Premium Compact cars under $50K: Australia’s Best Value Cars

These three compact cars, Audi A1, Mini Cooper and the BMW 118i, will give you greater economy in a nifty city-car size, with a touch of class.

Audi A1 Sportback 1.5 TFSI

It figures that the most cost-effective Premium Compact cars are the smallest of the breed. This is a genre that has found favour in recent years – as has the three-cylinder engine, which features in each of our podium finishers.

Audi reckons it pioneered the segment (don’t they all?) but has certainly perfected the beautifully finished interior, which makes the A1 a compelling luxury hatchback. In another Ingolstadt tradition, the small-engined variants of its various models are often the best steers, and that’s certainly true of the charming turbo-triple A1.

Even more importantly here, it uses just 4.2L/100km, which combine with low-cost insurance and sound resale to help this $27K ‘base’ hatch to the gold.

Mini Cooper

The Mini Cooper’s engine condition-based servicing system means the turbo three can officially run for up to two years between services, which could save you hassles and a few bucks.

BMW 118i

An eight-speed auto keeps the 1300kg 1 Series in the efficiency game with significantly lighter rivals, while its three-year resale tops even the category winner’s figure, at 59 percent.

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