2024 Top 15 Cars Under $30,000 in Australia

Whether you’re tossing up your first car or an affordable commuter, healthy competition within the automotive world means there’s a world of car options for less than $30k.

With that in mind, it’s time to take a closer look at some of the heroes in the world of affordable motoring, all of which are priced below the $30,000 mark.

Kia Picanto

Starting from $16,290*

The Kia Picanto remains one of the most affordable new cars on the market, with its charming nature and zippy handling making it a great commuter in and around the urban jungle.

The Picanto is fuel-efficient and comes backed by an outstanding seven-year warranty, giving owners a great deal of confidence at this end of the market.

• Priced From: $17,890

• Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 5.4L/100km

• Boot Size: 255 - 1010L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated (previous four-star rating)

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

MG MG3

Starting from $18,490*

The MG3 is another affordable hatchback for Australian buyers in 2024, offering a decent equipment list for the money.

It doesn’t come packing a heap of power, though its pint-sized proportions mean it’s incredibly user-friendly to drive around town while offering long-term peace of mind with the seven-year warranty coverage.

• Priced From: $19,990 drive-away 

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 6.7L/100km

• Boot Size: 307 - 1081L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai Venue

Starting from $22,000*

Hyundai is no stranger to serving buyers a healthy dose of value, with the Venue range offering an affordable compact SUV and decent equipment lists, even in the base model.

Inside, the Venue offers a surprisingly practical cabin for the small SUV segment, making it one of the more versatile of the segment with a healthy 355L of boot space while retaining attractive pricing for Aussie buyers.

• Priced From: $22,500

• Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 7.0L/100km

• Boot Size: 355L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Four-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mazda 2

Starting from $21,510*

The Mazda 2 has long been one of the most entertaining small cars on the road, proving that affordable motoring need not be boring behind the wheel.

Atop Mazda’s handsome interior designs, the Mazda 2 is a great little city car that picks up a long list of active safety gear and, better yet, gives buyers the option of both a hatchback and a more practical sedan option for under $30k, including the premium GT variants.

• Priced From: $22,720

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 5.0 - 5.4L/100km

• Boot Size: 250L (hatch) - 440L (sedan)

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Expired five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Suzuki Swift

Starting from $22,490*

Don’t be fooled by the Suzuki Swift’s tiny footprint, step inside and there’s more space than you might expect, making it a great option for Aussies looking for a versatile and super fuel-efficient little hatchback.

The Swift feels great on the road, with its nimble handling lending itself as an effortless commuter and easy package to squeeze into tight car spaces, all while putting a smile on your face.

• Priced From: $23,990

• Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 4.6L/100km

• Boot Size: 242 - 556L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mitsubishi ASX

Starting from $23,990*

The Mitsubishi ASX remains one of the best value propositions in the small SUV segment, with three variants squeezing in under the $30,000 mark.

The ASX picks up a practical cabin design with decent space in the second row that makes it a viable option for young families, while Mitsubishi’s class-leading warranty coverage remains uncontested by its rivals.

• Priced From: $24,490

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 7.7L/100km

• Boot Size: 393 - 1193L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: up to ten-years/200,000-kilometres

Mazda CX-3

Starting from $23,510*

The Mazda CX-3 has proven to be one of the hottest-sellers in the compact SUV segment, thanks to its nimble handling, fuel efficiency and comfortable nature around town.

Combine that with Mazda’s handsome interior designs, which make it feel far more premium than its price tags would suggest and the CX-3 remains a top option in the world of small, affordable SUV packages.

• Priced From: $26,800

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 5.0 - 5.4L/100km

• Boot Size: 250L (hatch) - 440L (sedan)

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Expired five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre 

MG ZST

Starting from $25,990*

While the MG ZS remains the company’s best-selling compact SUV, the ZST’s added equipment lists and safety tech make it by far the better option of the pair.

Better yet, with pricing below the $30,000 mark, the ZST range is within reach for many buyers on a budget that benefits from a surprisingly generous range of features and MG’s seven-year warranty program.

• Priced From: $22,720

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 6.9L/100km

• Boot Size: 359 - 1187L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated; four-star for ZS sibling

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota Yaris

Starting from $24,800*

The Toyota Yaris is a remarkably strong performer, no matter how close you shine the microscope.

The Yaris is fun to drive with a super impressive suspension package and outstanding fuel economy without even ticking the box on the Yaris Hybrid, representing one of the best all-round packages in the hatchback segment under $30k.

• Priced From: $24,800

• Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 4.9L/100km

• Boot Size: 270L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Expired five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Kia Cerato

Starting from $26,290*

The Kia Cerato is another comfortable and user-friendly package for buyers, with three variants priced under $30,000 here in Australia, all of which pick up a lengthy amount of equipment that won’t leave buyers feeling short-changed.

Kia offers the Cerato in both sedan and hatchback form, with the sedan offering a very healthy 502L of boot space that makes it the practicality pick of the bunch and the added bonus of Kia’s generous warranty coverage.

• Priced From: $27,060

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 7.4L/100km

• Boot Size: 428L (hatch) - 502L (sedan)

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (drops to four-star without optional safety pack)

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Nissan Juke

Starting from $28,390*

The Nissan Juke is one of the flamboyant compact SUVs you’ll find on the market, with its funky styling hiding an impressively spacious interior for the segment and fuel-efficient turbocharged engine.

Inside, the Juke offers tonnes of headroom for taller drivers and a very usable second row, a healthy 422L boot and a long safety equipment list, even in the base model, which is a particularly nice touch for price-conscious buyers.

• Priced From: $28,390

• Engine: 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 5.8L/100km

• Boot Size: 422 - 1305L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

GWM Haval Jolion

Starting from $28,490*

When it comes to sheer value for money, it’s hard to ignore the latest GWM Haval Jolion range which comes racing out of the gates with one of the longest features lists you’ll find for under $30k.

While it’s not the most refined on the road, there’s a handsome interior layout on offer and tech like a 10.25-inch infotainment display which, combined with the seven-year warranty make it impossible to ignore.

• Priced From: $28,490

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 8.1L/100km

• Boot Size: 430 - 1133L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai i30

Starting from $24,000*

Buyers will be pleased to know that Hyundai is sticking with sub $30k pricing for both the i30 hatchback and sedan, two immensely impressive packages on the road.

Around town, the i30 is a breeze to drive, while its practical interior layout makes for a surprisingly family-friendly package that retains a healthy amount of features even in the base model.

• Priced From: $26,290 drive-away (hatchback)

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 7.3L/100km

• Boot Size: 395L (hatch) - 474L (sedan)

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Kia Seltos

Starting from $29,500*

While it’s a tight squeeze, Kia offers its entry-level Seltos under the $30,000 mark here in Australia.

The Seltos is a strong performer in the compact SUV segment, offering decent practicality, reasonable fuel economy figures and a particularly long list of active safety gear for every member of the range.

• Priced From: $29,780

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 6.9L/100km

• Boot Size: 433L - 468L (with space-saver spare tyre)

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota Corolla

Starting from $29,270*

Our list wraps up with arguably the heaviest-hitter in the small car segment, the iconic Toyota Corolla which, in spite of price rises, remains accessible enough for buyers with a $30k budget.

The Corolla range is offered in both hatchback and sedan form, both of which are a breeze to drive and incredibly user-friendly around town and the bonus of Toyota’s outstanding hybrid tech available across the range.

• Priced From: $29,270

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

• Fuel Economy: 5.9L/100km

• Boot Size: 217 (hatch) - 470L (sedan)

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

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* Prices accurate at time of writing.