New cars with the lowest power-to-weight ratios in Australia

Everyone’s obsessed with speed, but not every car is here to give you the thrill of a sub-four-second 0-100km/h time.

In fact, many of Australia’s best-selling cars offer only modest power figures, so we’ve decided to compile a list of the 10 cars on sale right now with the lowest power-to-weight ratios.

We’ve done this instead of simply ranking vehicles based on outright power, because power versus weight is much more relevant in the real world.

We’ve also mentioned claimed 0-100km/h times where provided by a manufacturer, however most cars on this list don’t have claimed acceleration figures for obvious reasons.

Are you surprised by any of the cars here? Let us know in the comments below.

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Click on a model’s name in the table above to jump directly to its information on the page, or keep scrolling for the full article.

BYD Dolphin Essential

The base BYD Dolphin currently has the lowest power-to-weight ratio of any new model currently available in Australia, clocking in at just 46.5kW per tonne.

70kW total isn’t much to work with when trying to shift 1506kg of Dolphin, which gives it a claimed 0-100km/h time of 12.3 seconds. Its 44.9kWh battery is also claimed to deliver 340km (WLTP) on a charge.

It’s at least fairly affordable at $29,990 before on-roads, though if you need more power, you can step up to the Dolphin Premium for $36,990 before on-roads. That has 90.5kW/t and can get to 100km/h in just seven seconds.

MORE: Explore the BYD Dolphin showroom

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BYD Atto 1 Essential

Two electric BYD hatchbacks top the list, with the base Atto 1 offering just 50.2kW per tonne.

That gives it a better 0-100km/h time over its larger sibling, claimed to be capable of completing the sprint in 11.1 seconds. Though it produces less peak power, the Atto 1 is noticeably lighter than the Dolphin at 1294kg.

It can only do 220km (WLTP) on a charge, but it’s incredibly cheap at $23,990 before on-roads. The more expensive Atto 1 Premium bumps that up to 310km and increases power-to-weight to 82.7kW/t, priced at $27,990 before on-roads.

MORE: Explore the BYD Atto 1 showroom

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Hyundai Inster 2WD

The third and final EV on this list is the base Inster, which pips the Atto 1 with a slightly improved 51.6kW per tonne.

It offers a peak power output of 71kW, a tare mass of 1375kg, and a claimed driving range of 327km on the WLTP cycle. The kicker is that it’s much more expensive than the base Atto 1 at $39,000 before on-roads.

All other Inster trims offer 85kW of peak power with power-to-weight ratios up to 60.1kW/t, and the lineup tops out at $45,000 before on-roads.

MORE: Explore the Hyundai Inster showroom

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Fiat 500

Next up is the petrol Fiat 500, which produces 55.4kW per tonne.

Though ranking fourth on this list, it actually has the lowest overall power output of all at just 51kW. Fiat claims it can achieve the 0-100km/h sprint in 12.9 seconds when its 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine is at full tilt.

MORE: Explore the Fiat 500 showroom

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Isuzu MU-X 2.2 LS-T

The first large SUV on this list is the 2.2-litre Isuzu MU-X LS-T, producing 58.5kW per tonne.

Priced at $71,400 before on-roads, the LS-T is the most expensive 2.2-litre MU-X currently on sale. All 2.2 models produce 120kW of power and 400Nm of torque, but each trim level varies slightly in weight, with the LS-T offering the lowest power-to-weight ratio.

For context, 3.0-litre models produce 140kW and 450Nm, with power-to-weight ratios of up to 68.0kW/t depending on the variant.

MORE: Explore the Isuzu MU-X showroom

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Toyota LandCruiser Prado Kakadu

In flagship Kakadu trim, the ever-popular Toyota Prado produces 59.5kW per tonne from its 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine.

The 2.5-tonne Prado Kakadu is both the heaviest and most expensive vehicle on this list at $100,690 before on-roads. Its engine produces 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque, with drive sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed auto.

Like other large SUVs here, the Prado’s power-to-weight ratio depends on the variant. The base GX, for example, offers 62.0kW/t.

MORE: Explore the Toyota LandCruiser Prado showroom

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GWM Tank 300 Diesel

The diesel is one of four powertrains available for the GWM Tank 300, and so-equipped vehicles produce 60.7kW per tonne.

Available in two variants priced at either $47,990 or $51,990 drive-away, the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel 4cyl produces up to 135kW of power and 480Nm of torque.

Otherwise, the turbo-petrol Tank 300 offers 76.9kW/t, the hybrid offers 111.5kW/t, and the plug-in hybrid offers 116.7kW/t.

MORE: Explore the GWM Tank 300 showroom

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Mahindra Scorpio

Available in one variant, the Mahinda Scorpio diesel offers 61.4kW per tonne.

The Scorpio Z8L is priced at $48,990 drive-away, and its 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine produces 129kW of power and 400Nm of torque. It utilises a six-speed automatic transmission, and is claimed to weigh 2100kg.

MORE: Explore the Mahindra Scorpio showroom

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Kia Picanto auto

The Kia Picanto is Australia’s best-selling city hatchback, and with an automatic gearbox, it develops 63.5kW per tonne.

Despite being sold in two sporty-sounding variants (Sport and GT-Line), both get the same 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 62kW of power and 122Nm of torque. Its ranking here is based on models with the four-speed auto, as the five-speed manual alternative bumps its power-to-weight ratio to 63.5kW/t.

Regardless, the Picanto is still Australia’s cheapest car, with the range kicking off at $19,190 before on-road costs.

MORE: Explore the Kia Picanto showroom

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Suzuki Jimny XL auto

Next up is the Suzuki Jimny which, in five-door XL guise, produces 63.7kW per tonne.

All Jimnys are powered by the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 75kW and 130Nm. Its ranking here is based on the XL auto, as the XL manual produces 63.7kW/t, and the three-door variant produces up to 67.6kW/t.

Both body styles are available with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, and the Jimny lineup ranges in price from $31,990 to $37,490 before on-roads.

MORE: Explore the Suzuki Jimny showroom

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