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 2026. 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. Mahindra XUV 3XO

Priced from $23,990 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. 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.

6. MG 5

Priced from $24,888 drive-away

The MG5 lands from about $24,990 drive-away and is basically Australia’s budget sedan hero. While everyone else is killing off small four-door vehicles, MG’s leaned. It’s not overly to sporty or premium, and safety credentials have been a talking point, but if your priority is simple, cheap, brand-new motoring with a long warranty, the MG5 makes a pretty strong value argument.

7. MG ZS

Priced from $25,888 drive-away

The MG ZS steps in at $26k 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.

8. BYD Atto 1

Priced from $26,550 drive-away

In an enormous plot twist, Australia's cheapest electric car has ended up on this list. Less than $30,000, 200km of range and a bright little thing!

9. GAC Emzoom

Priced from $27,630 drive-away

This petrol-powered small SUV from newcomer GAC stands out amongst some boring competitors. With a mammoth 14.6-inch centre screen (the largest of all the cars listed here), and a unique design, it's offering some serious value for under $30k.

10. Suzuki Swift

Priced from $27,990 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. In 2024 a crappy 1-star ANCAP result defined the car but luckily in 2025 the model resolved some issues, and was upgraded to a 3-star rating!