Toyota Sprinter Reviews

Toyota has lifted the lid on a new Yaris Cross with a fresh design that should breathe life into the ageing light SUV.However it looks like we won't see this update Down Under according to a Toyota Australia spokesperson."We are always reviewing opportunities to enhance our local line up, however, at this time, there are no current plans to introduce the updated European variant of the Yaris Cross in Australia."The facelift for the UK and European spec Yaris Cross introduces a new front-end design with a honeycomb mesh grille finished in the body colour, integrated into the front bumper.New LED headlight and daytime running light signatures also feature, as does a lower black cladding section, giving the light SUV a more modern look than the current Australian-spec model.Fresh 17 and 18-inch wheel designs and two new paint options - Precious Bronze with black roof and pillars as well as Persian Salt - are also available.Changes are more subtle inside where the Yaris Cross gains platinum coloured door trim and new sports seats on some grades.No changes have been made under the skin. It retains Toyota’s 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain outputting 96kW/185Nm for a 10.7-second 0-100km/h time.The Australian Yaris Cross also uses a 1.5-litre hybrid setup but it has a lower system output of 85kW and 141Nm.Toyota launched the Yaris Cross in late 2020 as a rival to the Mazda CX-3, Nissan Juke and Ford Puma.It was last updated for Australia midway through last year, gaining additional safety tech and some comfort features.Sales of the Yaris Cross are down by 18.5 per cent in the first quarter of the year, but Toyota has still managed to sell 2456 examples.It is running second in the light SUV sales segment behind the ageing Mazda CX-3 (3489), but it is ahead of the Suzuki Jimny 4x4 (1958), Koia Stonic (1437) and Hyundai Venue (1352).

It was not so long ago plug-in hybrids looked to have found the middle ground between electrified power and long driving range. PHEV power experienced more growth than any other powertrain type in 2025 - and by some significant margin. It was up by more than 130 per cent compared to 2024.Leading the charge for PHEV power is the BYD Shark 6 ute, one of the few utes to experience sales growth last year. Its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and dual electric motors provided outstanding fuel economy (when the battery was charged) capturing attention despite modest towing and carrying capacity. Most other brands have also jumped on the PHEV pathway, especially in the SUV segment. However, it now looks like a change might be on the horizon, as fully-electric sales continue to rise and at an even faster rate.There is a combination of factors likely contributing to this new set of circumstances in the new car sales space.While PHEVs offer incredible fuel efficiency, EVs do not need any fuel and obviously have far superior electric-only driving range with electric-only driving range remaining one of the biggest selling points for PHEVs. This is becoming an increasingly relevant point for buyers due to the current scarcity and cost of fuel in Australia.One of the other key factors which could erode PHEV sales is the substantial improvement in driving range of electric cars. Most EVs now offer more than 400km before needing to be charged, and even then charging times have also rapidly improved, with most brands targeting a 30 minute-or-less fast charge time compared to an hour previously.Charging infrastructure has been seeing rapid investment in Australia in the past 12 months, with governments as well as major brands getting on board. Just this week, the New South Wales government announced $45 million of funding towards new public fast chargers as part of its ‘2026 NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy’, and this adds to the existing federal ARENA public funding for EV infrastructure.BYD has also confirmed it will bring its ‘Flash’ charging to Australia this year, removing barriers to charge speed usually imposed by the grid thanks to an inclusion of a high-voltage buffer battery.There is also the question of increasing accessibility to electric vehicles in Australia, with many becoming available at a more affordable price point. The BYD Atto 1, for example, is available from $23,990, before on-road costs, while the cheapest PHEV, also a BYD, the Sealion 5 is $10,000 more. This is more reflective of the types of vehicles in which PHEV set-ups are offered as opposed to electric cars. The most common PHEV car body type is SUVs, which targets family buyers and more car (size-wise, with two powertrains instead of one) costs you more money.And yet, the models surging the most in the sales charts are the fully electric Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X, which are both in that core mid-size family buyer segment.This combined with the early adopter phase for much of this technology ending and electrified cars becoming more mainstream will mean some buyers who don't have access to home charging, like those who live in units, might not be able to utilise the key benefits of a PHEV.Many of this wider-audience may value the range on offer from an EV, which will see them charge only once or twice a week as a benefit at such a competitive price-point, not having to worry about not being able to charge at home, and not needing to fuel up altogether. This is also an audience which predominantly buys small or mid-size SUVs.PHEVs then, may be destined to be relegated to only larger vehicles, like utes and three-row SUVs where battery electrics become less cost competitive.

The ninth-generation Toyota HiLux is not really new in the true sense of the word, it's an update with substance. There are no real major mechanical upgrades to the HiLux so has Toyota done enough to warrant your attention?

Toyota is currently experiencing a rare sales dip in Australia, but is it a longer-term issue or just a temporary blip?As the world’s biggest carmaker - and Australia’s number one brand for the past 23 years - you can bet the Japanese giant isn’t just sitting back and waiting for new and old rivals to pounce.Toyota sales were down by 19.3 per cent in March, compared with the same month last year. It still sold 16,574 vehicles, more than double that of second-placed Kia (7320).Brand T finished quarter one with 44,490 units sold, which is a hefty 23 per cent down on the same quarter in 2025.But before you start writing Toyota’s obituary, there are some clear reasons for the drop. The changeover of its two biggest sellers is the main reason. The new RAV4 is now officially on sale but Toyota sold so many of them at the end of last year they didn’t have enough old stock to cover the gap to the new model.That’s why RAV4 sales are down a whopping 72.2 per cent in the first three months of the year.Similarly, Toyota was waiting on some variants of its heavily revised new HiLux ute to come on stream and that’s only just happening now. Sales of the ute took a while to ramp up following its introduction late last year, but it’s now steady, with 4x4 versions only down by 3.3 per cent year to date.Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, John Pappas, said that official VFACTS sales figures don’t tell the whole story, and painted a better picture for the rest of the year.“Looking ahead to the remainder of 2026, as HiLux and RAV4 volumes increase, our monthly results will begin to increase as the year progresses. And whilst VFACTS tells you what has been delivered, it doesn't tell you the full story. What VFACTS doesn't show is customer demand, which remains very strong across the range, particularly with vehicles like LandCruiser 300, HiLux, LandCruiser Prado and, of course, the RAV4.”April will be the new-generation RAV4’s first full month on sale so we will wait and see what the sales figures are come the end of this month.Other popular models with big sales declines include the Kluger (-33.3% YTD), Prado (-46.5%) and Yaris Cross (-18.5%), but other models are enjoying renewed interest.The LandCruiser is up a massive 216 per cent year on year, while the Corolla Cross SUV and HiAce van are in positive territory too. But the biggest surprise is the bZ4X.Toyota's first fully electric car benefited from an update that rolled out a couple of months ago and it has helped turn its sales fortunes around. Following the original version’s launch in early 2024, the EV has been a middling seller, playing second fiddle to a bunch of cheaper, largely Chinese EVs of a similar size.But in March, Toyota sold 447 units, a 598.4 per cent increase. It’s up 300 per cent year to date.Pappas said the updated car had been very well received and added that Toyota expected to sell 5000 examples in 2026. That’s a massive increase from the 1041 it sold for the entirety of last year.The bZ4X will get a further boost from the ‘Touring’ wagon version that is expected to land later this year. Other new low-emission vehicles include the HiLux BEV in quarter two and the RAV4 plug-in hybrid later in 2026.Other new models like the electric C-HR won’t arrive until mid-2027, while Toyota is still yet to confirm if it will launch the all-electric Highlander in Australia. The seven-seat SUV could be a rival for the Kia EV9, if it gets the green light.Other models that Toyota has not confirmed but could be on the radar include the Grand Highlander, which could replace the ageing Kluger, as well as the US-sourced Tacoma pick-up to fill the gap between the HiLux and upper-large Tundra.Toyota also builds a number of EVs in China with joint venture partners GAC, FAW and even BYD. Models like the bZ3 sedan, bZ7 and bX3X crossover are comparatively more affordable than Japan-sourced electric models.Pappas did not rule out importing Chinese-made Toyota models for Australia,“The beautiful thing about being such a global organisation, where you’re represented in 190 countries, and you've got so many manufacturing sources around the world, it really does open us up to having those options available if they become available to us,” he said.“So we're always looking at those types of things. And… I go back to making sure they suit the requirements of the customer. And if they do that, then we're open to looking at those types of avenues.”Japanese rival Mazda has just launched two EVs built in China with its joint-venture partner Changan, while Mitsubishi will offer the Foxconn EV in Australia soon. Nissan is also believed to be considering a number of models for Australia from its partnership with Dongfeng.

Toyota has priced its upcoming upsized electric SUV, the bZ4X Touring.A sister car to the Subaru Trailseeker, and one of a handful of larger mainstream electric SUVs, the bZ4X Touring starts at $69,990 before on-road costs, topping out a restructured bZ4X range.It's only available with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup with 167kW at each axle, outputting a combined 280kW, making it Toyota's most powerful SUV. The brand says it can sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds.It has a 74.7kWh battery pack which grants it a 488km driving range according to the WLTP cycle. It can charge at up to 150kW on a fast DC charger or an impressive 22kW on AC for comparatively fast slow-charging rates.While the Touring shares its underpinnings with the regular bZ4X, it is 140mm longer, increasing boot space by nearly 100 litres, from 452L to 550L.Standard features are set to include dual-zone climate control, eight-way powered front seats with both heating and ventilation, a digital rear-vision mirror, fixed panoramic sunroof, dual wireless phone chargers, a 1500W inverter for vehicle-to-load charging and a 14-inch touchscreen with a nine-speaker premium audio system. It maintains the same 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster as before.The Touring scores unique 20-inch alloys compared to the rest of the bZ4X range, with front and rear skid plates, roof rails, matt finished wheel arches, a contrasting bonnet insert and a rear window wiper.Meanwhile, the recently-updated mainline bZ4X range continues in two variants, either the front-wheel-drive version, priced at $55,990, or the all-wheel drive, priced at $67,990.Interestingly the Touring forms part of the regular bZ4X range, while Subaru’s equivalent Trailseeker is sold as a separate model in two grades, distinct from its bZ4X-equivalent Solterra range.Stylistically, the two Subaru models are more distinct than the bZ4X and its Touring variant, which share the same face.The pair share an even larger three-row fully electric model each, the Toyota Highlander EV and Subaru Getaway, however they have been announced in left-hand drive for the North American market only for now.2026 Toyota bZ4X pricing 

Toyota’s new-gen Corolla Cross will be here in less than two years and it’ll look exactly like a baby RAV4, according to the almost-always-right Japanese motoring publication Best Car.Sure, Toyota has only just given the current Corolla Cross an update with a redesigned grille and upgraded cabin features, but Japan’s Best Car magazines’s latest issue reveals the totally new next-gen will arrive in 2028 and look just like it’s big sister - the RAV4.Dubbed "Baby RAV4" by Best Car, it adopts the new RAV4’s C-shaped LED headlight and daytime running light styling and grille treatment along with other exterior design elements.The magazine’s front page shows an artist's impression of the Corolla Cross looking a bit sleeker than the taller and larger RAV4 but the resemblance is striking — from the grille, which varies depending on the grade, to the tough looking black moulded wheel guards and sloping rear pillar.Best Car got word from those in the know that the new Corolla Cross will be slightly longer and wider. Currently the little SUV is just 4460mm long, 1825mm wide and 1620mm tall, or about the same size as rivals like the GWM Haval Jolion or Kia Seltos. Best Car says the next-gen Corolla Cross will be 4650mm long and 1850mm wide tall, but a smidge shorter in height at 1600mm. These new dimensions will give the Corolla Cross a sleeker, beefier, more planted look, and apart from having more visual appeal could help handling and dynamics, but what would it do to headroom inside?Best Car also hears the next-gen Corolla Cross GR Sport will have a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a plug-in hybrid system and share the same suspension as the new Corolla GR Sport with front struts and rear double wishbones.All new-gen variants of the new Corolla Cross will also use an upgraded version of the TNGA-C platform, with a sixth-generation hybrid system.The Corolla Cross is one of Toyota's best-selling models with 1687 sold in march this year, but that’s not enough to put it ahead of cheaper rivals such as the GWM Haval Jolion, Chery Tiggo 4 or Hyundai Kona. A new sportier look for the Corolla Cross and more fuel efficient powertrains would possibly go a long way to closing the sales gap.So when can we expect to see the new gen Corolla Cross in real life? Well Best Car reckons it will come not long after the arrival of the next-gen Corolla which we might see in late 2027. Best bet is 2028 and of course, we’ll only truly start to know what it looks like when Toyota starts testing it out in the wild.

Diesel fuel prices have been skyrocketing in Australia, making buyers think twice about running costs.According to NSW fuel price data, diesel is up to $1 per litre more expensive than petrol on average, sitting on average at over $3 per litre.Diesel sales were already in decline, but sustained higher fuel prices appear to have accelerated this trend.What may surprise some, though, is that petrol car sales are decreasing at a faster rate than diesel. Diesel sales have declined 10.1 per cent compared to February 2026 and 4.8 per cent overall this year. Petrol sales for the same periods have declined by more than 20 per cent and nearly 18 per cent, respectively. This equates to almost 22,000 less vehicles sold compared to this time last year. Diesel sales have only declined a little over 4000 units compared to March 2025. There were 28,364 diesel sales in March 2026 as opposed to 34,694 petrol ones, but if petrol sales continue to decline at the same rate, it will not be long before diesel is the top selling non-electrified fuel type for vehicles.Diesel also still more than doubles the sales of electric month-on-month, but EVs are rapidly catching up.One of the key reasons for these differences is many brands are ditching pure petrol models for electrified variants, as Australia's new vehicle efficiency standards start to impose big consequences for higher-emitting engines. For example, most of Toyota’s major models are now hybrid only, such as the Yaris hatch, Camry sedan and RAV4 SUV. There have also been talks of brands completely cutting petrol options from their line-ups, such as Chery.Local Chief Executive Officer Lucas Harris told CarsGuide earlier this year it is something he is eager to see happen.  “Personally I would hope that we get to that point because the super hybrid driving experience, in particular Chery’s super hybrid driving experience is so good and I think it is much better than ICE,” Harris said.“The more people that try it, the more consumers go that way. We’ll be led by demand so if all of a sudden nobody is buying an ICE Tiggo 7, and they're only buying Tiggo 7 super hybrid, it probably doesn’t make much sense to continue bringing an ICE product that consumers don’t really want.”Other brands have echoed these comments in the past as they move to predominantly hybrid and electric line-ups. In February, for example, Hyundai was number two for hybrid sales in Australia, a title it may lose to BYD's popular range of plug-in hybrids like the Shark 6 and Sealion 6. BYD, meanwhile, is already hybrid and electric only.Diesel utes still dominate the sales charts, the Ford Ranger and the Toyota HiLux leading the way, with the Isuzu D-Max also in the top 10. Both the HiLux and D-Max experienced subtle growth, while the Ranger had a near 10 per cent decline compared to last month.  Best-selling diesel cars in March 2026  

What is the future of the Mazda BT-50? Could it become a Toyota-based one-tonne ute?With the existing, Isuzu D-Max-derived model now six years old and well into its mid-cycle facelift, speculation is rising as to what will come next once the reported 10-year supply contract with Isuzu ends.This means that the existing BT-50 that launched in 2020 following Mazda’s break-up with Ford (the previous BT-50 was based on the 2011-2022 Ford Ranger) still has about four years to go, so planning should be well-underway by now. 2030 isn’t that far away.One scenario could see a variation of the Toyota Tacoma, which has only been built in left-hand-drive in Mexico for North America since late 2023, despite sharing its right-hand-drive (RHD)-ready Toyota New Global Architecture-Frame (TNGA-F) platform with the Toyota LandCruiser 300 and Toyota Prado 250, among others.We say variation because, back in December last year, ex-Toyota Australia boss Sean Hanley revealed exclusively to CarsGuide at the HiLux launch that the Tacoma could become RHD for Australia when the right powertrain configuration is offered, to sit above the smaller, ageing HiLux in the range.“It's evolving and developing all the time, and I would never rule out the possibility of that car being part of our line-up at some stage,” he said at the time. “It all gets down to powertrain and configuration.”If that comes to pass, and Hanley did add that he was actively pursuing that outcome, it may give Mazda an in to the “evolving and developing” Tacoma thanks to the two Japanese brands’ growing association sharing passenger vehicles.This is especially prescient since the existing BT-50’s only major market in the RHD world is Australia, with Japan and the UK passing on this current generation, while South Africa ceased importing the ute after sluggish sales in 2024.Mazda Australia Managing Director Vinesh Bhindi refused to comment on any possible Tacoma/BT-50 tie-up in the future, saying instead that a decision has not yet been made as which direction the company will move next.“Isuzu is still a partner in the current generation, but the next-gen is yet to be locked in,” he told CarsGuide last month.“Mazda has worked with Isuzu for many, many years, so (we have a) very solid partnership and we hope to continue it in the future.”This is an important question for Mazda to figure out, since the BT-50 contributes vital volume for the brand in Australia, coming in at fourth place in the first three months of 2026, with 3113 units sold, behind the CX-30 small SUV (3246), ageing CX-3 light SUV (3489) and CX-5 mid-sized SUV (6247).The one-tonne ute has slipped from fifth to seventh spot so far this year in its increasingly-crowded segment, having been overtaken (though only just) by the GWM Cannon/Cannon Alpha duo (3131) and BYD Shark 6 PHEV (3480) out of China, while still trailing the Mitsubishi Triton (5604), D-Max (6057), Toyota HiLux (10,592) and Ford Ranger (12,180).The 4x4 version of the BT-50 is the harder hit of the series, seeing a 23.6 per cent decline in 2026, though the largely-diesel-driven dual-cab ute market’s exposure to soaring fuel prices due to the Iran War seems to have affected all 4x4 players in some way. The exceptions are a surging GWM Cannon (which introduced a PHEV option last year) and, unexpectedly, the resolutely diesel-powered Triton.A Mazda ute has been part of the brand’s heritage since its first vehicle rolled out of a factory in Hiroshima in 1931. Plus, there were five generations of the BT-50’s B-Series/Bravo/Proceed predecessor from 1961 to 2006 (pre-dating HiLux), with a Ford Courier also forming part of that equation for 34 years from 1972, before switching to the American Ranger badge thereafter.So, there’s been a half-century precedent with Mazda sharing its ute, be it with Ford or Isuzu.Will Toyota be next? Watch this space!

Often the best used versions of popular models such as the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-3, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Honda Jazz also happen to be the cheapest.And while there is a catch, it’s also precisely what makes them a catch: their manual gearboxes.Yep. Going stick is the trick. Like listening to analogue music, shopping in person instead of online and meeting in person rather than via an app, shifting gears yourself can often be so much more rewarding.Manuals are generally cheaper (sometimes by upwards of 20 per cent), usually use less fuel, are always more fun, avoid costly transmission repairs and feel cooler than their auto counterparts, so what’s not to love?Here are our favourite budget manual bargains.2002-2007 Mazda DY 2Mazda’s fourth-generation supermini shared much with the Ford Fiesta of the day, but boasted a unique, dorky/cool tall-boy body offering mini-wagon practicality, complete with a deep tailgate and a sliding/tumbling rear bench. A perky 1.5-litre engine/five-speed manual combo provides lively performance, as well as long-lasting durability. Knockabout fun for peanuts.2005-2011 Ford LS-LV FocusThe second-gen Focus shared a sophisticated platform and robust 2.0L engine with the Mazda 3. But the Ford’s connected steering and athletic handling are joyous. The pre-Powershift four-speed auto is fine, but the five-speed manual ties everything together with precision and flair. Ford should be proud of this German masterpiece.2008-2014 Honda GE JazzExperts the world over shortlist the second-gen Jazz (or Fit), for its over-engineered body, bulletproof powertrain (including the class-rarity five-speed auto), brilliant packaging, high driving enjoyment and low running cost. Properly maintained, these should last longer than most. Pretty much the perfect cheap car, then, the five-speed manual, with its slick, short-throw shift, is the better option, as it’s easy and fun. And about 30 per cent less than the auto.2008-2013 Mazda BL 3Like its Focus cousin, Mazda 3’s advanced multi-link rear suspension provides safe, reassuring control, but prioritises refinement and ease, mixing Japanese build quality, practicality and reliability. At this price point, you’ll find a lower-mileage manual, complete with a sweet six-speed gearbox, than the default five-speed auto, providing plenty of interactivity. A terrific all-rounder.2014-2019 Mazda BM 3For the third-gen 3s, Mazda was free of Ford so developed its vaunted “SkyActiv” powertrains and chassis with dramatically updated tech, including weight-saving efficiency. That they have proven so dependable is a testimony to their quality engineering, while the engines with their six-speed transmissions offer BMW-levels of sophistication without the cost pain.2017-2023 Suzuki AZ SwiftAdopting in all-new platform, the sixth-gen Suzuki supermini continues its predecessors’ spunky styling and agile handling, in a larger, roomier and more-refined package. But while the switch to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) takes the fizz out of the auto, the manual elevates the sportiness the series has renowned for.2015-2022 Mazda DK CX-3Still a current model, the CX-3 manual is that rare thing – a racy, lightweight SUV that becomes more impressive the harder you drive it. Stuffing a 2.0L engine into a city-sized crossover makes it a punchy performer, as well as a frugal and effortless to punt around.2014-2021 Nissan J11 QashqaiThe CVTs in Nissans are notoriously unreliable, but the six-speed manual turns this British-built compact SUV into a durable, comfortable and relaxed family car that’s also a pleasure to drive. Simple yet more capable than the badge may have you believe.2017-2022 Mazda CX-5It needs a few revs under its belt, but once the tacho is swinging, the CX-5 manual turns into a rorty, racy SUV that corners and handles like its wearing Alfa Romeo badges. Slick and sophisticated, Mazda’s evergreen mid-sizer shines when it’s really driven to be enjoyed. A dying breed, sadly.2019-2022 Toyota RAV4 The cheapest way into a newer-shape RAV4 is buying a rare manual version. Though front-drive and base-model only, the GX 2WD combines the looks, packaging, quality and practicality of Australia’s favourite new SUV, with a surprisingly engaging and enjoyable powertrain. It’s a shame Toyota dropped the manual.2013-2020 Volkswagen Mk7 Golf GTIDeveloped during the peak-VW era, the seventh-gen Golf GTI has different sides, from a luxury grand tourer with a slick dual-clutch transmission, to a lower-line manual with cloth trim aimed at purists. The latter allows keen drivers to take advantage of its immersive drivetrain and lighter, nimbler dynamics.2016-2020 Peugeot T9 308 GTi 270Perhaps the greatest modern hot hatch this side of the current Honda Civic Type R, the manual-only 308 GTi 270 captures the essence of the breed better than most, thanks to a lightweight, playful chassis, torquey turbo engine and ultra-tactile steering and superbly supple ride. A true 205 GTi for grown-ups, at a fun-sized price.

Australia is facing a used-car market black hole.With the number of affordable new small-car options shrinking annually due to more-expensive SUVs, so too will be the number of affordable used small-car options.Unless there is a big uptick in new small-car production, stocks will continue to contract, putting significant upward pressure on used-car prices.We’re already seeing this affordability catastrophe unfold. And the numbers tell a sobering story.The great small-car cullSince 2016, Australia has gone from having over 40 new light and small car options under $30,000 (in today’s money), to just 10 right now – and falling. And even if you add the proliferation of cheap new small SUVs (mostly from China), that only adds another 10. That’s a 50 per cent drop right there.This means that there will be far fewer affordable used smaller cars to go around as we head towards the 2030s and beyond.Or, in other words, Australia will soon run very low on affordable, low-mileage second-hand small cars under 10 years old, adding substantially to the cost-of-living pressures for many people who cannot or won't buy new.Since 2020, we’re already seen Toyota, Ford and Honda drop their sub-$20,000 models, namely the (non-hybrid) Yaris, Fiesta and Jazz hatchbacks respectively, creating a void filled by new Chinese brands MG, GWM and BYD.In Ford’s case, its cheapest new passenger vehicle in 2026 is the Everest Ambiente 4WD SUV from $58,990 (before on-road costs), having also abandoned the Puma and Focus, as well as the larger Mondeo, Escape and Endura, since the start of this decade.Why the small-car cull? A long-term sales slide against SUVs, coupled with the massive investment required in electric vehicles (EVs) to meet coming legislated zero-emissions targets, stalled decades of on-going small-car development and evolution.Some industry analysts even believe that the middle of last decade was the era of “peak small-car”, as defined the highly-successful Volkswagen Mk7 Golf – a model widely considered superior to its 2020 Mk8 successor.It’s been reported that VW cancelled scores of new-model projects in the aftermath of 2015’s Dieselgate emissions-cheating scandal, including shelving an advanced redesign of the Golf in favour of today’s reskin, pivoting instead to EVs to help atone for the disaster.Others seem to have followed suit. In fact, if you look at today’s remaining small cars, most sit on architectures that date back to last decade.The Mazda 3’s debuted in 2013; the Peugeot 308 in 2014; Subaru Impreza and Honda Civic in 2016; the Hyundai i30 in 2017; Toyota Corolla in 2018; and Kia K4 in 2020.Defying depreciationIncredibly, some high-quality used small cars with a few years under their belts are holding their value to an almost comical degree, especially with fewer than 100,000km.A 2016 Mazda 2 auto from $16,990 when new is still worth at least $13,000 today – and some lower-mileage examples match the original price. Likewise, a 2018 Honda Civic VTi from $22,390 is still a $20,000-plus proposition.But nothing beats the Toyota hybrid phenomenon.A 2019 Corolla Hybrid that new started from $25,870 is likely to cost upwards of $24,000 today, with some even nudging $30,000 in the right colour and specification.And a 2021 Yaris SX hybrid from $27,020 new… is still very nearly that amount today at its lowest point, even with 70,000km on the clock, meaning owners could be making a profit after all these years. Great news for them. Bad news for used-car buyers today.Your cheap choicesThe only quality, reliable and economical used small cars currently priced in the $10,000 to $15,000 bracket are now mostly older (pre-2015), higher-mileage (150,000km-plus) or ex-repairable write-offs (including flood/hail damaged cars, since fixed). Do not risk buying the latter.Otherwise, Australian used small-car buyers must roll the dice on niche European brands with (albeit at-times unfounded) reputations for expensive maintenance costs, orphaned Holdens like the (ex-Opel) Astra or newer Chinese small cars with below-par safety and/or driving dynamics, like a pre-2024, previous-generation MG 3.Unfortunately, with spiking fuel prices, hybrids are completely out of the question under $15,000 unless it’s a 15-year-old-plus Toyota or Honda with moon-shot mileages and/or ex-ride-share taxis.Finding a cheap used SUV alternativeSo, it is logical to conclude that, while the number of new small car options is declining, there must be more small SUV choices, right?Not for budget buyers in the sub-$15,000 bracket, sadly.Quality, second-hand smaller SUVs and crossovers are also pricing themselves out of reach for lower-income groups and younger drivers seeking inexpensive yet reliable vehicles.Consider the case of a seven-year-old Mazda CX-3 or Suzuki Vitara 1.6 with reasonably-low mileage (under 100,000km).These current-shape models have been chosen as two of the better and more-reputable small SUVs on offer, due to their uncomplicated non-turbo engines and robust torque-converter automatics, instead of the usually problematic continuously variable transmission (CVT) or dual-clutch transmission (DCT) found in most alternatives.A 2019 CX-3 auto that cost $23,790 new (which is about $30,000 adjusted for inflation today) currently retails for between $20,000 and $25,000 depending on condition. Again, depreciation-defying.Likewise, a 2019 Vitara 1.6L 2WD that cost $24,490 new (about $32,500 in 2026 money) is still commanding between $19,000 and $25,000 today if well-maintained. We’re talking about seven-year-old models here.Little wonder consumers are forced into newer brands from China with long warranties and shiny touchscreens but unproven long-term reliability, resale and access to genuine spare parts/labour.The bottom line is that a generation of consumers seeking a cheap and economical used small car will be left wanting.At 18, Baby Boomers had their decade-old Datsun 1600s and Volkswagen Beetles; Gen X its Ford Lasers and Holden Geminis; and Millennials their Hyundai Excels and Mazda 323s to rely upon.What will next-gen used-car buyers be able to afford?