Best Small Cars

Many of us live in Australia's cities, where a car with a compact footprint makes the most amount of sense.

The small car categories for Drive Car of the Year 2024 have something for buyers on any budget, with all winners delivering the best big car qualities in compact packages.

If you want big features from your small car, here are our four best.

In this category, judges considered buyers who wanted fuss-free compact motoring with a balance of features for the price. As the most affordable category in the Drive Car of the Year 2024 program, value was a crucial factor.

To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.

In this category, judges again prioritised buyers looking for easy urban motoring with a focus on value, but also looked for cars that offered drivers a little more character and style.

To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.

This popular buyer segment saw judges look for cars that provided flexibility and practicality for a value-oriented buyer. Purchase, operation and ownership costs were critical to selecting a winner.

To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.

Buyers wanting to spend a little bit more on a compact SUV are looking for more style and status in their car. In this category, judges maintained a focus on flexibility and practicality but also went further into material choice and equipment levels to find a winner.

To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.