10 Most Affordable Compact SUVs 2023

Nearly every major manufacturer has released their take on the compact SUV platform, which has proven a hit with buyers looking for an affordable package that is easy to drive and well-equipped for the price.

Join us as we take a closer look at the ten most affordable compact SUVs currently on sale here in Australia and break down some important considerations like fuel economy, safety ratings and cargo space to help you with your next purchase.

Suzuki Ignis

Starting from $21,490*

While it might not look like your typical bodyshape, the Suzuki Ignis is one of the most affordable compact SUVs in Australia and wastes no time charming those who get behind the wheel.

The Ignis comes powered by a fuel-efficient little four-cylinder engine and, despite its pint-sized footprint, offers a surprising amount of space in the front and rear of the cabin - complete with 264 - 271L of boot space that adds some serious versatility to the mix.

• Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 66kW/120Nm 

• Transmission: CVT automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 4.7 - 4.9L/100km 

• Boot Space: 264 - 271L 

• Infotainment Size: 7.0-inch 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Expired three-star 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai Venue

Starting from $22,000*

Hyundai’s baby SUV, the Venue has picked up some added equipment for the latest model year and, despite its position as one of Australia’s most affordable compact SUVs, it comes boasting a decent list of equipment as standard.

The Venue is as user-friendly as it gets, offering a great little package for hops around town with great visibility and a decent amount of storage options, a healthy amount of boot space and nice touches like a wireless charging pad and wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

• Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 90kW/151Nm 

• Transmission: Six-speed manual or automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 7.0 - 7.2L/100km

• Boot Space: 355L

• Infotainment Size: 8.0-inch 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Four-star 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

MG ZS

Starting from $22,990*

MG’s baby SUV, the ZS, offers buyers a remarkable value proposition - with the entry-level ZS Excite picking up the same engine as the range-topper and a very decent list of equipment for its attractive drive-away price.

Better yet, the MG ZS comes backed by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty and capped-price servicing for the first seven maintenance cycles.

• Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 84kW/150Nm 

• Transmission: Four-speed automatic  

• Fuel Economy: 7.1L/100km

• Boot Space: 359L

• Infotainment Size: 8.0-inch 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Four-star

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Kia Stonic

Starting from $22,290*

When it comes to value for money and more specifically, long warranty coverage, few manufacturers can match Kia’s attractive ownership program offered with the Stonic.

The base model comes packed with everything you need to hit the ground running, reasonable fuel economy figures, a decent amount of storage and Kia’s outstanding seven-year warranty with capped-price servicing.

• Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 74kW/133Nm 

• Transmission: Six-speed manual or automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 6.7L/100km

• Boot Space: 352L

• Infotainment Size: 8.0-inch 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mitsubishi ASX

Starting from $23,990*

The Mitsubishi has been an option for price-savvy buyers in the compact SUV space for more than a decade now, and while the platform is showing some signs of age, it remains a great deal.

The base model ASX GS comes packaged with 16-inch wheels, LED headlights, cruise control, a rear-view camera and autonomous braking, which combined with Mitsubishi’s class-leading warranty that stretches up to ten years, makes for one of the most well-equipped compact SUVs at its price point.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 110kW/197Nm 

• Transmission: CVT automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 7.7 - 7.9L/100km

• Boot Space: 393L

• Infotainment Size: 8.0-inch 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Expired Five-star

• Warranty: 10-year/200,000-kilometre (when serviced within network)

Mazda CX-3

Starting from $23,510*

Mazda’s CX-3 is a wonderful example of the company’s outstanding interior layouts, giving its compact SUV a very premium nature inside the cabin.

On the road, the CX-3 is nimble and super user-friendly while bumbling around town, with the four-cylinder engine offering a healthy blend of acceleration off the line and fuel efficiency for those hoping to keep running costs low.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 110kW/195Nm 

• Transmission: Six-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 6.3L/100km

• Boot Space: 264L

• Infotainment Size: 8.0-inch 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota Yaris Cross

Starting from $28,000*

Toyota has been in the business of affordable cars since its inception, and the latest version of the Yaris Cross is proof the company takes the affordable compact SUV segment seriously.

With its hopped-up stance, quirky styling and impressive on-road manners, the Yaris Cross is a wonderful little SUV package that over-delivers when it comes to interior space and practicality - with the added benefit of a hybrid engine option across every variant for fuel-conscious buyers.

• Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 88kW/145Nm 

• Transmission: CVT automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 5.4L/100km

• Boot Space: 390L

• Infotainment Size: 8.0-inch 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Nissan Juke

Starting from $28,390*

The Nissan Juke range has received a major update in recent times, with its quirky styling bolstered by a fuel-efficient three-cylinder engine and a heap of equipment packed into the base model.

What helps the Juke stand out from the crowded compact SUV segment is its large boot and Nissan’s extremely generous list of safety equipment features that see the base model pick up blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts and a rear-view camera with parking sensors.

• Engine: 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 84kW/180Nm 

• Transmission: Seven-speed DCT  

• Fuel Economy: 5.8L/100km

• Boot Space: 422L

• Infotainment Size: 8.0-inch 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Haval Jolion

Starting from $28,490*

The Haval Jolion presents buyers with an outstanding value-for-money proposition in the world of compact SUVs and, better yet, its footprint is large enough that you’ve got far more space than your typical small SUV package.

The Jolion range offers a jam-packed features list, even for the base model, while there’s also the option of a hybrid powertrain as you step higher up into the range which, combined with the long warranty, makes the Jolion hard to ignore in the compact SUV space.

• Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 110kW/220Nm 

• Transmission: Seven-speed DCT 

• Fuel Economy: 8.1L/100km

• Boot Space: 430L

• Infotainment Size: 10.25-inch 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Suzuki Vitara

Starting from $29,990*

Suzuki’s Vitara is one of the most spacious compact SUVs you’ll find on our list, with its user-friendly nature matched by a versatile cabin layout that makes it a viable option for weekends away.

The Vitara comes powered by a reasonably fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine that makes for a great driving experience on everything from a trip to the shops and a long-distance road trip, and remains one of the most adventurous compact SUVs on sale in Australia.

• Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol 

• Power & Torque: 86kW/156Nm 

• Transmission: Five-speed manual, six-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 5.8 - 6.0L/100km

• Boot Space: 375L

• Infotainment Size: 7.0-inch 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Expired Five-star 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

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* Prices accurate at time of writing.