July 2019
When shopping for a new car, most people would immediately associate advanced automotive features with a high price. That’s not entirely true though. Many affordable brand new cars today have safety technology and outstanding performance that will fit many Aussie families.
Here are some of the most economical brand new cars that offer the best value for your money:
1. Mitsubishi Mirage
The Mitsubishi Mirage has a decent 1.2-litre petrol engine that’s capable of producing 57kW power and 100Nm torque and is currently the most affordable option today in Australia. It has a five-speed manual gearbox, safety airbags, plus power front and rear windows. Fitted with a CD player and letterbox-type stereo, this car has all the things you need for a good vehicle to drive around the city.
You can drive away with a brand new Mitsubishi Mirage for $13,990.
2. MG MG3 Core
Offering a longer warranty of six years (and unlimited kilometres), this Chinese hatchback is a good choice among the affordable brand new cars. Despite being on the lower end of the price scale, the MG MG3 Core manual has a premium exterior feel that most cheaper cars don’t have. In terms of safety, it has six airbags, as well as brake and traction aids so it ticks the boxes of standard safety features.
The MG3 Core is equipped with a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 78kW/137Nm output capability, which is impressive for a $13,990 price tag (for a manual).
3. Kia Picanto S
Kia also made it on our list of most affordable brand new cars with their Picanto S with manual transmission. It is one of the safest vehicles among the more affordable range due to the inclusion of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) – no other entry on this list has this outstanding safety feature. Aside from that, you’ll also get a seven-year/unlimited kilometres warranty, the longest warranty coverage offered by a car manufacturer in Australia.
The Kia Picanto S manual also has a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With a 1.25-litre petrol engine (62kW/122Nm) and five-speed manual gearbox, this compact car offers the best value for $14,190 that you’ll pay.
4. Holden Barina
Now that the Spark is no longer in production, the Holden Barina has become the cheapest model provided by Holden. At just $14,990 for the manual, plus $1000 to drive-away, it might be the most desirable car in this list due to the haul of advanced features.
The stereo is compatible with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and is hooked up with six speakers. The Barina also has a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, cruise control, auto headlights, and 16-inch alloys. Powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine, driving this Holden will give you a good 85kW/155Nm output.
5. Honda Jazz VTi
The first front-wheel-drive in our list, the Honda Jazz VTi manual is another best-value vehicle among the most affordable brand new cars. For only $14,990 or $16,990 drive-away, you’ll get a hot hatch with six airbags, multi-angle reversing camera, and a cruise control feature. Plus the Honda Jazz VTi has a five-star ANCAP safety rating.
Equipped with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, the Honda Jazz VTi manual has an output of 88kW/145Nm, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. It also has a 7-inch touchscreen and is fitted with four speakers, though without the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features.
6. Mazda2 Neo
The Mazda2 Neo is the smallest Mazda you can get and for only $14,990 you can get a 79kW/139Nm-capable vehicle with a five-speed manual gearbox. But if you prefer driving an automatic, just add an extra $2,000 and it’s yours.
In terms of safety kit, the Mazda2 Neo has standard AEB and reversing sensors, but no reversing camera. The basic stereo with four speakers can be connected to your smartphone, which will let you access your favourite playlist. This Mazda has great quality and popularity among Aussies, which make it easier to re-sell in the future.
7. Toyota Yaris Ascent
Toyota is known to produce reliable and top-quality cars over the years so it’s not surprising that the Yaris Ascent boasts the same level of value. For just $15,390, the Yaris Ascent has a five-star ANCAP rating thanks to the reversing camera and seven airbags. Adding a 6.1-inch multi-media touchscreen and cruise control feature, it’s definitely worth every penny.
The Toyota Yaris Ascent manual has a modest 1.3-litre petrol engine with a 63kW/120Nm performance. It features front-wheel drive and has a five-speed manual transmission.
8. Hyundai Accent Sport
Once the top car in its segment, the Hyundai Accent Sport manual is a great choice for a cheap car. There’s plenty of space inside, plus a good entertainment kit that features a 5.0 multi-media touchscreen with Apple CarPlay® and a four-stereo speaker. The Accent Sport also has 16-inch alloys and comes with a five-year warranty with capped-price servicing.
With a $15,490 price tag, the Hyundai Accent Sport has 1.6-litre petrol engine under the hood that’s capable of 103kW/167Nm output.
9. Ford Fiesta Ambiente
Although the Ford Fiesta Ambiente is yet to be updated in Australia, it’s still one of the most affordable brand new cars on the market. At $15,825, it offers a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 88kW/145Nm capability, paired with a five-speed manual transmission. The Fiesta Ambiente features front-wheel drive, boasts a cruise control feature and has a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The Ford Fiesta Ambiente has a good entertainment kit too. There’s 3.5-inch multi-media screen that’s Bluetooth capable and hooked to a six-speaker stereo. This hot hatch is a great all-rounder and definitely a good drive.
10. Honda City VTi
Last on our list of most affordable brand new cars is a sedan, the Honda City VTi. Although it’s not as popular as the Honda Jazz, this car has its own upsides to offer. These include a multi-reversing camera, six airbags, and parking sensors for its safety kit. It also has a 7.0-inch entertainment touchscreen, LED Daytime Running Lamps (DRL), along with five-year warranty coverage.
Although it’s tagged with a $17,990 drive-away price, the extra cash is worth the extra interior space that you’ll get with Honda City VTi. Plus, it has a 1.5-litre petrol engine capable of 88kW/145Nm output, just like the Honda Jazz.
Finance For New Cars
There you have it. The top 10 most affordable cars you can buy in Australia – brand new. They might not have all the bells and whistles of a new car, but they’re certainly economical, safe, and have all the basic features you need in a car. If you’ve been in the market for a brand new but inexpensive vehicle, and are now looking for an affordable finance package, CarFinance.com.au can help you.
We provide fixed rate car finance options at highly competitive rates. We can also provide you with pre-approval so you can hit the car dealers with confidence knowing exactly how much you can spend. Apply online or call us today to discuss your options.