There are new generations incoming of two of Australia’s cheapest cars: the MG 3 and Suzuki Swift . While the outgoing MG 3 held the title of the cheapest car on sale in Australia, the new generation is over $5000 dearer for even the cheapest variant. It now offers available hybrid power and a wide array of new safety tech, though the higher price brings it closer to rivals like the Suzuki Swift.
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion. Suzuki has added mild-hybrid technology to the latest generation of its popular hatch, but has only increased the base price by $500. You can also still get a manual transmission in the new Swift, for which the MG 3 has no direct answer.
With that in mind, which of the two is the better choice for a cheap small car? We’ve broken down the spec sheets to find out. With the new model the MG 3 has lost the title of Australia’s cheapest car, replaced by the Kia Picanto – though there’s still enough stock of the outgoing MG 3 to last to the end of the year . The old MG 3 range started at $18,990 drive-away, which means it’ll now cost over $5000 more if you want a base-spec petrol version.
The most expensive MG 3 now packs hybrid tech, but it’s over $10,000 more expensive than a top-spec model in the previous generation. The Swift range previously started at $23,990 drive-away everywhere except Queensland, where it cost $25,490 drive-away. The new Swift Hybrid range now opens at $24,490 drive.
