1st - Skoda Roomster TDI
The anti-cool Roomster seems to be a well-kept secret, partly because Skoda dealers aren’t exactly knee-deep on the Australian streetscape. But it’s certainly the vehicle where finances and functionality collide in this class. It edged aside the almost-stablemate Golf and rival Astra Coupe with a tick in every safety box and the peace of mind an unlimited-kilometre warranty affords.

Roomster’s diesel-motivated powertrain rewards with cheapest in-class annual fuel cost despite diesel’s recent price hike, and doesn’t drag the rrp beyond the point of in-class price competitiveness — despite the fact that the rivals here are all petrol-powered.


2nd - Volkswagen Golf 2.0 FSi Comfortline
Slick styling and best-in-class dynamics make Golf a real winner (albeit one in second place here). However, thirst for 95RON PULP required to keep the hi-tech FSI powerplant purring pushed the Golf back a peg on GSC’s value-based criteria.



3rd - Holden Astra CDX Coupe
Daylight back to third for Astra (84 percent versus Golf on 91) wasn’t really helped by the points boost from its low rrp. A sky-high insurance premium, lack of standard stability control and poorest drive score in the class sealed its fate.