Hatchback Reviews

Honda CR-Z Sport and Toyota Camry go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Mazda 2 Neo and Kia Rio go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Just when we were starting to think Kia was holding back its smaller engined Rio, trying to keep it away from the hands of reviewers  until we finally got our hands on one.And, guess what, it's not half bad? In fact, it goes nearly as well as the 2.0-litre Impreza that we happened to drive around the same time.This one's the bottom feeder, priced from $15,290 plus onroads ($200 less than the Hyundai equivalent i20). You can only get the S with three doors and the price is perilously close to that of the Mazda2 with five doors. But this car is as good as the Mazda, newer and better equipped too.1.4-litre four cylinder petrol engine produces 79kW and 135Nm. It's not direct injection like the 1.6 and the downside is that it if you want an auto it's going to be a four speed, not the more fancied six with the 1.6 and other models. But hey the manual's a six-speed and that's what we were driving.With a 43-litre tank it takes standard unleaded and has a range of about 750km. Rated at 5.7 litres/100km we were getting 6.6 after a couple of hundred kays according to the trip computer  but we'd expect this figure to improve over time.Sporty looking three door hatch. Goes suprisingly well. The manual is easy to use and the sixth cog leaves it nice and relaxed on the freeway. Full size spare wheel is a bonus. With its excellent economy and safety credentials this would make a perfect first car for teenagers.No worries here. Full five stars for safety with six airbags, stability control and anti-lock brakes with brake assist (even gets four-wheel discs which is unusual in this segment). Vehicle Stability Management oversees the whole system and can even adjust the steering pressure if things look like getting out of hand.For an entry level model it is surprisingly well equiiped with airconditioning, rear spoiler, Bluetooth, iPod compatible audio system, steering wheel phone and audio controls as standard. There's also a trip computer with distance to empy, the steering wheel is both tilt and reach adjustable and the driver's seat is height adjustable too.There's not much missing from the package. No alloys, but the 15 inch steel wheels are fitted with decent 185/65 profile tyres. The only thing we'd miss is cruise control.Our fears were unfounded. This has the same engine as the Hyundai i20 but with variable valve timing thrown in and slightly more power. The long and the short of it is that it goes okay, so if price is a consideration and you can't stretch to the 1.6  you won't be disappointed.

I read recently where someone had completed a loop of Tasmania driving one of these cars. They managed it on a single tank, travelling 821km and using an average of 4.82 litres/100km. To put this in perspective the Insight is officially rated at 4.6 litres/100km. We haven't been getting anything like this sort of economy, but at the same time the little Honda hybrid doesn't use much fuel. According to the trip computer, which provides an extensive range of information - we've been getting 5.7 litres/100km but that's in ordinary day to day driving. DESIGNLooking for all the world like a smaller version of Toyota's Prius, the Honda Insight is a remarkably likeable car. Although the design is completely new, it does in fact sit on the same platform as the Jazz and its sedan counterpart the City. In fact, from the front, it bears more than a passing resemblance to the City. The five-door liftback offers seating for five people, with a large glass topped liftback that covers a reasonably sized luggage area and space saver spare.It seats four in comfort but is a little squeezy with five and rear headroom could be an issue for taller people.VALUEThe good news is that this hybrid is not going to cost you an arm and a leg. At a starting price of $29,990, or $33,490 for the upmarket better equipped VTi-L, it's a very affordable alternative to a traditional hatch or even fuel efficient diesel.TECHNOLOGYInsight is powered by a 1.3-litre petrol engine together with an electric motor that provides assistance during acceleration. The combined output of the 65kW petrol engine and 10kW electric motor is 72kW. The electric motor contributes up to 10kW at 1500 revs and 78Nm of torque at 1000 revs, assisting in acceleration and cruising at low-to-mid vehicle speeds. Maximum torque of 167Nm is delivered at a very low 1000 revs thanks to the instant-on power delivery of the electric motor, giving the car good off the mark acceleration.DRIVINGWith a 40-litre tank, all important fuel consumption is rated at just 4.6 litres/100km, giving the car a theoretical range of about 870km. The hybrid powertrain is teamed with a CVT style, continuously variable automatic transmission, designed to optimise power and economy. With no discernible gear changes it has a zoom like quality, but there's a sport setting for better performance and greater engine braking on downhill runs. The VTi-L model comes with a fully featured satnav/entertainment system with full iPod integration.You can trawl by title, album or artist and it also recognises playlists. Insight comes comes with a five-star safety rating and full complement of safety equipment including six airbags. Standard equipment in the VTi-L includes satellite navigation and a reversing camera as well as Bluetooth for mobile phones.Honda Insight VTi-LPrice: from $33,490Warranty: 3 years/ 100,000kmResale: N/AService Interval: 10,000km/6 monthsSafety: Vehicle Stability Assist, ABS, EBD, 6 Airbags, Active Head Rests.Engine: Inline 4 Cylinder SOHC i-VTEC and integrated Motor Assist.Body: 5-door HatchbackWeight: 1215kgTransmission: Automatic, CVi with Grade Logic Control.Thirst: 4.6L/100km, 91 RON, CO2 109g/km

Competition in the tiddler class is stove hot with perhaps 20 players vying for big sales. The whole market was thrown on its head when Chinese brand Chery lobbed with its J1 at $10,990 drive away - effectively a sub 10 grand light car.VALUEIt makes Honda's job of selling the Thai-built Jazz VTi light car somewhat problematic at around $19,190 plus on roads for the manual, more for the auto.We got a drive in the auto 1.5 VTi with metallic paint (+$400) which is around $23,500 on the road. It's a fair snip for a tiddler.Honda has added a USB audio connection plug and tacked on a Bluetooth system to the front A pillar that is difficult to use but brings the car partially into the modern "connected" era. A multi mode instrument panel gives adequate info read-outs.DESIGNJazz has been around for yonks albeit freshened last year with some new body plastic, some new colours, extra kit and some interior detail changes. It's in the now dated tall-boy idiom looking like a mini people mover and is infact quite practical because of this.The "magic" seat folding system is the best in class and allows Jazz to be used as a virtual commercial vehicle if required. The interior looks OK but is all hard, cheap plastic.TECHNOLOGYThe engine is a single cam unit with VTEC variable cam timing and an 88kw/145Nm output. It drives the front wheels through a five speed auto in this case. The engine passes Euro4 emissions regulations and sips regular fuel at a miserly 6.7-litres/100km in the auto, less in the manual.SAFETYA five star crash rating means six air bags, stability control and a host of other gear.DRIVING We found the drive acceptable dented by the auto's tendency to hunt up and down ratios in order to maintain a given speed uphill on the highway. It's really annoying. The engine drives 1115kg Jazz auto pretty well all things considered and you can always self select gears to keep it on the boil.Ride and handling have a slight sporty edge and it steers and brakes well. It's a cinch to park and is really practical for shopping trolley duties. There's a full size spare under the rear floor. Bit of a mixed bag really but definitely the 1.5-litre engine over the 1.3-litre in the entry-level Jazz.Honda Jazz VTi AutoPrice: from $22,240Warranty: 3-years/100,000kmSafety: 5 stars ANCAP ratingEngine: 1.5-litre; 4 cylinder. 88kW/145NmBody: 5-door hatchbackWeight: 1115kgTransmission: 5-speed automatic, front wheel driveThirst: 6.7l/100km, CO2 159g/km

Imagine Jon Bon Jovi in comfy trousers crooning with a cocktail bar ensemble. That's the Honda Civic Si Hatch. It's built in Britain alongside the Type R which wears tight leather pants and screams punk rock. The Si is a toned down and mellowed-out version with softer suspension and more sedate performance.VALUEWhile most of our Honda product hails from Thailand, this Civic hatch comes from Britain, so it has some nice styling touches that make it stand out from the Thai-built sedans. However, at $29,990, it's more than $5000 above the corresponding Civic sedan and several thousand more than comparative Japanese and Korean five-door hatches. It aligns more closely in price with Euro-made hatches such as the Ford Focus, Peugeot 308 and Renault Megane. Value is aided by features such as climate control airconditioning, Bluetooth, rain-sensing wipers, fog lights and rear parking sensors, plus Honda's traditionally good resale value, reliability and build quality.TECHNOLOGYHonda was the first to use variable valve technology in its engines which converts it from a mellow kitten at low revs to a screaming wildcat at high revs. While this 1.8-litre engine is hardly a wildcat, it does work much better at high revs. The i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine is mated to a five-speed auto or six-speed manual gearbox which earn their keep by maintaining optimum revs to get the most out of the 103kW peak power and 174Nm torque. The Si hatch now comes with Bluetooth which is quick and easy to connect and reliably pairs every time, even with my iPhone 4 which can be difficult to pair with many car Bluetooth systems. Unfortunately the Bluetooth connection doesn't include music streaming, but there are AUX/USB connectors and a convenient 12V outlet in the centre console.DESIGNI owned a 1979 Honda Accord hatch which seemed smaller than this Civic. Apart from growing in size, the Civic hatch has also leapt ahead with modern styling inside and out. The design also has a racing influence with a mesh grille replacing the clear plastic grille, a race-style petrol cap, integrated tailpipes like the Type R and Flash Gordon door handles including hidden door handles on the rear door. On the tailgate there is a stylish spoiler in the middle of the glass. Inside, there are drilled pedals, sporty steering wheel, a big red start button like S2000 and a futuristic dashboard with controls that are easy to understand. SAFETY There are six airbags, ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, electronic stability and a tyre-pressure warning system earning it five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests. However, it fails on the visibility stakes with the stylish rear spoiler splitting the rear window and creating a blind spot.The rear three-quarter view is also limited by a thick C pillar and the driver's door mirror doesn't fold out far enough to view the next lane, although there is a convex end to the mirror which I find confusing because it is distorted. Although it comes with rain-sensing wipers, there is no wiper on the rear and the top half definitely needs it as water pools there. A roof-mounted wiper would fix that. DRIVINGIt might look like a Type R, but this is a sheep in wolf's clothing. You have to vigorously stir the gearbox to get good motivation and the shifter feels notchy and frail. At least the clutch is also light so it's good for city driving with lots of cog-swapping. Handling is capable and consistent, never messy or fussy. Just point and go. There is a lot to like about this Civic. It feels classy inside, if a little noisy on the highway. Honda has also given quite a bit of thought to the package with some useful touches such as the 12V outlet in the cargo area, wide-opening rear doors and clever, flat-folding 60-40 split rear seats. There is plenty of room in the back for three adults and the centre rear seat has a lap-sash belt, but there is a bump in the seat which makes it uncomfortable. Niggles include the driver's door mirror, temporary spare and tailgate vision. But the biggest bugbear is the futuristic split instrument panel with the all-important speedo at the top obscured by the top of the steering wheel. Not everyone will experience this, but I like the steering wheel high and close and in that position I simply couldn't see how fast I was driving. VERDICT Like Jon Bon Jovi, the Honda Civic Si should appeal to those who like their adult-oriented rock in a more palatable form. It looks like a Type R, but it's actually a hatch for everyday use.Honda Civic Si HatchPrice: $29,990 ($32,290 auto)Warranty: 3 year/100,000km; 6 year rustService: 10,000kmResale: 53% after 3 yearsEngine: 1.8-litre i-VTEC, 4-cylinder, 103kW/174NmTransmission: 6-speed manual (5-speed auto), front-wheel driveEconomy: 6.9L/100km (7.2 auto)CO2: 163g/km (172 auto)Dimensions: 4270mm (L), 1765mm (W), 1460mm (H),Kerb weight: 1285kg, (1320kg auto)Tyres: 225/45 R17, temporary spare

Ferns, sheep and car models - New Zealand has probably more of these than most countries and thanks to liberal import rules, is just the place you'd expect to find rarities like the MG6. The Cruze-sized hatchback is available from 12 dealers in New Zealand and distributed through British Motor Distributors.It will be practically identical when - or if - it comes to Australia and on a comparative basis, it could be priced around $25,000 - about $5000 less than a similarly-equipped Cruze.The MG6 Turbo here may be about $38,000. Note that this article should only be seen as a guide to the MG6. If the model comes to Australia there may be changes to the features and drive review.VALUEThe big news is space. For the bucks - and we're talking $30,000 in New Zealand currency as a base - it's a surprisingly long car that translates into a spacious cabin and, especially, a long and useable boot area.In fact, space equates to a Skoda Octavia - and that's big! Equipment in the NZ model includes 17-inch alloys, iPod/USB audio, electric sunroof and a one-touch engine start button - and this is the base model.Pay more and the kit adds rear parking aids, cruise control, tyre-pressure monitoring, sat-nav with a colour screen, leather upholstery and heated front seats with electric adjustment for the driver.DESIGN The shape is neat with styling overtones of Europe. It's 4651mm long and sits on a 2705mm wheelbase and hence has heaps of legroom. The boot is a generous 472 litres with the rear seats up and a cavernous 1268 litres when folded down.Cabin treatment is generally good though falls down in appearance with the leather-trimmed version looking like its upholstery is made of vinyl, small instrument gauges and a handbrake that is badly positioned and requires a lot of effort to engage.The high rear tail looks good but begs a rear camera or, at least, park sensors - both are available in the top-spec NZ model while sensors are on the mid-spec car.TECHNOLOGYThe MG6 Turbo comes with a 118kW 1.8-litre turbo-petrol engine which is a revamp and blown version of the Rover K-series unit fitted previously - an infamously - to the Freelander Mk I and MGF. It was a temperamental engine that hated the Australian summers and displayed its discomfort by blowing head gaskets.It's been overhauled - now known as the N-series - since the company established in China but hard to say how it'll behave on its return to our warmer climes. There's only a five-speed manual gearbox in NZ but an auto in planned for the future, possibly in time for an Australian launch. Fuel economy is 7.9 L/100km with a 184g/km CO2 emission. The suspension is common MacPherson struts at the front and multi-link at the rear.SAFETYThis has a four-star crash rating in the European NCAP tests. It also has six airbags, ESC and a full-size spare.DRIVING A short sprint shows the MG6 is well behaved, pleasantly free of surprises and has decent roadholding. Basically, it's a simple and predictable hatchback and even the turbocharged engine holds no surprises. Power delivery is smooth and linear to the point where it feels more like a normally-aspirated 2-litre than a turbocharged 1.8. It won't scare any drivers.The fact it comes initially only as a manual will deter many buyers but the clutch and gearshift arrangement are light and easy to use. Less so the steering which feels too heavy at parking speeds.MG6 TURBOPrice: est $38,000Warranty: TBAResale: n/aService interval: TBASafety Equipment: six airbags, ABS, EBD Crash rating: 4 starsEngine: 118kW/215Nm 1.8-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrolBody: 5-door, 5 seats Dimensions: 4651mm (L); 1829mm (W); 1478mm (H); 2705mm (WB) WEIGHT: 1495kgTransmission: 5-spd manual; front-wheel driveEconomy: 7.9 l/100km; 184g/km CO2BREAKOUTIn 2005, MG Rover went into liquidation and was bought by China's oldest carmaker, NAC. NAC soon after merged with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), China's biggest carmaker. MG Rover became one of 10 SAIC-controlled vehicle companies.To maintain the UK link, many MG Rover parts were engineered in the UK and then made in China. Cars would be assembled in the UK and at SAIC's new Lingang plant near Shanghai. Under the Roewe badge (the Rover name couldn't be used in China), AIC makes three models in China - the 350, 550 and the 750 (the old 75) - while the MG6 is made in both Britain and China.The MGF roadster is known as the MG TF and is assembled in Britain from parts made in China. SAIC is on record as planning a front-engined rear-drive roadster in the ilk of the MGB.

Australia's favourite car in 2011 was the Mazda3.  The Japanese compact also topped the small-car class despite a solid challenge from the Toyota Corolla and opposition from more than 20 other babies.But does that make it the best small car in Australia today? There is only one way to find out, which is why we have the Mazda3 lined up against its toughest showroom rivals for the first in a series of Carsguide title fights.Picking the top four for this punch-up is - relatively - easy. We might like the idea of an Alfa Romeo, or the patriotism of a Holden Cruze, or the space in a Mitsubishi Lancer, but we would not recommend one of those to our best friend.And, apart from personal preferences and bias, that's what car choice really comes down to. Which car would you choose to drive away if it was your life and your money?The Mazda3 is an automatic choice since it's the reigning champion, and the Toyota Corolla gets an automatic spot as the number one contender. We also have to take the Volkswagen Golf because it's the best car in the small-car class - if not the best value - and the final spot goes to the Ford Focus because it's the sweetest drive and was a finalist in last year's Carsguide Car of the Year award.VALUEYou can spend just over $20,000 to put a quality small car on the road, but it's easy to go much higher with high-performance models such as the $39,490 Mazda3 MPS and $52,490 Golf R. So we settled in the midrange, where most private buyers spend their own cash, with four fighters with prices covered by only $2000. The Corolla Levin ZR comes in at $29,990 and the Golf 118TSI Comfortline is $31,990.All come with a host of creature features that just five years ago were standard only in luxury cars. Apart from being the cheapest, the popular Corolla is also a valued asset because it is easier to sell at trade-in and is the only one here with the security of capped-price service costs. It also doesn't scrimp on features with a totally keyless entry and start system that detects when you approach the car and automatically unlocks, Bluetooth, an MP3 compatible CD player, front fog lights, cruise control, moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, auto-on HID headlights and climate control airconditioning.Our Mazda comes with much the same gear, but this luxury version adds $3000 to the $27,990 price for Bi-Xenon headlamps, a sliding centre armrest console, leather seat trim and a 10-speaker Bose 242-watt sound system. The Focus Sport includes a spoiler, sports seats, auto wipers, Sony sound, leather steering wheel, dual-zone airconditioning and, since December, satnav as standard.The Golf is the only one here with daytime running lights. It also has an optional park assist system at $1400 and rearview camera at $500.TECHNOLOGYThe newest engine here is the Mazda Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre with an auto stop-start system called i-stop. It's not the most powerful unit at 113 kiloWatts, well down on the 125kW Focus However, Mazda's engine is married to a new Skyactiv six-speed transmission which is not only silky smooth but, together with the i-stop function, helps the vehicle achieve the best fuel figures of 6.1-6.2L/100km.It is marginally lighter on fuel than the VW which has the smallest 1.4 engine, but boosted to 118kW with a turbo. It manages 6.2L/100km due also to the transmission, a seven-speed DSG auto. Toyota's ageing 1.8-litre engine is the weakest with only 100kW and is relatively thirsty at 7.3L/100km because it only has a four-speed auto.On the electronics side, the Mazda and Ford have voice recognition and satnav, although the high-mounted screen in the Mazda is almost impossible to see in direct sunlight or for anyone over 50. On the low-tech side, the Corolla is the only vehicle with a full-size spare.SAFETYCarsguide takes safety seriously and all four cars have a five-star ANCAP rating. The Toyota and VW lead the pack with seven airbags, adding knee protection for the driver, while the Mazda and Ford have six airbags each. All have parking sensors to avoid carpark bingles, but the Focus and Golf have an optional self-parking feature which is a real show-stopper.DRIVINGJumping back into the cars is a reminder that small-car buyers have never had better choices than they do today. All four of the so-called babies have plenty of space, good performance and the sort of equipment that used to make time in a Mercedes-Benz special. But there are significant differences.Looking first at the champion, the Mazda's cabin feels surprisingly cramped and dark, there is lots of noise from the tyres, and there is also bumping and thumping on poor surfaces. The Focus is a nicely sporty drive, but the cabin controls are complicated and confusing and it doesn't seem all that big.The Corolla has the roomiest feel and update work last year has made the cabin a nice place, while the suspension is great. It's just a pity about the four-speed gearbox. And the Golf? We expected to drive best and it goes, but the cabin is dark and not particularly inviting, and the DSG gearbox - once a first choice with Carsguide testers - now has us worried. We get lots of owner complaints and poor feedback, and that's not good.VERDICTNo drum roll, no fanfare, just the bottom line: it's the Toyota Corolla. The world's favourite small car is my choice - back at the top again, after a long run down the field - as the best small car in showrooms today.The Mazda3 is still the people's choice, and consistently Australia's favourite, while the Volkswagen Golf is the class of the field and the Ford Focus is the most fun. But picking a winner in a very tight contest means I have no friends and must consider everything.The Golf is quality but you pay the price, the cabin is like a cave, and I cannot help wondering and worrying - after a string of owner questions and complaints - about the DSG transmission. It's a lovely car, and one I love to drive, but I could not buy one. The Mazda3 is, plain and simple, showing its age. The cabin is cheap, there is too much road noise and suspension thump, the engine is nothing special, and - even though it's a little thing - the satnav screen is tiny. It's nice, but not as good as I remembered. And the Focus, a COTY contender last year? The thing it does best, corners, is the one thing most Australians don't care about. It's a good car, but not a great car. And the messy dashboard and confusing switches drive me batty.In a field of four, the Corolla is ordinary but extraordinary. It sneaks up on you with surprising strengths that reflect a deep and long-term understanding of the real needs of small-car buyers. It's only got a four-speed automatic, but that is easily offset by capped-price servicing through the warranty period. The Corolla is the car I would be happiest to drive away and own, and that makes it my winner.Paul Gover Rating1. Toyota Corolla2. Volkswagen Golf3. Mazda34. Ford FocusToyota Corolla Levin ZRPrice: $29,990Warranty: 3 years, 100,000kmService: capped-price for 3 years or 60,000kmSafety: 5-star ANCAP, 7 airbags, stability and traction control, ABS, EBD and BAEngine: 1.8L 4-cylinder 100kW/175NmBody: 5-door, 5-seater hatchDimensions: 4245mm (L), 1760mm (W), 1515mm (H), 2600mm (WB)Weight: 1280kgTransmission: 4-speed auto, FWDEconomy: 7.3L/100kmVW Golf 118 TSI ComfortlinePrice: $31,990Warratny: 3 years, unlimited kmService: 15,000kmSafety: 5-star ANCAP, 7 airbags, stability and traction control, ABS, EBD, BA and hill startEngine: 1.4L, turbo 4-cylinder, 118kW/240NmBody: 5-door, 5-seater hatchDimensions: 4199mm (L), 1785mm (W), 1479mm (H), 2574mm (WB)Weight: 1330kgTransmission: 7-speed auto DSG, FWDEconomy: 6.2L/100km, 144g/kmMazda3 SP20 Skyactiv luxuryPrice: $30,990Warranty: 3 years / unlimited kmsService: 6mths/10,000kmSafety: 5-star ANCAP, 6 airbags, stability and traction control, ABS, EBD and BAEngine: 2-litre 4-cylinder, 113kW/194NmBody: 5-door hatchDimensions: 4460mm (L), 1755mm (W), 1470mm (H), 2640mm (WB)Weight: 1346kgTransmission: 6-speed Skyactiv auto, FWDEconomy: 6.1-6.2L/100km Ford Focus SportPrice: $30,190Warranty: 3 years, 100,000kmService: 15,000km/annualSafety: 5-star ANCAP, 6 airbags, stability and traction control, hill launch, ABS, EBD and BAEngine: 2.0L 4-cylinder, 125kW/202NmBody: 5-door, 5-seater hatchDimensions: 4538-4362mm (L), 2010mm (W), 1451-1484mm (H), 2648mm (WB)Weight: 1900kgTransmission: 6-speed auto, FWDEconomy: 6.6L/100km, 154g/km

Ford Focus finally reached Australia in September 2002, several years after its European launch. The local importer blamed the delay on the huge success of Focus overseas, but the slow start meant Australian buyers were slow to focus on Focus, so sales have never reached the very high levels they deserve. The Focus is truly European in the way it rides and handles and keen drivers forced into a family car due to circumstances just love them. Many buyers considering downsizing from a Ford Falcon have chosen Focus ahead of an Asian car for this very reason.Ride comfort is pretty good for a small-medium car with sporting handling. Focus can be a little harsh on really rough roads but is generally very good on motorways and fine around town.As a price trimming method less sound deadening is fitted to the lower cost models and these versions can suffer from a fair bit of tyre/road noise on Australian coarse-chip roads.Ford Focus is sold with three or five-door hatchback bodies and as a four-door sedan. From September 2007 until mid 2010 the Focus also arrived in a sporting coupe-cabriolet two-door body with a folding hardtop.It comes in several luxury levels: Focus CL, LX and Ghia – later renamed Focus Ambiente, Trend and Titanium, so there's plenty to chose from. On the sporty front there’s the Focus Zetec, SR, Sport and ST170.Note we used the term ‘sporty’ rather than ‘sports’ in describing the previous models, because there’s couple of other models that genuinely deserve the ‘sports’. They are the Focus 166 kW XR5, sold from 2006 till 2011 – and the full-house Focus RS imported from 2010.The Focus RS is powered by a turbocharged Duratec RS 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine putting out 300 horsepower (224kW), and torque of 440Nm starting at only 2300rpm and providing a huge amount of grunt to make keen drivers smile every time they get a chance to open the throttles to the max.Engines in the standard Focus range are petrol or, from July 2007, turbo-diesel. Petrol units until the all-new Focus of 2011 come with capacities of 1.8 or 2.0 litres. The smaller unit is aimed at the fuel economy end of the scale and some may find it on the gutless side. If considering this powerplant may we suggest loading it with a few passengers and trying it on hilly roads. Some drivers will be satisfied, others may prefer to find a few dollars more and go for the larger engine.Turbo-diesel engines have 2.0-litre capacity and like all of their type come with plenty of grunt and low fuel use. They have  proven reasonably popular, but not to the extent of the diesels offered by many other Euro marques.Most Focus models prior to 2011 come with a five-speed manual gearbox. Some find the five-speed’s gearchange is slightly soft, others don’t mind it. Six-speed manual gearboxes are fitted to the Focus ST 170, the RS and diesel engines. From November 2011 the new Focus received a six-speed manual.Automatic transmissions have four forward ratios and aren’t offered in all models. This situation may seem strange to Australian drivers, but in Europe many prefer to drive manuals. The new model from May 2005 had manual overrides on the automatic, and in any case the auto seems to mate better with the engine from this time onwards.Ford has been building cars in Australia since 1925, so has built up a huge network of dealers. The company is represented strongly in country areas. Dealers in remoter areas may not have spare parts for the smaller models, such as the Focus, in stock, but can generally get them in within a couple of working days.With the exception of the red-hot Ford Focus RS insurance charges are usually moderate. While premiums aren’t to the low level of the locally built Falcon, they are often cheaper than other imported European cars in the same class.WHAT TO LOOK FORBuild quality of the Ford Focus is generally good (most older models come from Europe, from 2005 the majority were built in South Africa), though not up to Japanese quality standards. It’s wise to have a full professional inspection before agreeing to buy the car.Make sure the electrical systems are okay by turning everything off and on. Having the owner’s manual on hand is useful for this. Shuddering under braking could signal that new brake discs are required.The Focus ST170 and XR5 are often bought by the boy racers, then lowered and modified in many areas. A stock standard version is best. Check the alloy wheels on both models for signs of kerb damage.Look over the luggage area for signs of wear and tear. Scratches on the rear bumper will often indicate that lazy owners used the bumper as support when loading and unloading.A safety recall of pre 2010 turbo-diesel cars was instigated to check the fitment of the exhaust heat shield. Check with a Ford dealer or contact Ford Australia on 1800 503 672.CAR BUYING TIPTaking along a couple of other people to look at used cars can result in gleaning a lot more information in a short time about the cars’ condition.

Anyone think the small car class is underdone for choice? No, I didn't think so. Three and five-door small cars are running rampant in the marketplace, sourced from all four points of the compass and with petrol, diesel and hybrid drivetrains.Renault has updated its Megane with a little diesel with a six-speed double-clutcher, available in Dynamique or Privilege spec - we're in the former.VALUEThe Dynamic is priced from $27,490 - a $1500 price impost over the petrol-powered equivalent, with a features list that's really not missing much. The cabin is trimmed with cloth predominantly, with a leather-wrapped reach'n'rake adjustable steering wheel and gear shifter, 16in alloy wheels (with a full-size steel spare wheel slung under the bum), dual zone climate control with rear vents, power windows, a 60/40 splitfold rear seat backrest,  a four-speaker sound system with auxiliary and USB input as well as Bluetooth phone and audio link, power-adjustable and folding exterior mirrors.The test car was also fitted with satellite navigation - a $1490 option.TECHNOLOGYThe turbodiesel now in the hatch is an 81kW/240Nm 1.5-litre SOHC 8-valve direct-injection intercooled turbodiesel engine with a particle filter, which is not anywhere near the diesel outputs from the class leaders - Ford, Mazda and Holden all have mid300s for torque and over 100kW of power.The Renault makes up ground with a six-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox, which claims 4.5 litre per 100km and 117g/km. The Megane also gets the flat credit-card -like key with smart locking features and keyless ignition.It's handy to be able to walk away and have the car lock itself, or unlock by touching the handle, although a couple of times it didn't always work as you'd think and you'd have to press the unlock button on the card - a first-world problem.DESIGNGone are the angular looks of the old car's front and the rump is far less pronounced - think Sharapova instead of Williams - it is a more attractive and cohesive look than that of the previous generations. The cabin has an open feel about it, with the driver getting a digital speedo that might not be to all tastes.The sound system controls - on the dash and the stalk behind the helm - would take some getting used to. The chrome trim highlights on the front doors look good but are hard on the driver's right leg, which rests against it. Rear head room is adequate but leg room isn't.SAFETYA five-star NCAP car (Renault was the first to gain that ranking many moons ago), the Megane has stability control, anti-lock brakes with emergency brake assist, as well as dual front, front-side and full-length curtain airbags. The safety features also include automatic headlights and windscreen wipers.DRIVINGThe little French hatch is behind the eight ball for outputs and but for the lighter kerb weight would be a genuine slug. Fuel economy numbers make up for it to some extent, but for now there are more lively diesel alternatives that can acheive similar numbers.The little diesel is a chuggy powerplant but the cabin is reasonably well-insulated from it - but it's still not the quietest. The chassis compromise between ride and handling is pleasant, one of the better balanced set-ups in the segment. Cabin space is not abundant, particularly for the legs of rear passengers, but bootspace is good - the full-size spare is slung outside the car, under the more-svelte rump.Seating is comfortable for the driver, who checks speed on a digital readout that some mightn't like but I got used to; the sound system controls (on the dash or stalk) are less easy to like. The instruments and centre display have been given an effective cowling to shield from light and that's not something that is always done well by European brands (Range Rover Evoque being a prime example).It did prove frugal despite the bulk of its time being spent on suburban roads - 7 litres per 100km were taken from the 60-litre tank, so 1000km on the open road is achievable. Complaints are few - it could do with rear parking sensors as standard as vision aft isn't perfect; the trim piece on the door pull handle is quite hard and fails as a comfortable knee rest for the driver.VERDICTThe Megane hatch joins a tidal wave of small hatches hitting the top-end of the Australian small-car segment and it's in for a tough fight. The pricetag is in the ballpark but the segment leaders are offering more powerful packages without a big jump in real-world fuel use. The less-polarising looks will help the Megane's cause but the diesel engine falls short of the competition.Renaut Megane Dynamic automatic dCiPrice: from $27,490Warranty: 5 years,  unlimited kmResale: 50% Source: Glass's GuideService Interval: 10,000km or 6-monthsEconomy: 4.5 l/100km, on test 7l/100km; 117g/km CO2Safety Equipment: six airbags, ABS, EBD, stability control.Crash rating: 5 starEngine: 81kW/240Nm 1.5-litre turbodiesel four-cylinderTransmission: six-speed auto, front-wheel driveBody: 5-door, 5 seats Dimensions: 4295mm (L); 1808mm (W); 1471mm (H); 2641mm (WB)Weight: 1366kgTyre size: 205/60 R16Spare tyre: full-size steel