Premium hatchback comparison headlines CarAdvice Magazine December/January

Free to download to iPad – see https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/caradvice-magazine/id552851300?mt=8 – the final issue for the year starts with a sub-$40,000 six-car premium hatchback comparison and tails with a 400kW-plus, $200,000 four-car European muscle car showdown.

We then look ahead, bringing you full details on the top new models launching in 2014, a development feature on the new-generation Ford Mustang arriving locally in 2015, and reveal the hidden secrets of the Ford showroom in 2017 when Falcon and Territory cease production.

With the small car class the most popular category sold in Australia, we firstly look at the state of the premium small car class that costs between $30-40,000.

The Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class are all-new models with a renewed challenge to the driving benchmark in the class, the BMW 1 Series, and here they fight with the exact same sticker price - $35,600.

We test whether ‘premium’ small cars actually warrant a pricing premium by pitching those three models against the Alfa Romeo Guilietta, Volvo V40 and the class benchmark in the mainstream small car class, the Volkswagen Golf.

At more than five times the price of those hatchbacks, the new Audi RS6 Avant and Jaguar XFR-S challenge the facelifted BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG for sports sedan (and a wagon…) supremacy.

Tagged the ‘400kW Club’ because in the past 12 months all of them now exceed a power output that starts with a ‘4’, these executive-class heavy hitters cost between $225-250,000 and mix driving thrills with family practicality.

Only one, however, has been awarded a perfect score.

With 2013 coming to a close, we’ve gathered the goss on the next top models coming to a showroom near you next year.

From sports cars (cue the Alfa Romeo 4C, Subaru WRX and BMW M3/M4) to popular hatchbacks (Skoda Rapid Spaceback and Peugeot 308), renewed family car favourites (Nissan Qashqai and Toyota Kluger), to refreshed rivalries (new Audi A4 and Benz C-Class), don’t miss the hottest guide to 2014 motoring.

Turning, then, to the following year when the Ford Mustang will finally be introduced to Australia, we have an in-depth look at the new sports car with the ripper expected $45,000 and many more tricks underneath its saddle (but, shhh, we can’t tell you here).

Insiders have also given us the low-down on what Ford’s showroom will look like in 2016 and 2017, when local production ceases and the Falcon and Territory are terminated. As an import-era Ford Australia begins, we dissect the top 11 models – with a few surprises – set to arrive to fill the void.

There are also reviews of the facelifted Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Hyundai ix35 Series 2, new Holden Barina RS, Lexus ES, Range Rover Sport, and Nissan Pathfinder and Juke, and a futuristic feature drive of the all-electric BMW i3. That’s in addition to all the latest breaking news, future models spied and a calendar of all the motoring events and launches coming up in the new year.

Check out our high-resolution picture galleries, adaptable design, and cool specification panels. The CarAdvice Magazine December/January issue is available at the Apple newsstand now. Click https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/caradvice-magazine/id552851300?mt=8