Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Best new car deals: Updated January 2022

Isuzu's new flagship D-Max X-Terrain is available with a bit of a discount despite launching in 2020.

Strong buying in 2021 sees the new-car market rally bouncing into 2022, and while that means a fresh flow of new vehicles, demand is still overpowering supply. 

With that, unfortunately, dealers and car-makers are less enthusiastic about discounting. But don’t despair – if you need a new vehicle, there’s still some deals available this weekend with some offers from various manufacturers including those listed here. 

Look at the Isuzu’s top-line ute with a $7500-plus saving, for example. We still suggest looking for demonstrators and vehicles with the previous year build date (easy to find this time of the year) as very few models have changed much in the past 12 months.

Australia’s fastest-growing brand by sales, MG, seems to be topping the list for deals this month. It is offering free metallic paint on most of its models which saves you $500 and gets you into a new car that literally sparkles. 

The least expensive is the MG MG3 hatchback which is available from $17,990 drive-away for the automatic Core version with a 1.5-litre petrol engine. Step up to the ZS SUV which in its Excite version with automatic transmission is $21,990 including on-road costs, and the free paint upgrade. Then there’s the ZST Core at $25,490 drive-away, and family-size HS Core with auto and a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for $29,990. 

For tech buffs and those who want to save on running costs while reducing emissions, the HS Plus Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine assisted by a 90kW electric motor. Charge it up and it has a range of 52km on electric alone. For short distances, you may barely use the petrol engine. The HS Plus Hybrid is $47,990 drive-away and comes with free metallic paint. 

The ZS EV Essence is Australia’s cheapest family electric vehicle with a 263km range and the ability to charge its batteries to 80 per cent in 45 minutes (from an 85kW charge station) or plug it in at home for a full charge in seven hours. It is now $44,990 drive-away.

Isuzu Ute isn’t shy about offering discounts, even on its recently-launched range of utes and wagons. The D-Max ute is available as a dual-cab in its flagship X-Terrain version with a huge $7630 saving. The X-Terrain comes with 4WD, six-speed automatic transmission, the latest safety gear and multimedia, front and rear park sensors, leather upholstery, and a six-year warranty. The X-Terrain is now $62,990 drive-away, down from $70,620. 

For a more workhorse vehicle, the Isuzu D-Max SX comes as a single-cab 4x2 cab-chassis and ‘High Ride’ configuration for $29,990 drive-away. The price is for a six-speed manual with Isuzu’s new 1.9-litre turbo-petrol engine and the price includes an alloy tray. 

For the family, Isuzu has also slashed the price of its latest MU-X 4WD wagon. The MU-X has all the off-road and towing credentials of the D-Max ute on which it is based, however gets a smoother ride thanks to its different coil rear suspension. On offer is the MU-X LS-T seven-seat wagon with automatic transmission that is now $63,990 drive-away, a saving of about $6000. The LS-T has a high level of safety and convenience features including 18-inch alloy wheels and leather upholstery.

Suzuki has shaved a bit off its S-Cross Turbo wagon for Australian customers except those in Queensland and northern NSW. The wagon has a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine, automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It is now $30,990 drive-away, a saving of about $3000. 

The Vitara is also a bit cheaper, coming in at $27,990 drive-away for the 1.6-litre, 2WD base model with manual transmission, and $29,490 on the road for the automatic. The saving is about $2500.

Ford has copped most of the on-road costs with one of its Ranger variants. The XLT dual-cab 4WD auto with the five-cylinder 3.2-litre turbo-diesel is now $58,990 drive-away. The normal price is $57,490 plus on-road costs so the saving is about $3500, depending on what state you live in. 

Hyundai has also absorbed most of the on-road costs of its Santa Fe SUV. The all-wheel-drive diesel version with seven seats is now $49,990 drive-away, saving about $3500. The wagon has a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel with eight-speed automatic transmission. Features include park sensors, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and wireless charging for your mobile phone. Hyundai also has the i30 Active sedan automatic discounted with the price now $29,990 drive-away.

There are also some offers from Kia including the Niro 1.6 S Hybrid at $41,990 drive-away. It is usually $39,990 plus on-road costs. The Niro is a highly efficient hatch (Kia call it an SUV) that claims an average of 3.8 litres/100km. It has a 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 32kW electric motor that allows it to get up to 1200km per tank. Kia has a seven-year warranty.