Top 10 cheapest cars on sale in Australia for 2023

Times are changing in Australia, with the top 10 cheapest cars no longer firmly below the $20,000 threshold.

It’s a far cry from when you could buy a 2013 Chery J1 for the low price of $9990 drive-away. It was by no means fancy, with no airbags and a three-star ANCAP safety rating.

Over the last few years we have seen a number of affordable vehicles leave the Australian car market. These include the Mitsubishi Mirage and Suzuki Baleno, among a number of others.

In the near future the Kia Rio is also set for the chopping block as the next-generation model won’t be made in right-hand drive.

You can still get your kicks in a cheap-and-cheerful car Down Under, though. Here are the 10 cheapest cars in Australia this year.

Kia Picanto

• 2023 Kia Picanto S manual: $16,290 before on-road costs ($18,890 drive-away)

The current, third-generation Kia Picanto has been on sale in Australia since 2017.

The Picanto is now the cheapest car on sale in Australia following the discontinuation of the Mitsubishi Mirage due to it not complying with the latest side-impact ADR regulations.

When the Picanto launched in Australia it was offered at $14,990 before on-road costs. It has received one facelift during its third generation, released in 2020. More recently, in 2022 the Picanto received new Kia logos throughout.

Another facelift has been spied recently and it’ll hit Australia late in 2023 with styling and trim changes, but no major mechanical tweaks.

Powering the Picanto S is a 1.25-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 62kW of power and 122Nm of torque.

This is all mated to a five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic for an extra $1600.

The Picanto claims to consume 5.0L/100km on the combined cycle, and can run on 91 RON regular unleaded petrol. It also has a 35L fuel tank.

The Picanto measures in at 3595mm long, 1595mm wide, and 1485mm tall with a 2400mm wheelbase.

With the rear seats up the Picanto has a boot capacity of 255L, which can be expanded to 1010L with the rear seats folded.

The Picanto comes standard safety features such as six airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) at city speeds, seat belt reminders, electronic brake force distribution (EBD), emergency brake assist (EBA), hill-hold assist, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

The 2023 Kia Picanto S also comes standard with the following equipment:

• 14-inch steel wheels
• 8.0-inch touchscreen
• 4.2-inch instrument cluster display screen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Bluetooth
• USB input
• 12V socket
• Four-speaker sound system
• Two ISOFIX anchors
• Automatic headlights
• Cruise control

MORE: Everything Kia Picanto

MG 3

• 2023 MG 3 Core auto: $19,490 drive-away

The MG 3 is the cheapest automatic car you can currently buy in Australia. It’s $400 cheaper than the Kia Picanto S automatic in terms of drive-away pricing.

Technically a second-generation model, a first-generation MG 3 was only available in China as a rebadged Rover Streetwise hatchback.

This current MG 3 has been on sale since 2011 in other markets and arrived on Australian soil in 2016.

When it arrived it was priced at $13,990 before on-road costs.

During its time on the Australian new car market it received a facelift in 2018.

This facelift entailed redesigned front and rear ends, along with a new interior that allowed for a touchscreen infotainment system. It also lost its manual transmission.

Powering the MG 3 is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder that produces 82kW and 150Nm. This is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.

The MG 3 claims to consume 6.7L/100km on the combined cycle and MG recommends 95 RON premium unleaded petrol. It also has a 45L fuel tank.

It measures in at 4055mm long, 1729mm wide, and 1504mm tall with a 2520mm wheelbase.

With the rear seats upright, the MG 3 has a boot capacity of 307L which can be expanded to 1081L with the rear seats down.

On the safety front, the MG 3 has six airbags (front, side and curtain), EBD, active cornering brake control, hill-start assist, rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera.

The MG 3 range doesn’t offer active safety features such as AEB.

The 2023 MG 3 Core auto comes standard with the following equipment:

• 15-inch alloy wheels
• 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display
• Four-speaker sound system with front Yamaha Sound Field speakers
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• USB input
• Bluetooth
• 12V socket
• Leather-trimmed steering wheel
• Tartan fabric upholstery with contrast stitching
• Rear fog light
• LED daytime running lights
• Automatic headlights

MORE: Everything MG 3

Kia Rio

• 2023 Kia Rio S manual: $19,690 before on-road costs ($21,990 drive-away)

In its fourth generation now, the Kia Rio first came Down Under in 2000 as a sedan and hatchback.

The first-generation car went on sale in late 2016 and received a mid-life facelift in 2020.

Kia Australia recently confirmed the Rio will soon be retired locally as the next-generation model won’t be produced in right-hand drive.

Powering the majority of the Rio range is a 1.4-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder producing 74kW and 133Nm.

This is all mated to a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic transmission for an additional $2300.

Kia claims the Rio models with the naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine and manual transmission can consume 5.6L/100km on the combined cycle and use 91 RON regular unleaded petrol.

The Rio measures in at 4065mm long, 1725mm wide, and 1450mm tall with a 2580mm wheelbase.

With the rear seats upright the Rio has a boot capacity of 325L, and this can be expanded to 980L with the rear seats folded.

On the safety front, the Rio has six airbags (front, front side and curtain), ABS, hill-start assist, seatbelt reminders, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

You don’t get AEB until you step up to the next trim up, the Sport, which also gets you active safety features like lane-keep assist and driver attention alert.

The 2023 Kia Rio S comes standard with the following equipment:

• 15-inch steel wheels
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Six-speaker sound system
• Bluetooth
• 12V socket
• 2x USB ports
• Automatic headlights

MORE: Everything Kia Rio

Suzuki Ignis

• 2023 Suzuki Ignis GL manual: $20,490 before on-road costs ($23,490 drive-away)

Now in its second generation, the Ignis first came to Australia in 2000. You might also remember a version of the first-generation of the Ignis was sold Down Under as the Holden Cruze.

When the second generation was introduced, the Ignis range started at $15,990 before on-road costs.

A mid-life facelift came to Australia in 2020 and brought with it changes to the front and rear styling, as well as slightly higher asking prices.

Powering the Ignis is a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder that produces 66kW and 120Nm.

This power is sent to the front wheels only through a five-speed manual or a CVT for an additional $1000.

In other markets there are mild-hybrid and all-wheel drive models of the Ignis too.

Suzuki claims the Ignis with the manual transmission fitted uses 4.7L/100km on the combined cycle and only requires 91 RON regular unleaded petrol. It’s also got a 32L fuel tank.

The Ignis measures in at 3700mm long, 1660mm wide, and 1595mm tall with a 2435mm wheelbase.

With the second row of seats upright the Ignis has a boot capacity of 271L, which can be expanded to 1101L with the seats folded.

On the safety front, the Ignis has six airbags (front, side and curtain), ABS, EBD, EBA, hill-hold assist, and reversing camera.

There’s no AEB available across any of the models in the Ignis range.

Standard on the 2023 Suzuki Ignis GL is the following equipment:

• 15-inch steel wheels
• 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Four-speaker sound system
• Bluetooth
• Cruise control
• Front fog lights
• Roof rails

MORE: Everything Suzuki Ignis

MG ZS

• 2023 MG ZS Excite: $23,990 drive-away

The MG ZS SUV was first revealed in China in 2017 and came to Australia later that year.

The ZS nameplate was previously used on a sporty V6-powered small sedan offered in the early 2000s. Only 41 examples were sold locally.

Powering the ZS is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 84kW of power and 150Nm of torque.

This is mated to a four-speed torque-converter automatic transmission with drive sent to the front wheels only.

MG claims the ZS uses 7.1L/100km on the combined cycle and requires 91 RON regular unleaded petrol. It has a 48L fuel tank.

The ZS measures in at 4314mm long, 1809mm wide, and 1644mm with a 2585mm wheelbase.

Boot space measures 359L up to the cargo cover. With the rear seats folded, this expands to 1166L measured up to the window line.

On the safety front, the ZS has no active safety technology like autonomous emergency braking available, though a full suit of active safety and driver assist features is standard on the more expensive ZST that starts at $26,990 drive-away.

Standard fit includes front, front-side, and curtain airbags, as well as a reversing camera with rear parking sensors, EBA, hill-start assist and active cornering brake control.

The ZS Excite comes standard with the following equipment:

• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Apple CarPlay
• Six-speaker sound system
• Cruise control
• Leatherette upholstery
• Height-adjustable steering wheel
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Synthetic leather trim on doors and shifter
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Front fog lights
• Halogen headlights with manual height adjustment and LED daytime running lights
• Automatic headlights

MORE: Everything MG ZS

Mazda 2

• 2023 Mazda 2 G15 Pure manual: $21,390 before on-road costs ($25,296 drive-away for Victorian buyers)

The Mazda 2 has had a history in Australia that dates back to the early 2000s, when it replaced the 121 locally.

It’s unusual in still offering a choice of sedan or hatchback body styles, which are offered for the same price. The sedan is also offered in the entry-level G15 Pure trim.

The current, third-generation Mazda 2 came to Australia in 2014 with the range starting at $14,990 before on-road costs up until 2018.

In 2020 there was a mid-life facelift that brought with it exterior and interior changes, revised suspension tuning, and more standard technology including a range of active safety features.

There’s another facelift that was recently revealed and will go on sale in Australia in June 2023.

Powering the Mazda 2 is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder producing 82kW and 144Nm.

This power is sent through the front wheel and is paired with a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic transmission for an extra $2000.

Mazda claims that the 2 with the manual transmission fitted drinks 5.3L/100km on the combined cycle and only requires 91 RON regular unleaded petrol. It’s also got a 44L fuel tank.

The Mazda 2 hatch measures in at 4065mm long, 1695mm wide, and 1495mm tall with a 2570mm wheelbase.

Its sedan counterpart has the same width and wheelbase length but is lower at 1470mm and longer at 4340mm.

In the hatch, the Mazda 2 has a boot capacity of 250L, whereas in the sedan the boot capacity is 440L.

On the safety front, every Mazda 2 comes standard with six airbags (front, side and curtain), forward AEB with pedestrian detection, rear AEB, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, rear-cross traffic alert, seat-belt warning, ABS, EBD, EBA, emergency stop signal (ESS), hill-start assist, rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera.

The 2023 Mazda 2 Pure comes standard with the following equipment:

• 15-inch alloy wheels
• 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Six-speaker sound system
• DAB+ digital radio
• Keyless entry and start
• LED headlights
• Power folding side mirrors
• Cruise control
• Leather-trimmed steering wheel
• Automatic stop/start

MORE: Everything Mazda 2

Hyundai Venue

• 2023 Hyundai Venue manual: $21,900 before on-road costs ($25,190 drive-away)

The Hyundai Venue crossover was first revealed in 2019 at the New York motor show and came to Australia later in that year.

It replaced the Accent, which ceased being produced in right-hand drive when it moved to the newer K2 platform that also underpins the Venue.

Although it recently received a cosmetic update in India, the 2023 update for Australian-bound Venue models brought additional technology.

Powering the Venue is a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine producing 90kW of power and 151Nm of torque.

It’s mated with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, which is $2000 more expensive.

Hyundai claims the Venue uses 7.0L/100km on the combined cycle in base manual guise and 7.2L/100km in all automatic models.

It measures in at 4040mm long, 1770mm wide and 1592mm tall on a 2520mm wheelbase.

It has 355L of boot space (VDA) with the rear seats up.

On the safety front every Venue comes with camera-based AEB, automatic high-beam, lane-keep assist, rear occupant alert, driver attention warning, leading vehicle departure alert, a reversing camera, and front, front-side and curtain airbags.

There’s also EBD, EBA and hill-start assist.

The base Venue comes standard with the following equipment:

• 4.2-inch colour instrument cluster screen 
• Qi wireless phone charger
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 1 x 12V outlet, 1 x USB-A outlet and 1 x USB-C outlet
• Four-speaker sound system
• Cruise control
• Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Remote central locking
• 60:40 split/fold rear seat
• Cloth upholstery
• Power windows
• Manual air-conditioning
• 15-inch alloy wheels
• Space-saver spare
• Halogen daytime running lights
• Automatic halogen projector-beam headlights

MORE: Everything Hyundai Venue

Kia Stonic

• 2023 Kia Stonic S manual: $22,290 before on-road costs ($24,990 drive-away)

The Kia Stonic crossover was first revealed in 2017, but didn’t arrive in Australia until 2020 in facelifted guise.

Powering the majority of the Stonic range is a 1.4-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine producing 74kW and 133Nm.

This is mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission for an extra $1500.

Kia claims the naturally aspirated Stonic uses 6.7L/100km on the combined cycle. It requires a minimum of 91 RON regular unleaded and a 45L fuel tank.

It measures in at 4140mm long, 1760mm wide and 1520mm tall, with a 2580mm wheelbase.

Boot space is 352L with the rear seats in place and expands to 1155L with them folded.

On the safety front all Stonic models come with AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, lane centring, driver attention monitoring, leading vehicle departure alert, hill start assist, EBD, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, and front, front-side and curtain airbags.

The Stonic S comes standard with the following equipment:

• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Six-speaker sound system
• 4.2-inch trip computer
• Automatic headlights
• Power windows
• Cruise control
• Heated mirrors
• Tilt and telescopic adjustable steering column
• 15-inch steel wheels

MORE: Everything Kia Stonic

Suzuki Swift

• 2023 Suzuki Swift GL manual: $22,490 before on-road costs ($24,990 drive-away)

The Suzuki Swift has a storied history in Australia which dates back to the mid-1980s.

The current, third-generation model was first revealed in 2016 and came to Australia in the following year.

In 2020 the Swift received a facelift which brought revised looks both inside and out.

Powering the entry-level Swift variants is a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 66kW of power and 120Nm of torque.

This is mated to a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission for an additional $1000.

Suzuki claims the naturally aspirated manual Swift consumes 4.6L/100km on the combined cycle. It requires a minimum of 91 RON regular unleaded petrol and has a 37L fuel tank.

The Swift measures in at 3845mm long, 1735mm wide and 1495mm tall with a 2450mm wheelbase.

Boot space is 242L, expanding to 556L with the rear seats folded.

On the safety front, the Swift GL comes with front, front-side and curtain airbags, as well as a reversing camera, EBD and hill-hold assist.

The Swift GL comes standard with the following equipment:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Fog lights
• LED daytime running lights
• 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Satellite navigation
• Cruise control
• Power windows
• Air-conditioning

MORE: Everything Suzuki Swift

Fiat 500

• 2023 Fiat 500 Lounge auto: $23,100 before on-road costs

Just like the Swift, the Fiat 500 has a storied history in Australia.

The current, revived model was first available as a hatchback in 2007, with the soft-top convertible 500C arriving in 2010.

The Fiat 500 range received a facelift in 2016 with a redesigned grille, new front and rear fasciae, and reshaped headlights incorporating LED daytime running lights.

The range also received an update allowing it to meet ADR side-impact regulations last year.

For 2023 Fiat axed the 500C and the manual variants, and made some minor spec changes.

Powering the Fiat 500 is a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine producing 51kW and 102Nm.

This is mated to a five-speed ‘Dualogic’ semi-automatic transmission, with drive sent to the front wheels only.

Fiat claims the 500 consumes 4.8L/100km on the combined cycle. It requires a minimum of 95 RON premium unleaded petrol and has a 35L fuel tank.

The Fiat 500 measures in at 3571mm long, 1627mm wide, and 1488mm tall with a 2300mm wheelbase.

Boot capacity is 185 litres.

On the safety front, the Fiat 500 comes with seven airbags, rear parking sensors, hill hold assist, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

The Fiat 500 Lounge comes standard with the following features:

• 15-inch alloy wheels
• Space-saver spare wheel
• LED daytime running lights
• Heated side mirrors
• 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• 3.5-inch TFT digital instrument cluster
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Manual air-conditioning
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Fiat Blue fabric upholstery
• Body-colour dashboard

MORE: Everything Fiat 500