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Toyota Corolla

Top Selling Small Cars in Australia

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Taking the plunge on a new car can be an exciting (if expensive) time, with no shortage of brands, models and colours for you to choose from before you can hit the open road. But while some may be swayed to opt for an SUV or a ute, what about those who don’t need a lot of space and have their eyes on a small car? To help narrow down the search, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries releases a monthly report on the top-selling cars in Australia, showing which models are proving most popular on our roads. Check this page for regular updates on the best-selling small cars, with the top five selling models in June 2024 listed below:

  1. Toyota Corolla
  2. Kia Cerato
  3. MG 3
  4. Mazda 3
  5. Kia Picanto

#1 Toyota Corolla – 2,232 sales

Selling over 2,200 units in June, the Toyota Corolla has been one of the more popular small cars for a while now, offering multiple model types, including hatch, sedan and hybrid, including the likes of the Ascent Sport, SX and ZR.

The latest models include seven airbags for increased safety, a 2.0L Dynamic Force direct injection petrol or 1.8L VVT-i hybrid engine, with Active Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Safety and Lane Departure Alert available across the range. If you’re looking for something extra, additional features include wireless phone charging, an 8-speaker JBL audio system as well as heated front seats to help make the most of your time behind the wheel.

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#2 Kia Cerato – 1,896 sales

Selling over 1,800 units in June, the popular South Korean model is available in an S, Sport, Sport+ and GT variety, giving you plenty of options to test drive. Most models will include a 4.2inch TFT-LCD Instrument Cluster behind the steering wheel, as well as an 8inch Touchscreen infotainment unit to help with all your creature comforts. Select models additionally come equipped with an auto release Smart Boot for easy use, as well as heated and ventilated front seats to help with those cold mornings.

The higher end models come with dual exhausts and 17inch alloy wheels for those who like to put the foot down, with wireless phone charging and a JBL premium sound system to make the most of those long stretches on the road. Safety features also include front and rear parking sensors, Smart Cruise Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking, handy for those looking for additional peace-of-mind while out on the roads.

#3 MG 3 – 1,287 sales

One of the more recent introductions to the Australian market, Chinese brand MG is known for its smaller models, although most of the focus is on its small SUV range. The MG 3 is available as either the Core or Excite model, and is proving popular, selling over 1,200 models in June.

The MG 3 Core model comes equipped with 15inch alloys, rear parking sensors, LED daytime running lights, an 8inch infotainment screen, leather trimmed steering wheel and a 1.5L engine, while the Excite bumps up the wheels to 16inches, as well as adds a rear spoiler, 6-speaker sound system and sat nav.

#4 Mazda 3 – 992 sales

One of the longest running models within the Mazda lineup, the Mazda 3 has been in production since 2003, and while it offers a sedan model, the Mazda 3 has made the transition to smaller hatchback models a few years ago, and looks to be proving a popular option for many. In June, the Mazda 3 sold over 900 units.

Available as G20, G25 and X20 models – with most subsequently available in multiple variants – the Mazda 3 features an 8.8inch widescreen colour display with Mazda Connect to help you look get comfortable, with close to 300L of storage space available in the hatchback models. Base models are equipped with 114kW engines, with 2L or 2.5L engines available, with a 360-degree view monitor, heated front seats, Bose sound system, Driver Monitoring and Front Parking Sensors available on select models.

#5 Kia Picanto – 686 sales

The smallest offering from Kia, the Picanto sold over 600 units in June, with the micro car available as an S, GT-Line or GT model, with manual and auto models available to choose from. The base level S features a four-cylinder engine capable of a 62kW output, 35L fuel tank, 14inch wheels, hill-start assist, reverse parking sensors, dusk-sensing auto headlights, 4.2inch instrument cluster and USB charging port.

The Picanto GT manual model features a three-cylinder engine with 74kW output, sports-tuned steering and suspension, 16inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights and stylised body kit.

Shopping for tyres? Check out JAX Tyres & Auto

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Should I buy a small car?

Small cars have grown as a market over recent years, proving to be a popular option for those who potentially don’t need a lot of space, don’t have to take care of a lot of passengers or are simply looking for a more affordable option, with no shortage of brands getting behind smaller models. Which car you decide to get behind the wheel of will be dependent on your individual circumstances however, as while small, each brand and model will vary in what it offers, with some small cars even costing over $50,000. As a result, looking into all of your options, as well as potentially what extras you’d like to add, will ensure that you’re left with that new car feeling for a while longer. If you’re not sure about small cars, why not check out our ratings on small cars to see what other motorists think.

Picture credit: Toyota 

Source: CarExpert

Kate Lockyer
Kate Lockyer is a content producer for Canstar Blue’s Home and Lifestyle team. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Journalism at the University of Queensland and has written for a variety of different organisations and publications for multiple years.

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