It used to be the case that buying more car meant spending more money, but no more.
Because sure, the absolute cheapest car you can buy in Australia right now is still a pint-size city hatch, but otherwise many of our most affordable vehicles are in fact SUVs that promise more space, better ground clearance, and superior safety.
This shift means budget-conscious buyers no longer have to settle for small and low-riding, although they do need to choose from a growing pool of value-packed crossovers.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 cheapest SUVs on sale in Australia right now.
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Make/model | Base drive-away price (NSW) | Base price before on-road costs |
|---|---|---|
MG ZS | $22,990 | – |
Chery Tiggo 4 | $23,990 | – |
Mahindra XUV3XO | $23,990 | – |
Suzuki Ignis | $25,135 | $22,490 |
Jaecoo J5 | $25,990 | – |
GWM Haval Jolion | $26,990 | – |
Hyundai Venue | $27,636 | $23,750 |
GAC Emzoom | $27,990 | $25,590 |
Chery C5 | $29,990 | – |
Chery Tiggo 7 | $29,990 | – |
In most cases, brands list a separate price that excludes on-road costs, which isn’t representative of what the average Australian motorist will pay. For that reason, we’ve ranked this list by estimated drive-away price for a buyer living in New South Wales, as it’s Australia’s population state.
We’ve also chosen to avoid ranking them based on temporary discounts and deals, as they can vary dramatically, but you should definitely head to our EOFY deals hub for full details of all the offers active right now.
On that topic, and before we crack into the top 10, the Kia Stonic deserves a honourable mention given it’s currently discounted to $29,990 drive-away – on par with the ninth and 10th ranked vehicles in this list.
MG ZS
Australia’s cheapest SUV is a now-familiar nameplate that remains a value king in its second generation.
The current ZS didn’t ask much when it arrived Down Under in 2024, but the lineup expanded further downwards earlier this year with a new base grade that slashed the cost of entry to just $22,990 drive-away.
Powered by a naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, the entry-level Vibe comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, halogen headlights, fabric upholstery, four speakers, and a 10.25-inch infotainment system with wired smartphone mirroring.
It also receives the same suite of active safety and driver assist technology as the rest of the range, including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.
The Vibe’s 1.5-litre engine produces 81kW of power and 140Nm of torque, down 44kW and 135Nm on the turbo ZS, while combined average fuel consumption is rated at 6.7L/100km.
Model | Price before on-road costs | Drive-away price |
|---|---|---|
MG ZS Vibe | – | $22,990 |
MG ZS Vibe Turbo | – | $24,990 |
MG ZS Essence Turbo | – | $28,490 |
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MORE:Explore the MG ZS showroom
Chery Tiggo 4
Cheap doesn’t always equate to good value, but the Tiggo 4 small SUV ticks both boxes, having won our CarExpert Choice award for Best Affordable SUV two years running.
Priced from just $23,990 drive-away, the base Tiggo 4 is equipped with 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, cloth upholstery, four speakers, a pair of 10.25-inch screens, wireless smartphone mirroring, and dual-zone climate control.
Standard safety features include Integrated Cruise Assist (adaptive cruise control with lane-centring), AEB, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a reversing camera, and rear parking sensors.
Power comes from a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 108kW and 210Nm, mated to a CVT transmission. Chery claims a combined average fuel consumption of 7.4L/100km.
Model | Price before on-road costs | Drive-away price |
|---|---|---|
Chery Tiggo 4 Urban | – | $23,990 |
Chery Tiggo 4 Ultimate | – | $26,990 |
Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid Urban | – | $29,990 |
Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid Ultimate | – | $32,990 |
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MORE:Explore the Chery Tiggo 4 showroom
Mahindra XUV 3XO
While China is Australia’s main source of affordable new cars, India is also making a contribution with the Mahindra XUV 3XO.
With a starting price of $23,990 drive-away, this small SUV is kitted out with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, cloth upholstery, six speakers, a pair of 10.25-inch screens, and wireless smartphone mirroring as standard.
The Mahindra XUV 3XO has not been rated by ANCAP and does not have an official independent safety rating in Australia, although protective aids include six airbags, AEB, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and a surround-view camera system.
Under the bonnet you’ll find a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 82kW and 200Nm at a claimed combined fuel economy of 6.5L/100km. Power is sent to the front wheels only through a six-speed automatic transmission.
Model | Price before on-road costs | Drive-away price |
|---|---|---|
Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5L | – | $23,990 |
Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7L | – | $26,990 |
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MORE:Explore the Mahindra XUV 3XO showroom
Suzuki Ignis
Did you expect to see the Ignis on this list? Because we sure didn’t!
Suzuki stopped producing its entry-level SUV for Australia well over 12 months ago due to its lack of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) safety tech, yet deliveries are still being made and the online configurator remains open at the time of writing.
What’s more, Suzuki has trimmed Ignis pricing to clear remaining stock, with the base GL now advertised for $25,135 drive-away.
For that relatively low outlay you get 15-inch steel wheels, halogen headlights, fabric upholstery, four speakers, a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, and wired smartphone mirroring. Safety is a sore point, though, as the Ignis is unrated by ANCAP and doesn’t come with AEB.
Power is sourced from a teeny little 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 66kW and 120Nm, sent to the front wheels through a CVT transmission. The official combined cycle fuel consumption claim is 4.9L/100km.
Model | Price before on-road costs | Drive-away price |
|---|---|---|
Suzuki Ignis GL | $22,490 | $25,135 |
Suzuki Ignis GLX | $24,490 | $26,490 |
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MORE: Explore the Suzuki Ignis showroom
Jaecoo J5
Previously only available as an EV, the J5 now has a petrol-powered option and it’s cheap as chips!
With a starting price of $25,990 drive-away nationwide, the J5 Track promises immense value, especially considering 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, cloth upholstery, six speakers, and a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring are all standard equipment.
Modern safety features are in strong supply, too, although the J5 range (ICE and EV) hasn’t been crash-tested by ANCAP as yet. That said, the closely related Chery Tiggo 4 wears a five-star safety rating against 2023 protocols.
The J5 shares a powertrain with the Tiggo 4 – a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 108kW and 210Nm, mated with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Claimed fuel consumption is 7.5L/100km.
Model | Price before on-road costs | Drive-away price |
|---|---|---|
Jaecoo J5 Track | – | $25,990 |
Jaecoo J5 Summit | – | $29,990 |
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MORE:Explore the Jaecoo J5 showroom
GWM Haval Jolion
GWM’s smallest SUV is a regular fixture among Australia’s value heroes and that’s likely to continue given the Chinese automaker’s aggressive pricing practices.
Take its current EOFY deals, for example – all Jolion variants have been discounted by thousands, including the base Premium which is now advertised for $23,990 drive-away until June 30.
In terms of standard equipment, the Premium offers 17-inch alloys, halogen headlights, cloth upholstery, four speakers, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, and wireless smartphone mirroring.
All variants are bolstered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in 2022, although a surround-view camera and front parking sensors aren’t fitted to the Premium.
Lower-spec petrol models get a turbocharged 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 105kW and 210Nm, which is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. They can be a bit thirstier than other vehicles in this list, consuming 8.1L/100km on average.
Model | Price before on-road costs | Drive-away price |
|---|---|---|
GWM Haval Jolion Premium | – | $26,990 |
GWM Haval Jolion Lux | – | $29,990 |
GWM Haval Jolion Premium Hybrid | – | $32,990 |
GWM Haval Jolion Vanta | – | $33,990 |
GWM Haval Jolion Lux Hybrid | – | $35,990 |
GWM Haval Jolion Vanta Hybrid | – | $39,990 |
Hyundai Venue
Your cheapest way into Korean SUV ownership is the Hyundai Venue, which also represents the cheapest manual crossover money can buy.
Usually priced from $23,750 excluding ORC (27,636 drive-away in NSW), the stick-shift Venue can currently be had for $25,990 drive-away as part of Hyundai’s end of financial year sale, while other variants are similarly discounted.
In its purest form, the Venue offers 15-inch alloys, halogen headlights, cloth upholstery, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, and wireless smartphone mirroring.
The Venue’s four-star ANCAP safety rating awarded in 2019 has now expired, leaving it unrated, although six airbags, lane-keep assist, a reversing camera, and adaptive cruise control are all standard.
Its five-speed manual gearbox is teamed with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine good for 90kW, 151Nm, and a combined average fuel consumption of 7.0L/100km.
Model | Price before on-road costs | Drive-away price |
|---|---|---|
Hyundai Venue manual | $23,750 | $27,636 |
Hyundai Venue auto | $25,750 | $29,696 |
Hyundai Venue Active | $28,000 | $32,012 |
Hyundai Venue Elite | $30,500 | $34,587 |
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MORE:Explore the Hyundai Venue showroom
GAC Emzoom
The edgy Emzoom arrived in Australia late last year, and remains one of Australia’s cheapest SUVs at under $26k excluding ORCs.
It’s even more affordable right now, with GAC offering $1000 cashback on orders placed before June 30, 2026.
Just one high-spec trim is available, featuring 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, vinyl upholstery, six speakers, a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, and wireless smartphone mirroring as standard.
The Emzoom has yet to be crash-tested by Euro NCAP or ANCAP, although safety highlights include six airbags, adaptive cruise, front and rear parking sensors, park assist, and a surround-view camera.
Under the bonnet is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 125kW and 270Nm, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. According to GAC, you’ll see an average combined fuel consumption of 6.6L/100km.
Model | Price before on-road costs | Drive-away price |
|---|---|---|
GAC Emzoom Luxury | $25,590 | $28,750 (approx.) |
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MORE:Explore the GAC Emzoom showroom
Chery C5
New name, same low price for the Chery C5 small SUV.
Available in two grades, the recently updated C5 starts from $29,990 drive-away, for which you get 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, fabric upholstery with leatherette seat bolsters, six speakers, twin 10.25-inch screens, and wireless smartphone mirroring.
It carries over the Omoda 5’s five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2022, as well as a long list of safety kit including semi-autonomous driving capability, driver attention monitoring, lane-keep assist, and a reversing camera, plus front and rear parking sensors.
Power comes from the same 1.5-litre turbo-four found in the Tiggo 4 and Jaecoo J5, although here it’s paired with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Combined-cycle fuel consumption is rated at 6.9L/100km.
Model | Price before on-road costs | Drive-away price |
|---|---|---|
Chery C5 Urban | – | $29,990 |
Chery C5 Ultimate | – | $34,990 |
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MORE:Explore the Chery C5 showroom
Chery Tiggo 7
Chery makes a third appearance on this list (fourth if you count the Jaecoo J5) with the Tiggo 7, a mid-size SUV available from $29,990 drive-away.
The Tiggo 7 received a substantial update last year, with projector LED headlights added to a standard spec list that already included 18-inch alloys, cloth upholstery, six speakers, twin 12.3-inch screens, and wireless smartphone mirroring.
You also get a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2023, although the base Urban does without front parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and electronic child safety locks for the rear doors.
The powertrain? Rinse and repeat the above, as the Tiggo 7 comes with the same 1.5-litre turbo-four that powers the Tiggo 4, C5 and Jaecoo J5, in this application with a six-speed dual-clutch auto. Combined fuel consumption is 6.9L/100km.
Model | Price before on-road costs | Drive-away price |
|---|---|---|
Chery Tiggo 7 Urban | – | $29,990 |
Chery Tiggo 7 Ultimate | – | $33,990 |
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 7. Clickhereto get a great deal.