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Small cars are set for a big year in 2016, with appealing and interesting new arrivals expected in both the market-leading hatchback/sedan class and in the booming baby-SUV segment.
One from left-field is quirky but clever Citroen crossover the C4 Cactus, which we’ll see around February. The French wagon will be a niche model, playing the likes of the Mazda CX-3, Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008.
Selling points include roominess, low weight, a choice of efficient small turbo petrol and diesel engines and, in fine Gallic tradition, comfortable ride quality. The C4 Cactus (pictured above) is a front-drive-only proposition, and a six-speed robotized manual will be offered in lieu of a conventional automatic, alongside five-speed and six-speed manuals.
Big news at the pointy end of the passenger cars sales charts will be the arrival of a new Holden Astra. And – although perhaps not until 2017 – the Opel-sourced fifth-generation Astra ‘K’ will sell alongside a fresh – and imported –Holden Cruze.
The Holden Cruze is also expected to take a step up with the second-gen model, which will be sourced from Korea ahead of the impending closure of Holden’s local manufacturing operation.
The Lion’s two-pronged attack will stand it in good stead in a small-car class of 2016 brimming with new players, likely including a facelifted Mitsubishi Lancer, Honda’s 10th-gen Civic and Renault’s Megane IV (due July).
In premium compact arrivals, Audi’s A3 range is due for an update, which will be headlined by the adoption of the ‘virtual cockpit’ instruments to which were introduced by the third-generation TT. The Ingolstadt brand will also usher in its Q1. The ultra-compact, MQB-based model will open the brand’s SUV range.
Citroen will introduce a facelifted DS3, which will bring a hotted-up Racing version to Oz for the first time. The French brand’s DS4 is also due for an update; it’ll drop the grille chevron for a new visage.
The baby SUV segment saw strong growth in 2015 and solid sales thanks to the Mazda CX-3 among others, and arrivals such as Suzuki’s iM-4 will help it maintain the momentum in 2016. We’ll also see Mitsubishi’s second-gen ASX – if you’d like a preview of the styling, look exactly as far as the XR PHEV II concept.
A new Holden Barina Spark won’t set the world on fire when it arrives in February, but the next-gen city-car promises to be a big improvement on the current model which, admittedly, is not difficult.
Mitsubishi’s updated Mirage, on the other hand, probably won’t be much better than the outgoing version. Meanwhile, Suzuki’s new little hatch, the iK-2, will at least give buyers an interesting alternative in this segment of slim pickings.
