The humble philosophy of motoring is not about how much luxury you have, or how you look; it's about the practicality of getting from A to B, and there is definitely satisfaction in knowing you didn't break the bank to achieve it.
Price and quality don't have to be mutually exclusive. To prove it, we've compiled a list of the best affordable cars in Australia:
Kia Picanto Sport – from $18,290
Kia calls the Picanto a stylish, smart compact city car, and it delivers exactly that. With a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, it offers decent performance for its price range. The Picanto Sport model comes in manual or automatic, with an array of styling options and trim levels. Take note, prices may vary depending on what you choose.
This is the cheapest car on the list, but it’s also the smallest, at only 3595mm. If you’re short on garage space or are a city driver, the Kia Picanto Sport could be an excellent vehicle for you. It’s easy to manoeuvre around tight spaces and has all the advanced must-have features like smartphone connectivity, touchscreen infotainment system, and driver assist technology.
Hyundai Venue – from $22,750
The Hyundai Venue is a small but reliable and affordable SUV. It offers a great performance given its 1.6-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine. The Venue has a six-speed (manual or automatic) transmission. It’s a good choice for those who want to do city driving and light off-road driving.
This Hyundai Venue is designed with convenience and comfort in mind. Its features include satellite navigation, smartphone capability, a 4.2-inch supervision cluster, a wireless charging pad, and USB ports for everyone. The vehicle also comes with a slew of safety features, including blind-spot collision warning, driver attention warning, and many more.
The Venue is also backed with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
MG 3 Excite – from $23,990
The MG 3 Excite is an excellent choice for everyday commuters who value performance and practicality. It has a 1.5-litre engine and has all the basic amenities you’d expect, like a reverse camera, fabric seating, and an infotainment screen.
This car is equipped with safety features from the advanced MG Pilot suite, complete with a range of Active Driver Safety features like autonomous emergency braking, blind spot detection, and intelligent cruise assist.
Though it’s more expensive than its previous iterations, the MG 3 Excite is still a solid budget option for those looking for good value for money. The 10-year, 250,000 km warranty from MG is just the cherry on top.
Chery Tiggo 4 – from $23,990
The latest small SUV from Chery Tiggo offers great value for money. It’s an award-winning small SUV equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 108 kw of power with a maximum torque of 210 Nm and an estimated combined fuel consumption of 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres.
The Tiggo 4 promises power, efficiency, and a comfortable driving experience like no other. It has all the safety features you expect, like smartphone connectivity, infotainment display, and ample safety technology.
This model comes in two pricing grades: the Tiggo 4 Urban and the Tiggo 4 Ultimate. The Urban is the base model and cheapest of the two. Meanwhile, the Ultimate, though more expensive, offers additional features like a sunroof, heated front seats, and more.
Suzuki Swift Hybrid – from $24,490
The Suzuki Swift Hybrid is one of— if not the most affordable hybrid car on the Australian market. Previous Swift models have been a favourite among motorists not just because of their affordability but also their compact size, lightweight body, and fun dynamics. The latest model, which is a mild-hybrid hatchback, takes everything you loved about the classic Swift and kicks it up a notch or two.
The new hybrid engine boasts amazing efficiency with its 12v system for incredible fuel efficiency. In terms of looks, the Swift Hybrid also gets a makeover inside and out. The exterior has a new styling that’s in line with its iconic design but with more muscular curves. The interiors are more driver-centric, with a more spacious boot too.
The Suzuki Swift Hybrid comes with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. It’s the ideal car for those looking for something compact, practical, and fuel-efficient.
Mitsubishi ASX – from $24,490
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly SUV, look no further than the Mitsubishi ASX. The ASX range offers buyers plenty of options under $30,000, and they all come with standard features such as smart link display audio, electronic rearview mirror, and some driver-assist technology.
It’s an SUV designed with a city-style flair, with its black accents and 18-inch black alloy wheels. The ASX offers a polished, sleek, and stylish look. Under the hood, you’ll find a 2.4 MIVEC petrol engine that can take you all over the city. And in the back, you can see a spacious boot with a capacity of 1,193 litres when the seats are folded.
Mazda 2 – from $26,797
The new Mazda 2 comes in sedan and hatchback body types as well as new colour options. It has a single petrol engine and is available with a manual or automatic transmission.
Looking into performance, the Mazda 2 is powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine. You can expect 81 kw of power and 142 Nm of torque. For its price, it has everything you would need from a city car.
Take note, the hatchback option offers a lot more variety with four variants compared to the sedan’s two. As always, prices vary depending on the model you choose and how many features it has.
GWM Haval Jolion – from $26,990
The GWM Haval Jolion comes with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It’s a small SUV that packs quite a punch, offering outputs of 105 kw of power and 210 Nm of torque. The base model offers great performance, but there are more powerful options available, albeit more expensive.
The Haval Jolion is another car with a driver-centric interior, with its ergonomic steering and state-of-the-art 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen. It has a whole host of safety features as well, such as driver-assist technologies and multiple airbags. The passenger seats are also comfortably spacious given the Haval Jolion’s size.
Kia Stonic – from $25,660
The Kia Stonic is a small SUV with a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with 74 kw of power and 172 Nm of torque. Though not the most powerful of the small SUVs on the list, it offers great agility and easy maneuvering on urban streets. It’s an ideal car for those living in the city or young drivers ready to take to the road.
Other features include a tilt and slide sunroof, climate control, heated front seats, and an optimised 60:40 split-fold rear seat configuration to give you ample space in the back. It also has modern features such as smartphone compatibility, USB charging and 12V power, and an eight-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth multi-connection.
Chery Omoda 5 – from $27,990
The Chery Omoda 5 is the most expensive vehicle on the list, with its other variants tipping over the $30,000 mark slightly. This vehicle has a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine offering 108kW of power and 210Nm of torque. And it has a fuel consumption of 6.9 litres per 100km.
One of the many great things about the Omoda 5 is its array of driver assist features. The Chery smart driver assistance systems include blind spot detection, autonomous emergency braking, and traffic jam assistance, just to name a few.
The Omoda 5 has a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
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