Australia’s cheapest cars from luxury brands

Just how little can you spend and still get a new car with a three-pointed star, spinning propeller or four rings on the grille?

At just over $36,000 before on-road costs, the most affordable Audi – the A1 30 TFSI – is around $20,000 cheaper than the least expensive BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Volvo.

That makes it the most affordable vehicle from the 12 luxury brands operating in Australia.

For this exercise, we’re drawing a distinction between luxury brands like Audi and ultra-luxury or exotic brands like Aston Martin, where the most affordable models are deep in six-digit territory.

Of the 12 vehicles here, all bar two have a base price under $100,000 before on-road costs.

Click on a car’s name above to jump directly to its information on this page, or continue scrolling for the full list.

Alfa Romeo Tonale Ti

The Alfa Romeo Tonale range opens at $50,900 before on-road costs.

That makes it $4910 more expensive than the most affordable version of the Jeep Compass, which the Tonale is related to.

Standard equipment includes matrix LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The front seats are manually adjustable as standard, though there’s power lumbar for the driver’s seat. Upholstery is a mix of cloth and leatherette.

Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and traffic sign recognition; features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are optional on the Ti and standard on the Veloce.

The Tonale Ti and Veloce use a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system. The engine produces 118kW and 240Nm, while the electric motor produces 15kW and 55Nm; claimed fuel economy is 5.6L/100km.

It’s front-wheel drive and uses a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, though Alfa Romeo offers a flagship Veloce PHEV Q4 that features a 1.3-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain with 208kW of power and all-wheel drive.

The Tonale can run on pure electric power at low speeds, much like a conventional hybrid. Those seeking pure electric power to last their commute, however, will need to step up to the PHEV which offers 60.5km of WLTP range.

Launched in 2023, the Tonale has quickly become Alfa Romeo’s best seller in Australia – though not by a huge margin.

To the end of October, Alfa Romeo has sold 224 Tonales this year, making it marginally more popular than the Giulia (176 sales).

It won’t be Alfa Romeo’s smallest model for long, with the Junior arriving in 2025 as a new entry-level SUV for the Italian brand. It may also become Alfa Romeo’s most affordable model here.

Interested in buying an Alfa Romeo Tonale? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.

MORE: Everything Alfa Romeo Tonale

Audi A1 30 TFSI

The Audi A1 is an upscale cousin to the Volkswagen Polo, and has no direct competition from BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

Its days are numbered, with Audi having previously confirmed it won’t be replaced.

The entry-level 30 TFSI, priced at $36,200 before on-road costs, features a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine producing 85kW of power and 200Nm of torque, mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic – the same powertrain found in the Polo.

Claimed fuel economy is 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle.

More expensive A1s offer 110kW/250Nm and 147kW/320Nm turbocharged four-cylinder engines.

The base 30 TFSI isn’t flashy, riding on 16-inch alloy wheels and featuring halogen headlights.

Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist.

Inside, there are manually adjustable front seats with cloth upholstery. There’s manual air-conditioning and a basic 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, though you can upgrade your base A1 with packages that bring Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, LED headlights and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Though it’s the most affordable Audi in Australia, it’s far from being the most popular. To the end of October, Audi has sold more than 10 times as many A3s as it has A1s, with just 174 examples of the light hatch being delivered.

Interested in buying an Audi A1? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.

MORE: Everything Audi A1

BMW 118

BMW has just launched its new-generation 1 Series hatchback, which in base 118 guise is priced at $56,500 before on-roads.

This model uses a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine producing 115kW and 230Nm, mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Claimed fuel economy is 6.4L/100km, though you’ll need to fill the 118 up with 98-octane premium unleaded fuel.

Even this most affordable 1 Series gets adaptive suspension, as well as a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and leatherette-upholstered seats that are heated up front.

Standard safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and rear cross-traffic alert.

If you want more power, you can step up to the all-wheel drive M135 xDrive with its 233kW/400Nm turbo 2.0-litre four. It’s a big jump, however, with the M135 xDrive priced at $82,500 before on-roads.

Interested in buying a BMW 1 Series? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.

MORE: Everything BMW 1 Series

Cadillac Lyriq Luxury

Cadillac is in the process of returning to Australia. It has opened its first retail location and is planning first customer deliveries in the first quarter of 2025.

Thus far, it has confirmed only the Lyriq electric SUV for our market, which opens at $117,000 before on-road costs – certainly more expensive than an entry-level BMW 1 Series, but undercutting the more comparable BMW iX.

Cadillac offers more affordable vehicles overseas like the slightly smaller Optiq electric SUV, which could make its way here, as well as combustion-powered vehicles like the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe-rivalling CT4 and Audi Q3-rivalling XT4, both of which have been ruled out for Australia.

All Lyriqs for now feature a 388kW/610Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, with a 102kWh nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) battery affording 530km of electric range.

Standard equipment includes a panoramic sunroof, hands-free power tailgate, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard second-row seats, and semi-automatic parking assist.

There’s also a 33-inch display incorporating the digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen, while standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot assist and a surround-view camera.

Interested in buying a Cadillac Lyriq? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.

MORE: Everything Cadillac Lyriq

Genesis GV70 2.5T Advanced

The GV70 isn’t Genesis’ smallest SUV – that’s the electric GV60. It also isn’t the Hyundai premium brand’s smallest vehicle overall, as there’s still the G70 sedan and Shooting Brake.

However, the GV60 carries a premium as electric vehicles often do, while the G70’s model lineup was recently pared-back.

Given the GV70 is by far Genesis’ best-seller in Australia, the Korean luxury brand has maintained a wide range of variants with its recent update, though you can no longer buy a diesel.

The former entry-level rear-wheel drive model was axed with the update, but there’s still a range of five variants opening with the Advanced 2.5T, priced at $78,500 before on-roads.

For that money you get a 224kW/422Nm turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine mated with an eight-speed auto and all-wheel drive. Fuel economy is a claimed 10.3L/100km.

Even this entry-level GV70 offers a 27-inch display incorporating the digital instrument cluster and an infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a hands-free power tailgate, and a panoramic sunroof.

The list of standard safety equipment is similarly exhaustive, with blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic assist, lane centring, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, and the company’s Blind-Spot View Monitor that shows camera footage from the car’s blind-spot.

The GV70 doesn’t sell anywhere near as well as rivals like the Lexus NX and BMW X3, but Genesis has sold 707 to the end of October. That’s more than the rest of the Genesis lineup combined, and more than rivals like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Land Rover Discovery Sport and Maserati Grecale.

Interested in buying a Genesis GV70? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.

MORE: Everything Genesis GV70

Jaguar E-Pace P250 R-Dynamic SE

The E-Pace is still on Jaguar’s price lists, but its days are numbered.

Jaguar is ditching its entire current model range ahead of a switch to a more exclusive, electric-only lineup, with only the F-Pace reported to be continuing beyond next year.

The Austrian-built small SUV, related to the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque, opens at $76,773 before on-roads for the P250 R-Dynamic SE.

All E-Pace models in Australia are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 184kW and 365Nm, mated with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. Claimed fuel economy is 8.0L/100km.

LED headlights and a power tailgate are standard, while inside there’s a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 10-way power adjustment for the passenger seat – both heated and finished in DuoLeather upholstery – as well as an 11.4-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a wireless phone charger.

Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Jaguar has sold just 141 E-Paces this year, but that’s more than three times as many as it shifted in Australia last year. Unfortunately for the baby cat, it’s the second lowest-volume vehicle in its segment, ahead of only the Genesis GV60.

Interested in buying a Jaguar E-Pace? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.

MORE: Everything Jaguar E-Pace

Land Rover Discovery Sport P200 S

The Discovery Sport is a more conservative and practical alternative to the related Range Rover Evoque, and has a base price that undercuts its sleeker sibling.

The range opens at $73,504 before on-roads for the P200 S, which comes standard with a LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a power tailgate.

Inside, there’s a digital instrument cluster, an 11.4-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DuoLeather upholstery and a wireless phone charger.

Standard safety kit includes blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

It’s powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147kW of power and 320Nm of torque, with a claimed fuel economy of 8.4L/100km. It’s mated with a nine-speed auto and all-wheel drive.

Though you can get the Discovery Sport with a third row of seating, its sleeker Range Rover Evoque sibling outsells it. A total of 287 have been sold to the end of October compared to 498 Evoques, making it the worst-selling vehicle among JLR’s Discovery, Defender and Range Rover SUVs.

Interested in buying a Land Rover Discovery Sport? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.

MORE: Everything Land Rover Discovery Sport

Lexus LBX Luxury

Lexus introduced the LBX this year as its smallest SUV yet, slotting in under the UX.

The range opens at $47,550 before on-roads for the base front-wheel drive Luxury, which features a 100kW 1.5-litre three-cylinder hybrid powertrain with an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT).

Claimed fuel economy is 3.8L/100km.

The LBX features LED headlights with adaptive high-beam, plus a power tailgate and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, there’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a wireless phone charger.

The seats are upholstered in NuLux leatherette, with those up front being heated and the driver’s seat featuring 10-wya power adjustment and memory.

Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist, and a surround-view camera.

There’s a posher Sports Luxury above the Luxury, available with either front- or all-wheel drive, while a hot turbocharged Morizo RR is coming in 2025.

The LBX is only new to the Lexus lineup but it has already become the brand’s third best-selling model, with 1227 deliveries this year putting it behind only the NX and RX crossovers.

Interested in buying a Lexus LBX? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.

MORE: Everything Lexus LBX

Maserati Grecale GT

With the Grecale, a more upscale cousin to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, owning a Maserati has become more attainable.

At $122,500 before on-road costs, the base Grecale GT is more than $20,000 cheaper than the outgoing Levante and Ghibli that used to be the most affordable models from the trident brand.

For that outlay, you get a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system, with total system outputs of 220kW and 450Nm.

The GT features an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, and claimed fuel consumption figures of 8.7L-9.2L/100km under European testing.

It rides on 19-inch alloy wheels and features LED headlights and a hands-free power tailgate.

Inside, there are 10-way power-adjustable front seats with driver’s memory, plus a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

While the Grecale has brought the cost of entry to the Maserati lineup down, its sales are down 39.9 per cent year-to-date to 253 units. That’s more than twice as many units as the related (and more affordable) Alfa Romeo Stelvio, but well below the likes of the Porsche Macan (2614 sales).

Interested in buying a Maserati Grecale? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.

MORE: Everything Maserati Grecale

Mercedes-Benz A200

The A-Class is another vehicle on this list not set to be replaced, with Mercedes-Benz paring back its range of ‘Entry Luxury’ models.

For now, though, it’s the most affordable Mercedes-Benz, with the base A200 hatchback now priced at $56,900 before on-roads following a recent $6000 price cut.

It’s powered by a 120kW/270Nm turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine, mated with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. Fuel use is a claimed 6.6L/100km.

There are standard 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights, while inside there’s a standard 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and power-adjustable and heated front seats.

Standard safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and a surround-view camera.

To the end of October, Mercedes-Benz has sold 1749 A-Class hatchbacks and sedans this year, putting it behind the rival Audi A3 (2298 sales). Nevertheless, it’s among the three-pointed star brand’s best-selling vehicles, behind only the C-Class, GLA and GLC.

Interested in buying a Mercedes-Benz A-Class? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.

MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Porsche Macan

While there’s a new electric Macan on the scene, the outgoing petrol-powered model is still on Porsche’s price lists.

That’s good news for buyers wanting a more affordable Porsche, as at $95,100 before on-roads it’s $33,300 cheaper than the cheapest Macan Electric.

The base Macan is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 195kW and 400Nm, mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto and all-wheel drive. Fuel consumption is a claimed 9.3L/100km.

It rides on 19-inch alloy wheels and features LED headlights with dynamic cornering lights, where the main headlights swivel based on the steering angle and speed. A power tailgate is also standard.

Inside, there’s a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, as well as a 4.8-inch instrument cluster screen and 14-way power-adjustable and heated front seats with memory.

Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera.

The Macan is easily Porsche’s best-selling vehicle, with 2614 sales to the end of October.

Interested in buying a Porsche Macan? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.

MORE: Everything Porsche Macan

Volvo XC40 Plus B4

Volvo’s smallest vehicle, the electric EX30, isn’t its cheapest.

That title goes to the entry-level version of the combustion-powered XC40 range, the mild-hybrid Plus B4, which is priced at $54,990 before on-roads.

The front-wheel drive Plus B4 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 145kW and 300Nm, mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It uses a claimed 6.9L/100km.

It features LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a power tailgate.

Inside, there’s ‘textile’ upholstery, though the front seats still feature power adjustment (including memory for the driver), while there’s a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google built-in and Apple CarPlay.

Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert and traffic sign recognition. A surround-view camera is optional, along with luxury items like a panoramic roof and Harman Kardon sound system.

The XC40 is by far Volvo’s best-selling vehicle, with 2726 sold to the end of October. However, sales are down by 44.3 per cent as the EX30 makes a dent in XC40 volumes, so much so that the larger SUV this year lost its title as Australia’s best-selling small premium SUV.

Interested in buying a Volvo XC40? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here.

MORE: Everything Volvo XC40