As new-car prices rise with more safety and convenience features, there are still affordable options available for buyers in all segments, as the End of Financial Year period approaches.
Growing vehicle dimensions and lists of comfort, safety and connectivity features have seen new-car prices rise over the last five years – exacerbated by COVID-19, which put pressure on the cost and availability of parts, and price of shipping.
While the list of truly affordable cars on sale in Australia is shrinking with each new price rise, there are still a handful of options under $20,000, with more available under $25,000 and $30,000 – across multiple market segments.
The days of the $15,000 drive-away new car are behind us, but it’s still possible to get into a new automatic car for under $20,000 drive-away – albeit with compromises in safety or size – and a fuel-sipping hybrid for around $30,000.
Note: All prices listed in this story are before on-road costs, unless otherwise stated. Where drive-away prices are listed, if a manufacturer does not quote a nationwide price, a metro Sydney postcode has been used to calculate government charges.
Cheapest new cars in Australia
- Kia Picanto S manual – $18,490 drive-away nationwide ($15,990 plus on-road costs)
- MG 3 Core automatic – $18,990 drive-away nationwide
- Kia Picanto S automatic – $19,490 drive-away nationwide ($17,590 plus on-road costs)
- MG 3 Core with Nav automatic – $19,490 drive-away nationwide
- Kia Picanto GT-Line manual – $19,990 drive-away nationwide ($17,440 plus on-road costs)
- Suzuki Baleno GL manual – $19,990 drive-away, outside of Queensland ($18,990 plus on-road costs)
- MG 3 Excite automatic – $20,490 drive-away nationwide
- Kia Picanto GT-Line automatic – $20,990 drive-away nationwide ($19,040 plus on-road costs)
- Suzuki Baleno GL automatic – $20,990 drive-away, outside of Queensland ($19,990 plus on-road costs)
- Kia Rio S manual – $21,490 drive-away nationwide ($19,690 plus on-road costs)
- Suzuki Ignis GL manual – $21,990 drive-away, outside of Queensland ($20,490 plus on-road costs)
- MG ZS Excite automatic – $22,990 drive-away nationwide
- Suzuki Ignis GL automatic – $22,990 drive-away, outside of Queensland ($21,490 plus on-roads)
- Kia Rio S automatic – $22,990 drive-away nationwide ($21,990 plus on-road costs)
Cheapest ute in Australia
The cheapest new ute on sale in Australia is the Mitsubishi Triton GLX in single-cab chassis, 2.7-litre petrol, rear-wheel-drive form with a five-speed manual transmission, priced from $23,740 plus on-road costs.
For buyers looking for an automatic, the cheapest option is a single-cab chassis, 2.7-litre petrol, rear-wheel-drive Toyota HiLux WorkMate for $26,225 plus on-road costs, or about $33,000 drive-away for a private buyer.
Cheapest 4×4 dual-cab ute in Australia
The most affordable dual-cab, four-wheel-drive ute on sale in Australia – excluding cab-chassis models – for June 2022 is the LDV T60 Max, priced from $35,779 drive-away with a manual transmission, or $37,884 drive-away with an automatic.
Prices will rise by $1053 from July 1 – but while prices will remain lower for ABN holders ($34,990 to $36,990), the SsangYong Musso ELX ($35,790 drive-away with a manual, $2000 more for with an automatic) becomes the cheapest option for private buyers.
Mahindra’s Pik-Up S10 manual is another contender for this category, however the company does not list prices on its website to verify the $34,500 drive-away price listed on third-party websites.
Cheapest seven-seater in Australia
The battle for the cheapest seven-seater is a close race between the Nissan X-Trail ST and LDV D90 2WD.
The X-Trail is priced from $34,265 plus on-road costs, or about $37,000 drive-away – but stock is running out, ahead of a new model due later this year with only five seats. Meanwhile, the D90 can be had currently for $36,990 drive-away for private buyers, or $37,990 drive-away after July 1.
Cheapest hybrid in Australia
The cheapest new hybrid car in Australia is the Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport Hybrid, priced from $27,395 plus on-road costs, or just over $31,000 drive-away when using a Sydney postcode. Hatchback and sedan body styles are available.
Cheapest electric car in Australia
The most affordable new electric vehicle in Australia is the BYD Atto 3, priced from $44,381.35 plus on-road costs in entry-level Superior Standard Range trim.
While in Tasmania it costs as little as $44,990 drive-away, in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia the price tips over $47,000 drive-away – making the $46,990 drive-away MG ZS EV Excite the cheaper option.
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