The MG 5 has lost its entry-level variant as part of a safety update, and with it it’s ceding the title of Australia’s most affordable new sedan.
So, which car now wears the title?
Until the end of this month, the entry-level Hyundai i30 Sedan is Australia’s most affordable sedan, priced at $30,990 drive-away nationwide.
This drive-away offer is available until June 30, 2025, or while stocks last, and excludes government, fleet and rental buyers.
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Depending on the state or territory, this deal represents a saving of between as low as $1426 (ACT) and as much as $2308 (Victoria).
Should this offer not be extended, the title of Australia’s cheapest sedan could shift once again in the new financial year.
Looking at prices before on-road costs, the i30 Sedan retails at $29,000, which sees it undercut by the Mazda 2 G15 GT at $28,190.
Depending on the state and territory, the G15 GT – the only Mazda 2 Sedan remaining – is priced between $31,151 (ACT) and $32,297 (Victoria)
The i30 Sedan and Mazda 2 Sedan are priced extremely closely, though they sit in different segments.
The Mazda is a light car, measuring just 4360mm long on a 2570mm wheelbase and powered by a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 81kW of power and 142Nm of torque.
It’s offered exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission, and offers claimed fuel economy of 5.0L/100km.
As it’s the top-spec Mazda 2, standard equipment includes a surround-view camera, keyless entry, and leather and suede upholstery.
That’s on top of features found on the base G15 Evolve hatch, which includes LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, a head-up display, a 7.0-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter.
As with all Mazda 2s, it also features a suite of active safety and driver assist technology including forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Hyundai i30 Sedan measures 4710mm long on a 2720mm wheelbase – larger than the MG 5 – and is powered by a 110kW/180Nm naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and claimed fuel economy of 6.1L/100km.
You need to step up to more expensive i30 Sedans to get features like blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic assist, a surround-view camera and leather upholstery, but the entry-level sedan offers AEB, lane-keep assist and lane centring, a wireless phone charger, and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Like the Mazda 2, it rides on 16-inch alloy wheels and features LED headlights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
Other affordable sedans on the market include the Kia K4 S ($32,990 drive-away), Mazda 3 G20 Pure ($31,310 before on-roads or currently $33,990 drive-away), and Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport Hybrid ($32,320 before on-roads).
The MG 5 Vibe undercut these vehicles significantly, priced from $24,990 drive-away. The updated Chinese sedan is now offered exclusively in Essence trim, which has copped a $3000 price hike and now rings up at $32,990 drive-away.
MG notes there’s still stock available of model year 2024 (MY24) MG 5 sedans. So, if you’re looking to get the absolute cheapest sedan at a new car showroom, an MG dealer is still the place to go.
MORE: Everything Hyundai i30