2009 Car of the Year: Small Car Under $18,000

With the economy slumping, the Best New Small Car under $18,000 was a shrewd category to be judging at AJAC TestFest.

In the bargain hunters division it was a dust-up between the Toyota Corolla, Chevy Aveo and Smart Fortwo.

Winner: Toyota Corolla

For $17,740 the Corolla delivers a stylish interior with crisp gauges, an uncluttered centre console and big dials that keep fumbling to a minimum.

The newly styled exterior is inoffensive and the anesthetized driving experience is what devotees want.

But the new lobotomized electric power steering is baffling and I hope Toyota changes it.

Price as tested: $17,740

Chevrolet Aveo

The Chevy Aveo needs a little more loving by its handlers to shine.

It's getting praise for its interior but I found it too austere. The instruments were hard to read and the rock-hard driver's armrest is a mean piece of work.

I did like certain views of the exterior with its stubby, cheeky, punk sensibility, but the front end erupts into a snout when viewed from the side.

The driving experience had some pluses over category mates: the brakes felt firmer than the Toyota's, and ditto the steering, which had some weight and communication skills. The 107 hp engine is new this year and grunts the car along adequately.

Price as tested: $17,085 Smart Fortwo

Penny-pinchers love the fuel economy of the Smart (estimated at 5.4 L/100 km), but even though it sports a new 70 hp gas engine this year, its lurchy gear changes forced me to score it third of three.

It has a sharp new instrument panel, big views, and people love its cute cube profile, but it gets punched around in crosswinds like a homemade plane flying over the Rockies.

Price as tested: $17,123