Australia’s cheapest SUVs: 5 crossovers under $30,000

What are Australia's cheapest SUVs?

When we answered this question 2016, there were twice as many crossovers on sale in Australia as there are today – and for $5K less.

But following two years of COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing supply issues for new cars and parts throughout 2022, this is the reality we now face.

New cars are getting more and more expensive, there's no doubt about that.

With that in mind, we've found you the cheapest light and small crossover SUVs on the market for under $30K if you're looking for more space than a hatch, but can't quite stretch to the dollarbucks needed for a medium SUV.

Hyundai Venue – from $24,990

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The Hyundai Venue is the smallest, most affordable SUV in the Hyundai line-up.

Launched in Australia in 2019, it effectively filling the gap left by the discontinued Accent light car.

The Venue keeps thing simple in terms of variants. There’s one engine choice – a 1.6-litre four-cylinder – and three trim levels, with a six-speed auto available on all three, or a cheaper six-speed manual offered the base and mid-spec models. All versions drive the front wheels.

However, just the entry-level Venue and mid-range Active come in under our $30K cap at $24,990 and $29,394 respectively.

Hyundai Kona – from $29,490

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The Hyundai Kona is the second-smallest SUV offered by the Korean carmaker.

Choice in the range is vast, with everything from affordable 2.0-litre petrol power to high-performance turbo models, through to fully-electric variants at the top end.

The Hyundai Kona line-up is mostly front drive, with all-wheel drive reserved for the punchy N-Line variants yet not the full-fat N models with their sub-6-second 0-100km/h ability.

Just the base-spec Kona meets our price limit though coming in at $29,490. It gets the 2.0-litre Atkinson petrol engine, mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels only.

Kia Stonic – from $24,690

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Since its debut in 2021, the compact Kia Stonic SUV has proven popular, with almost 8000 sold in its first year on the Australian market.

If there’s a reason this newcomer seems familiar, however, that’s because it is. Based on the comparatively smaller Kia Rio, the Stonic does bear much resemblance to its sibling.

But the designers have made a real effort to make this car more than a high-riding version of the hatch – and its looks for a crossover aren’t quite so divisive as those of some rivals.

Priced from the low $20,000 range, the Kia Stonic is powered by a choice of 1.4-litre naturally-aspired four-cylinder and 1.0-litre turbo petrol three-cylinder engines. All examples are front-wheel-drive, from the Kia Stonic S at the entry end to the Kia Stonic GT-Line flagship.

Four of those meet the $30K criteria – the S and Sport grades each offered with both manual and automatic transmission options. The manual S starts at $24,690 while the auto Sport is almost $4K steeper at $28,190.

Mazda CX-3 – from $27,251

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The popular Mazda CX-3 has three variants under the $30,000 mark: the entry-level Neo Sport in both manual and automatic transmission guises and the 2WD manual petrol version of the Maxx Sport.

They’re each powered by a 110kW/195Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that drinks 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle.

It’s essentially a Mazda 2 on stilts so space is at a premium, but a high-end interior design sets it apart from other cheap compact SUVs.

Suzuki Ignis – from $23,490

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The Suzuki Ignis is one of the most affordable small SUVs in Australia, if you can call it that.

While it might appear as a larger-than-usual hatchback, the Ignis has a boxy, retro look and is classified as a ‘light SUV’.

Every Ignis drives only its front wheels and there is only one engine available – a 1.2-litre petrol four-cylinder that uses no more than 4.9 litres/100km on the combined cycle. The Ignis comes with a five-speed manual gearbox or a CVT automatic.

Prices begin at $23,490 for the GL manual, rising to $24,490 for the GL auto and $26,490 for the GLX (auto only).

Australia's cheapest SUVs: 5 crossovers under $30,000 (and the variants available!)

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