What Gets Driven Down Under? Some Of Australia’s Best Cars

Over the last two years, I’ve had to make several trips to Melbourne, Australia, as that’s where my in-law’s live. There are about four or five things that immediately catch my attention every time I’ve been there. The roads are clean and well maintained, I like the look of the trees here a lot more, the population is quite fit, the weather always seems to be awesome, and of course – all of the different cars on the roads.

Before visiting Melbourne, I was under the impression that the entire population basically drove around in the Holden Commodore. Not so!

Melbourne being a potential home for me in the future, I wanted to know my options when it comes to vehicles. Below is a list of Australia’s best cars for 2013. You may be unfamiliar with some of the vehicles, or the vehicle may be available here but with a different nameplate. The first vehicle on the list is the Renault Clio Expression TCe 120 under the Best Light Car category.

Best Light Car – Renault Clio Expression TCe120
renault clio 2013 best car australia

The Renault Clio is what saved the French manufacturer back in 1990 after the company had a fairly rough decade in the 1980’s. Now in its fourth-generation (2012), the Renault Clio is the Best Light Car in Australia and priced at $22,772. According to Youi, the lower cost of insuring the small vehicle is one of the reasons it has become a popular choice for Australians.

The turbocharged 1.2-liter Renault Clio Expression TCe120 impressed judges with its performance, standard available features, and value for money. While the 1.2-liter returns a fuel economy of 5.2L/100km, the vehicle is also available in a 898cc three-cylinder motor which returns an impressive fuel economy of under 5L/100km. Now that fuel economy is in the hybrid territory.

Best Small Car Under $35,000 – Hyundai i30 Active (Hyundai Elantra GT)
hyundai elantra best car in australia

Here is a vehicle I’m familiar with, because I just picked one up a few weeks ago. The i30 Active is known as the Hyundai Elantra GT here in North America and is Australia’s best car under $35,000. The 1.8-liter four-cylinder returns a decent fuel economy of 7.1L/100km, although in my experience the number seems to be at about 9.6L/100km.

What makes the Hyundai i30 Active so attractive is the exterior styling, standard features, and a up-market feel which many of the competing vehicles lack. The vehicle also has very low long-term ownership expenses and low maintenance costs. The Hyundai i30 Active was able to snag the first place position from the Volkswagen Golf 90 TSI Comfortline and Kia Cerato Si (Kia Forte).

Best Small Car Over $35,000 – Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TSFI COD
2013 best car australia Audi A3

Priced at $43,346, the Audi A3 Sportback is Australia’s Best Car over $35,000. It seems like many of the luxury automakers are realizing that consumers are willing to purchase a small vehicle with a touch of luxury if the price is right. This Audi A3 with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine is the perfect example. What makes this vehicle special is the Cylinder on Demand (COD).

The vehicle operates on four-cylinders, but when the power is not needed, the Audi A3 will only operate on two-cylinders making it very fuel efficient without having to go Hybrid or Electric. The Audi A3 returns an impressive fuel economy of 4.7L/100km.

Best Medium Car Under $50,000 – Mazda6 Touring Sedan
best car Australia Mazda6

Best Medium Car Over $50,000 – BMW 320i
best car Australia BMW 320i

Best Large Car Under $60,000 – The Legendary Holden VF Commodore SV6
holden commodore best car Australia

Best Large Car Over $60,000 – Lexus GS350 F-Sport
Lexus GS350 best car Australia

Best Sports Car Under $50,000 – Volkswagen Golf GTI
VW Golf GTI best car Australia

Best Sports Car $50,000 to $100,000 – BMM M135i
best car Australia BMW M135i

Best People Mover – Hyundai iMax
Hyundai iMax minivan

The Hyundai iMax gets top scores, but there is no clear winner for the Best People Mover. The Hyunundai iMax has a 4-Star ANCAP safety rating but would be the winner had it a 5-Star safety rating. The Toyota Prius V and the Peugeot 5008 were other vehicles that were up for consideration but no dice.

Best SUV Under $45,000 – Subaru Forester 2.5i
best suv australia subaru forester

Best SUV $45,000 to $65,000 – Hyundai Sante Fe Highlander CRDi AWD
best SUV Australia Hyundai Santa Fe

Best Luxury SUV – Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI
best luxury suv australia VW Touareg

Best All-Terrain 4WD – Land Rover Discovery 4 TDV6
best 4wd australia land rover discovery

Best 4×4 Dual Cab Ute – Ford Ranger XL 3.2 (d)
best 4x4 dual cab australia

I’ve covered a lot of cars here, but which one is YOUR favorite? Leave me a comment below, even if you’re not Australian. 😉

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eddie

Eddie is a writer covering men's lifestyle topics for Unfinished Man. With a business degree and passion for writing, he provides reviews on the latest cars, gadgets, and other interests for today's man. Eddie crafts entertaining and informative articles aimed at helping readers live their best lives.

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