Cheapest cars to own and run

The Mitsubishi Mirage has claimed the 2013 crown for the lowest running costs of any new car on the Australian market. The Mirage took the title in this year’s NRMA’s Running Costs research, which calculates the weekly cost of owning every car – including registration, CTP insurance, fuel, servicing and depreciation.

The $12,990 Mirage ES led in the light car category under $20,000 – and overall -- with costs of $93.29 per week. The leader in the light car field over $20,000 was the $18,990 Suzuki Swift GLX with running costs of $126.55 per week.

The small car field’s leader was the $16,990 Proton Gen.2 GX at $115.73/wk, while the cheapest running medium car was the $26,490 Volkswagen Jetta 118TSI at $170.77/wk. Holden’s $37,490 LPG VF Commodore Evoke took the large car under $60,000 crown with $225.04/wk.

The cheapest compact SUV under $40,000 was the $18,990 Suzuki Jimny, while the $44,800 Audi Q3 2.0 TDI took out the $40,000+ category at $228.42. Medium SUVs under $50,000 were topped by the $25,490 Kia Sportage Si at $162.54, and the Range Rover Evoque Ed4 Pure took out the upper segment at $250.70.

Holden's $32,490 Captiva 7 SX was the winner for large SUVs under $60,000 at $193.04/wk and $63,490 Volvo XC70 D5 won the luxury band at $291.97/wk. Kia’s $29,990 Rondo Si was the cheapest seven-seater at $180.70/wk.

Great Wall took out both ute categories with the V240: the $17,990 2WD costing $163.72/wk and the $20,990 4WD coming in at $171.90. The best van was the Holden Combo at $144.24/wk, but the formerly $21,280 workhorse was discontinued earlier this year.

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

Cheapest running costs