As the New Zealand fleets look to downsize or investigate alternative fuel options it seemed timely to review the “C” segment of five door hatches available to them on the market which are priced from $25,000 to $45,000.
The major players like the Corolla, Focus, Astra, Mazda 3 and Tiida are perfect examples of the “C” segment category but there are many other options that fleet managers should consider in terms of total cost of ownership and safety benefits.
The “C” segment used to cover engine sizes from 1.6 to 2.0 litres, but with new technologies and bigger capacities entering the market, we find ourselves with a range of petrol and diesel engine vehicles with engine sizes from 1.4 litres to 2.3 litres.
Volkswagen
Let’s start with the $42,990 Volkswagen Golf TSI which is powered by a 103kW 1.4 litre twincharger petrol engine, which has replaced the 2.0 litre Golf FSI. You could consider the economical turbo diesel powered 77kW 1.9 litre TDI Golf at $40,590.
Both vehicles offer a direct shift gearbox (DSG) for economy and performance when required, as well as meeting Euro IV emissions standards, and a five star safety performance.
The Golf TSI offers combined fuel consumption of 7.1 100km while the 1.9 TDI offers 5.8l/100km. A more detailed road report on the TSI Golf can be found in Road Reports on page 37 of this issue.
audi
Not to be outdone by their Wolfsburg cousin, Audi have quietly launched a 75kW 1.6 litre version of the A3 Sportback into the fleet fray, and although they are entry level cars, the specification is anything but. The manual version is $39,900 while the tiptronic automatic is $42,900. Combined fuel consumption quoted is 7.6l/100km.
bmw
For those people who aspire to drive a BMW, the Bavarian manufacturer offers an entry level five-door hatchback in their 1 series for fleets to consider. The manual only 85kW 1.6 litre 116i Business retails from $ 39,900 or the 100kW 2.0 litre 118i Business from $41,900 manual, $44,900 automatic. BMW quotes combined fuel consumption of 7.5 litres/100km and 7.8 litres/100km for the manual models respectively.  
Citroen
Citroen is not a brand that is high on the fleet manager’s radar, but it should be given that the very safe and stylish C4 five-door hatch offers both 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre petrol and turbo diesel models with manual and automatic options from $31,990 to $41,990. Citroen quote consumption of 7.6l/100km for the 1.6SX petrol automatic, 4.7l/100km for the diesel 1.6 HDi manual. The petrol 2.0 litre SX auto consumes 8.1l/100km while the diesel 2.0 litre HDi SX auto consumes just 6.6l/100km.
ford
Ford doesn’t offer a diesel variant yet in the Focus five-door hatch, just a 107kW 2.0 litre petrol engine in five manual from $31,900 for the entry level Focus to the sporty Zetec model at $37,590 manual or $39290 automatic. The luxury Ghia variant offers fleets an automatic only option priced at $37,990. Ford quote consumption figures of 7.1 litres per 100km for the manual cars and 8.0 litres per 100km for the automatic models.
holden
Holden offer their price busting comprehensively specified Korean built Viva 1.8 hatchback in manual at $24,490 or $26,490 automatic, but it’s the European sourced Astra hatch range that offers the fleet buyer a much greater choice of engine options.
The newly revised Holden Astra CD with the new 103kW 1.8 litre XER petrol engine starts at $28,990 manual or $30,990 automatic. Holden quotes consumption of 7.4l/100km for the 1.8 manual and 7.8l/100km for the 1.8 automatic. The Astra 1.9 CDTi turbo diesel version starts at $37,990 for the six-speed manual with an 110kW engine (6l/100km) or $38,990 for the six speed automatic with an 88kW engine (7l/100km).
The newly introduced 110kW 2.2 litre Holden Astra SRi retails from $35,990 manual or $37,990 automatic gives fleet managers another sporty choice with luxury features, and Holden make no apologies that it’s a direct competitor for the popular Mazda3. Holden quote fuel consumption of 7.4l/100km for the manual and 7.8l/100km for the automatic version.

Kia
Kia’s 105 kW 2.0 litre petrol Cerato hatch back is an automatic only choice for the fleet manager on a budget as the LX model retails from $26,640 and the EX model $28,990. While the prices may be budget, the cars are anything but, offering comprehensive equipment and safety features, with pleasant ride and handling. Quoted fuel consumption is 9.3l/100km.
mazda
The Mazda3 five-door hatchback offers fleet buyers a comprehensive range of trims and price points to suit. The Mazda3 starts at $29,595 for the entry level 2.0 litre GLX manual, and $31,345 for the GLX automatic. The sportier 2.0 litre GSX manual is $32,345, $34,095 automatic while the luxury 2.3 litre SP23 manual retails for $36,195, and $37,945 automatic.

mercedes-benz
Sneaking in under the $45,000 bracket is the 1.7 litre five-door Mercedes-Benz A170 Classic at $44,900. Although not strictly a “C’ segment competitor the compact A170 is certainly worth consideration for its blend of safety and comfort.
nissan
The Euro-looking 93kW 1.8 litre Nissan Tiida hatch in ST ($25,995 manual, $27,495 automatic) and Ti automatic ($29,595) are charged with the job of securing fleet sales that the old Pulsar Euro hatch did do well at. With the help of the AA, the Nissan Tiida has a quoted fuel consumption of 7.1 litres/100km.
peugeot
Peugeot’s 307 five door hatchback offers European safety and flair from $31,990 for the 80kW 1.6 XS litre petrol five-speed manual to $44,990 (7.4l/100km) for the six-speed automatic only turbo diesel 100kW 2.0 litre XSI HDi (6.7l/100km).
The 307 also offers a petrol powered 103kW 2.0 litre XS Premium manual at $34,990 or $36,990 for the automatic (7.7 or 8.2l/100km) while there’s a diesel 100kW 2.0 litre HDi Premium manual at $39,990 or $41,990 automatic (6.7l/100km).      
renault
No diesels however feature in the five star Euro NCAP rated Renault Megane hatch back range. The manual only 83kW 1.6 petrol powered Authentique retails for $31,900. The automatic only 98kW 2.0 litre models come in three flavours: Expression $35,990, Dynamique $36,990, and Luxury Dynamique for $39,990.
Fuel consumption is quoted by Renault at 7.0l/100km for the 1.6 manual model or 8.4l/100km for the 2.0 litre automatic.
suzuki
The new 107 kW 2.0 litre Suzuki SX4 falls easily into the “C” segment hatchback category. Despite the fact it has an on demand four-wheel-drive system, this unique looking vehicle is far more suited to on-road applications rather than off-road. From $24,500 for the GLX manual, $25,990 auto Suzuki says they are targeting “C” segment buyers with a versatile hatchback that will appeal to fleets as well as private buyers.
A full road report on the SX4 Limited manual and automatic ($26,500, $27,990) can be found on page 34 of this issue. 
toyota
Another Kiwi fleet favourite for decades, the latest and tenth generation of Toyota Corolla hatch sports a unique “bridge” centre console that sprouts from the dashboard and houses the gear lever. Powered by a 100kw 1.8 litre engine the fleet focussed GX variant six-speed manual retails at $30,500, while the four-speed automatic version is $31,650.
The luxury GLX Corolla hatch is only available in automatic transmission for $36,990. Leather and satellite navigation options are available. Toyota quotes fuel consumption of 7.4l/100km.