Top 10 Cheapest Medium SUVs in Australia in 2023

Australians love an SUV - and we can’t say no to getting a bargain, either.

Today, we’ll be combining those two as we toss up ten of the cheapest medium (mid-sized) SUVs on sale here in Australia, giving you the tools you need to get a complete look at entry-level members of the medium SUV segment.

As we comb through the list, we’ll be mapping out prices, engine specs, fuel economy figures and practicality elements like boot space figures across the range of cheapest medium SUVs in Australia.

With that in mind, let’s map out ten of the cheapest medium SUVs currently on sale here in Australia; keep in mind that prices listed here are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

GWM Haval Jolion

GWM’s Haval Jolion takes the cake as one of Australia’s cheapest medium-sized SUVs, with the range kicking off from $28,490 before on-road costs, and the attractiveness buoyed by a long warranty.

Within the Jolion lineup, there’s a choice of three engines - including a hybrid flagship for fuel-conscious buyers, though this adds a hefty premium to the super affordable starting price of the entry-level Jolion Premium.

• Starting Price: $28,490 

• Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder (110kW/220Nm) 

• Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch

• Fuel Economy: 8.1L/100km 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Boot Size: 430L 

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty 

Kia Sportage

Even with demand for its medium SUV through the roof, Kia has maintained accessible prices for entry-level members of the Sportage family, which confidently ticks all the important boxes Aussie families demand.

The Sportage feels great on the road, and comes packaged with a long warranty and a heap of entertainment and safety features all across the range, making for one of the best outright value packages in the medium SUV segment.

• Starting Price: $32,795 

• Engine: 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder (115kW/192Nm) 

• Transmission: Six-speed manual & automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 7.7L/100km 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Boot Size: 542L

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

MG HS

Once Australia’s outright most affordable midsize SUV package, the MG HS has been overtaken by its domestic rival, though still remains extremely well-priced for Australian families shopping around.

The HS comes well-equipped, even in the base model, and receives a long warranty program to help give owners confidence, atop its impressively practical interior layout that welcomes Aussie families.

• Starting Price: $32,990 

• Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder (119kW/250Nm) 

• Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch

• Fuel Economy: 7.3L/100km 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Boot Size: 463L 

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty 

GWM Haval H6

Yet another affordable member of the midsize SUV lineup here in Australia comes from GWM, with the Haval H6 priced very competitively to undercut its major rivals and win over new buyers.

Prices for the Haval H6 lineup kick off from $33,990, stretching out to $45,990 for the flagship Ultra Hybrid, which picks up a more fuel-efficient powertrain and a generous range of features as standard.

• Starting Price: $33,990 

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder 

• Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch 

• Fuel Economy: 7.4L/100km 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Boot Size: 600L 

Hyundai Tucson

Twin under the skin to the Kia Sportage, Hyundai’s medium SUV package, the Tucson, comes ready for action with a spacious interior layout and a comprehensive safety equipment list, even in the base model.

With three engine options spread across three trim levels, there’s a Tucson to meet a variety of needs and budgets, with the package overall making for one of the most impressive midsize SUVs on the market for the money.

• Starting Price: $35,150 

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder 

• Transmission: Six-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 8.1L/100km 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Boot Size: 539L 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

Mazda CX-5

Arguably one of the benchmark vehicles for the segment, the Mazda CX-5 has been impressing Australian families for years now, making for one of the most impressive and affordable midsize SUVs that maintains a nice, premium feel.

The CX-5 feels great behind the wheel, and looks even better thanks to Mazda’s class-leading interior designs that make even the base model feel like a premium, sophisticated package.

• Starting Price: $36,110 

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder (115kW/200Nm) 

• Transmission: Six-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 6.9L/100km 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Boot Size: 438L 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre 

Mitsubishi Outlander

The Mitsubishi Outlander is one of only two medium SUVs you’ll find on this list that can accommodate a family of seven, making it by far the most versatile and family-friendly package that retains Australia’s longest warranty.

In base form, the Outlander picks up a fairly generous list of comfort features, combined with a long list of active safety features that help justify its reputation as one of the best-value medium-sized SUV packages on the market.

• Starting Price: $37,240 

• Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder (135kW/244Nm) 

• Transmission: CVT automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 7.5L - 7.7L/100km 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Boot Size: 163L - 478L 

• Warranty: Five-year/100,000km (extends to ten-year/200,000km if serviced within network)

Nissan X-Trail

Fresh off a recent update, the X-Trail offers a super versatile and family-friendly package that is happy bumbling around town and getting its toes dirty on a weekend adventure, with the added bonus of an optional seven-seat layout.

The overhauled styling package looks great - inside and out - while Nissan’s generous approach to features and safety equipment means that buyers opting for the entry-level X-Trail ST won’t be left feeling short-changed.

• Starting Price: $37,250 

• Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder (135kW/244Nm) 

• Transmission: CVT automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 7.4L-7.8L/100km 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Boot Size: 585L 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre 

Subaru Forester

The Forester is one of the original medium SUVs, establishing itself a rock-solid reputation as a family-friendly yet adventurous SUV package that is difficult to match in terms of all-round versatility.

In its latest form, little of the Forester’s original DNA has changed, with the package offering a great place to sit, a long list of safety equipment as standard and a capable all-wheel drive system that can take you far further than most of its medium SUV rivals.

• Starting Price: $37,890

• Engine: 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder (136kW/239Nm) 

• Transmission: CVT automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 7.4L/100km 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 

• Boot Size: 498L 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota RAV4

Arguably the most famous name in the world of medium-sized SUVs, the Toyota RAV4 has become the yardstick to which its rivals are measured against these days.

In its latest form, Toyota has given the RAV4 hybrid engine options across every trim level, bulked-up safety equipment lists and added more technology than ever before, and while prices have continued to creep north, it remains one of the best in its class.

• Starting Price: $39,760 

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder (127kW/203Nm) 

• Transmission: CVT automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 6.0L/100km  

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Boot Size: 580L 

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

How to Choose an Affordable Medium Size SUV?

It’s not easy finding the best overall midsize SUV on the market, due to the fact that this decision is largely dependent on your needs for engine power and fuel efficiency, entertainment and safety features, as well as the size and practicality of the package. 

• The best midsize SUVs here in Australia

• The best value SUVs in Australia

To help take some of the stress out of the process, the best way to choose an affordable medium size SUV is with the help and insight of one of our Car Buying Experts, who can help you out with a tailored shortlist of your options. 

Our team can also help you skip the waitlist and secure the best possible price for your medium-sized SUV, thanks to our Australia-wide network.

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If you’re looking for your best and most affordable options in the world of midsize SUVs, be sure to reach out to one of our Car Buying Specialists.