New car prices aren’t as cheap as they used to be, but there are still plenty of affordable options.
However, the purchase price of a new car is only part of the financial equation. In addition to the sticker price, car buyers need to consider the warranty, service and other after-sales support.
Australia’s cheapest new cars are all around the same price, but each has its own maintenance costs. These costs add up, especially for budget drivers.
With that in mind, which of these budget cars is the cheapest to run? Here’s a breakdown of each.
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| Make/model | Maintenance interval | Fixed price service | Total service cost ceiling | Average annual ceiling service cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Picanto | 12 months or 15,000km | 7 years | $3069 | $438 |
| Suzuki Ignis | 12 months or 15,000km | 5 years | 1955 dollars | $391 |
| Hyundai Location | 12 months or 15,000km | 5 years | 1865 dollars | $373 |
| Mazda2 | 12 months or 15,000km | 5 years | 2184 dollars | $436 |
| Chery Tiggo 4 Pro | TBC | 7 years | TBC | TBC |
| Machine gun 3 | 12 months or 10,000km | 7 years | 2514 dollars | $359 |
| Mitsubishi ASX | 12 months or 15,000km | 10 years (conditional) | $1945 (5 years) $5020 (10 years) |
$389 (5 years) $502 (10 years) |
| Suzuki Swift Hybrid | 12 months or 15,000km | 5 years | 1955 dollars | $391 |
| Machine gun 5 | 12 months or 10,000km | 7 years | 2661 dollars | $380 |
| GWM Haval Jolion | 12 months or 15,000km (first maintenance 10,000km) | 5 years | $1550 | $310 |
Kia Picanto
The Kia Picanto It’s still the cheapest car in Australia, with prices starting at $17,890 before on-road costs for the base Sport Manual.
Despite its low purchase price, the Picanto is actually the most expensive budget car to maintain, with an average maintenance bill of $438 per year over the first five years.
Owners do, however, benefit from Kia’s seven-year warranty, two years longer than many other manufacturers.
| Ownership program | Kia Picanto |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 7 years, unlimited km |
| Maintenance interval | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Roadside Assistance | 8 years (service activated) |
| Fixed price service | 7 years |
| Total service cost ceiling | $3069 |
| Average annual service cost | $438 |
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Suzuki Ignis
This is a significant step up from the Picanto. Suzuki Ignisstarts at $21,490 plus on-road costs.
However, this quirky Japanese car is cheaper to maintain, averaging just $391 per year for the first five years.
Like many of the other cars on this list, the Ignis comes with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, with five years of emergency roadside assistance.
| Ownership program | Suzuki Ignis |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, unlimited km |
| Maintenance interval | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 years (service activation) |
| Fixed price service | 5 years |
| Total service cost ceiling | 1955 dollars |
| Average annual service cost | $391 |
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Hyundai Location
The Hyundai Location is the second cheapest vehicle to maintain, costing an average of $315 per year in the first half decade.
The manual version starts at $22,500 (excluding on-road costs), while the automatic version starts at $24,500 (excluding on-road costs).
In addition to affordable service, Venue owners can also get roadside assistance for up to 10 years.
| Ownership program | Hyundai Location |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, unlimited km |
| Maintenance interval | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Roadside Assistance | 10 years (service activation) |
| Fixed price service | 5 years |
| Total service cost ceiling | $1865 |
| Average annual service cost | $373 |
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THAN: Contact your dealer about Hyundai Venue
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Mazda2
The Mazda2 has been the first or last car to gain popularity for decades and is still a cheap hatchback with no amenities in 2024.
Cheap to buy, yes, but not cheap to maintain. Five years of regular maintenance will cost you $2,184, with an average of $436 per year, which is more expensive than most cars on this list.
Includes five years of roadside assistance with no vehicle maintenance required within the Mazda dealer network.
| Ownership program | Mazda2 |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, unlimited km |
| Maintenance interval | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 years |
| Fixed price service | 5 years |
| Total service cost ceiling | $2184 |
| Average annual service cost | $436 |
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Chery Tiggo 4 Pro
Information for Chery Tiggo 4 Pro is yet to be made available ahead of its local launch in October.
What we do know is that the Tiggo 4 Pro will come with Chery’s seven-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, just like other models in the range.
Chery has confirmed that the Tiggo 4 Pro will also come with seven years of fixed-price maintenance and up to seven years of roadside assistance.
| Ownership program | Chery Tiggo 4 Pro |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 7 years, unlimited km |
| Maintenance interval | TBC |
| Roadside Assistance | 7 years (service activated) |
| Fixed price service | 7 years |
| Total service cost ceiling | TBC |
| Average annual service cost | TBC |
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Machine gun 3
MG is one of the industry leaders in after sales support and Machine gun 3 The buyer has the right to enjoy the benefits.
We’ve already reviewed the new-generation MG 3, although its cheaper predecessor is expected to remain available from MG dealers until the end of the year.
Total servicing costs for the new petrol model over the first seven years are $2,530 and owners can claim MG’s roadside assistance service for up to 10 years.
This Chinese brand also boasts the longest warranty among manufacturers – 10 years or 250,000km.
| Ownership program | Machine gun 3 |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 10 years, 250,000km |
| Maintenance interval | 12 months or 10,000km |
| Roadside Assistance | 10 years (service activation) |
| Fixed price service | 7 years |
| Total service cost ceiling | $2514 |
| Average annual service cost | $359 |
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Mitsubishi ASX
The Mitsubishi ASX It doesn’t stand out in terms of annual service costs, but the brand does offer owners long-term support.
Owning an ASX from the Mitsubishi dealer network entitles owners to 10 years of fixed-price servicing, costing an average of $502 per year.
You also get a 10-year warranty, as well as up to four years of emergency roadside assistance.
| Ownership program | Mitsubishi ASX |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, 100,000km 10 years, 200,000km (conditional) |
| Maintenance interval | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 years (service activation) |
| Fixed price service | 10 years (conditional) |
| Total service cost ceiling | $1945 (5 years) $5020 (10 years) |
| Average annual service cost | $389 (5 years) $502 (10 years) |
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Suzuki Swift Hybrid
New generation of Suzuki Swift has switched to mild hybrid vehicles, but that has not increased running costs.
Servicing costs are capped at $1,955 for the first five years, with servicing required annually or every 15,000 km.
All Swifts come with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty from Suzuki, along with up to five years of roadside assistance.
| Ownership program | Suzuki Swift Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, unlimited km |
| Maintenance interval | 12 months, 15,000km |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 years (service activation) |
| Fixed price service | 5 years |
| Total service cost ceiling | 1955 dollars |
| Average annual service cost | $391 |
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Machine gun 5
The Machine gun 5 It’s the only sedan among the cheapest in Australia and comes with a seven-year fixed price servicing.
In total, you’ll pay $2,661 over the first seven years, which averages out to $380 per year.
Every MG 5 comes with a 10-year, 250,000km warranty, the longest of any car manufacturer, including up to a decade of roadside assistance.
| Ownership program | MG5 Tank |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 10 years, 250,000km |
| Maintenance interval | 12 months or 10,000km |
| Roadside Assistance | 10 years (service activation) |
| Fixed price service | 7 years |
| Total service cost ceiling | 2661 dollars |
| Average annual service cost | $380 |
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GWM Haval Jolion
There may be cheaper cars available. GWM Haval JolionBut no SUV can match this one in terms of maintenance.
Five-year maintenance costs are $1,550, averaging $310 per service, lower than any other car on this list.
However, the fixed-price maintenance period ends after five years, while other brands offer longer service plans.
The GWM Haval Jolion comes with a seven-year, unlimited mileage warranty.
| Ownership program | GWM Haval Jolion |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 7 years, unlimited km |
| Maintenance interval | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 years |
| Fixed price service | 5 years |
| Total service cost ceiling | $1550 |
| Average annual service cost | $310 |
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