Sub-Light Car: Gold Star Value Awards 2014

Sub-Light category hatches weighed up­

1. Mitsubishi Mirage ES hatch
EACH of the base-model Mirage’s vital figures is among the best in class, and the 2014 Gold Star field. The little Mitsubishi can be considered not only the best buy of the cheapies, but of every car put through the GSVA wringer.

With its 4.6L/100km official fuel consumption, it costs just $2626 to fuel for three years. There are cars that would cost almost that much to fuel for one year. Who would want to buy second-hand when the Mirage costs only $12,990 new? Well, the stout 65 percent Redbook retained value figure suggests that there is a market for an $8400 three-year-old Mirage.

Insurance is cheap, at $882, and 12-month service intervals and a five-year warranty if Mitsubishi services the car all help.

2. Holden Barina Spark CD
THE Barina Spark’s silver reflects consistency rather than any one exceptional result. There’s value packed in the little Lion’s fuel efficiency, resale, insurance premium and nine-month service interval.

3. Fiat 500 Pop
ITS 5.1L/100km official fuel consumption figure is the high point because Fiat’s charming Cinquecento remake is a bit pricier than its truly bare-bones rivals, with a three-year warranty compared with a class-best of five.

Notable classmates: Smart ForTwo Coupe mhd, Nissan Micra / Number of cars crunched: 5