Best budget prestige buys by segment

Australian car buyers are increasingly drawn to a badge on the bonnet that flaunts their success.

The top-end marques respond by pushing hard into what was mainstream brand territory only a few years ago.

That's why the "big three" — Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz — posted better than 10 per cent growth last year in a market that dipped by 2 per cent.

It's still a case of you get what you pay for, so CarsGuide has looked at the cheapest (as distinct from best value) entries in the major car segments.

LIGHT HATCH

Alfa Romeo MiTo - $22,500

This is the cheapest way to buy membership to the prestige club, but it's a basic package. First impressions are good, with the distinctive shield grille helping the supermini stand out. Inside though, only the Alfa badge on the steering wheel hub gives any clue this is a product from a premium brand.

Still, Alfas are all about the driving and for the money, there's a spirited 900cc turbo engine matched to suspension that's much improved from the previous series.

It is a long way off the perfect prestige car but it is the best buyers can expect at this price point.

SMALL HATCH

Alfa Romeo Giulietta - $24,550

A Giulietta is a lot closer to what we expect from Alfa than the MiTo, even if it's not the car Alfisti want. The Giulietta adds rear doors and a lot more flair in cabin styling and performance. If buyers can find the extra $2000, this is the Alfa to own... at least until the Giulia heralds the return of rear-wheel-drive Alfas when it launches later this year.

The Giulietta's suspension is generally well sorted and the turbo 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine gives this five-door enough fizz to be a fun drive.

For CarsGuide, this is the prestige entry point.

SMALL SEDAN

Audi A3 - $39,800

Now we're cooking. The A3's interior finish looks as though it was assembled using a jeweller's loupe and the materials are a step up from that found in the VW Golf. The design inside and out is minimalist but classy.

A turbo four-cylinder engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto and has the neat party trick of dropping two cylinders under light load to help achieve a claimed fuel use of 4.7L/100km.

The handling compromise is spot-on: breezing over city bumps while still hanging tough through the twisty stuff.

MEDIUM SEDAN

BMW 316i - $52,800

The entry level 3 Series is basically a price spoiler for CarsGuide's Car of the Year, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Potential owners could save $8000 (the difference between the 316i and the Benz C200) but will miss out on luxury items.

Performance won't set the world on fire but the eight-speed auto makes the most of the available urge. It handles well through the corners and around town. A six-speed manual is available for the same price.

The faux leather seats look the goods even if they're manually adjustable rather than electric. Standard gear includes dual-zone aircon, 6.5-inch display with satnav and rear parking sensors.

LARGE SEDAN

Jaguar XF - $68,075

The Leaping Cat pounced on the large car segment with the XF, which now trails only the Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series in sales. There's good reason for that — the 2.0-litre turbo engine is a willing performer, if a touch thirsty, and is backed by a smooth eight-speed auto.

Slide into the leather and suede front seats and first-time occupants will be impressed by the party tricks. The rotary transmission control rises out of the centre console and the air vents swivel open.

Rear space isn't superb, but the Jag exudes old-world style supplemented by modern technology.

SPORTS COUPE

Lexus RC350 - $66,000

Not so long ago you'd have been a fool to consider a Lexus sports car. Now you'd be a fool not to. The RC350 has striking looks — though some won't appreciate the massive spindle grille — and the poise and performance to back it up. A 3.5-litre V6 powers the rear wheels and the 100km/h sprint time is 6.1 seconds despite its hefty 1740kg.

A four-year warranty and resale value of 56 per cent after three years are worth noting too.

Standard kit includes LED headlamps, satnav, 10-speaker audio and heated/ventilated seats.

CONVERTIBLE

Mini Cabrio - $40,350

The poor man's prestige drop-top embodies fun, from the wind-in-the-hair sensation to a sensational handling package. The 1.6-litre engine is no rocket — there's a turbocharged Cooper S for more oomph — but it is a willing performer in partnership with a six-speed manual gearbox (auto adds $2350).

Practicality isn't part of the package with minuscule boot space and rear seats that shouldn't be occupied by much more than shopping bags. There's also wind noise and tyre roar with the top up or down.

Live with that and the Mini is relatively cheap and extraordinarily cheerful.

SMALL SUV

Mini Countryman - $34,150

No, it's not all-wheel drive, but neither are many of its rivals. The 149mm ride height gives the Countryman enough clearance to negotiate rutted roads without challenging the 170mm clearance of an Audi Q3. Neither will be used for off-road duties, so the elevated drive position is the selling point here, along with a big (by Mini standards) 350L boot.

It shares its 1.6-litre engine with the Mini Cabrio and rides almost as well, with just a touch more body roll through the turns.

The most compelling aspect is the price, which is $8000 less than an Audi Q3 and $14,000 below a BMW X1.

MEDIUM SUV

Range Rover Evoque - $49,995

The five-door model doesn't quite have the drop-dead looks of its three-door sibling but is a more functional car to live with — and it is $2500 cheaper. The diesels have the lowest prices in the range, as the petrol variant is positioned as the performance model.

The 2.2-litre turbo diesel is matched to a six-speed manual, making this front-wheel drive a frugal vehicle to operate. Claimed fuel use is 5.0L/100km There's plenty to admire inside, from the partial leather seats to the soft-touch dash and elegant switch layout. The base model — dubbed eD4 — has a five-inch TFT multimedia screen and rear parking sensors but can't be had with a reversing camera or air vents for the back seat.

There are still ways to get a touch of luxury, if not outright prestige, in the major segments.

LARGE SUV

Volvo XC70 - $59,990

The big all-wheel-drive wagon sits 210mm clear of the road, giving it more than enough room to clamber over kerbs and ride roughshod over piles of snow at the local ski field.

Backed by a 575L boot, it is a hugely capable getaway machine.

The Volvo is all about cruising in comfort, so the intentionally cosseting ride comes at the expense of cornering ability.

The base diesel engine has more than enough go but some expected gear — like a powered tailgate and satnav — require a dip into the extensive options list.

2015 BMW 228i review

Good things can and do come in small packages. BMW seems to understand the cliche better than most when it comes to building cars.

The previous generation 135i may not have been the prettiest thing to look at but it was a pearler of a pocket-rocket that made the M3 look ridiculously expensive.

The M235i coupe launched earlier this year was a variation on that clever theme.

Now there is a slightly more sedate, sensible and affordable alternative, the 228i. It sits between the ballistic M235i and entry level 220i, and may just be the sweet spot of the range.

DESIGN

There’s nothing particularly striking about the 228i at first glance. It is well proportioned, with a sportier stance and more cohesive silhouette than the 1 Series hatch.

Inside, white leather seats lift what is a fairly dark and sombre cabin, with trademark orange instrumentation and a 6.5-inch screen sitting proud on the dash.

Accommodation in the rear seats is tight for larger adults and teens but not unbearable once front and rear occupants negotiate a settlement on respective legroom. The seats are a highlight — body hugging and firm but comfortable on longer journeys, while the small diameter, thick rimmed steering wheel gives the driving environment a sporty feel.

ABOUT TOWN

Compact dimensions and good turning circle make it a breeze for nipping around narrow city streets and car parks but the lack of a rear camera on a circa-$65,000 car is just plain rude. A too-long options list also includes automatic emergency braking at low speeds and lane departure warning, as well as real-time traffic updates. Access to the rear is reasonably fuss-free. The speed limit device is handy for city driving, as is stop-start engine technology.

ON THE ROAD

If the design is uninspiring, the engineering of the 228i is the opposite. Nobody has ever doubted BMW’s ability to build cars that can scythe through corners better than the rest but the trade-off in the past was a ride that ranged from a bit firm to denture-rattling uncomfortable.

The 228i provides a much better balance between comfort and performance. It is still supremely responsive and agile through corners, with pin-sharp steering and great balance yet it is also comfortable and composed over inner-city corrugations and potholes.

The liveability factor extends to the engine and transmission combination. The smooth eight-speed transmission and punchy but refined 180kW four-cylinder turbo make for a civilised commute.

Switch to sport mode and the car comes alive, with sharper throttle response and gear shifts that keep the engine in its sweet spot for longer. BMW says it clocks the 0-100km/h sprint in just 5.7 seconds (as quick as some V8s) and uses just 6.3L/100km (less than some city runabouts).

VERDICT 

The 228i is let down by its price tag and lack of equipment but few can match it as a driver’s car.

It is wonderfully balanced, with precise steering and a drivetrain that can slip from comfortable cruiser to hot coupe in a heartbeat.

WHAT IT’S GOT

Engine stop-start. Driving mode selection to sharpen gearshifts, throttle response and steering. Satnav, cruise control with auto braking, front and rear sensors.

WHAT IT HASN’T

No reversing camera, blind spot monitoring, low-speed crash avoidance or auto parking. No spare (run-flats).

OWNERSHIP

Three-year, unlimited kilometre warranty is about par for the course. Service package for $1140 includes oil changes, filter replacements, spark plugs and brake fluid for 5 years/80,000km.

New model; Glass’s Guide predicts 56 per cent resale.

PICK OF THE RANGE

The 228i is the 2 Series sweet spot. It is a viable performance alternative to the M235i and has enough oomph to justify the premium over the base model.

Specifications

Price:	From $64,400
Warranty:	3yr/unlimited km
Engine:	2.0-litre 4-cyl turbocharged petrol, 180kW/350Nm
Transmission:	8-speed auto; RWD
Thirst:	6.3L/100km, 154g/km CO2 Tank 52L

2015 Kia Carnival review

Kia Carnival’s are rare beasts, the just released new model replaces the one introduced almost 10 years ago. In that decade there have been huge forward strides in vehicle platform design and the all-new Carnival benefits in many ways.

DESIGN

New Carnival has 75 per cent more rigidity and added interior room, yet hasn’t put on any weight. The body is slightly shorter and lower than before, but sits on a longer wheelbase to stretch the legroom in the cabin.

Best of all in the eyes of many is that Carnival has style, and plenty of it. No longer is this a box on wheels bought by the family that needs - rather than wants - a people mover. Sales are likely to go to many who take pride in their vehicle.

Who knows, Australians may even follow their American cousins and go for minivans (US for people movers) ahead of SUVs. SUVs are often gas guzzlers, particularly when you buy them with seven or eight seat capacity as they are big, heavy and not particularly streamlined. Minivans make more sense, are simpler to drive and do more than their fair share of looking after our environment if all seats are in use.

We love the big bold radiator grille and squared-off front of the new Carnival, though we have to say its shape doesn’t immediately cry out that it’s a Kia. That’s because the so-called Schreyer centre of the grille doesn’t have the very definite reduction in height as others in the Kia range, a reduction that we feel is its strongest styling feature.

Anyhow, beauty is in the eye of the beholder so we will let you make your own decision when you pop into your local Kia dealership. While you’re there have a look at the different finishes offered on the grilles of the various Carnival grades, in ascending order; S, Si, SLi and Platinum.

The interior of the new Carnival is impressive, this is far from being a stripped down people mover, instead it has the sort of style and materials usually found in big name German sedans.

Cabin usability is what vehicles in this class is all about and the guys and gals at Kia have put a lot of hard work into this.

Seat layout is two individual seats in front. Three in the centre row, with the two outer ones slightly wider than the centre seat, the centre seat backrest can be folded down to form a table, or can be removed. These seats can be folded forward in an unusual way, with the seatback vertically over the top of the seat base, which is also vertical. The result is extra luggage length and volume. Very clever.

The rearmost three seats have a 60/40 split arrangement, one or both sections can be folded completely flat to provided uninterrupted boot space.

There’s stretch out legroom gives the sort of space you normally only get in a limousine. Ease of entry to the rearmost seats is better than average, though this area is probably best left to the younger and nimbler. Space in the rear seat is good without being outstanding, but that’s not unusual in this class.

All eight seats provide the security of three-point safety belts. Carnival has a full suite of crash avoidance or mitigation features, including rollover mitigation and brake cornering control.

Even with all seats in use there is still good luggage space.

ENGINES AND TRANSMISSION

Big people movers need plenty of power when loaded and some makers have made the mistake of using engines that are too small. Working these little powerplants hard can turn them into gas guzzlers. Kia has been smart in offering Carnival with a 3.3-litre V6 petrol, and a big torque 2.2-litre turbo-diesel.

Power outputs are 206kW (petrol) and 147kW (diesel). More important are the torque numbers, a very useful 336Nn metres for the petrol and a huge 440Nm from the diesel. Official fuel consumption numbers are 11.6 and 7.7 litres per hundred kilometres respectively.

DRIVING

Though our initial drive impressions were in far from ideal conditions - in a sodden Gold Coast with a cyclone just over the horizon - we feel these fuel numbers are about right. We will report in detail when we drive them for seven days sometime in the next couple of months.

This is a large vehicle and requires more driving skill and patience than a car. Parking is easier than you might expect thanks to excellent visibility in all directions. Rear parking sensors are fitted to all models.

VERDICT 

Kia’s all-new Carnival is more an eight seat sedan than it is an old-style people mover. It provides impressive comfort, space and quality of ride. It would be nice to see many buyers of big SUVs moving into a common-sense vehicle like this - here’s hoping.

2015 Kia Carnival list pricing
S 3.3-litre petrol: $41,490 (automatic)
Si 3.3-litre petrol: $45,490 (automatic)
SLi 3.3-litre petrol: $49,990 (automatic)
Platinum 3.3-litre petrol: $57,490 (automatic)
S 2.2-litre turbo-diesel: $43,990 (automatic)
Si 2.2-litre turbo-diesel: $47,990 (automatic)
SLi 2.2-litre turbo-diesel: $52,490 (automatic)
Platinum 2.2-litre turbo-diesel: $59,990 (automatic)

Specifications

Price:	From $41,490
Warranty:	7 year unlimited km
Engine:	3.3-litre 6-cyl petrol, 206kW/336Nm
Transmission:	6-speed torque converter automatic, FWD
Spare:	Spacesaver
Thirst:	11.6L/100km Tank 80L

2015 Alfa Romeo 4C review

A full-on Italian sportscar for well under $100,000? I'd like to see that… Well, here it is; with a recommended price of just $89,000 the all-new Alfa Romeo 4C comes from one of the world's longest running makers of racing and sports cars.

Enzo Ferrari raced Alfa Romeo cars before setting up his own organisation and Alfa has won multiple Grand Prix races and F1 world championships. The company celebrated its 100th anniversary worldwide in 2010 and continues to make gorgeous machines to this day. However, most of them are now somewhat everyday cars as Alfa Romeo got into financial strife a while back - as is the way with many sportscar and racing car makers - and is now controlled by Fiat.

As well as the standard $89,000 (plus on-roads) Alfa 4C there's also a Launch Edition special at $109,000, still a bargain price. It has larger wheels and tyres on firmer suspension, a sports exhaust, sports seats and steering wheel and red brake calipers.

Alfa Romeo 4C is anything but everyday in its makeup. Have a look at the low front, there's no engine under there to demand height, the famed Alfa Romeo shield grille is upright and bold and flares well into the bonnet's style lines. Big cutouts give the front a purposeful look. The side profile is low and positive with the big rear air intakes. The lines that begin near the doors' fronts add a real talking point.

Complex shaping of the long tail features very Italian round lights, a built-in spoiler and boldly shaped diffuser with twin exhaust outlets at the outer corners. This is a stubby little car, being just four metres long and only 1.2 metres high.

Alfa Romeo 4C is constructed largely by hand using lightweight components, chiefly carbon fibre and aluminium. It weighs in at just 1025 kilograms. This makes it not only more nimble on the road but also means it can get stunning performance from an engine that displaces just 1750cc - a capacity that's been famed for Alfa for many years.

The engine is borrowed from big brother Alfa Romeo Giulietta and sits transversely just behind the two-seat cabin and drives the rear wheels. The turbocharged, direct-injection, twin-cam four has been worked to produce 177 kW at 6000 rpm, with torque figures of a hefty 350 Nm all the way from 2200 to 4250 rpm.

It's tuned to be a full-house sporty unit both in the way it responds and, just as importantly, in the way it sounds, more about this in a moment.

As is the way with full-on sports machines these days power transmission is by a fast-shifting double-clutch automatic, in this case with six forward ratios controlled through paddle shifters.

Alfa Romeo 4C is all about driving, but before you can do that you need to get into it, which requires sliding over wide door sills of the tub and settling into seats mounted not far off the floor. Those who favour miniskirts may find it a problem... 

Once in you are nicely supported by true sports seats, which is just as well, because cornering forces of 1.2 G have been measured, and Brembo brakes and bespoke Pirelli P-Zero tyres can haul speed off at 1.25 G. These are big numbers and indicate the serious intentions of the 4C's designers.

We weren't able to sample the 4C at a track to get the full benefit of this road grip, but on-road testing in some quiet areas north of Sydney certainly showed it has huge levels of grip. Ride comfort isn't particularly good, though certainly acceptable in the serious sportscar' class. Low ground clearance can cause scrapes underneath if you're not paying attention.

Zero to 100 km/h time is listed at just 4.5 seconds, that's true supercar territory

A further advantage of the light weight of the Alfa is that it doesn't need power steering. So you get the full feel of exactly what the tyres are doing. Sensitivity of the steering takes some getting used to, there's initially a feeling it's tram-lining (following lines on the road without you making any steering inputs) but in fact it may be that it's the sensitivity that you're feeling. When we get a further chance to experience the 4C over an extended period we will get back to you on this.

The sound of the engine is addictive. It sits just behind you and induction, turbo and exhaust noises are transmitted to the cabin - loudly. You will have to raise your voices to carry on a conversation, particularly when you really get stuck into this hot little Alfa.

Zero to 100 km/h time is listed at just 4.5 seconds, that's true supercar territory, we measured it by handheld stopwatch and came up with 4.6 seconds, so it sounds as though the factory number is spot on.

VERDICT 

Alfa Romeo 4C is a pure sportscar, not a pretty coupe - and we love it for that. This isn't a car for everyone, which is perhaps just as well because the initial shipment may well have been completely sold out by the time you read this, and the waiting list is likely to become very long very quickly.

Specifications

Price:	From $89,000
Warranty:	3 years/150,000km
Engine:	1.75-litre 4-cyl petrol turbo, 177kW/350Nm
Transmission:	6-speed dual-clutch automated manual; RWD
Thirst:	6.8L/100km