Best Value Cars
Gallery 1
Kia tops hard-fought podium.
Kia Cerato S
Here, however, it’s not just a long warranty that seals the deal. The Kia is among the least expensive to buy of the entry-level small car set, which helps offset its retained value forecast of only 57 percent.
Fuel consumption is good at 6.6L/100km; some rivals do better, but they demand 95 octane while the Cerato happily sips regular 91. Top it off with inexpensive insurance ($730) and you have a sure-fire cash-saver.
Mazda 3 Neo
Skoda Rapid Spaceback Ambition
| Small Cars under $25K | Kia Cerato S man | Mazda 3 Neo man | Skoda Rapid Spaceback Ambition man |
| Purchase Price | $19,990 | $20,490 | $18,990 |
| Combined cycle fuel (L/100km) | 6.6 | 5.8 | 5.4 |
| Fuel RON (min. rec.) | 91 | 91 | 95 |
| Three-year fuel cost | $3767 | $3311 | $3282 |
| Redbook resale (%) | 57.0 | 63.7 | 59.5 |
| Three-year depreciation | $8596 | $7438 | $7691 |
| AAMI insurance premium | $730 | $804 | $731 |
| Service interval (months) | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Warranty (years) | 7 | 3 | 3 |
