2013 most affordable cars

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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