• Lifestyle
    • Your home
    • Our state
    • Member deals
    • Bushfire safety
  • On the Road
    • Car Advice
    • Road Rules
    • In focus
    • Road Safety
    • Australia’s Best Cars
  • Travel
    • South Australia
    • Interstate
    • Overseas
    • Tips
  • Competitions
  • Read the magazine

Best small car under $35,000

Toyota brings home another well-deserved win.

By Samuel Smith
Last updated on: November 15, 2019 at 2:30 am

In this year’s Australia’s Best Cars awards, the country's most popular passenger car – the Toyota Corolla – has been crowned best small car under $35,000.

Winner: Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport

Variant: Ascent Sport
Engine: 2.0 litre petrol
Transmission: CVT
ANCAP Safety Rating: 5 stars

Australia’s Best Cars judges were impressed by the way the Corolla performed.
Judges were impressed by the way the Corolla performed.

Runners up

Second place went to the Mazda3 G20 Evolve and the Kia Cerato S placed third.

What sets it apart from the rest

The current Corolla model arrived in Australia in August 2018, but since then Toyota has added some important extras to further enhance the ownership proposition.

These include the introduction of a 5-year factory warranty, which brought Toyota in line with most other mainstream manufacturers. In October 2019, Toyota added the smartphone integration capability of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, making it standard equipment across the range.

The 2.0 litre engine introduced with this model provides a useful jump in power and torque to 125kW and 200Nm.

Key features

  • A zippy 125kW, 200Nm engine
  • A 5-year factory warranty
  • A competitive fuel consumption figure of 6.0L/100km
  • Great servicing costs
  • Competitive pricing
  • Integration of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The new model Corolla has a sportier feel than previous models.
The new model Corolla has a sportier feel than previous models.

What it’s like to drive

On the road, Australia’s Best Cars judges were impressed by the way the Corolla performed. The continuously variable transmission’s (CVT) ability to provide just the right gear ratios for the vehicle’s speed was particularly impressive.

The use of 10 artificial steps in the CVT’s gear changing program helped reduce engine flaring under acceleration. The 2.0 litre engine introduced with this model also provides a useful jump in power and torque to 125kW and 200Nm from the previous 1.8 litre engine (103kW and 173Nm).

These outputs place the Corolla ahead of other popular entry-level small petrol cars such as the Mazda3. And yet, the Corolla still delivers a competitive fuel consumption figure of 6.0L/100km in the regulation test cycle.

How the finalists compared (scores for each category from 1-10)

Small cars under $35,000Toyota Corolla Ascent SportMazda3 G20 EvolveKia Cerato S
Pricing638
Cost of depreciation ($)9410
Running & repair costs1069
Fuel consumption986
Warranty & dealer access879
Insurance768
Standard features385
Safety10108
Environment776
Seating comfort676
Space346
Practicality645
Ergonomics675
Build & finish quality575
Performance766
Ride665
Handling675
Braking665
Smoothness & quietness585
Overall average790756750

Images: Mark Rogers, Magnum Photography Australia

Is your car one of Australia’s best?

Check out the other winners of Australia’s Best Cars awards for 2019.

Find out

See the full lineup

Check out the full list of small cars under $35,000 we put to the test in 2019.

Find out more

Share
Tweet

Related Articles

On the Road

10 obscure road rule questions

Do you know what side of the road to walk on if there's no footpath?

More

Car Advice

11 best car hacks

Shortcuts for common car problems.

More

Road Rules

3 ways you can lose your licence without even driving

Can you guess what they are?

More

Road Rules

3 situations where you don’t need to wear a seatbelt

But you still should. Our experts reveal why.

More

GPO BOX 1499 ADELAIDE 5001

T. 08 8202 4600

  • Home
  • About us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy
  • T&C
  • Advertise
  • © Copyright 2021 RAA