by a range of petrol and turbo-diesel engines ranging in size from a 110kW, 2-litre FSI up to a 125kW, 2-litre TDI and a 147kW, 2-litre FSI four-cylinder in the RS. In Europe a 1.9-litre TDi is also sold, alongside a 55kW, 1.4-litre and 75kW, 1.6-litre four-cylinder.There is even a 1.4-litre model available.Five and six-speed manual transmissions are available along with a six-speed VW-sourced DSG manual.PRICE: From about $30,000 SUPERBTHE Superb is essentially a long-wheelbase version of the Octavia pitched into the higher end of the market.Offering extra legroom in the back and plenty of leather and luxury, the Superb uses the Passat's older 142kW, 2.8-litre V6 petrol and 120kW, 2.5-litre six-cylinder TDI engines, both available with a tiptronic five-speed automatic.Apart from the sixes, the long-wheelbase sedan is also available in Europe with a 110kW, turbocharged 1.8-litre and a naturally aspirated 85kW, 2-litre four.Apart from the petrol engines, European models also offer 1.2 to 1.6-litre petrol and 1.4 and 1.9-litre diesels, though these are unlikely for Australia.PRICE: About $45,000 ROOMSTERTHE Roomster started out as a funky concept car at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show and a production version was unveiled last year.Distinguished by its high-set, van-like styling, it is a versatile, five-door mini people mover similar in concept to the VW Caddy that can easily be converted from a five-seater into a load-lugging two-seater.The Roomster Scout adds plastic-cladding around the body to give it an off-road look, though the car remains front-wheel drive.As with the Fabia, there is a choice of petrol and turbo-diesel engines from 1.2-litre, 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines, as well as frugal 1.4 and 1.9 TDI engines.PRICE: From about $27,000

In the wide expanses of Australia, things have been different. It was seen here as a marketing tool. Companies used the tiny tots as moving billboards, with advertisements for mobile phones and chocolate brands plastered over their bodies.Gradually though, private motorists have come on board, particularly Mercedes owners looking for a small second car to use as a city runabout and the environmentally concerned who are attracted to the car's miserly fuel consumption.After starting with sales of just 226 in 2003, last year 533 Fortwos were sold in Australia.After eight years and more than 770,000 sales worldwide the second generation has been tested by the international media on the streets and motorways of Madrid. The latest car (right) and the previous generation feature on today's cover page.The Fortwo is the only model for Smart worldwide, after the Roadster was discontinued in 2005 and the Fourfour last year.The improved, one-of-a-kind car won't go on sale in Europe until April and will be seen on our shores in September or early October. But first indications are the DaimlerChrysler-owned brand has lifted its game.The latest Smart Fortwo will be available in Europe in three petrol models, all one-litre, three-cylinder, rear-mounted engines with an option of a 45kW, 52kW and a turbocharged 62kW output. A diesel engine will also be available with 33kW of power.Australia receives the 45kW engine, and while final decisions on models haven't been verified, we can expect one engine variant, with the more powerful 62kW most likely.Prices will be revealed closer to launch, but it's believed it will be a minimal increase from the current model, which starts at $18,091 for the 45kW coupe. And there's been quite a lot of upgrading. To accommodate future pedestrian laws, the latest Fortwo will be bigger. The front end is 72mm longer, it has a wider wheelbase by 55mm, and a 31mm larger track width. The rear luggage compartment has also gained 70 litres, now at 220 litres. The passenger seat is situated 15cm further back from the driver.Cabrio and Coupe variants will be available in Australia, as are currently offered.The latest Cabrio's electric roof is impressive when compared to the current manual offering. Unlike most convertibles, the new roof can be opened while travelling at any speed, there's no need to slow down. It also features heated glass at the back, an improvement on the plastic rear window.An automated five-speed manual transmission with manual mode replaces the six-speed auto. It can immediately shift down two gears at once with its kickdown function.While it is an improvement on the previous gearbox, despite one less gear, the new transmission is still too jolty when in automatic mode. By slipping it into clutchless manual mode, you get a much smoother ride.The Fortwo 62kW engine surprisingly holds its own on the longer highway stretches at faster speeds, despite its weight of 750kg.It becomes a little difficult to control when passing large trucks, but otherwise cruising is quite comfortable and steady.Adjusted steering, with electric steering available as an option, and enhanced suspension means that for the city driver the car also handles well around corners.Our drive included the 52kW and 62kW models, and although the turbo obviously had the advantage, the 52kW performer was still adequate around the city.Let's just say it had enough "oomph" for the crazy peak hour traffic of Madrid.However, the brake pedal is rather heavy and takes some getting used to, especially in heavy stop-start traffic.The latest model comes standard with ESP and ABS, as well as electronic brake-force distribution, airbags for the driver and passenger and a tridion safety cell.And as can be expected, the light car has good fuel economy. The 62kW engine we're likely to get records 4.8 litres per 100km, the smaller engines claim 4.7 litres per 100km and the diesel uses just 3.4 litres per 100km.The latest Smart car has a more mature look, although when the two models are not side by side the appearance changes are subtle. It has quirky character and, despite the similarity to the current model, about 90 per cent of parts and components are new.The indicators are integrated into the headlamps and it has a more athletic and masculine look. The interior has also been revised and modernised. Our market will receive two of the three interiors on offer — the Pulse and Passion variants.The Fortwo is a practical car for Europe. Yet in Australia we love our big engines, even in times of high fuel prices. We also tend to want some space in our small cars. The Fortwo goes against accepted wisdom on each of these factors. The new model has had impressive and necessary upgrading. However, with a different mindset Down Under, it's unlikely to be as popular here as in the narrow, winding streets of Europe.

Industry figures released this week show the real boom in the market has been in four-cylinder cars valued at less than $25,000.Known as the light car segment, sales in the division are up 22.7 per cent for the year to date on last year, while the large car segment is down the same figure. Last month light cars were up by 31.4 per cent on August last year.Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Peter Sturrock says this trend has increased over the past couple of years, with a recent acceleration put down to high petrol prices."Well, quite simply because they are more fuel efficient, small and less expensive to purchase in the first place and they're less expensive to run," Sturrock says.A total of 10,806 light cars were sold last month and 77,650 sold this year, which is 14,346 more than last year. Leading the line-up is the Toyota Yaris, with a starting price of $14,990, which recorded 2673 sales in August, taking the total to 18,064 for the year to date.Added to this figure are the remaining 304 Echos that Toyota has sold this year, before the nameplate was changed to be consistent with the Yaris badging used in Europe.Hyundai's small Getz, named Australia's Best Small Car for 2005 by Australia's auto clubs, has also achieved an increase in sales, with 1738 models sold last month, and 13,863 for the year, an 18.4 per cent improvement over the same period last year.Getz prices start at $13,990 and stretch to $18,380. The cheapest car on the market, the Holden Barina, starting at $13,490, has the third highest sales for the segment, with 1091 sales in August and 9567 for the year to date.The Barina is followed by the Suzuki Swift, Honda Jazz and Kia Rio, all recording between 5500 and 6800 sales each for the year-to-date and just under 100 sales in August.Sturrock says while fuel prices are contributing to a shift to these cars, good value at a low price is also converting buyers."The small cars now are very well equipped," he says. "Some years ago they were the basic models, but now they're well equipped with safety and anti-theft, occupant protection, airbags and ABS, and they often have Electronic Stability Control."Features in this segment on cars such as the Yaris and Getz include front airbags, an MP3 compatible CD system, airconditioning, power windows, central locking and ABS. Some even come with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and anti-skid technology.Holden's Barina offers airconditioning as standard, a feature that has to be bought as an option in the $34,990 base model VE Commodore Omega. The Hyundai Getz also offers a five-year/130,000km warranty.Toyota spokesman, Mike Breen, says this segment also offers a good alternative to second-hand cars."With the options that you can get on a brand new car, plus the new car warranty, it's quite appealing, especially to younger people," he says. And it seems a wide variety of buyers are purchasing these light cars, from students through to families and retirees.Hyundai spokesman Richard Power says its small cars, the Getz and Accent, are finding a market among a variety of drivers."We get quite a few young people buying it as their first new car and there's loyalty from senior motorists, who don't need a big car any more and are very attracted by the long warranty," he says. Overall, the car market has dropped by 3.4per cent on last year, with 642,383 vehicles sold, a decrease of 22,513 vehicles. August was also down from 2005 by 4516 vehicles.In the small car segment, sales are up 3 per cent year-to-date, with the Toyota Corolla the segment leader with 4147 sales in August and 31,705 Corollas sold this year. But small car sales also experienced a slight drop last month, down 1.3 per cent or 244 vehicles.Sturrock says that although the large car segment is down by 26,461 vehicles, it is still an important part of the market."It has reduced over time from what it was to where it is today," he says. "But it's still about 25 per cent of the passenger car market. You see very strong interest in the new Holden Commodore and the new Toyota Camry, there's been an excellent reaction."WHAT'S SELLINGToyota Yaris 18,368Hyundai Getz 13,863Holden Barina 9567Suzuki Swift 6703Honda Jazz 5936Kia Rio 5579Ford Fiesta 4407Mazda2 3934Hyundai Accent 3593Mitsubishi Colt 1516VW Polo 1337Peugoet 206 1071Citroen C3 486Proton Savvy 357smart fortwo 326Renault Clio 173Citroen C2 139smart forfour 132Fiat Punto 113Daihatsu Sirion 40Proton Satria 9Suzuki Ignis 1*Source: VFacts (light car sales 2006 to end August)Note: Yaris sales includes 304 Echo salesTHE CHEAPIESHolden Barina from $13,490Hyundai Getz from $13,990Proton Savvy from $13,990Toyota Yaris from $14,990Hyundai Accent from $15,990Mitsubishi Colt from $15,990Suzuki Swift from $15,990Ford Fiesta from $15,990Honda Jazz from $15,990Kia Rio from $15,990Mazda2 from $16,335Peugeot 206 from $16,990VW Polo from $16,990

THE condemned Smart Forfour is going out with a bang. Smart has announced it will kill off the four-seater hatch that stands out in a crowd with its plastic panels and unique style. But the decision to end the production of the Forfour came after German tuning house Brabus had its way with the car. Only 50 of the Forfour Brabus cars have come to Australia, with a hefty $39,990 price. Smart is better known for tiny city cars that are both light on petrol and driving thrills. But the Brabus uses a turbocharger with the subtlety of a sledgehammer to smash any pre-conceptions. The super Smart is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder that pumps out 130kW when the turbo is spinning and 230Nm of torque. That's enough herb and spice to sling the 1090kg Forfour from 0-100km/h in only 6.9 seconds. Though most new turbo engines have a smooth powerband spread through the rev range, the Brabus Smart is decidedly sluggish down low, but goes on to unleash a brutal rush of power when the tacho spins past 2500 revs. It might go against the new turbo trend, but the Smart's power delivery is a lot of fun, accentuating how much poke the car really has. The turbo fun also comes at a reasonably low cost, because the official fuel economy figure for 100km of mixed highway and city driving is only 6.8 litres. The boosted front-wheel drive is fitted with traction control to try to tame the engine. The traction system tries hard to react quickly enough, but you still have to be careful feeding on the power in slippery conditions. The Brabus could do with a limited-slip differential, which quickly switches power across the front axle for the best possible traction, because it tends to lift the inside wheel and spin coming out of tight turns. The Brabus ride height has been lowered by 30mm, the suspension is much stiffer and it runs on big 17-inch alloy wheels that look great. The harder suspension is designed to help the Brabus car sit flat in turns and Smart says ride comfort has not been sacrificed. "The car's agile and very sporty handling does not mean you are in for a rough ride," reads a Smart statement. Sorry, Smart. That simply isn't true. Few cars have a ride as harsh as the Brabus Forfour's. It's fine on smooth roads, but crashes and thumps over bumps and potholes with such severity that you soon tire of it. The interior has plenty of standard equipment, including a big sunroof. Heated seats, trimmed in nice leather, are also appreciated on freezing Melbourne mornings. There are extra dashboard gauges, an aluminium gearknob, new instrument cluster and a thick leather sports steering wheel. The Brabus Forfour is available with a five-speed manual gearbox only. It is quite a slick shifter, but an extra gear would be nice to stop the engine buzzing at highway speeds. The Brabus also misses out on cruise control, which should be standard on a $40,000 car. Exterior details including the six-spoke alloy wheels, twin-pipe exhaust, body kit and Brabus-branded engine rocker cover also help the special Smart stand out from standard models. The Forfour has a reasonable amount of interior room, given its size, and has some intelligent features, including a rear seat bench that can slide back and forth.

Had a friend not promised us a dawn ride on a steam train we would have stayed snug inside. With a scraper, enough snow is scooped away to allow us to get into the car. That's one challenge taken care of, but the next is daunting. Snow is thick on the road, but I think the Smart should be OK to drive if I take it easy – no sudden braking, accelerating or turns. Driving in the snow before the sun rises is eerie. There are few vehicles around, but several snow ploughs work to keep roads open. Other cars are travelling under 40km/h – the locals know how treacherous these conditions are. We are close to Aviemore train station, but aren't sure because signs are covered in snow. Luckily, the Forfour has satellite navigation which is not affected by weather. We find the station in time for a run on the black and red steam train. Throwing out huge clouds of smoke and steam, it trundles through snow-covered fields on the Strathspey line. We are in the engine room, the best place on a day such as this. After the train ride, we want to make it over a mountain range to the western seaside town of Kyle of Lochalsh, just across from scenic Isle of Skye. It is one of the most awesome roads you could drive, with mountains, cold dark lakes and expanses dotted with small stone huts. Eilean Donan castle, on a small rocky island not far from Kyle of Lochalsh, is a must-see for tourists. The scenery along this road is so stunning it is tempting to stop, pull over to the verge and take a photograph. That can be dangerous because of the snow. It is hard to judge what is under it and whether it is safe to put a wheel there. We see one embarrassed man and his partner walking to a phone box to call for a tow truck. He parked his car at the side of the road, misjudged, and his hatchback slid into a ditch. Half an hour later we came across three cars facing different directions on a slippery corner. Somehow they had not connected. The Smart handles conditions well. The standard stability control doesn't seem to come on too much, but it is nice to know it is there, along with the anti-skid brakes and front and side driver and passenger airbags. The snow turns to rain the next day so we decide to head south, over some of the same winding roads, this time covered in streams of water rather than snow. The twisty tarmac turns into the major highway that runs through Glasgow and we drive to Coventry late that night, an 820km trip. We arrive at Brighton, on England's south coast, after stopping at Salisbury Plain to see Stonehenge monument. At the start it seemed a daunting distance in a small car such as the Smart, but it is a pleasant surprise. The interior is comfortable and the rear seats fold to fit luggage. So the Smart is not great for families on holiday, but is perfect for two. The 1.5-litre engine has plenty of go and is nothing like the underpowered engines in the rest of the Smart range. The test car has a five-speed manual that works well. Fuel consumption is a strong point of the Smart which often comes in at less than 6l/100km, a real plus when fuel in Europe often pushes past $2 a litre. THE seats stand up well to our lap of Britain: there is not a numb-bum report for the whole journey. The only thing missing in the test car is cruise control, but it is not an issue. The car's red and grey paint is a traffic-stopper in northern Scotland, but quite at home in Brighton. The Smart attracts plenty of interest and questions. Most people are surprised that much of the Forfour is made of plastic, which explains why it is 975kg. The doors have extruded aluminium components and intrusion beams inside, but the skin is plastic. Then there is the Tridion safety cell – in silver, black or titanium – to absorb impact energy and channel it away from occupants. There are 10 panel colours in the Smart range, including the test car's Phat Red.

The baby-car world was dominated by a single star through the 1990s.The Hyundai Excel was the benchmark for every rival – on price, style and sales – until the death of the Korean king led to a fundamental shift in the noughties.Now the lightweight division is split down the middle and there are two separate contests: one powered by price, the other by class. In the price group are people buying their first new car, usually on a tight budget with less emphasis on features, and the class group wants a compact car for city work or as a second vehicle in the family garage.The bargain-basement contenders are battling in the sub-$15,000 range, just as they did when the Excel was the pacemaker, while the starting price for seriously good babies is close to $17,000 and can run to well beyond $20,000.Toyota changed the game last year when it decided to lob its baby Echo with a sub-$15,000 bottom line including power steering and airconditioning.Although the price has crept up to $14,790, it is still the sales leader. In the first quarter of this year Echo grabbed more than 20 per cent of light-car sales, reflecting the strength of the Toyota brand...despite the design being five years old.Hyundai is still playing the price game with the boxy little Getz. It's second to the Echo in the price fight and leading the Korean contenders against a line-up which includes a broad range of imports, including the Holden-badged but Opel-designed Barina.At the top end of the business, the Japanese really are on top. The classy Mazda2 and Honda Jazz set the standard for shoppers with plenty of cash to splash, even if Ford has arrived – far too late after the loss of its top-selling Korean-made Festiva – with a European Fiesta which is the light star of 2004.The $14,490 starting price for the Fiesta is going to create plenty of action in Ford showrooms, because the blue-oval baby is a good drive and well designed. But buyers will still have to add $2000 for airconditioning – a crippling extra in such a price-sensitive arena.But that's typical of the light-car class.There is always something new, always a price leader and a class champion, and they're all elbowing for space in a bargain basement that introduces many people to their first new car.This is how the Cars Guide team rates them:1. MAZDA2Lowdown: Five-door hatch with 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 82kW and priced from $17,490.Verdict: Another direct hit by MazdaPlus: Quality and comfortMinus: Pricey for the sizeRating: 18/20The baby Mazda is one of the stars of the Japanese company's product-driven comeback.Mazda battled through the 1990s with outdated and cost-down cars that were a poor reflection of the brand's traditional strengths, but when it got serious – with Ford funding – it cranked out the classy Mazda6, RX-8 and Mazda3.The smallest of the crop is the Mazda2, but it has the condensed strengths from the same design team and gene pool.That means it looks good, drives well and is built to class-leader quality.2. HONDA JAZZLowdown: Five-door hatch with 1.3-litre (61kW) or 1.5-litre (81kW) four-cylinder engine, priced from $15,990Verdict: Stylish and practical but harsh ridePlus: Good looks, versatile cabinMinus: Bouncy rideRating: 17/20The Jazz outsold the Mazda2 by 1280 in the first four months of 2004, and that comes down to price and funky looks.It's really a 21st-century Civic, as compact as the original and just as trendy for young buyers.Honda was smart to start with a 1.3-litre motor below $16,000, but doesn't scrimp on the cabin. It's comfortable for four and the seats fold to carry almost any load.People who want the best go straight to the punchy VTi-S with all the fruit for $22,490.3. FORD FIESTALowdown: Three-door and five-door hatch powered by a 74kW 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, from $14,490Verdict: Perky and enjoyablePlus: Goes well, roomy insideMinus: Cheap-ish plastics, finishRating: 16/20Ford went backwards with the Ka, which didn't have the space or automatic to compete, but it now has the right sales ingredients.The Fiesta is a star in Europe and way better than the long-dead Festiva, a Korean version of the previous Mazda 121.It drives well, has plenty of space and is good value, thanks partly to the strength of the Australian dollar.The Fiesta just edges the Toyota Echo and the Hyundai Getz out of the final medal spot in the light-car class.HYUNDAI GETZ 16/20Price: From $13,490Engines: 1.3-litre (60kW) and 1.5-litre (74kW)Body styles: Three-door hatch and five-door hatchNot an Excel, but still packed with Hyundai strengths.TOYOTA ECHO 16/20Price: From $14,740Engines: 1.3-litre (63kW) and 1.5-litre (80kW)Body styles: Three-door hatch and five-door sedan.Shows age inside, but Toyota has done well to keep the price sharp.HOLDEN BARINA 16/20Price: From $15,990Engines: 1.4-litre (66kW) and 1.8-litre (92kW)Body styles: Three-door and five-doorLooks good and drives well, with bonus deal adding appeal. CITROEN C3 14/20Price: From $19,990Engines: 1.4-litre (57kW) and 1.6-litre (83kW)Body styles: Five-door hatchOne of the funkiest babies on sale in Australia. The engine is dozy and there are some quality niggles.RENAULT CLIO 14/20Price: From $19,990Engines: 1.4-litre (72kW), 1.6-litre (79kW) and 2.0-litre (124kW)Body styles: sedan and hatchNot as trendy as the bigger Megane with the J.Lo rump, but still a solid effort from the French brand.VOLKSWAGEN POLO 14/20Price: From $19,990Engines: 1.4-litre (55kW)Body styles: hatchToo costly by far. The Polo is a nice car but smaller than many rivals, and Volkswagen doesn't do enough in Australia to compensate.PEUGEOT 206 13/20Price: From $19,990Engines: 1.4-litre, 1.6-litre (80kW) and 1.8-litre (100kW and 130kW)Body styles: hatchLIKE the C3, the Peugeot is too much and too little. The price is too high and the cabin too cramped.SMART FORTWO 13/20Price: From $21,900Engines: 0.7-litre (45kW)Body styles: Two-door coupeThe smallest and trendiest of the light cars is a phonebox-on-wheels that will only be bought by the trendiest shoppers.DAEWOO KALOS 12/20Price: From $14,990Engines: 1.5-litre (62kW)Body styles: Three-door hatch, five-door sedanA good Korean effort – compact and good-looking but trails in refinement and design.MITSUBISHI MIRAGE 12/20Price: From $15,990Engines: 1.5-litre (69kW)Body styles: Three-door hatchMitsubishi has kept the price competitive, the body is still stylish, and there is potential to add some Evo-style body bits.DAIHATSU SIRION 10/20Price: From $13,250Engines: 1.0-litre (40kW)Body styles: Five-door hatchbackThe Sirion is the best of the Daihatsu contenders, with a roomy cabin and passable power, but it is let down by the driving experience.DAIHATSU YRV 10/20Price: From $15,990Engines: 1.5-litre (40kW)Body styles: Five-door hatchThe funk leader in the D-brand line-up shows what's missing from the mix, with clunky controls and sub-standard driving dynamics.KIA RIO 9/20Price: From $14,990Engines: 1.5-litre (71kW)Body styles: Four-door sedan or five-door wagonThe wagon option gives it a unique selling point, but the sedan was one of the worst cars we drove last year.PROTON SATRIA 9/20Price: From $14,990Engines: 1.5-litre (64kW) and 1.8-litre (99kW)Body styles: Three-door hatch, five-door hatchAnother oldie that struggles to do anything but fill showroom space.SUZUKI IGNIS 9/20Price: From $14,990Engines: 1.3-litre (61kW) and 1.5-litre (83kW)Body styles: HatchThe baby box doesn't have enough of anything. Suzuki hasn't had enough cash to continue.DAIHATSU CHARADE 8/20Price: From $11,950Engines: 1.0-litre (40kW)Body styles: Five-door hatchThe great name is all that remains from one of the earliest bargain-basement stars. Today's Charade is cheap and unimpressive.