The great news is that manufacturers have responded in kind, and it’s a win-win proposition for buyers. Keen to get a slice of the action, there are medium SUVs from almost every manufacturer available on the market, at various price points.
This fierce battle to win buyers over has resulted in highly competitive pricing and generous feature lists for even entry-level members of the medium SUV family.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 cheapest medium-sized SUVs you’ll find on the market here in Australia.
MG HS
Taking the cake for one of Australia’s cheapest medium SUVs, the MG HS range kicks off at $29,000 drive-away for the HS Core variant, stretching out to $47,990 for the plug-in hybrid HS Plus EV with all the bells and whistles.
The cheapest member of the HS family receives a perky 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine kicking up 124kW of power and 250Nm to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The generous standard equipment list for the HS Core includes a set of 17-inch alloys, LED daytime running lamps, a reversing camera with parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and start and a 10.1-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.
Nissan X-Trail
Ahead of the arrival of a brand new X-Trail, Nissan has packaged its entry-level midsize SUV with an extremely attractive price tag, with the ST 2.0L manual priced at $30,665 and the potential for seating up to seven in certain variants.
Powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, the X-Trail in base form produces 106kW of power and 200Nm of torque, while higher-spec variants gain a more powerful 2.5-litre petrol unit.
The base model receives 17-inch alloys, cruise control, keyless entry & start, a reversing camera, autonomous emergency braking with forward collision alerts and a 7.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.
The X-Trail is ready for adventurous families with a clever and practical cabin, with a generous boot up to 565L in the five-seat variant, which drops to 135L in seven-seat form.
Mazda CX-5
One of Australia’s favourite midsize SUVs, the Mazda CX-5 is also one of the most affordable for families, with prices kicking off from $32,490 for the entry-level CX-5 Maxx manual.
The base CX-5 variant is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 115kW of power and 200Nm of torque with a manual transmission, while the automatic is priced at $34,490, and there’s a choice of two more engines as you step higher into the range.
The interior is particularly well-crafted and family-friendly, albeit with a slightly smaller boot than its peers at 438L, which expands to 1,340L with the rear seats folded.
Standard equipment for the entry-level CX-5 includes 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, push-button start, adaptive cruise control, reversing camera with parking sensors and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.
Haval H6
In spite of a recent price hike, the Haval H6 remains one of the cheapest medium SUVs in Australia with prices kicking off from $33,990 drive-away.
The entry-level H6 Premium receives a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol producing an impressive 150kW of power and 320Nm of torque and slick dual-clutch transmission.
There’s an impressive amount of space inside, with a large 600L boot that is perfect for growing families, atop the standard features for the base model including 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, a reversing camera with parking sensors, clever safety equipment, and no less than two 10.25-inch displays for the driver and infotainment system which gains Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.
Kia Sportage
There’s an all-new Kia Sportage in town, and atop its sleek looks, the family-friendly Sportage offers buyers a heap of value for buyers shopping around the medium SUV segment.
The entry-level Sportage comes in the form of the Sportage S FWD, which is priced at $32,445, or around $34,690 drive-away.
It comes powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 115kW of power and 192Nm of torque with a six-speed manual as standard; opting for the automatic brings the price up to $34,445.
Kia’s generous approach to features on even its cheapest cars means that the entry-level Sportage S receives 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alerts as well as an 8.0-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto as standard.
Toyota RAV4
Toyota has updated its RAV4 lineup with hybrid variants across all price points, adding to the already impressive value proposition in the latest RAV4 range.
Priced from $34,400, the entry-level RAV4 GX is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine producing a healthy 127kW of power and 203Nm of torque, while the entry-level GX Hybrid pairs a 2.5-litre petrol with an electric motor producing 160kW.
The family-friendly interior features a spacious cabin that is perfect for long road trips, atop a healthy 580L boot space.
Standard equipment for the RAV4 GX variant includes 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, LED interior lighting, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, reversing camera with parking sensors, a heap of active safety equipment and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay.
Hyundai Tucson
Twin under the skin to the Kia Sportage, the Hyundai Tucson has received the same fresh platform and a heap of added equipment as standard, with prices kicking off from $34,500 for the entry-level Tucson 2.0 petrol.
The base model receives a 2.0-litre four-cylinder kicking up 115kW of power and 192Nm of torque, which powers the front wheels via a six-speed torque-converter automatic.
The cheapest member of the Tucson family offers a healthy 539L boot, and receives 17-inch alloys, cloth upholstery, halogen headlights with LED running lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera with rear parking sensors and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto as standard.
Mitsubishi Outlander
The Mitsubishi Outlander recently received a major update and a brand-new platform that has translated to an impressive amount of family-friendly space and features.
Priced from $34,990 for the entry-level Outlander ES variant, it comes powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine producing 135kW of power and 245Nm of torque with a smooth CVT automatic.
Standard features for the Outlander ES include 18-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera with parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring and a 9.0-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.
The Outlander can also be optioned in a seven-seat configuration, but you’ll need to opt for the higher LS variant which is priced at $38,490 plus on-road costs.
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V remains one of the best-selling members of the medium SUV club, and with a revised pricelist kicking off from $35,500, it remains within reach for many Australian midsize SUV buyers.
The entry-level CR-V Vi comes powered by a 2.0-litre petrol producing 113kW of power and 189Nm of torque, while the rest of the range gains a 1.5-litre four-cylinder producing 140kW/240Nm; both receive a CVT automatic as standard.
The CR-V range can be optioned in a five and seven-seat configuration, which translates to a boot size of 522L in the five-seater and a more compact 150L in the seven-seat CR-V VTi 7.
Standard equipment for the cheapest CR-V Vi includes 17-inch alloys, cruise control, a reversing camera, autonomous emergency braking, cloth upholstery, a full-sized spare tyre and a 7.0-inch infotainment system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay.
Ford Escape
While the Ford Escape is often left in the dust by its peers, it remains an exceptionally well-crafted and affordable medium SUV, with prices kicking off from $36,490 for the base model.
The entry-level Escape FWD comes powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol producing an impressive 183kW of power and 387Nm of torque, which is sent to the front wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Ford’s clever interior packaging translates to a well-appointed and spacious cabin that lends itself perfectly to the needs of growing families, with the added bonus of a 556L boot.
The base model Escape comes extremely well-equipped, receiving 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, ambient lighting, a 12.3-inch driver’s display, a reversing camera with sensors, adaptive cruise control, and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto as standard.
Top 10 Cheapest Medium Size SUV Costs
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MG HS: $29,000 (drive-away)
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Nissan X-Trail ST 2.0L manual: $30,665 (plus on-roads)
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CX-5 Maxx manual: $32,490 (plus on-roads)
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Haval H6 Premium: $33,990 (drive-away)
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Kia Sportage S FWD: $32,445 (plus on-roads)
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Toyota RAV4 GX: $34,400 (plus on-roads)
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Hyundai Tucson 2.0 petrol: $34,500 (plus on-roads)
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Mitsubishi Outlander ES: $34,990 (plus on-roads)
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Honda CR-V Vi: $35,550 (plus on-roads)
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Ford Escape FWD: $36,490 (plus on-roads)
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