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If you’re on a budget, finding a car that ticks all the boxes can feel like a challenge. However, there’s still a wide range of new car options available on the market that won’t break the bank. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore five of the best affordable cars in Australia for 2024, whether you’re looking for a city runaround, small SUV or electric vehicle.
All information is correct for the 2024 model year of each car
Kia Picanto
The Kia Picanto is a versatile and practical choice for budget-conscious drivers in Australia, especially those who frequently navigate city streets. As a compact car, the Picanto is perfectly suited for urban environments, offering agility and manoeuvrability in tight spaces.
According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries' VFACTS data, the Picanto was the second-best-selling model among all micro and light cars in Australia in 2023, with 7,706 registrations in total. There are four versions available to drivers in Australia: Sport Manual, Sport Automatic, GT-Line Manual and GT-Line Automatic.
Price:
The Kia Picanto is one of the most affordable new cars you can buy in Australia, with a starting price of around $17,890 and driveaway estimate of $20,690 for its Sport Manual model before on-road costs. Even its most expensive variant, the GT-Line Automatic, comes in at a very manageable $21,290 RRP and $23,490 driveaway price.
ANCAP safety rating:
Unrated (as of 31 July 2024)
Features:
- Safety features: the 2024 Kia Picanto comes with six airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring with braking, and rear cross-traffic alert with braking.
- Internal tech: the Picanto has a colour LCD touchscreen and Bluetooth multi-connection feature, allowing you to seamlessly connect two smartphones simultaneously. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with voice recognition gives you easy access to navigation, messages and your favourite playlists.
- Boot capacity: the Kia Picanto offers 255L of cargo space, which can be expanded to 1,010L with the rear seats folded down.
- Additional options: the Picanto is available in seven colours, with Clear White as standard and other options available at an extra cost of $520. GT-Line models come with premium seats, six-way seat adjustment and soft-touch front armrests.
- Warranty and support: the Kia Picanto comes with a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, providing peace of mind for years to come. Additionally, benefit from roadside assistance and capped-price servicing, ensuring that your Picanto is always well taken care of.
MG3
MG’s MG3 is one of Australia’s best-selling light hatchbacks. Its contemporary design and affordable price tag make the MG3 an attractive choice for urban drivers seeking a stylish and practical vehicle. Among all vehicles in the micro, light and small vehicle segments, the MG3's 15,430 registrations in Australia across 2023 were only bettered by the Hyundai i30 and Toyota Corolla.
There are three MG3 models currently available to drivers in Australia, all automatic: Core, Core with NAV and Excite.
Price: The driveaway price of the current MG3 model starts from $18,990 for the MG3 Auto Core. The Core with NAV starts at $19,490 and the Excite at $19,990. However, the price for the new 2024 model is expected to be $5,000 more expensive.
ANCAP safety rating:
Unrated (as of 31 July 2024)
Features:
- Safety features: the MG3 has six airbags and proactive safety features designed to keep you protected on the road. These include electronic stability program, emergency brake assist and active cornering brake control systems, which help you maintain control in various driving conditions.
- Internal tech: it comes with an 8-inch colour infotainment touchscreen, placing all essential controls conveniently at your fingertips. Apple CarPlay integration syncs your iPhone with the car's system, and there is a four-speaker audio system featuring 3D Sound Field technology.
- Boot capacity: the MG3 offers ample storage space with 307L of roomy boot space, which expands to 1,081L when the rear seats are folded down.
- Additional options: you can customise your MG3 with a choice of four car colours, with white and black available for no extra cost and silver and metallic blue available for an additional $500. If you opt for the Excite model, you will enjoy additional features such as 16-inch two-tone machined alloy wheels, body-colour door mirrors with integrated turn signals, a rear spoiler and a six-speaker audio system.
- Warranty and support: it also comes with a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, along with anti-perforation and paint warranties. Plus, benefit from MG Roadside Assist for added peace of mind on your journeys.
Hyundai i30 Hatch
The Hyundai i30 Hatch is a practical compact car that offers a blend of style, performance and technology. With its sleek design, comfortable interior and advanced safety features as standard, it is a popular choice for urban commuters and small families looking for a reliable and versatile vehicle.
In terms of car sales, the i30 finished just outside the top 10 for top-selling cars in Australia in 2023, with its 20,626 new models sold making it one of only 11 to crack 20,000 for the year. It was also the best-selling car among all models in the micro, light, small and medium segments. There are three versions of the standard i30 Hatch available in Australia: the i30, the i30 Active and the i30 Elite.
Price: The Hyundai i30 Hatch has a list price of $24,000 and estimated driveaway price of $26,290 for its standard manual variant, and $2,000 more for its automatic version ($26,000/$28,290). Prices are higher for the Active and Elite versions.
ANCAP safety rating:
★★★★★
Features:
- Safety features: the i30 boasts advanced safety features under the Hyundai SmartSenseTM suite, including forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision warning, lane-keeping assist, smart cruise control and driver attention warning.
- Internal tech: it comes with an 8-inch multimedia touchscreen display that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as a 6-speaker audio system.
- Boot capacity: the i30 has a spacious interior for a car of its size, offering 395L of cargo capacity that expands to 1,301L with the seats folded down, accommodating all your storage needs.
- Additional options: you can personalise your i30 Hatch with a choice of six different colours, with Polar White as standard and other colours available for an additional cost of $595. i30 Elite models also come with 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen display with 3D navigation, Bluetooth device connectivity and a wireless charging pad fitted into the centre console.
- Warranty and support: it comes with a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, complemented by a lifetime service plan and roadside support for the first 12 months. You can extend your roadside assistance coverage with each scheduled service completed at an authorised Hyundai Service Centre, ensuring ongoing support throughout the lifetime of your i30.
SUV: Ford Puma
SUVs are often associated with higher price tags, but it is possible to find reasonably priced options in Australia for under $40,000. Classed as a light SUV, the Ford Puma is a popular choice for those looking for a bigger car on a budget. With its stylish design, compact dimensions and practical features, the Ford Puma offers versatility and functionality for city drivers and small families.
Although it wasn't among the best-selling models for light SUVs nationally in 2023, it remains a relatively popular option in the segment with 2,027 units sold. The car has three variants: the Puma base model, the ST-Line and the ST-Line V, all with automatic transmission.
Price: The Ford Puma base model has an estimated driveaway price starting from $35,697. An ST-Line model has driveaway prices starting from $38,139 and the ST-Line V from $41,467.
ANCAP safety rating:
★★★★★
Features:
- Safety features: the Ford Puma comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features to ensure peace of mind on the road. These include airbags, collision warning, road sign recognition, electronic stability control, rear parking camera, AEB, driver attention alert, lane departure warning, speed limiter and parking sensors.
- Internal tech: features include a six-speaker sound system, an 8-inch colour touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Ford AppLink integration, along with built-in satellite navigation and an infotainment system with voice-activated controls.
- Boot capacity: the Ford Puma offers ample cargo space, with a capacity ranging from 410L to 1,170L when the back seats are folded down, providing versatility for transporting cargo of various sizes.
- Additional options: the Ford Puma has eight different colour options, with Blazer Blue and Frozen White available at no additional cost and other colours available for an extra $700. Enhance your driving experience with optional packages such as the Park Pack, which includes adaptive cruise control, automatic park assistance and blind-spot braking, available for an additional cost on standard and ST-Line models. The hands-free power liftgate with smart keyless entry is also available as an optional extra. The ST-Line V variant offers the option to add the Park Pack and a panoramic sunroof for added comfort and convenience.
- Warranty and support: the Ford Puma is backed by a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty. Additionally, Ford National Roadside Assistance is included with your vehicle purchase, providing added peace of mind on your journeys.
Electric: MG4 Excite 51
Electric vehicles (EVs) are growing in popularity across the globe, and Australia is no different. Launched in 2022, MG’s MG4 is an attractive option for budget-conscious drivers seeking an affordable entry point into the world of electric cars.
Among small models listed at $40,000 or above, the MG4's 3,134 units in 2023 were only bettered by the Volkswagen Golf and the Audi A3 nationwide. In Australia, there are currently four MG4 models available, with the entry-level Excite 51 variant one of the cheapest EVs on the market.
Price: The MG MG4 Excite 51 has a driveaway price starting from $39, 990. Other variants of the MG4 are available from $44,990 (MG4 Excite 64), $46,990 (MG4 Essence 64) and $52,990 (Long Range 77) driveaway.
ANCAP safety rating:
★★★★★
Features:
- Battery range: the MG4 boasts a range of up to 350km per charge, tested under standardised Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) conditions. However, keep in mind that real-world driving results may vary due to factors like driving habits, battery condition and environmental conditions.
- Safety features: equipped with MG Pilot Driver Safety Technology, the MG4 offers nine active driver safety features, including speed limit assist, 360° camera, lane assist, AEB and adaptive cruise control. However, it doesn’t include blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert features.
- Internal tech: the MG4 features a 7-inch digital cluster, 10.25-inch touch screen display, iSMART Lite functionality and compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a four-speaker audio system.
- Boot capacity: the MG4 provides ample storage space, with a boot volume of 363L with seats in place and a generous 1,177L with seats folded, ensuring versatility for various cargo needs.
- Additional options: the MG4 Excite 51 has seven colour options, with Dover White available at no extra cost and other options available for an extra $700. Additional features are also available on other MG4 variants, such as electrically adjustable seats, satellite navigation and voice control is available on the Essence 64 and Long Range 77 models.
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