The ten cheapest new automatic cars in Australia

Orange is the new black, and $30,000 is the new $20,000.

Inflation has done a number on all of us, from your favourite packet of chips now costing $6, to Netflix asking for your firstborn to keep watching Bridgerton. And yeah, cars have copped it too.

But don’t stress, we’ve hunted down the cheapest new automatic cars you can still get in Australia in 2025. Because with so few manual sales, let's not get distracted here.

(FYI: Just like the stock market, prices will fluctuate as car companies decide. We'll update when we see it's changed.)

1. MG 3

Priced from $21,990 drive-away

A sneaky current offer places the new MG 3 in first place, which puts the car at just under $22,000 drive-away and comes as a petrol or hybrid option. The previous generation MG 3 was famously bare-bones, but the new version is a big step up. It comes with a large 10.25-inch touchscreen and a totally reworked interior.

The downside? Its ANCAP safety rating is just 3 stars, which may be a dealbreaker if you’re safety-conscious. That said, for the price, the MG3 is a good call in terms of tech and 'new' factor.

2. Kia Picanto

Priced from $22,340 drive-away

In second place for the cheapest new car in Australia, it’s tiny, zippy, and perfect for inner-city life- the spicy Kia Picanto. It has an 8-inch touchscreen, Wireless CarPlay and looks really modern inside and out for such a steal.

Safety-wise, it had a 4-star ANCAP rating back in 2017, but that rating has since expired, so technically it’s unrated now.

3. Chery Tiggo 4

Priced from $23,990 drive-away

The Chery Tiggo 4 might surprise a few people as it’s a small SUV for under $25K. It has a decent amount of tech, including Apple CarPlay on a big 10.25-inch screen. You get a 5-star ANCAP safety rating too. It’s roomy and practical enough for anyone who wants that SUV feel without the SUV price. Fuel economy is on the higher side for its size, and some of the safety systems can be a bit overbearing, but honestly, that's the trade-off for the value you're getting.

4. GWM Haval Jolion

Priced from $24,990 drive-away

Another budget SUV joins the ranks with the GWM Haval Jolion. It’s around $25K drive-away, and if you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can get it in hybrid form too. Even the base model gives you a big 10.25-inch touchscreen and heaps of equipment. It scored 5 stars for safety in 2021, and while that rating is a few years old now, it’s still current. You won’t get the softest interior materials, but it nails the value-for-money equation.

5. MG ZS

Priced from $25,990 drive-away

The MG ZS steps in at $26,990 drive-away. It’s a bigger sibling to the MG 3 and has been one of Australia’s most popular budget SUVs for a reason. It’s spacious, looks good, and has a large 10.25-inch screen in the cheapest version. It also scored 4 stars for safety under the latest ANCAP testing regime, so it’s a decent all-rounder at a great price.

6. Suzuki Swift

Priced from $26,990 drive-away

It's hard to go past a tried and tested classic like the Suzuki Swift. It’s got a 9-inch screen and a cheerful little vibe that makes it a joy around town. It's also our favourite-looking car on this entire list. But we're biased because our founder used to have an old one. Unfortunately, the 2024 ANCAP rating came in at just 1 star, which was shockingly low, and probably the biggest catch with this car. It’s efficient, sure, but you’ll have to weigh that against the significant safety shortfall.

7. Kia Stonic

Priced from $27,740 drive-away

If you liked the Picanto but wish it had more height, the Kia Stonic S delivers. It’s about $27,990 drive-away and essentially a Picanto in platform heels. The 8-inch touchscreen is fine, and the interior is sensible, if not flashy. Its 5-star ANCAP safety rating from 2017 has now expired. It’s a petrol-only offering, but Kia’s reputation for reliability still applies here.

8. Hyundai Venue

Priced from $27,990 drive-away

Then there’s the Hyundai Venue, starting from just over $22K plus on-roads (roughly $25,990 drive-away). It’s not a hybrid, but it is incredibly practical and well-specced for the price. It has an 8-inch screen, solid wireless Apple CarPlay, and a safety rating of 4 stars from 2019 (valid until the end of 2025). If you want a fuss-free, compact SUV that doesn’t try too hard, this is it.

9. Chery C5 (formerly Omoda)

Priced from $29,990 drive-away

For something with more style, the Chery C5 might tick your boxes. It sneaks under the $30K barrier and looks like it costs a lot more than it does. Inside, you’ll find dual 10.25-inch screens and a high-end feel for this segment. It comes with a 5-star ANCAP safety rating from 2023. Basically, if you want champagne design on a beer budget, this is your car.

10. Mazda 2

Priced from $29,990 drive-away

Just scraping in under the $30K mark, the Mazda 2 is one of the most polished little cars on this list. It’s small, stylish and efficient. The 7-inch screen feels a bit tiny, but you still get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Its 5-star ANCAP safety rating from 2015 has expired, so it’s technically unrated now, but Mazda’s reputation for reliability and quality still stands.