Prices may be rising, and 50 may be the new 30, but there are still some great options for new car buyers on a budget.
Dear Drive… Where we answer questions from readers, viewers and listeners. Something on your mind? Call us at the radio show or send us an email at [email protected].
A caller on 3AW radio asked:
I am looking to purchase a new car, ideally an SUV, for my daughter that will also double as a second family car. We don’t want to spend more than $30,000. What is available?
It’s no secret that new car prices have been on the rise of late. We’re a far cry from the four-figure prices that grace the hype (for what it’s worth, the last time a new car cost less than $10,000 was the Chery J1 in 2013; yours for $9990 drive), and even today there are only two options under $20,000.
So what will you get with a budget of $30,000?
As it turns out, you have several options in a sedan, hatchback, SUV, or even a ute, with some pretty impressive vehicles making up our 30 Under 30 list.
jeeps
Based on our caller’s inquiry, if you’re looking for an SUV, there are 11 brands that can help you, at least in terms of RRP (recommended retail price). Please note that all prices are shown as RRP before en-route costs, unless otherwise noted.
| Do | Model | starting price | Specifications | Price under $30K applies to… |
| suzuki | ignis | $21,490 | GL Manual | All variants of Ignis |
| hyundai | Event | $21,990 | place manual | All place variants |
| kia | sonic | $22,290 | manual | Stonic S and Sport manual or automatic |
| mazda | CX-3 | $23,510 | neo sports manual | Neo Sport, Maxx Sport manual or automatic, Maxx Sport LE automatic |
| mg | ZS | $23,990 to go | excite car | All ZS variants |
| mitsubishi | ASX | $23,990 | manual | GS, ES, MR and LS variants |
| hyundai | Kona | $26,900 | kona car | Also active automatic |
| mg | ZST | $26,990 to go | automatic core | Also Automatic Vibe |
| Toyota | yaris cross | $27,840 | automatic GX | Also GX Hybrid |
| nissan | juke | $28,390 | automatic ST | ST only |
| GWM | haval jolion | $28,490 to go | premium car | Premium Only |
| kia | seltos | $29,500 | S automatic | be alone |
| chery | omoda 5 | $29,900 | automatic BX | BX only |
| suzuki | vitara | $29,990 | vitara handbook | vitara manual only |
| ssang yong | Korando | $30,990 to go | EX automatic | EX only (listed as just over $30K drive-away) |
There are plenty of good options, but our pick would be a Hyundai Kona Active Auto ($28,500 before highway costs) or the $29,500 Kia Seltos S which has a current sale price of $31,690.
sedans and hatchbacks
There are nine brands vying for your thirty gorillas whether you want to look at a sedan or a hatchback, as in many cases it doesn’t really matter as the cars are offered in both body styles.
| Do | Model | starting price | Specifications | Price under $30K applies to… |
| kia | spicy | $16,290 | manual | All variants of Picanto |
| mg | mg 3 | $19,490 to go | automatic core | All MG 3 variants |
| kia | River | $21,190 | sport handbook | All variants of Rio |
| mazda | Mazda 2 | $21,390 | Pure Manual G15 | All Mazda 2 Variants: Sedan and Hatchback |
| Fiat | 500 | $23,100 | automatic saloon | Also Dolcevita self |
| suzuki | Fast | $23,490 | GL Manual | All Swift variants except Swift Sport car |
| hyundai | i30 | $23,720 | i30 manuals | Also Active auto: sedan and hatchback |
| Toyota | Yaris | $24,640 | Sports Ascent | Also SX gasoline only |
| volkswagen | pole | $25,750 | life 70 manual | Also Life 85 automatic |
| kia | cerate | $26,290 | S automatic | Also Sport car – sedan and hatchback |
| subaru | impreza | $26,490 | L automatic AWD | Also Premium AWD car: sedan and hatchback |
| mazda | mazda 3 | $27,160 | G20 Pure Manual | Pure, Evolve manual or automatic: sedan and hatchback |
| Toyota | Corolla | $28,630 | Sports Ascent | Sedan and hatchback, gasoline only |
Again, there are some great options, including the all-wheel drive Subaru Impreza, but our pick would be the Driving Car of the Year 2017, the Hyundai i30 Active hatch with an automatic transmission, as it currently has a $29,990 roadside offer.
utes
There’s a clear choice on this list, not just because the alternative has sold out and can’t be ordered anymore, but it’s nice to know that if you need one, you can get the 2.7-litre petrol Toyota HiLux. as a 4×2 cab chassis for less than $30,000.
| Do | Model | starting price | Specifications | Price under $30K applies to… |
| Toyota | hellolux | $25,375 | Workmate 4 × 2 cab chassis | Manual and automatic (without tray) |
| Mahindra | Pick | $26,990 to go | 4×2 manuals | If you can find one… |
Do you have a question about your next set of wheels or just need some advice on your car? No query is too big, small, or obscure! Call the radio show (Trent at 2GB Sydney 1:30pm Monday and 9:00pm Wednesday, 5AA South Australia 1:30pm Tuesday and James at 3AW Melbourne 9:00pm every Thursday)or contact us by email here: [email protected].
The charge Dear Drive… Can I still get a nice new car for less than $30,000? first appeared in Drive.
