There’s a reason Honda has been making the Civic for more than 40 years and that’s because they got the basic formula of safety, efficiency, practicality and a dash of driver enjoyment right first time. This generation Civic got replaced last year which means there may be some trade in bargains to be had and as a Honda it is likely to be more sophisticated but just as reliable as you expect.
The small SUV is the new family car. Even if they can’t bush bash like the larger models (which are more expensive both new and second-hand) they cope well with increasingly potholed streets and being slightly higher and more upright than a normal hatchback they are more practical. The Mazda CX-5 manages to be pretty stylish, surprisingly classy to sit in and drive and have a lot of great standard features. They also came packed with some very advanced safety tech which is perfect for family hauling peace of mind.
Whether increasingly busy lives mean the need for two sets of wheels or you’ve got a teenager itching for some independence, a frugal second car can make a lot of sense. The Suzuki Swift is one which manages to project a lot more presence than its size suggests, helped by a reputation for toughness and reliability. It’s fun to drive, parts are plentiful and insurance is cheap.
Before the SUV invasion, the family car was a sensible saloon with room for the kids to argue in the back and a boot big enough to swallow all their clobber. Well they do still exist and because they don’t quite have the same kudos anymore they can represent quite a bargain. The Hyundai i40 is a great example of new school old school with sharp lines, suspension tuned for Aussie roads, strong engines and good build quality.