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    2013 most affordable cars

    The Mitsubishi Mirage ES is officially Australia's cheapest car to own and run in 2013.
    Karla Pincott
    Karla Pincott
    Editor
    CarsGuide
    2 Jul 2017 • 8 min read

    The Mitsubishi Mirage is officially Australia's cheapest car to own and run in 2013, according to the latest research. The NRMA’s annual Running Costs research calculates the weekly cost of owning every car – including registration, CTP insurance, fuel, servicing and depreciation -- to determine which are the most affordable in Australia.

    The $12,990 Mirage ES was the winner in the light car category under $20,000 – and overall winner -- with costs of $93.29 per week. The $18,990 (RRP) Suzuki Swift GLX won in the category for light cars over $20,000 with running costs of $126.55/wk.

    The small car field was won by the $16,990 Proton Gen.2 GX at $115.73/wk, while the most affordable medium car was the $26,490 Volkswagen Jetta 118TSI at $170.77/wk, and the large car under $60,000 category went to Holden’s $37,490 LPG VF Commodore Evoke with $225.04/wk.

    Calculations in the tables below are for privately-owned cars in NSW, based on an annual distance of 15,000 kilometres travelled over an ownership period of five years. Costs may vary slightly for other states and territories, and for cars that travel greater or lesser distances.

    For more complete information on the winners in each class, visit the NRMA’s results at:
    http://www.mynrma.com.au/motoring/buy-sell/buying-advice/car-operating-costs/class-winners.htm

    LIGHT CARS UNDER $20,000

    MAKE/MODEL/VARIANT FUEL/WK
     ($)    		 CENTS/KM OVERALL/WK ($)
    Mitsubishi Mirage ES 3 cyl 1.2L 5 sp manual fwd 5d hatchback 22.57 32.34 93.29
    Holden Barina Spark CD 4 cyl 1.2L 5 sp manual fwd 5d hatchback 27.48 33.27 95.96
    Suzuki Alto GL 3 cyl 1L 5 sp manual fwd 5d hatchback 24.02 33.27 95.96
    Mitsubishi Mirage Sport 3 cyl 1.2L 5 sp manual fwd 5d hatchback 22.57 33.69 97.17
    Suzuki Alto GLX 3 cyl 1L 5 sp manual fwd 5d hatchback 24.02 34.03 98.16
    Mitsubishi Mirage ES 3 cyl 1.2L continuous variable fwd 5d hatchback 24.04 35.37 102.04
    Holden Barina Spark CD 4 cyl 1.2L 4 sp automatic fwd 5d hatchback 27.48 35.56 102.57
    Suzuki Alto GL 3 cyl 1L 4 sp automatic fwd 5d hatchback 27.76 35.84 103.39
    Mitsubishi Mirage LS 3 cyl 1.2L 5 sp manual fwd 5d hatchback 22.57 35.88 103.49
    Suzuki Alto GLX 3 cyl 1L 4 sp automatic fwd 5d hatchback 27.76 36.60 105.59

     

     

    LIGHT CARS OVER $20,000

    MAKE/MODEL/VARIANT FUEL/WK
     ($)    		 CENTS/KM OVERALL/WK ($)
    Suzuki Swift GLX 4 cyl 1.4L 4 sp automatic fwd 5d hatchback 30.42 43.87 126.56
    Kia Rio Si 4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp automatic fwd 5d hatchback 29.93 45.90 132.40
    Hyundai Accent Elite 4 cyl 1.6L 4 sp automatic fwd 5d hatchback 31.40 45.97 132.60
    Hyundai Accent Elite 4 cyl 1.6L 4 sp automatic fwd 4d sedan 31.40 45.97 132.60
    Holden Barina CDX 4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp automatic fwd 5d hatchback 31.40 46.70 134.71
    Kia Rio Si 4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp automatic fwd 4d sedan 30.91 47.04 135.68
    Holden Barina CDX 4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp automatic fwd 4d sedan 30.91 47.08 135.81
    Kia Rio SLS 4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp automatic fwd 3d hatchback 29.93 47.55 137.15
    Kia Rio SLi 4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp automatic fwd 5d hatchback 29.93 47.55 137.15
    Ford Fiesta LX DT4 cyl 1.6L 5 sp manual fwd 5d hatchback 22.17 48.01 138.50

     

    SMALL CARS UNDER $35,000

    MAKE/MODEL/VARIANT FUEL/WK
    ($)    		 CENTS/KM OVERALL/WK ($)
    Proton Gen.2 GX 4 cyl 1.6L 5 sp manual fwd 5d hatchback 37.90 40.12 115.73
    Proton Gen.2 GXR 4 cyl 1.6L 5 sp manual fwd 5d hatchback 37.90 41.94 120.98
    Proton Persona Elegance 4 cyl 1.6L 5 sp manual fwd 4d sedan 35.23 42.76 123.55
    Proton Gen.2 GX 4 cyl 1.6L 4 sp automatic fwd 5d hatchback 42.17 44.47 128.28
    Hyundai Elantra Active 4 cyl 1.8L 6 sp manual fwd 4d sedan 32.38 44.84 129.35
    Proton Persona Elegance 4 cyl 1.6L 4 sp automatic fwd 4d sedan 36.30 45.46 131.14
    Proton Gen.2 GXR 4 cyl 1.6L 4 sp automatic fwd 5d hatchback 42.17 45.51 131.27
    Kia Cerato S 4 cyl 2L 6 sp manual fwd 5d hatchback 36.80 45.68 131.76
    Kia Cerato S 4 cyl 1.8L 6 sp manual fwd 4d sedan 32.38 45.86 132.29
    Suzuki Sx4 Crossover 4 cyl 2L 6 sp manual fwd 5d hatchback 35.82 46.25 133.43

     

    SMALL CARS OVER $35,000

    MAKE/MODEL/VARIANT FUEL/WK
    ($)    		 CENTS/KM OVERALL/WK ($)
    Volvo C30 1.6 Drive DT4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp manual fwd 3d hatchback 19.65 66.12 190.74
    Mini Cooper D Baker Street DT4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp manual fwd 2d hatchback 19.15 66.46 191.72
    Mini Cooper D Bayswater DT4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp manual fwd 2d hatchback  19.15 67.35 194.27
    Mini Cooper Bayswater 4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp manual fwd 2d hatchback 28.46 67.87 195.78
    Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Ambition  Turbo 4 cyl 1.4L 7 sp auto direct shift fwd 5d hatchback  28.29 67.92 195.92
    Opel Astra Cdti Select Sports Tourer DT4 cyl 2L 6 sp automatic fwd 4d wagon  29.73 68.09 196.41
    Mini Cooper D DT4 cyl 2L 6 sp automatic fwd 2d hatchback  25.70 68.51 197.62
    Opel Astra 1.6 Sports  Turbo 4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp automatic fwd 5d hatchback 38.96 68.88 198.69
    Volkswagen Golf 103 TDI Comfortline DT4 cyl 2L 6 sp auto direct shift fwd 4d wagon  28.72 69.59 100.73
    Lexus Ct 200h. Hybrid Prestige 4 cyl 1.8L continuous variable fwd 5d hatchback 21.88 70.23 202.58

     

    MEDIUM CARS UNDER $50,000

    MAKE/MODEL/VARIANT FUEL/WK
    ($)    		 CENTS/KM OVERALL/WK ($)
    Volkswagen Jetta 118 TSI 6 sp manual fwd 4d sedan  34.69 59.20 170.78
    Volkswagen Jetta 118 TSI ST4 1.4L 7 sp auto direct shift fwd 4d sedan  33.09 61.34 176.95
    Skoda Octavia 90 TSI Turbo 4 cyl 1.4L 6 sp manual fwd 5d liftback 35.76 61.97 178.76
    Skoda Octavia 77 TDI DT4 cyl 1.6L 5 sp manual fwd 5d liftback  24.69 62.11 179.18
    Skoda Octavia 77 TDI DT4 cyl 1.6L 5 sp manual fwd 4d wagon 24.69 63.90 184.34
    Skoda Octavia 90 TSI  Turbo 4 cyl 1.4L 6 sp manual fwd 4d wagon 35.76 64.11 184.93
    Skoda Octavia 90 TSI  Turbo 4 cyl 1.4L 7 sp auto direct shift fwd 5d liftback  34.69 64.13 184.98
    Skoda Octavia 77 TDI DT4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp auto direct shift fwd 5d liftback 25.70 64.63 186.44
    Hyundai i40 Active 4 cyl 2L 6 sp manual fwd 4d sedan  32.38 65.71 189.54
    Volkswagen Jetta 118 TSI Comfortline ST4 1.4L 7 sp auto direct shift fwd 4d sedan  33.09 66.26 191.14

     

    MEDIUM CARS OVER $50,000

    MAKE/MODEL/VARIANT FUEL/WK
    ($)    		 CENTS/KM OVERALL/WK ($)
    Peugeot 508 GT HDI DT4 cyl 2.2L 6 sp automatic fwd 4d sedan 28.72 88.99 256.71
    Audi A4 1.8 TFSI  Turbo 4 cyl 1.8L 6 sp manual fwd 4d sedan 30.42 94.14 271.56
    Peugeot 508 GT Touring HDI DT4 cyl 2.2L 6 sp automatic fwd 4d wagon 40.82 94.65 273.04
    BMW 318d  DT4 cyl 2L 8 sp automatic rwd 4d sedan 22.68 95.82 276.40
    BMW 318d  DT4 cyl 2L 6 sp manual rwd 4d sedan 23.18 95.99 276.40
    Peugeot 508 GT Luxury Hdi DT4 cyl 2.2L 6 sp automatic fwd 4d sedan 28.72 96.57 278.57
    BMW 318d Modern Line DT4 cyl 2L 8 sp automatic rwd 4d sedan 22.68 96.97 279.71
    Volkswagen CC 130 Tdi DT4 cyl 2L 6 sp auto direct shift fwd 4d coupe 27.21 97.03 279.89
    BMW 318d Modern Line DT4 cyl 2L 6 sp manual rwd 4d sedan 23.18 97.14 280.22
    Audi A4 1.8 TFSI  Turbo 4 cyl 1.8L cvt multitronic fwd 4d sedan 30.96 97.66 281.72

     

    LARGE CARS UNDER $60,000

    MAKE/MODEL/VARIANT FUEL/WK
    ($)    		 CENTS/KM OVERALL/WK ($)
    Holden Commodore Evoke LPG 6 cyl 3.6L 6 sp automatic rwd 4d sedan 28.46 78.01 225.04
    Holden Commodore Evoke V6 3L 6 sp automatic rwd 4d sedan 43.67 79.43 229.13
    Skoda Superb 103 TDI Ambition DT4 cyl 2L 6 sp auto direct shift fwd 5d hatchback 30.74 79.44 229.14
    Holden Commodore Evoke LPG 6 cyl 3.6L 6 sp automatic rwd 4d sportwagon 28.46 80.63 232.58
    Ford Falcon XT(lpi) 6 cyl 4L 6 sp automatic rwd 4d sedan 29.66 80.74 232.90
    Nissan Maxima 250 ST-L V6 2.5L continuous variable fwd 4d sedan 46.61 81.63 235.48
    Holden Commodore SV6 V6 3.6L 6 sp manual rwd 4d sedan 47.59 82.02 236.61
    Holden Commodore Evoke V6 3L 6 sp automatic rwd 4d sportwagon 43.67 82.05 236.67
    Skoda Superb 103 TDI Ambition DT4 cyl 2L 6 sp auto direct shift fwd 4d wagon 31.24 82.07 236.73
    Holden Commodore SV6 LPG 6 cyl 3.6L 6 sp automatic rwd 4d sedan 29.66 82.12 236.88

     

    LARGE CARS OVER $60,000

    MAKE/MODEL/VARIANT FUEL/WK
    ($)    		 CENTS/KM OVERALL/WK ($)
    Holden Caprice V6 3.6L 6 sp automatic rwd 4d sedan 48.08 111.10 320.49
    Holden Caprice LPG 6 cyl 3.6L 6 sp automatic rwd 4d sedan 29.66 116.26 335.36
    Volvo V70 T6 T6 3L 6 sp automatic geartronic awd 4d wagon 54.44 140.95 406.58
    Holden Caprice V V8 6L 6 sp auto active seq rwd 4d sedan 77.39 144.25 416.10
    Volvo V70 T6 R-design T6 3L 6 sp automatic geartronic awd 4d wagon 54.44 151.00 435.58
    Audi A6 2.0 TDI DT4 cyl 2L cvt multitronic 7 speed fwd 4d sedan 25.20 157.04 453.01
    Audi A6 2.0 TFSI Turbo 4 cyl 2L cvt multitronic 7 speed fwd 4d sedan 34.16 157.92 455.54
    Lexus GS250 Luxury V6 2.5L 6 sp automatic rwd 4d sedan 49.64 158.85 458.23
    Honda Legend  V6 3.7L 5 sp automatic awd 4d sedan 60.31 161.60 466.15
    Audi A6 2.0 TDI Avant DT4 cyl 2L cvt multitronic 7 speed fwd 4d wagon 25.70 166.79 481.14

     

    PEOPLE MOVERS

    MAKE/MODEL/VARIANT FUEL/WK
    ($)    		 CENTS/KM OVERALL/WK ($)
    Kia Rondo Si 4 cyl 2L 5 sp manual fwd 4d wagon 41.21 62.64 180.70
    Volkswagen Caddy TDI250 Startline DT4 cyl 1.6L 5 sp manual fwd 5d wagon 26.71 63.07 181.93
    Volkswagen Caddy TDI250 Trendline DT4 cyl 1.6L 5 sp manual fwd 5d wagon 26.71 64.30 185.48
    Kia Rondo Si 4 cyl 2L 5 sp manual fwd 4d wagon 42.19 66.77 192.61
    Volkswagen Caddy TDI250 Startline DT4 cyl 1.6L 5 sp manual fwd 5d wagon 26.71 68.48 197.54
    Toyota Prius V Hybrid 4 cyl 1.8L continuous variable fwd 4d wagon 21.59 68.85 198.03
    Volkswagen Caddy TDI250 Trendline DT4 cyl 1.6L 7 sp auto direct shift fwd 5d wagon 26.71 69.13 199.40
    Kia Rondo SLI 4 cyl 2L 4 sp automatic fwd 4d wagon 42.19 74.21 214.07
    Dodge Journey SXT V6 3.6L 6 sp automatic fwd 4d wagon 55.51 75.28 217.16
    Volkswagen Caddy Edition 30 DT4 cyl 2L 6 sp auto direct shift fwd 5d wagon 32.75 76.35 220.24

     

    SPORTS CARS UNDER $80,000

    MAKE/MODEL/VARIANT FUEL/WK
    ($)    		 CENTS/KM OVERALL/WK ($)
    Fiat 500 Twin Air Lounge  T 2 cyl 0.9L 5 sp manual fwd 2d convertible 21.35 53.19 153.44
    Fiat 500 Twin Air Lounge  T 2 cyl 0.9L 5 sp automatic fwd 2d convertible 20.82 54.37 156.83
    Hyundai Veloster  4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp manual fwd 3d coupe 31.40 56.20 162.11
    Hyundai Veloster  4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp auto dual clutch fwd 3d coupe 31.40 58.78 169.57
    Hyundai Veloster + 4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp manual fwd 3d coupe 31.40 60.70 175.11
    Opel Astra GTC 1.4  Turbo 4 cyl 1.4L 6 sp manual fwd 3d coupe 32.03 62.92 181.51
    Hyundai Veloster + 4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp auto dual clutch fwd 3d coupe 31.40 63.19 182.27
    Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo  Turbo 4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp manual fwd 3d coupe 31.40 65.35 188.51
    Opel Astra GTC 1.4  Turbo 4 cyl 1.4L 6 sp automatic fwd 3d coupe 36.83 66.22 191.01
    Mini Cooper  4 cyl 1.6L 6 sp manual fwd 2d coupe 30.96 67.34 194.25

     

    SPORTS CARS OVER $80,000

    MAKE/MODEL/VARIANT FUEL/WK
    ($)    		 CENTS/KM OVERALL/WK ($)
    Mercedes-Benz C250 Cdi Sport BE DT4 cyl 2.2L 7 sp automatic g-tronic rwd 2d coupe 25.70 144.18 415.92
    Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Quattro  Turbo 4 cyl 2L 6 sp manual awd 2d coupe 36.30 147.60 425.75
    Lexus IS250c Sports V6 2.5L 6 sp automatic rwd 2d convertible 49.64 148.34 427.91
    BMW Z4 sDrive 20i  Turbo 4 cyl 2L 8 sp automatic rwd 2d roadster 36.30 149.61 431.56
    Lexus IS250c F-sport V6 2.5L 6 sp automatic rwd 2d convertible 49.64 150.50 434.13
    Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Quattro  Turbo 4 cyl 2L 7 sp auto direct shift awd 2d coupe 37.36 152.92 441.13
    Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 BE  Turbo 4 cyl 1.8L 7 sp automatic g-tronic rwd 2d convertible 36.83 154.33 445.18
    BMW 135i  T6 3L 6 sp manual rwd 2d convertible 45.90 158.64 458.23
    Audi TT 2.0 TFSI Quattro  Turbo 4 cyl 2L 6 sp auto direct shift awd 2d roadster 39.50 161.14 464.83
    BMW 135i  T6 3L 7 sp auto dual clutch rwd 2d convertible 45.90 166.25 479.56


    Also see running costs for SUVs, utes and vans.
     

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