Buying new does offer peace-of-mind. You’ll know how it’s been driven and looked after, and you can breathe easier knowing you have a full warranty term and servicing plan to rely on. Besides that, there’s a great feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction as you drive your new car away from the dealership.
Though many of these aren’t packed to the roof with features, the basics are covered and they are some of the most financially feasible cars on the market right now in Australia. If you shop around, you can find great drive away deals and save yourself a few extra dollars.
Plus, these baby city cars are kinda cute.
Motoring Guide: Australia’s Cheapest Cars
Mitsubishi Mirage – $12,250
The Mitsubishi Mirage ES has the lowest list price at $12,250. It has Bluetooth connectivity with steering wheel-mounted phone and audio controls plus voice control, a CD and MP3 player and a USB port. It also scores power windows, central locking, keyless entry and hill-start assist.
The Mirage ES manual also comes with Mitsubishi‘s five-year/100,000km warranty, five-years roadside assist, capped-price servicing and has a five-star ANCAP rating.
Suzuki Celerio – $12,990
In the case of the Suzuki Celerio, as occasionally happens, the list price is also the drive-away price. It’s $12,990 – no more to pay – for this five-door hatch, which will likely position it as the cheapest new car transaction available today.
The Celerio has power windows, remote central locking, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port as well as CD and MP3 player. It’s a manual and there’s no hill-hold or steering wheel controls, and it only received a four-star ANCAP rating.
Suzuki offer a three-year/100,000km warranty and a five-year capped-price servicing program.
Holden Spark – $13,990
The Holden Spark has replaced the Holden Barina Spark and ups the ante when it comes to standard inclusions. Priced at $13,990 before on-road costs, one of its standout features is the 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s the cheapest car on this list with a touchscreen.
It has a manual transmission, steering wheel-mounted controls, USB input, remote central locking and was awarded a five-star ANCAP rating. Cruise control and rear-view camera are both optional extras.
Holden offers a three-year/100,000km warranty, lifetime capped-price servicing and one year of roadside assist.
Honda Jazz – $14,990
The Honda Jazz range kicks off with the manual VTi priced, from $14,990. Some of the standout included features of the entry-level Jazz are Honda‘s Magic Seats system, cruise control, 7.0-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, two USB ports, MP3 and MP4 file compatibility and Siri Eyes Free. It also has hill-start assist and a rear-view camera.
The Jazz has a five-star ANCAP rating, comes with a three-year/100,000km warranty and a lifetime capped-price servicing plan.
Hyundai Accent – $14,990
The Hyundai Accent manual sedan and hatch both start from $14,990 for the Active trim-level. There’s a good chance $14,990 is all you’ll pay, as Hyundai is eagerly discounting on-road costs for this model.
The Accent Active scores a 5.0-inch touchscreen with MP3 capability, Siri Eyes Free and Google Now voice command, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity as well as a USB port and a full-size spare wheel. It was awarded a five-star ANCAP rating.
Hyundai offers a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and capped-price servicing plan.
Kia Picanto – $14,990
The Kia Picanto has just launched in Australia. It’s priced at $14,990 drive-away and is the only one on this list to score an automatic transmission.
When it comes to kit, the Picanto gets rear parking sensors, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity as well as steering wheel-mounted controls.
It has a five-star ANCAP rating and Kia offers a benchmark seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with seven-years capped-price servicing and seven-years roadside assist.
Mazda 2 – $14,990
The Mazda 2 Neo manual sedan and hatch are both priced from $14,990. The entry-level specifications misses out on a touchscreen and Mazda’s MZD Connect system, but it does have Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, USB and AUX ports, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, CD player, cruise control, hill launch assist and rear parking sensors.
The Mazda 2 comes with a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, a capped-price servicing plan and has a five-star ANCAP rating.
Toyota Yaris – $14,990
Also rocking a $14,990 price tag is the Toyota Yaris Ascent hatch with a five-speed manual transmission.
The entry-level Yaris gets a 6.1-inch touchscreen media system with a rear-view camera, Bluetooth connectivity, MP3 and CD player, USB, AUX and 12V outlets and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.
The Yaris has a five-star ANCAP rating and Toyota offer a three-year/100,000km warranty and capped-price servicing plan.
MORE: CarAdvice’s Top 5 Cars lists
The Carousel thanks Tegan Lawson – Lifestyle Editor at CarAdvice – for this motoring guide!