With hundreds of makes and models to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down your choices when shopping for the best 2020 cars on offer in Australia.
Once you’ve decided on the type and size of vehicle you want, the next step is to find a make and model with the features, performance, comfort, practicality and value for money you’re looking for.
We’re aware the term ‘best’ can be subjective at… best, everyone has different ideas of what makes a great car, so we’ve used Canstar’s latest customer satisfaction data to create a list of best cars in Australia.
Best light cars 2020
#1. Mazda 2
In the subcompact range, the Mazda 2 continues to shine, with impressive levels of safety, comfort and reliability.
Whether you opt for the sedan or hatchback, you’ll get a great-looking, easy-to-drive, well-equipped car with a quality 1.5-litre engine that’s got more than enough grunt for zipping around the city.
The Mazda 2 comes with a healthy range of standard features, including electronic stability control, rear parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking, six airbags, cruise control, hill-launch assist, push-button start and more.
Pros
- Brilliant safety rating
- Easy on fuel
- Exceptionally responsive steering
- Plentiful cargo space for a car this size
- Five-year warranty with unlimited kilometres.
Cons
- Some Mazda models have jumped considerably in price in 2019/2020
- The tachometer is small and hard to read
- Still needs some work on tyre noise.
#2. Toyota Yaris
Since it first burst onto the Aussie scene, the Yaris has grown in popularity and carved itself a firm place amongst small, fuel-efficient vehicles.
It’s a really practical choice if you’re budget-conscious and want something that’ll get you around town efficiently and squeeze easily into the smallest of city parking spaces.
The 2019 version has a decent range of safety features (including seven airbags) and is packed with innovative technology that makes it more economical to run, safer, more responsive and more enjoyable to drive than previous models.
It’ll never win any ‘macho car of the year’ awards, but it gets the job done.
Pros
- High-quality multimedia package with voice recognition, Bluetooth and a 7-inch touchscreen
- Super-manoeuvrable and responsive handling
- Doesn’t cost much to fill up the tank
- Wide range of advanced safety features
- A cute, practical car that’s economical to run.
Cons
- Acceleration is pretty average
- Not terribly roomy inside.
#3. Honda Jazz
The Jazz is an attractive choice, especially if you’re looking for above-average boot space in a compact, fuel-efficient vehicle.
It may look small from the outside, but the 354-litre boot and back seat room are surprisingly generous for a car in this class.
The 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engine does a nice job in varied conditions and there are a lot of little design touches that improve the ride.
The Jazz is easy on the fuel and offers the kind of responsive steering and zippy manoeuvrability that makes it an excellent option for city driving.
Pros
- Interior design and overall comfort outshines many of its competitors
- Despite its size, it has even more boot space than some small SUVs
- Spacious — good height and legroom in the back seats
- Airbags and other essential safety features are standard.
Cons
- Lacks some of the newer safety features found in other light cars
- No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
Best small cars 2020
#1. Mazda 3
It’s hard to argue with popularity. The Mazda 3 is a perennial top-seller, with nearly 25,000 sold in 2019.
Why is it so popular? Well, it rates high for safety, has a solid track record for reliability, combines technological innovation with practical comfort and handles like a dream.
Steering response is exceptional, especially when compared to many of its competitors.
The two-litre engine is technically refined and powerful enough to make you feel you can handle whatever the road conditions serve up.
Pros
- A quieter ride than previous models
- Standard safety features are plentiful and up-to-date
- Superb steering control with Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control
- Top-of-the-range multimedia package.
Cons
- Compared to previous models, the exterior is bigger but the interior space is not
- No USB ports or air vents in the back seat.
#2. Hyundai i30
The i30 has won Australia’s Best Car award six times and more than holds its own against similar-sized vehicles in Australia.
A lot of its appeal comes down to design, comfort, reliability and value for money.
It’s a no-fuss, easy-to-drive choice that has more than enough tech-smart, practical features to keep all its competitors on their toes.
Standard features include an adjustable steering wheel, auto headlights, reversing camera, cruise control, tyre pressure monitor, Smartphone integration and electronic stability control.
It comes with seven airbags and offers a quiet, comfortable ride and plenty of space for passengers and cargo.
Pros
- Proven reliability in Australian driving conditions
- Well-considered interior design and attractive appearance
- Well-considered interior design and attractive appearance
- User-friendly infotainment system.
Cons
- Engine is adequate rather than exceptional
- No in-built satellite navigation system
- The back seats need USB ports and rear air vents.
#3. Toyota Corolla
The much-loved Corolla has been around a long time, first making its appearance in Australia in 1967.
More than a million of these super-reliable vehicles have been sold since.
The Corolla has essentially been the template for small cars around the globe for half a century, and its wide appeal hasn’t waned.
With a punchy two-litre engine and rock-solid powertrain, the Corolla is available in sedan and hatchback versions and is packed with all the driver-assist tech you could ask for, including active cruise control and autonomous emergency braking.
With 50 years of history behind it, you know what you’re getting with a Corolla.
Pros
- All-new dynamic chassis and locally tuned suspension
- The world’s most popular car in an improved, stylish package
- Two-litre engine has plenty of grunt
- Smooth handling and comfortable ride
- Respectable level of safety features.
Cons
- In the hatchback version, space is tight in the rear seats
- Hatchback boot is pretty tiny.
Best medium cars 2020
#1. Hyundai Sonata
Our current Aussie obsession with utes, SUVs and small, fuel-efficient subcompacts means that mid-sized sedans sometimes get a bit lost in the mix.
The Sonata is a perfect example: Though its global sales top seven million a year, fewer than a thousand are being sold annually Down Under at present. This is a shame, because this car has plenty to offer.
Safety features are generous, including lane-keeping tech, radar cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, auto high-beam, blind-spot monitoring and nine airbags.
There’s also Bose sound, Bluetooth multi-pairing, full LED headlights and twin flat-panel display screens.
Pros
- Impressive tech and safety package
- Crisp new styling with elegant use of chrome
- Interior finish oozes class
- Quiet, comfortable and reliable.
Cons
- Engine performance is a bit tepid
- Tourer wagon and diesel version have both been discontinued in Australia.
#2. BMW 3 Series
It’s unfortunate the market for mid-sized prestige sedans in Australia is shrinking so fast.
These days, BMW’s SUVs (the X5, X3 and X1) tend to be bigger sellers in this country than its sedans.
But if you value impeccable German engineering, crave a luxury sedan and aren’t afraid to pay for it, the 3 Series is a fine choice.
You can pick between a diesel and petrol model, both with 8-speed paddle shift automatic transmission.
Standard equipment in the petrol-version 330i includes Brembo brakes, 19-inch alloys, Vernasca leather trim, active cruise-control, steering- and lane-control assist and adaptive M suspension.
Pros
- All the ride comfort you’ve come to expect from BMW
- Huge range of classy optional extras
- Exceptional handling ability and mid-turn grip
- An ultra-dynamic medium sedan that’s the best 3 Series in generations.
Cons
- No manual transmission available
- Lacks support for Android Auto
- No full auto emergency braking in the 320d diesel version.
#3. Toyota Camry
While the safety features in the Toyota Camry are exemplary, there’s much more to this vehicle than its five-star ANCAP rating.
With the option for hybrid power and enough space for the whole family, the Camry fully earns its place in the best cars list for 2020.
While technically classified as a medium-sized car, its copious legroom will make you l feel you’re in a much larger vehicle.
The upgrades on previous generations (such as new soft-touch surfaces for arm and elbow rests) make it a pleasure to drive.
Pros
- Spacious interior and ample boot space
- Lively, efficient engine
- Proven dependability and high resale value
- One of the safest cars you can buy.
Cons
- Rather outdated infotainment technology
- Doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.
Best large cars 2020
#1. BMW 5 Series
Though the BMW 5 Series faces stiff competition from competitors like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, it still provides all the European style and superior engineering you expect from a large luxury sedan.
The mid-range 530i model boasts a two-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, or you could opt for the less powerful 520i. Elsewhere in the range, diesel and plug-in hybrid options are available.
A ride in a 5 Series is an exercise in luxury, comfort and efficiency, with a hefty swag of technology at your fingertips and all the safety gear you could ask for.
If you’ve got a spare $111,900 (plus on-road costs) sitting around doing nothing, the 530i isn’t a bad option at all.
Pros
- Superb interior presentation
- Smooth, comfortable ride with plenty of room
- Four-cylinder engine supplies solid performance
- High safety rating and user-friendly technology.
Cons
- Value for money hard to quantify compared to BMW’s SUV range
- Showing signs of age compared to the 3 Series
- The 3-year warranty is short for a prestige car.
#2. Kia Stinger
The Kia Stinger offers rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, a spacious interior, a low price point and superior performance.
The twin-turbo V6 engine delivers 272kW of power and has the ability to go from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds.
The 2019 Stinger is highly rated for safety, with AEB, blind-spot detection, lane-support systems and a whole swag of other tech-savvy safety gear.
The GT is the pick of the six variants, and it’s a real head-turner. If you’re ready to ditch your sensible SUV and have some driving fun, you could do a lot worse.
Pros
- Powerful and reliable acceleration — drives like a true sports sedan
- High street appeal
- A good, practical choice for families — excellent value for money
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and voice recognition.
Cons
- Small boot
- Rear visibility isn’t great
- Fuel economy is just average.
#3. Holden Commodore
If you’ve always wanted to own a brand-new, iconic Holden Commodore, now’s your chance — but you’d better hurry.
In 2019, Holden announced that they’re phasing out all Commodore and Calais variants (plus the Astra) to focus on selling utes and SUVs. They’ll still sell the MY19 model until stocks run out, presumably in 2020.
The Commodore is a true classic — roomy, comfortable, well-equipped and solidly built.
Choose between the two-litre turbo petrol, diesel or V6, which is available with all-wheel drive.
All Commodores have auto emergency braking and grip the road with enthusiasm.
Pros
- Good connectivity for smartphones, maps and other functions
- Advanced driver assistance features and good all-round safety tech
- Dual-zone air conditioning
- Solid chassis and reliable engine performance.
Cons
- Not built in Australia any more
- Low resale value.
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