Best First Car 2021: Driving performance

All seven contenders in carsales’ Best First Car 2021 are nimble hatchbacks, but as the most affordable models in their respective range, they’re not what you’d call hot or even warm hatches.

While some are turbocharged, that doesn’t give them tyre-shredding performance. It’s more a case of offering useable low-rpm torque while at the same time achieving better fuel economy.

On that point, consumption is pretty close across most of the cars on test, averaging 5.0L/100km.

The Kia Rio Sport is a bit thirstier at 6.0L/100km, while the most efficient of the bunch is the Skoda Fabia 81TSI with 4.7L/100km – running on the required premium unleaded petrol.

The only other car that demands the use of higher-grade 95RON fuel is the Volkswagen Polo 70TSI Trendline.

The rear suspension design on each of the cars gathered here includes a torsion beam axle, which is generally not as accomplished as an independent rear-end engineered for high-level chassis dynamics, as seen in almost all larger cars.

That said, the Fabia is the sole model with a sports suspension tune.

It’s a close-run contest, but of the two Volkswagen Group models – the Polo and Fabia – it is the VW city-car that proves the best all-rounder from behind the wheel.

The Polo feels relatively light on its feet and, when it comes to driving dynamics, the VW light hatch is simply hard to fault.

On gently winding country roads, the entry-level car carves up corners with ease. It sits flat through bends, which means you can corner with confidence, but there’s also a level of suppleness in the ride quality that makes this a well balanced all-rounder.

It’s an energetic, fun car to drive and its default response to heavy-handedness is predictable understeer. On less exciting roads and around the city the Polo is smooth, easy-going and surprisingly quiet.

The 70kW/175Nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine isn’t coarse like some other inline three-cylinder motors and, in general, the driving experience is calm and quiet.

Perhaps the biggest blot on a pretty clean copybook is that it can feel lethargic in combination with the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic, which can feel jerky at parking speeds without careful throttle input.

The Skoda Fabia is a very close second for driving performance among our Best First Car cohort, benefiting from a better-performing engine than the Polo but held back by a chassis that’s not quite as competent overall.

It, too, has a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine – pushing out a useful 81kW/200Nm – and proves to be eager, smooth and responsive (once past the initial turbo lag). It also sounds great, but isn’t all that quick.

The seven-speed dual-clutch auto snaps through the gears seamlessly, but the automatic engine idle-stop system is a bit slow to get the engine running. On the latter, you can either lift off the brake a little in anticipation of moving off or disengage the feature altogether (until the next ignition cycle, at least).

The Fabia’s steering is quick and light, and while there’s good tyre grip, the chassis isn’t the most engaging or rewarding in this class if you like carving up corners.

Overall, though, the Czech brand’s city car is safe and predictable in its cornering behaviour and a very good all-rounder.

Next up is the Mazda2 G15 Pure, which is dynamically competent and powered by an engine – a 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit (82kW/144Nm) – that needs to be revved but will reward you for doing so.

Notably, and not surprisingly for a small-capacity naturally-aspirated engine, the Mazda’s maximum torque figure is achieved at a rather high 4000rpm and the power figure at 6000rpm, making for a tight operating window for maximum pulling power.

This sounds bad on paper, but the Mazda2 is actually quite zippy in the real world and the hatch scampers like it’s producing 120kW rather than 82kW.

Indeed, this is an everyday city-car with performance beyond its station that seems to balance the right mix of power, handling, tech and feel.

Following the Mazda is the Kia Rio Sport, which uses a 74kW/133Nm 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine to deliver solid driving performance.

Uniquely, in the chassis department, it’s also helped along by steering and suspension that’s been tuned specifically for Australian conditions.

On the go around the suburbs, the Kia Rio’s performance is perfectly fit for purpose and its nimble handling with light steering makes it a breeze to drive. It’s no powerhouse, but delivers a brisk response when you put your foot down.

On the freeway it’s less impressive, simply because it lacks the oomph you ideally want for overtaking. But in terms of ease of driving and overall ride comfort, the Kia Rio doesn’t disappoint. It’s quiet, too.

The Toyota Yaris has taken a big step forward with its latest generation and the Ascent Sport embodies the car’s new-found confidence.

Compared to its predecessor, there’s a zippier turn of speed, more refinement and a more athletic dynamic bent.

The 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine (88kW/145Nm) is a significant departure from the previous four-cylinder units, with an endearing thrum that’s full of character and accompanied by a broad spread of power across the dial.

Dynamically, the new Yaris is also eons ahead of its predecessors. It encapsulates the fun-to-drive hatch experience with nicely weighted steering and an agile, communicative chassis that breathes over bumps and maintains composure through fast changes in direction.

At the same time, the new Yaris offers excellent stability at highway speeds, and shakes off pitter-patter bumps and larger undulations admirably, especially given its small size.

The Suzuki Swift GL Navigator Plus isn’t all that far behind the Yaris, producing impressive performance, and excellent economy, from its 66kW/120Nm 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

It feels brisk in a straight line, and under load the four-pot engine is a little less growly than the three-cylinder unit in higher-spec Swift models.

Turn-in is slightly slower than the Mazda2, for example, and the light steering lacks the same level of feel as found in some of its rivals.

Tipped into a corner, the Swift’s body control also isn’t in quite the same league as the best in class here, with minor pitching prevalent and a distinct tightening of the line evident when you lift off the throttle.

Nevertheless, the Suzuki is lively and fun to drive.

In contrast, the Mitsubishi Mirage LS is the oldest model on test here. Its origins go back as far as 2014 – and that shows in how it drives.

The 57kW/100Nm 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine allows the Mirage to accelerate briskly enough around town, assisted by its continuously variable transmission (CVT).

But the CVT does allow the engine to drone, and ultimately the Mirage shows itself as a car that’s not well suited to pushing the envelope in search of a bit of fun and frivolity.

The body has an inclination to roll, the steering lacks precision and feedback, and the front-end geometry is troubled by crosswinds and bumps.

That said, the ride is compliant and the Mirage actually holds the road very well. Its forte is threading its way through narrow laneways and slotting into tight parking spots, not shredding twisty country roads.

Best First Car 2021 contenders:
Kia Rio Sport
Mazda2 G15 Pure
Mitsubishi Mirage LS
Skoda Fabia 81TSI Run-Out Edition
Suzuki Swift GL Navigator Plus
Toyota Yaris Ascent Sport
Volkswagen Polo 70TSI Trendline