Real car rivals brought to you by RedBook IQ

Forget assumptions made on size, price, country of origin, badge or perceived prestige …..

Thanks to RedBook IQ, discover the real rivals of the some of the most iconic nameplates in the Australian automotive marketplace, from the perspective of buyers hunting down their next car on carsales.com.au.

Volkswagen Golf

Since its release in the mid-1970s, the Volkswagen Golf has long been considered a global benchmark in the popular small car class. But what do Australian car buyers compare the Golf to when car shopping on carsales.com.au?

Is it the Ford Focus – its chief rival in Europe – or perennial sales leaders the Mazda 3 or Toyota Corolla?

RedBook IQ reveals that the #1 rival for the Golf on carsales.com.au in October 2019 – as evidenced by cross-view analysis – was  the Hyundai i30, followed by a few more shocks; the Volkswagen Tiguan SUV and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

And the surprises don’t stop there: Australian car buyers compare the purchase of a Golf to larger premium sedans such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan and the BMW 3 Series in great numbers.

Are premium vehicles under threat when the all-new and tech-laden Golf 8 touches down in Australia next year?

Mazda CX-5

Since its launch in 2012, the Mazda CX-5 has been considered a style and sales leader of the super-popular medium SUV segment.

But what are the CX-5’s chief rivals in the eyes of shoppers on carsales? The latest cross view analysis from Redbook IQ reveals more than a few surprises, with brand stablemates CX-3 and Mazda3 ranking above the X-Trail for cross views, but below the Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Honda Jazz

Due to cost, marketing and logistics, there is no guarantee that the next generation of the much-loved Honda Jazz will make it Down Under.

So if the axing of the Jazz eventuates, which rival brands and models stand to benefit?

Surprisingly, the latest cross view analysis from RedBook IQ uncovers that Australian car buyers shop the Jazz against the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Hyundai i30, to a greater degree than traditional segment rivals such as the Suzuki Swift and Mazda 2.