Top-seller status for 2016 has come down to these three cars, and the deals are getting sharp. Picture: Thomas Wielecki

The desperate deals don’t usually start until December, but big discounts have emerged almost three months out from the finish line.

Toyota Corolla has a narrow lead in the sales race. Will 2016 mark its fourth year at the top? Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

South Korean car maker Hyundai has just launched a grenade, reviving its $7000 off deal on the Hyundai i30 hatch, so Toyota and Mazda have responded with discounts of their own.

The Hyundai i30 has returned to its super-low $19,990 drive-away with automatic transmission. The last time the Hyundai hatch was this price — from April to June — it topped the sales charts.

The Toyota Corolla — Australia’s favourite car for the past three years in a row — is just 1200 sales ahead of the Hyundai in the year-to-date tally.

That gap could be overtaken this month — in June, the last time the $19,990 deal appeared, Hyundai sold a record 6500 examples of its i30 hatch.

It has been 11 years since any other brand sold so many of a single model in a given month. A good month is usually between 3000 and 4000 sales.

Discount king Hyundai is at it again. The Hyundai i30 is back to $19,990 drive-away. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

Which is why Toyota has drive-away deals on six of its cheapest Corolla models — from $20,990 drive-away for a Corolla manual hatch, $22,990 drive-away for a Corolla auto hatch and $23,990 drive-away for a Corolla sedan auto.

But not all deals are created equally, industry insiders warn.

Mazda is playing its cards close to its chest. The advertisements only say there is “free” registration, stamp duty and compulsory third party insurance.

Hidden in the detail, though, there is still a “dealer delivery” charge, making it harder for buyers to compare drive-away prices.

One veteran multibrand car dealer told News Corp Australia that the next two months are going to be “a bloodbath”.

Deals on the Mazda3 are less clear cut. Be sure to haggle hard and compare brands. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

“The discount tap has been turned on,” said the longstanding metropolitan car dealer, who asked to remain anonymous because the manufacturers he represents ask he not speak to the media.

“The problem for buyers will be getting the exact colour they want because the stock will sell pretty quickly. If you get in early you’ll be right, but if you wait until December it’ll be slim pickings.”

As for the brands that don’t publish drive-away prices, the dealer with more than three decades in the business said: “It’s just a trick to try to get people into showrooms and then jack up the price. People need to know that ‘free on-road costs’ is not always the same as ‘drive-away’. Buyers need to be careful to compare drive-away prices. Make sure you’re very specific when getting a price,” he warned.

TOP DEALS ON SMALL CARS

The Hyundai i30 is replaced by a new model in early 2017. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied

Hyundai i30 automatic

Hot deal: $19,990 drive-away

Save: $7000 off full RRP

Toyota has responded with discounts on more Corolla models. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

Toyota Corolla hatch automatic

Hot deal: $21,990 drive-away

Save: $3500 off full RRP

Industry experts warn that “free on-roads” is not the same as “drive-away”. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

Mazda3 hatch and sedan

Hot deal: Drive-away price is anyone’s guess

Save: “Free” rego, stamp duty and CTP insurance, about $1000. Dealer delivery charges are still included, so be sure to haggle hard as they vary from showroom to showroom. Contrary to perception, they do not include the cost of getting the car to the dealership, that is covered in the dealer’s invoice cost. “Dealer delivery” is part of the dealer’s profit.

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling