10 Most Reliable Small Cars in Australia 2025

Small cars are renowned for their user-friendly nature on the road, great fuel efficiency and their relative mechanical simplicity, which has made them some of the most reliable vehicles on the market.

When it comes to reliability, however, not all small cars are created equal, with some makes and models offering fewer headaches down the line.

With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at how we’ve mapped out small car reliability and then map out ten of our favourite, most reliable small cars you can buy in 2025.

How to Determine Small Car Reliability

We’re going to map out our list of the most reliable small cars with the help of consumer reports, anecdotal evidence and some more concrete data, in the form of the latest J.D. Power Dependability Study.

While the data focuses on vehicles delivered in the U.S. market, the significant sample size - totaling 34,175 vehicle owners in the 2025 edition - is a great way to compare reliability across mainstream manufacturers.

This study maps out new vehicle and three-year-old vehicle problems, ranking them on a scale of problems per 100 vehicles sold… the less, the better.

10 Most Reliable Small Cars in Australia 2025

Lexus UX

Lexus takes the top spot on our list after a first-place finish in the overall dependability rankings.

Toyota’s luxury arm continues to set the benchmark for long term reliability, while the UX range impresses with its incredibly smooth on-road manners, exceptional fuel economy and the confidence of a ten-year warranty for the hybrid system when you keep it serviced within the dealer network.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol + electric motor hybrid

• Fuel Economy: 4.2L per 100km

• Boot Size: 368L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2019) 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre (up to ten years for battery)

Mazda 3

Mazda has managed to edge out Toyota in the latest dependability rankings, with the iconic Mazda 3 remaining one of the most dynamic, stylish and reliable small cars in the segment.

In its latest form, the Mazda 3 remains a seriously attractive package, picking up a well-appointed interior layout and some of the sportiest on-road manners of any vehicle on this list - all of which is backed by Mazda’s rock-solid reputation for reliability.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 5.9L per 100km

• Boot Size: 295L (hatchback) 444L (sedan)

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2019)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is a small car that needs no introduction, remaining one of the most influential and recognised names in the segment that it continues to dominate well into its 12th generation.

In 2025, the Corolla is a hybrid-only affair offered in both sedan and hatchback formats, both of which return super impressive fuel economy figures, remain extremely well-mannered on the road and uphold Toyota’s excellent reputation for reliability.

• Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol + electric motor hybrid

• Fuel Economy: 3.9 - 4.0L per 100km (sedan vs hatch)

• Boot Size: 217 - 470L (hatch vs sedan)

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre (ten years for hybrid system)

Kia Picanto

The Kia Picanto is a fantastic little hatchback that very much lives up to the ethos that good things come in small packages.

With its pint-sized footprint, the Picanto is a great little city car with a charming nature behind the wheel and offers buyers the confidence of a seven-year warranty - a feat made more impressive by the fact it remains Australia’s cheapest new car in 2025.

• Engine: 1.25-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 5.4L per 100km

• Boot Size: 255L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Honda Civic

The latest-generation Honda Civic has grown up, both in terms of its outright size, quality of its interior design and fuel efficiency thanks to a new petrol-electric hybrid engine under the bonnet.

The Civic is a pretty substantial package for a ‘small’ car, which means there’s tonnes of rear accommodation, a large boot and perhaps the best on-road manners of any vehicle on this list - not to mention Honda’s outstanding reputation for its mechanical dependability.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder + electric motor hybrid

• Fuel Economy: 4.2L per 100km

• Boot Size: 409L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2022) 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre (eight years for battery)

Mazda 2

The Mazda 2 is a fantastic little city car for those looking to trim down their fuel bills while retaining some engaging handling in a super user-friendly package.

Offered in both a sedan and hatchback, the Mazda 2 is a great entry-point into the small car segment from a company that is widely regarded as one of the most reliable in the business.

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 5.0L per 100km

• Boot Size: 250 - 440L (hatch vs sedan)

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre

Toyota Yaris

Toyota’s smallest hatchback in the range is not to be underestimated, remaining one of the most fuel-efficient and well-mannered small cars on the road.

The Yaris is a one-stop shop for user friendliness behind the wheel, sips just 3.3L/100km worth of fuel on the combined cycle and offers buyers a warranty that offers coverage for the hybrid system stretching out to a decade, when you keep it serviced within the network.

• Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol + electric motor hybrid

• Fuel Economy: 3.3L per 100km

• Boot Size: 270L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2020)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre (up to ten years for hybrid battery)

Hyundai i30 Sedan

While the i30 hatchback range has been relegated to a premium-only lineup, the Hyundai i30 Sedan offers immense value for money in base form, especially considering the pricing for the entry-level hybrid version.

The i30 Sedan offers some serious interior acreage, eating up adults in the second row without breaking a sweat and providing an impressively refined ride quality for the money.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 6.1L per 100km

• Boot Size: 474L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre (eight-year/160,000km for hybrid battery)

Suzuki Swift

Suzuki is a name very closely associated with long-term reliability thanks to their relative mechanical simplicity.

While the latest-generation Suzuki Swift looks to be a more technical exercise, we can confidently say that it will uphold the company’s rock-solid reputation for reliability, all while offering some fuel efficiency gains to boot.

• Engine: 1.2-litre three-cylinder mild hybrid

• Fuel Economy: 4.0L per 100km

• Boot Size: 265L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: One-star (tested 2024)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Subaru Impreza

The latest generation Subaru Impreza is a great addition to the small car segment that offers more versatility than the majority of its rivals, thanks to the company’s iconic symmetrical all-wheel drive system.

The Impreza leads the way for AWD motoring at this end of the price spectrum and comes extremely well-equipped when it comes to active safety gear, making it well worth a spot on your small car shortlist.

• Engine: 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 7.5L per 100km

• Boot Size: 291L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre

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