BOOT SCOOTERS

than sharp on the road. The Toyota rolls and pitches, lacking precision when changing direction. Tall tyres are hushed on the highway but amplify road noise on rough surfaces.

Better news is under the bonnet. Toyota’s 1.8-litre hybrid set-up delivers silent running at low speed and decent progress on country routes. Combined outputs (90kW/163Nm) look small on paper but the torque of its electric motor delivers on real-world performance.

We tested the Toyota in Hybrid SX form priced from about $33,500 drive-away. It misses out on the padded cabins, leather trim and big alloys of the Mazda and Subaru — which in turn don’t have a hybrid, now a popular option.

It’s easy to see why. The Corolla uses less than half as much fuel as the Mazda in the real world, comfortably returning 4L/100km.

It packs everything you need, active safety features among them.

Toyota matches the Subaru’s eight-inch touchscreen with smartphone mirroring.

The tested trio have in common a five-year warranty and capped-price servicing but the Corolla is the cheapest to own and run. It could render loyal service for many years to come.

MAZDA3

This is the best-looking of the bunch. That’s the consensus of three test drivers and

photographer, who rated the sedan’s handsome proportions and neat design touches. It’s also the lightest and most athletic of the trio, the equivalent of a runner’s shoe.

With taut and modern looks, the Mazda3 is comfortable enough, its slightly firm ride being the trade-off for superior steering precision and body control.

This one is the driver’s pick, thanks in no small part to a willing (if less than muscular) 2.0-litre engine (114kW/200Nm) mated to the best transmission of the lot, a six-speed auto with shift logic that does a brilliant job choosing the right ratios.

Interior presentation is a level beyond rivals here, thanks to broader use of soft-touch materials and such tech as a head-up display.

There is an Audi-like remote interface for its wide-screen 8.8-inch display but it’s not a touchscreen. The deep bezel around the readout looks cheap and we’re also unimpressed by glossy piano black surfaces that scratch easily.

The Mazda3 has the best driving position, allowing you to sink low into the car. The rear seat has less legroom than the others.

But it gets air vents to help passengers feel fresh on longer journeys.

The sedan is styled to addresses the compromised rear vision of the Mazda3 hatch.

Mazda has the least boot space here, though 444L is hardly stingy.

The G20 Touring tested here, at just under $34,000 drive-away, splits the Toyota and Subaru on price. It combines a small engine (other grades get a more powerful 2.5-litre) with a high level of equipment.

Leather seats with driver’s memory adjustment and eight-speaker audio are among the neat touches.

Excellent safety features include active cruise control, autonomous emergency braking and reverse auto braking.

VERDICT

Pick the shoe that fits best. The Subaru’s all-weather ability, Toyota’s comfort and Mazda’s dynamism appeal to different audiences. For us, the Mazda3 is the best all-round compromise. It’s attractive enough to make small sedans fashionable.