Large SUVs undertake a variety of duties in Australia, from family transport to long-distance touring, towing and off-road adventure. Here are the best large SUVs to test drive in 2026 across all budgets and hybrid, EV, petrol and diesel powertrains.
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Research and compare electric SUVs on sale: models, specs, features, running costs and prices
The best affordable SUVs in Australia for 2026
Which are the cheapest SUVs in Australia? We cover compact, small, medium, large 7-seater and 4x4 off-road SUVs, including hybrid and EV models, for your best guide to buying an affordable new SUV.
Australians love SUVs more than any other vehicle type, and they love a bargain too, so we’ve compiled the cheapest and best affordable new SUVs currently on sale.
More than 750,000 new SUVs were sold in Australia in 2025, accounting for over 60 per cent of total sales across the entire market and covering various sizes and levels of capability to suit buyers’ needs – whether it’s around-town running, longer-distance touring, towing a caravan or heading off-road on a 4WD adventure.
In each case, lower-priced SUVs are attracting strong interest. New budget-oriented carmakers are forcing all brands to improve the value equation on their cars, creating a more competitive landscape with not only petrol and diesel SUVs, but cheaper-to-run hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV options too.
To help you decide, we’ve detailed the cheapest new SUVs in the major segments – compact, small, medium, large (seven-seat) and 4x4 off-roaders – and also listed the most affordable hybrid (including PHEV) and EV models where available.
The top-rated cars have a link taking you to RACV Car Match, where you can find estimated running costs, compare features and specs and view loan options. Drive-away prices are current at the time of writing (based on Victorian private buyers), but intense competition means that changes are never far away, so also check manufacturers’ websites for deals.
More: Research and compare new and used cars, SUVs, utes and vans on sale today in Australia
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The most affordable SUVs under $30,000 in Australia
The cheapest new SUVs currently available in Australia – all priced below $30,000 drive-away – are primarily compact or small SUVs, with one exception from the highly popular medium SUV class. They cover a range of brands but the Chinese brands are leading the pack, including with hybrid models.
11 cheapest new SUVs under $30K:
1. MG ZS small SUV – from $22,990 drive-away (hybrid from $29,990)
2. (eq.) Chery Tiggo 4 small SUV – from $23,990 drive-away (hybrid from $29,990)
2. (eq.) GWM Haval Jolion small SUV – from $23,990 drive-away (hybrid from $29,990)
2. (eq.) Mahindra XUV 3XO compact SUV – from $23,990 drive-away
5. Suzuki Ignis compact SUV – from $24,490 drive-away
6. GAC Emzoom small SUV – from $27,291 drive-away
7. Hyundai Venue compact SUV – from $27,858 drive-away
8. (eq.) Chery C5 small SUV – from $29,990 drive-away
8. (eq.) Chery Tiggo 7 medium SUV – from $29,990 drive-away
8. (eq.) Kia Stonic compact SUV – from $29,990 drive-away
8. (eq.) Skoda Kamiq compact SUV – from $29,990 drive-away
Research and compare budget SUVs (under $35,000) on sale today in Australia
Best affordable compact SUVs in Australia
Compact, or light, SUVs are ‘crossover’ cars that can be just as affordable as traditional hatchbacks or small sedans but bring benefits such as a higher seating position and easier loading. They are closely matched to the slightly larger small SUVs detailed in the next section, which have many more models available and are sometimes even cheaper (as well as bigger), so check them out too.
Top 5 cheapest compact SUVs:
- Mahindra XUV 3XO – from $23,990 drive-away
- Suzuki Ignis – from $24,490 drive-away
- Hyundai Venue – from $27,858 drive-away
- Kia Stonic – from $29,990 drive-away
- Suzuki Fronx – from $31,790 drive-away
If the budget stretches a little further, other Japanese and even European models become available, including the Mazda CX-3 (from $32,990 drive-away) – the biggest-selling light SUV in Australia in 2025 – as well as the Volkswagen T-Cross (from $32,990 drive-away) and Nissan Juke (from $33,044 drive-away).
Top 3 cheapest hybrid and EV compact SUVs:
- Hyundai Inster EV – from $35,990 drive-away
- Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid – from $36,135 drive-away
- Jeep Avenger EV – from $40,000 drive-away
Most action with affordable dedicated hybrid and battery-electric (EV) compact SUV models is in the next-size-up small SUV class, leaving only a few options for $40,000 or less in the light SUV brigade. The next in line are not cheap at all: the Alfa Romeo Junior EV (from $64,487 drive-away) and Mini Aceman EV (from $67,191 drive-away).
Research and compare SUVs in all segments: models, specs, features, running costs and prices
Best affordable small SUVs in Australia
Small SUV remains the fast-growing sales category in Australia’s new vehicle market and is second only in outright volume to medium SUV. These are arguably more of a dedicated SUV than compact SUVs, and with strong competition now rippling through the segment, the cheap and affordable options are plentiful across all powertrain types – petrol, hybrid and EV. The Top 5 most affordable small SUVs in Australia are all priced below $30,000 drive-away.
Top 5 cheapest small SUVs:
1. MG ZS – from $22,990 drive-away
2. (eq.) Chery Tiggo 4 – from $23,990 drive-away
2. (eq.) GWM Haval Jolion – from $23,990 drive-away
4. GAC Emzoom – from $27,291 drive-away
5. (eq.) Chery C5 – from $29,990 drive-away
5. (eq.) Skoda Kamiq – from $29,990 drive-away
The Skoda Kamiq from Volkswagen’s Czech brand is the only model among the Top 5 that’s not from a budget Chinese brand, but moving into the $30,000 to $37,000 bracket brings a range of other contenders such as the Honda HR-V (from $32,900 drive-away), Kia Seltos (from $33,990 drive-away), Mazda CX-30 (from $35,990 drive-away) and Hyundai Kona (from $36,990 drive-away) – one the best and most popular in class.
Top 5 cheapest hybrid small SUVs:
1. (eq.) Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid – from $29,990 drive-away
1. (eq.) GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid – from $29,990 drive-away
1. (eq.) MG ZS Hybrid+ – from $29,990 drive-away
4. Honda HR-V Hybrid – from $39,900 drive-away
5. Hyundai Kona Hybrid – $39,990 drive-away
Australia’s top-selling hybrid small SUV is the Toyota Corolla Cross, but it starts further up the line from $42,020 drive-away. And while excellent models from Honda (HR-V) and Hyundai (Kona) have made it into the Top 5 list, they’re still $10,000 more expensive than the three cheapest models in class.
Research and compare hybrid SUVs on sale: models, specs, features, running costs and prices
Top 5 cheapest electric small SUVs:
1. BYD Atto 2 – from $34,882 drive-away
2. Jaecoo J5 EV – from $36,990 drive-away
3. Chery E5 – from $38,990 drive-away
4. Leapmotor B10 – from $39,980 drive-away
5. MG S5 EV – from $40,990 drive-away
As found with hybrid small SUVs, disruptive Chinese brands are winning many new customers with affordable prices attached to their EVs. This has forced other brands into discounting, as seen with more than $13,000 wiped off the Hyundai Kona Electric earlier this year – one of the best small electric SUVs on sale which now starts from $45,990 drive-away, still well upstream from the cheaper Chinese EVs but worth considering.
Research and compare electric SUVs on sale: models, specs, features, running costs and prices
Best affordable medium SUVs in Australia
Australians are spoilt for choice in the medium SUV segment, which now includes more than 65 different models across literally dozens of brands. It’s no surprise, then, that medium SUV is the most popular and fiercely contested category – and the point where some of the best bargains are to be found across petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and EV powertrains.
Top 5 cheapest medium SUVs:
1. Chery Tiggo 7 – from $29,990 drive-away
2. (eq.) GWM Haval H6 – from $33,990 drive-away
2. (eq.) MG HS – from $33,990 drive-away
4. KGM Korando – from $34,490 drive-away
5. (eq.) Jaecoo J7 – from $34,990 drive-away
5. (eq.) KGM Torres – from $34,990 drive-away
South Korean brand KGM (formerly SsangYong) has made its presence felt among the price-leading Chinese brands, while other keenly priced medium SUVs include the Mahindra XUV700 seven-seater (from $35,990 drive-away), Renault Koleos (from $36,990 drive-away), Honda ZR-V (from $37,900 drive-away) and Mazda CX-5 (from $37,990 drive-away).
Top 5 cheapest hybrid medium SUVs:
- Chery Tiggo 7 SHS PHEV – from $34,990 drive-away
- BYD Sealion 5 PHEV – from $36,966 drive-away
- GWM Haval H6 Hybrid – from $36,990 drive-away
- MG HS Hybrid+ – from $37,990 drive-away
- Jaecoo J7 SHS PHEV – from $40,990 drive-away
Sales of hybrid cars are growing faster than any other fuel type in Australia and Chinese brands are working overtime to undercut leading models such as the more expensive (circa-$50,000) new Toyota RAV4, which offers both hybrid and debutante plug-in hybrid variants. A budget of $45K will net several other hybrid medium SUVs, such as the Geely Starray EM-i PHEV (from $41,033 drive-away), BYD Sealion 6 PHEV (from $42,990 drive-away), KGM Torres Hybrid (from $43,000 drive-away), Kia Sportage Hybrid (from $44,490 drive-away) and Hyundai Tucson Hybrid (from $44,990 drive-away).
More: The cheapest hybrid and PHEV cars in Australia for 2025
Research and compare family SUVs on sale: models, specs, features, running costs and prices
Top 5 cheapest electric medium SUVs:
- BYD Atto 3 – from $43,218 drive-away
- Geely EX5 – from $45,893 drive-away
- GAC Aion V – from $46,180 drive-away
- Leapmotor C10 – from $47,990 drive-away
- Skoda Elroq – from $49,990 drive-away
The two best-selling EVs in Australia are both medium SUVs but require a bigger outlay: the Tesla Model Y starts at $64,483 drive-away, while the BYD Sealion 7 is more affordable from $54,990 drive-away.
More: The cheapest electric cars in Australia for 2026
Research and compare EVs in all segments: models, specs, features, running costs and prices
Best affordable large 7-seat family SUVs in Australia
Large SUVs are a family favourite in Australia, offering a roomy interior (often spread across three rows) and a broad range of capabilities, from school runs to long-distance touring and towing. At the budget end, we’ve nominated the cheapest 7-seat models, some with quite different points of emphasis. In a segment where diesel dominates and EVs are expensive, we have also listed the Top 5 most affordable hybrid large 7-seater family SUVs.
Top 5 cheapest large 7-seat family SUVs:
1. Chery Tiggo 8 – from $38,990 drive-away
2. LDV D90 – $39,990 drive-away
3. MG QS – $45,990 drive-away
4. Jaecoo J8 – from $46,990 drive-away
5. (eq.) Mahindra Scorpio – $48,990 drive-away
5. (eq.) Isuzu MU-X – from $48,990 drive-away
With a circa-$50,000 budget, other models also come into play, such as the Skoda Kodiaq (from $49,990 drive-away) and the KGM Rexton (from $50,000 drive-away). Seven-seat versions of popular medium SUVs are also worth considering, such as the Mitsubishi Outlander (from $44,740 drive-away).
More: Australia’s best large SUVs and 7-seaters of 2026
Research and compare 7-seat SUVs on sale: models, specs, features, running costs and prices
Top 5 cheapest hybrid large 7-seat SUVs:
- Chery Tiggo 8 SHS PHEV – from $45,990 drive-away
- Kia Sorento Hybrid – from $59,490 drive-away
- Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid – from $59,990 drive-away
- BYD Sealion 8 PHEV – from $60,932 drive-away
- Chery Tiggo 9 SHS PHEV – from $65,469 drive-away
Research and compare hybrid 7-seat passenger cars and SUVs on sale: models, specs, features, running costs and prices
Best affordable 4WD off-road SUVs in Australia
If you’re heading off-road, there is a broad mix of affordable harder-core 4WD SUVs across various categories. New hybrid SUVs are also now available with handy off-road capabilities, although most have a premium position.
Top 5 cheapest 4x4 off-road SUVs:
- Suzuki Jimny compact 4-seater – from $36,490 drive-away
- GWM Tank 300 large 5-seater – from $47,990 drive-away
- Mahindra Scorpio large 7-seater – from $48,990 drive-away
- Mitsubishi Pajero Sport large 5-seater – from $49,990 drive-away
- KGM Rexton large 7-seater – from $50,000 drive-away
Top 5 cheapest hybrid 4x4 off-road SUVs:
1. (eq.) GWM Tank 300 Hybrid large 5-seater – from $55,990 drive-away
1. (eq.) GWM Tank 300 PHEV large 5-seater – from $55,990 drive-away (arrives April)
3. GWM Tank 500 Hybrid large 7-seater – from $73,990 drive-away
4. GWM Tank 500 PHEV large 7-seater – from $77,990 drive-away
5. Denza B5 PHEV large 5-seater – from $81,456 drive-away
Research and compare 4x4 off-road SUVs on sale: models, specs, features, running costs and prices
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
