Once upon a time sedans dominated Australia’s new car market, headlined by the iconic Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon.

    However, those days are long gone. SUVs and utes rule the showrooms and streets in 2024, and the humble sedan has become an endangered species.

    With four doors, a relatively big boot and sleeker styling than wagons or SUVs, let alone utes, there’s still plenty to be said for the three-box body style. That’s especially true when you consider that a bunch of sedans can be had for less than $30,000 drive-away.

    Beyond that, an electric vehicle (EV) and a storied performance model are also among this list of the 10 cheapest new sedans you can buy in Australia.

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    Some manufacturers list national drive-away prices, while others list prices excluding on-road costs. For consistency, however, this list is ranked based on drive-away prices for Victorian private buyers.

    Make/modelVictorian drive-away starting price
    MG MG5$25,990
    Mazda 2$26,754
    Kia Cerato$28,790
    Hyundai i30$29,990
    Mazda 3$33,990
    Toyota Corolla$36,662
    Mazda 6$37,990
    Toyota Camry$44,651
    BYD Seal$52,876
    Subaru WRX$53,043

    Click on a car’s name above to jump directly to its information on the page, or continue scrolling for the full list.

    MG MG5

    MG has built a reputation on offering budget-friendly commuter vehicles, and the MG5 fits that brief.

    Australia’s cheapest sedan starts at $25,990 drive-away, while the range-topping Essence variant comes in at $29,990 drive-away.

    Both variants are powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, although the flagship Essence gains forced induction in the form of a turbocharger that ups outputs from 84kW/150Nm to 119kW/250Nm.

    Standard equipment for the entry grade includes a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, leatherette upholstery, wired smartphone mirroring, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

    The MG5 is one of the few new models to have received a zero-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2023.

    ModelDrive-away price
    MG MG5 Vibe$25,990
    MG MG5 Essence$29,990

    Interested in buying a MG MG5? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

    MORE: Everything MG MG5

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    Mazda 2

    The Mazda 2 sedan is both smaller and dearer than the MG5, with a starting price of 24,720 before on-road costs ($26,754 drive-away in Victoria).

    The entire Mazda 2 range is powered by the same naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 82kW and 144Nm in base Pure specification.

    The Pure sedan also comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple Carplay, and leather-wrapped interior touch points.

    All version of the Mazda 2 are backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

    ModelPrice before on-road costs
    Mazda 2 G15 Pure automatic sedan$24,720
    Mazda 2 G15 GT sedan$27,920

    Interested in buying a Mazda 2? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

    MORE: Everything Mazda 2

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    Kia Cerato

    The cheap and cheerful Cerato sedan also wears a sub-$30k price tag, but the long-lived model is set to be replaced by the all-new K4 next year, ending a production run of over 20 years.

    All Cerato variants except the flagship GT are powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 112kW and 192Nm. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

    As standard, the Cerato S offers 16-inch steel wheels, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless smartphone mirroring, and a six-speaker sound system.

    The Cerato is covered by Kia’s seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia.

    ModelDrive-away price
    Kia Cerato S$28,790
    Kia Cerato S with Safety Pack$30,290
    Kia Cerato Sport$30,790
    Kia Cerato Sport with Safety Pack$32,290
    Kia Cerato Sport+$34,490
    Kia Cerato GT$39,290

    Interested in buying Kia Cerato? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

    MORE: Everything Kia Cerato

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    Mazda 3

    Prices are up for the Mazda 3 this year, with the base Pure sedan now commanding $31,190 before on-roads.

    It’s powered by a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 114kW and 200Nm, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

    The Pure features 16-inch alloy wheels, an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 7.0-inch instrument cluster, wired smartphone mirroring, and black cloth upholstery.

    The Mazda 3 achieved a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2019, based on Euro NCAP testing.

    ModelPrice before on-road costs
    Mazda 3 G20 Pure$31,190
    Mazda 3 G20 Evolve$32,990
    Mazda 3 G20 Touring$36,990
    Mazda 3 G25 Evolve SP with Vision Pack$36,990 
    Mazda 3 G25 GT with Vision Pack$39,990
    Mazda 3 G25 Astina$43,190 

    Interested in buying a Mazda 3? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

    MORE: Everything Mazda 3

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    Toyota Corolla

    The most affordable version of Toyota’s Corolla sedan starts at $32,230 before on-road costs.

    Under the bonnet you’ll find a 1.8-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain that’s good for 103kW and 142Nm (petrol only), sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

    Three trim grades are available, although even the base Ascent Sport is fitted with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, six-speaker sound system, reversing camera, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

    The Toyota Corolla has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in 2018.

    ModelPrice before on-road costs
    Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport Hybrid Sedan$32,320
    Toyota Corolla SX Hybrid Sedan$34,920
    Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid Sedan$40,260

    Interested in buying a Toyota Corolla? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

    MORE: Everything Toyota Corolla

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    Hyundai i30

    The i30 sedan range starts at $29,000 before on-roads, and stretches up to $52,000 for the fast and fiery i30 N.

    At the bottom of the range, the base sedan packs a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that produces 110kW of power and 180Nm of torque, mated to a CVT.

    In base trim you get 16-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster, six-speaker sound system, cloth upholstery, and a full-sized spare wheel.

    The Hyundai i30 Sedan is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

    ModelPrice before on-road costs
    Hyundai i30 Sedan$29,000
    Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid$33,000
    Hyundai i30 Sedan Elite$33,500
    Hyundai i30 Sedan N Line$36,000
    Hyundai i30 Sedan Elite Hybrid$37,500
    Hyundai i30 Sedan Premium$38,500
    Hyundai i30 N Line Premium$41,500
    Hyundai i30 N Premium Auto$52,000
    Hyundai i30 N Premium Manual$52,000

    Interested in buying a Hyundai i30? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

    MORE: Everything Hyundai i30

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    Mazda 6

    The current generation Mazda 6 has been around since 2012 and Australia is one of the few remaining markets to receive the mid-sized stalwart, priced from $36,140 before on-road costs in sedan form.

    In G25 guise, the Mazda 6 is powered by a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine making 140kW and 252Nm.

    Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, satellite navigation, six-speaker sound system, and a head-up display (HUD).

    The Mazda 6 is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

    ModelPrice before on-road costs
    Mazda 6 G25 Sport sedan$36,140
    Mazda 6 G25 Touring sedan$40,810
    Mazda 6 G35 GT SP sedan$49,040
    Mazda 6 G35 Atenza sedan$52,440

    Interested in buying a Mazda 6? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

    MORE: Everything Mazda 6

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    Toyota Camry

    The new Camry is here, and it’s bigger, more powerful, and more efficient than before, with a starting price of $39,990 plus on-road costs.

    Powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, the Camry has total system outputs of 170kW, sent to the front wheels via a CVT automatic.

    In base spec you get 17-inch alloy wheels, black cloth upholstery, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, and dual-zone climate control.

    The new Toyota Camry hasn’t yet been crash tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.

    ModelPrice before on-road costs
    Toyota Camry Ascent$39,990
    Toyota Camry Ascent Sport$42,990
    Toyota Camry SL$53,990

    Interested in buying a Toyota Camry? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

    MORE: Everything Toyota Camry

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    BYD Seal

    It’s rare to see an EV on a list of budget buys, but that’s exactly what the BYD Seal represents in the sedan world.

    Priced from $49,888 plus on-roads, the Dynamic Standard Range features a single electric motor and rear-wheel drive, with 150kW of power and 310Nm of torque.

    The Dynamic Standard Range comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, satellite navigation, 12-speaker sound system, power-adjustable front seats, leatherette upholstery, and a panoramic sunroof.

    The BYD Seal is backed by a six-year, 150,000km vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty.

    BYD SealPrice before on-road costs
    BYD Seal Dynamic$49,888
    BYD Seal Premium $55,798
    BYD Seal Performance$65,748

    Interested in buying a BYD Seal? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

    MORE: Everything BYD Seal

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    Subaru WRX

    A rally legend – the Subaru WRX – rounds out the list of the 10 cheapest sedans on sale in Australia.

    The base manual costs $47,490 before on-road costs, and sources power from a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing up to 202kW of power and 350Nm of torque.

    In addition to sporty styling and motorsport pedigree, the WRX comes equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, an 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless smartphone mirroring, cloth upholstery, six-speed sound system, and dual-zone climate control.

    As with all Subaru models sold in Australia, the WRX is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

    ModelPrice before on-road costs
    Subaru WRX manual$47,490
    Subaru WRX auto$49,990
    Subaru WRX Club Spec manual$52,590
    Subaru WRX RS manual$52,990
    Subaru WRX RS auto$55,490
    Subaru WRX tS auto$57,990

    Interested in buying a Subaru WRX? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

    MORE: Everything Subaru WRX

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    Josh Nevett

    Josh Nevett is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne, Australia. Josh studied journalism at The University of Melbourne and has a passion for performance cars, especially those of the 2000s. Away from the office you will either find him on the cricket field or at the MCG cheering on his beloved Melbourne Demons.

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