Australia has a new cheapest car

The Kia Picanto is once again Australia’s cheapest car, a title it hasn’t worn since December 2023.

The outgoing MG 3 had held the title with its base price of $18,990 drive-away.

However, there’s now a new model on sale which has much more in the way of standard kit, particularly safety equipment.

The new MG 3 range now opens at $23,990 before on-road costs.

The last MG 3 became Australia’s cheapest car in December 2023, when Kia introduced a facelifted version of its Picanto which brought a wealth of standard safety features but a higher price tag.

While the base 2023 Picanto S manual started at $16,290 before on-road costs or $18,890 drive-away, the new base 2024 Picanto Sport manual rings up at $17,890 before on-roads ($20,690 drive-away).

All Picanto models now slot in under the base MG 3 in price. Kia’s micro car range tops out at $21,290 before on-roads.

Not only is the Picanto once again cheaper than the MG 3, some other familiar nameplates now undercut the MG.

The Suzuki Ignis – which may be not long for this world – opens at $21,490 before on-road costs in manual GL guise.

Also undercutting the MG 3 are the Hyundai Venue manual ($22,500 before on-roads) and Mazda 2 G15 Pure manual ($22,870 before on-roads), with the Chinese hatchback lacking a price-leader manual model to tackle these vehicles more directly on price.

Not only is the base MG 3 more expensive than these models now, it’s even pricier than the brand’s own ZS crossover, an older design with no active safety technology but a sharp $22,990 drive-away sticker.

MORE: Everything Kia Picanto MORE: Everything MG 3