15 of the Cheapest Cars in Australia 2024

A number of major manufacturers are maintaining cheap entry points, while new-found competition in the landscape is helping to keep prices at a healthy place for bargain hunters.

If you’re looking to buy your first car, an affordable second car or you’re just after a no-frills, cheap-as-chips runaround, you’re in the right place.

It’s time to remind ourselves that some absolute bargains are out on the market with a closer inspection of the 15 cheapest cars on sale here in Australia in 2024.

Kia Picanto

Starting from $16,290*

Famed for its simplicity and no-frills charm, the latest Kia Picanto is a seriously impressive - and cheap - new car that ticks a number of important boxes for buyers, namely price, efficiency and a long warranty.

The Picanto is easy to drive around town, even easier to park, sips fuel responsibly and can fit adults in the back without anyone’s knees being broken, resulting in one of the most well-rounded packages in the affordable micro hatchback market.

• Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 62kW / 122Nm

• Fuel Economy: 5.4L per 100km

• Boot Space: 255L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: 

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Suzuki Ignis

Starting from $21,490*

The Suzuki Ignis is the most affordable member of the company’s range, yet it’s a package that over-delivers practicality-wise for such a small hatchback.

While there’s some compact SUV-inspired styling going on, the Ignis is more of a high-riding hatchback that offers impressive interior acreage for such a small footprint, excellent fuel economy and nimble handling.

• Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 66kW / 120Nm

• Fuel Economy: 4.9L per 100km

• Boot Space: 264L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai Venue

Starting from $22,000*

The Hyundai Venue is Hyundai’s most affordable car, sitting as a pint-sized SUV package that certainly won’t break the bank.

While the small SUV segment can typically come with some practical sacrifices attached, the Venue does well to keep things comfortable for those inside, maintaining a healthy amount of boot space and benefitting from a modern technology suite.

• Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 90kW / 151Nm

• Fuel Economy: 7.2L per 100km

• Boot Space: 355L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Four-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mazda 2

Starting from $21,510*

The Mazda 2 remains one of your best options if you’re in the market for a clean and tidy small car that sips fuel responsibly and doesn’t disappoint behind the wheel.

The Mazda 2 is available in both hatchback and sedan variants, the latter of which offers a healthy amount of boot space, while both are extremely fuel-efficient, well-mannered around town and super user-friendly to operate.

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 81kW / 142Nm

• Fuel Economy: 5.0L per 100km

• Boot Space: 250 - 440L (hatch vs sedan)

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

MG ZS

Starting from $22,990*

The MG ZS range is one of the cheapest small SUVs on the market, presenting buyers with undeniable value.

For the money, MG throws a boatload of features into the ZS, offers a decent amount of interior space and backs it with a ten-year warranty that demands attention from anyone looking for an affordable compact SUV.

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 84kW / 150Nm

• Fuel Economy: 7.1L per 100km

• Boot Space: 359L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Four-star 

• Warranty: Ten-year/250,000-kilometre

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro

Starting from $21,990*

The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro is one of the most recent entrants to the Australian market, a package looking to make a bold first impression with buyers in the small SUV space.

The Tiggo 4 Pro hits the ground running with extremely competitive pricing, healthy interior space and practicality and a long seven-year warranty to win over buyers looking for a bargain.

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 108kW / 210Nm

• Fuel Economy: 7.3L per 100km

• Boot Space: 380L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated 

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

MG 3

Starting from $18,490*

There’s a brand new MG 3 in town and while it might not hold the title of Australia’s cheapest car anymore, it still provides outstanding value for money, especially in hybrid form.

Fresh off a styling overhaul, the latest MG 3 range has seen its cabin completely overhauled in line with MG’s more contemporary vehicles, while an updated safety equipment list brings it closer in line with its rivals.

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 81kW / 142Nm

• Fuel Economy: 6.0L per 100km

• Boot Space: 293L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated 

• Warranty: Ten-year/250,000-kilometre

Mitsubishi ASX

Starting from $23,990*

The Mitsubishi ASX has been a staple of the affordable end of the car market for more than a decade now.

While it’s beginning to show some signs of its age, the ASX is a package that seriously impresses on the practicality front and even more so when it comes to value, benefiting from a ten-year warranty.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 110kW / 197Nm

• Fuel Economy: 7.7L per 100km

• Boot Space: 393L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Expired five-star 

• Warranty: Ten-year/200,000-kilometre (when serviced on time, within network)

Suzuki Swift Hybrid

Starting from $22,490*

Suzuki has given the iconic Swift hatchback a major update for 2024, headlined by a new styling package, revised interior, updated technology lists and a hybrid-only engine lineup.

The adoption of hybrid tech means that the already fuel-efficient Suzuki Swift is now one of the most frugal in the segment, while the sleek styling package has helped to give it more of a modern charm.

• Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol, 12V mild-hybrid

• Power & Torque: 63kW / 170Nm

• Fuel Economy: 4.0L per 100km

• Boot Space: 265L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

MG 5

Starting from $24,990*

If you’re looking for an affordable sedan, MG has you covered with the MG 5 - a sedan package that provides undeniable value for money.

While it’s not a sports car, the MG 5 is surprisingly confident on Australian roads, while a healthy amount of features and MG’s outstanding ten-year warranty gives budget-conscious buyers some serious food for thought.

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 84kW / 150Nm

• Fuel Economy: 5.7L per 100km

• Boot Space: 401L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Ten-year/250,000-kilometre 

Kia Stonic

Starting from $22,290*

The Kia Stonic is the company’s baby SUV package that ticks all of the important boxes for compact SUV buyers.

It’s fuel efficient, easy to drive, offers decent interior space and benefits from a healthy equipment list and Kia’s long seven-year warranty that certainly helps to sweeten the deal over some of its biggest rivals.

• Engine: 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 74kW / 172Nm

• Fuel Economy: 5.4L per 100km

• Boot Space: 332L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

MG ZST

Starting from $25,490*

The MG ZST is certainly deserving of a closer inspection if you’re looking for a sportier take on MG’s small SUV that also benefits from a much healthier list of active safety equipment.

Power comes supplied by a turbocharged engine, there’s a long list of features as standard and it’s all backed by that ten year warranty that adds serious peace of mind down the line.

• Engine: 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 115kW / 230Nm

• Fuel Economy: 7.1L per 100km

• Boot Space: 395L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated (ZS is rated four-star)

• Warranty: Ten-year/250,000-kilometre

Toyota HiLux Workmate 4x2

Starting from $26,475*

If you’re after an affordable workhorse, look no further than the entry-level version of the almighty Toyota HiLux.

While it doesn’t have the same towing or payload figures as the rest of the range, the base version of Toyota’s HiLux is an honest performer and comes in a practical, work-ready cab chassis layout that stands up to any challenge on the work site - particularly for the price.

• Engine: 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 122kW / 245Nm

• Fuel Economy: 10.7 - 11.1L per 100km

• Boot Space: N/A

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre (seven for driveline, when serviced in network)

Mazda CX-3

Starting from $23,510*

Mazda’s baby of the SUV range, the CX-3 is a cheery little package that feels great behind the wheel.

The CX-3 is a great city car, with sharp handling and a pint-sized footprint that allows it to squeeze into any vacant space, the CX-3 proves an effortless and fuel-efficient commuter that remains well-priced here in Australia in 2024.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 110kW / 195Nm

• Fuel Economy: 6.3L per 100km

• Boot Space: 264L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Expired five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

GWM Haval Jolion

Starting from $25,790*

Our list wraps up with yet another affordable small SUV package, the Haval Jolion.

The Jolion benefits from a long warranty program, a five-star safety rating and a long list of active safety tech for every member of the range, meaning you don’t have to upgrade in order to get features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring or rear cross-traffic alerts.

• Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol

• Power & Torque: 110kW / 220Nm

• Fuel Economy: 8.1L per 100km

• Boot Space: 430L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

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If you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying specialists who can help find you a bargain and take the stress out of the buying process.

* Prices accurate at time of writing.