SMALL CARS USED to win COTY all the time. Between 2009 and 2016 nothing bigger than a VW Golf occupied the top step of the podium, but since then the humble hatch seems to have fallen on tough times. Ford has abandoned the sector, winding up sales of its Fiesta and Focus, and Hyundai doesn't import the standard i20 and is about to pull the shutters down on i30 imports. But while the mass market has suffered, there's still breathing room for more premium players, of which we've assembled three of 2023's best right here in the chiselled shapes of the Audi A3, the Peugeot 308 and the Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo.
Except it wasn't just an A3 we invited along. So impressed were we with the RS3 Sportback that managed to trump the Mercedes-AMG A45 S in a Wheels comparison that we thought we'd sweeten the pot to the tune of 294kW. In doing so, however, it threw into sharp focus the value proposition of the other cars present, which could hawk up an average of just 103kW between them.
The Peugeot 308 arrived with big boots to fill, having previously been a runner-up at COTY. It's undeniably a good-looking thing with a sporty vibe that's exciting, but there's always that nagging question of how much you're paying for style and how much for substance. At $43,990 for the hatch and $50,490 for the wagon, it's an expensive offering. The wagon has a few more frills for that extra five grand plus there's the promise of some added versatility thanks to a longer wheelbase.
Bu hikaye Wheels Australia Magazine dergisinin March 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Wheels Australia Magazine dergisinin March 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
ROUGH DIAMONDS
GO OUT AND SEE AUSTRALIA. BUY ONE OF THESE AND YOU'LL MAKE IT HOME TOO
WORK IN PROGRESS
WHEN YOUR LIVELIHOOD DEPENDS ON IT, DON'T TAKE ANY CHANCES
RABID RESPONSE
EVEN IF YOU'RE PULLING IN THE FINANCIAL HORNS, YOU WON'T NEED TO COMPROMISE ON FUN
PREMIUM BLEND
HERE'S HOW TO ENJOY CHAMPAGNE ON A VAGUELY BEERY BUDGET
GO LARGE, SAVE BIG
WE BRING YOU A SELECTION OF LARGE FAMILY SUVS THAT ARE UNLIKELY TO BREAK THE BANK
MIDDLE CLASS
THE AUSSIE FAMILY DREAM USED TO BE A QUARTER ACRE AND A PICKET FENCE. NOW IT'S A LITTLE MORE MODEST
SHORTY AWARDS
VALUE FOR MONEY CAN BE A RARE COMMODITY AMONG SMALL SUVS. HERE ARE THREE THAT ANSWER THE CALL
MID SIZE MAX VALUE
THE MEDIUM RANGE SECTOR IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF GETTING ALOT OF CAR FOR YOUR DOLLAR
HATCH MATCH
WANT A HATCH THAT'LL PUT A SMILE ON YOUR DIAL SECOND TIME ROUND? TRY THESE...
MODE ΤΟ ΤΟΥ
PORSCHE'S LATEST HOT 911 IS THE NEW FRONTIER FOR ON-THEFLY CHASSIS ADJUSTABILITY, OFFERING THE DRIVER A WORLD OF CONFIGURATION - BUT IS IT WORTH THE HASSLE?