Which are the cheapest cars to run? New research shows MG, Kia, Suzuki and others

By Jack Dona · · 2 min read
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A young woman with a big grin sits behind the wheel of a large automobile, holding her keys out of the window and up in the air.

RACV’s 2022 Car Running Cost Survey has named the cheapest cars to run in Australia this year, including a breakdown of the cheapest cars by category. 

The survey presents the average spend for on-road costs, car loan repayments, registration fees, car insurance, fuel, servicing, and tyre maintenance across a selection of over 70 cars.

It might not come as a surprise that the cheapest vehicle category is light cars – generally those with a smaller engine capacity. 

RACV found the average cost of running a light car in 2022 was $857 per month or $10,286 per year.

More specifically, the cheapest car in Australia to run in 2022 is the MG3 Auto Core 1.5L, a light hatchback.  

Driving an MG3 Core costs an average of $735 per month, where: 

  • Car loan repayments cost $352 
  • Registration, insurance, and memberships cost $165
  • Fuel costs $173
  • Servicing costs $36
  • Tyre maintenance costs $9. 

The average annual cost of driving an MG3 Core is $8,814, according to RACV.

What is the cheapest car in each vehicle category?

Cheapest light cars to run in 2022 

Based on Australia’s average total monthly cost of running, here are the top three cheapest light cars in 2022:

  • MG3 Core ($735) 
  • Kia Picanto S 2022 model ($746)
  • Suzuki Baleno GL ($805).

Cheapest small cars to run in 2022

Based on Australia’s average total monthly cost of running, here are the top three cheapest small cars in 2022:

  • Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport ($951)
  • Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport Hybrid ($954)
  • Mazda 3 G20 Pure ($969).

Cheapest medium cars to run in 2022

Based on Australia’s average total monthly cost of running, here are the top three cheapest medium cars in 2022:

  • Toyota Camry Ascent ($1,123)
  • Toyota Camry Ascent Hybrid ($1,132)
  • Mazda 6 Sport ($1,195).

Cheapest people movers to run in 2022

Based on Australia’s average total monthly cost of running, here are the cheapest people movers in 2022:

  • Hyundai Staria ($1,564)
  • Kia Carnival S ($1,588).

Cheapest electric cars to run in 2022

Based on Australia’s average total monthly cost of running, here are the top three cheapest electric cars in 2022:

  • MG ZS EV ($1,149)
  • MG HS Excite EV ($1,357)
  • Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross EV 2022 model ($1,400).

Cheapest small SUVs to run in 2022

Based on Australia’s average total monthly cost of running, here are the top three cheapest small SUVs in 2022:

  • Kia Stonic S ($906)
  • Hyundai Venue base model ($933)
  • Mazda CX-3 Neo Sport ($965).

Cheapest medium SUVs to run in 2022

Based on Australia’s average total monthly cost of running, here are the top three cheapest medium SUVs in 2022:

  • Toyota RAV4 GXL ($1,245)
  • Toyota RAV4 GXL Hybrid ($1,263)
  • Mitsubishi Outlander ES ($1,266).

Cheapest large SUVs to run in 2022

Based on Australia’s average total monthly cost of running, here are the top three cheapest large SUVs in 2022:

  • Subaru Outback AWD 2023 model ($1,415)
  • Mazda CX8 Sport ($1,445)
  • Hyundai Santa Fe base model ($1,486).

Cheapest all-terrain 4WDs to run in 2022

Based on Australia’s average total monthly cost of running, here are the top three cheapest all-terrain 4WDs in 2022:

  • Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLX ($1,565)
  • Ford Everest Ambiente ($1,711)
  • Isuzu MUX LSM ($1,744).

Cheap isn’t always best: Which brands do drivers actually like?

The cheapest cars, while good for your bank account, aren’t automatically the best of the best. Of course, it really depends on what you’re looking for and what sort of experience you want from a car.

The Mozo People’s Choice Awards in 2022 sought out the best car brands, as rated by those who actually drive them, to find the most recommended car brands in Australia.

Of course, there's always public transport!