Best Value Small SUVs

11 August, 2026

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With so much choice on offer, picking a good value small SUV can feel overwhelming.

Even after we imposed a $40k price cap, there were 24 small SUVs to compare. But as our figures show, crunching the numbers before you purchase can save you a lot.

It was the pint-sized (but big on personality) Suzuki Ignis that came out on top. Like some other winners, the Suzuki doesn’t shine in one particular area, although a sharp $25,135 drive-away price certainly helps. It edges ahead of the pack with impressively low fuel bills, competitive insurance and modest depreciation.

Nipping at the Suzuki’s heels is the Mahindra XUV 3XO, which leaps up the ranks thanks to its strong drive-away pricing. But it’s the GWM Ora 5 Lux that really surprised. Despite costing a full $10k more to purchase than the Mahindra, the GWM flexes its value credentials with lower energy costs and segment leading servicing bills.

It should also be noted the Suzuki Ignis lacks an ANCAP rating and safety features such as autonomous emergency braking. This means it doesn’t comply with new regulations in Australia and likely won’t be on sale after 2026 once its current stock is exhausted.

Winners and finalists

Best Value Cars 2026

Suzuki Ignis GL

Category: Small SUV

Drive-away price: $25,135
Depreciation: $14,735
Fuel/electricity: $5,148
Insurance: $7,794
Rego + CTP (Years 2–5): $3,664
Servicing: $1,955
Tyres: $772
Total: $34,068*

Drive-away price: $25,135
Depreciation: $14,735
Fuel/electricity: $5,148
Insurance: $7,794
Rego + CTP (Years 2–5): $3,664
Servicing: $1,955
Tyres: $772
Total: $34,068*

Best Value Cars 2026

Suzuki Ignis GL

Category: Small SUV

Drive-away price: $25,135
Depreciation: $14,735
Fuel/electricity: $5,148
Insurance: $7,794
Rego + CTP (Years 2–5): $3,664
Servicing: $1,955
Tyres: $772
Total: $34,068*

Drive-away price: $25,135
Depreciation: $14,735
Fuel/electricity: $5,148
Insurance: $7,794
Rego + CTP (Years 2–5): $3,664
Servicing: $1,955
Tyres: $772
Total: $34,068*

Highly Commended

Best Value Cars 2026

Mahindra XUV 3XO 1.2 AX5L FWD

Category: Small SUV

Drive-away price: $23,990
Depreciation: $13,990
Fuel/electricity: $6,829
Insurance: $7,090
Rego + CTP (Years 2–5): $4,104
Servicing: $1,595
Tyres: $716
Total: $34,324*

Drive-away price: $23,990
Depreciation: $13,990
Fuel/electricity: $6,829
Insurance: $7,090
Rego + CTP (Years 2–5): $4,104
Servicing: $1,595
Tyres: $716
Total: $34,324*

Highly Commended

Best Value Cars 2026

Mahindra XUV 3XO 1.2 AX5L FWD

Category: Small SUV

Drive-away price: $23,990
Depreciation: $13,990
Fuel/electricity: $6,829
Insurance: $7,090
Rego + CTP (Years 2–5): $4,104
Servicing: $1,595
Tyres: $716
Total: $34,324*

Drive-away price: $23,990
Depreciation: $13,990
Fuel/electricity: $6,829
Insurance: $7,090
Rego + CTP (Years 2–5): $4,104
Servicing: $1,595
Tyres: $716
Total: $34,324*

Highly Commended

Best Value Cars 2026

GWM Ora 5 Lux

Category: Small SUV

Drive-away price: $33,990
Depreciation: $17,090
Fuel/electricity: $2,796
Insurance: $8,864
Rego + CTP (Years 2–5): $4,900
Servicing: $685
Tyres: $752
Total: $35,087*

Drive-away price: $33,990
Depreciation: $17,090
Fuel/electricity: $2,796
Insurance: $8,864
Rego + CTP (Years 2–5): $4,900
Servicing: $685
Tyres: $752
Total: $35,087*

Highly Commended

Best Value Cars 2026

GWM Ora 5 Lux

Category: Small SUV

Drive-away price: $33,990
Depreciation: $17,090
Fuel/electricity: $2,796
Insurance: $8,864
Rego + CTP (Years 2–5): $4,900
Servicing: $685
Tyres: $752
Total: $35,087*

Drive-away price: $33,990
Depreciation: $17,090
Fuel/electricity: $2,796
Insurance: $8,864
Rego + CTP (Years 2–5): $4,900
Servicing: $685
Tyres: $752
Total: $35,087*

*Costs over five years

Full results

Select a criterion to filter the chart:

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Rank	Vehicle	New price	On-road costs	Drive-away price	Depreciation	Fuel/electricity	Comprehensive insurance	Registration (Years 2–5)	CTP (Years 2–5)	Servicing	Tyre replacement set (same as OEM tyre fitted)	Total five-year ownership cost
1	Suzuki Ignis GL	$21,490	$3,645	$25,135	$14,735	$5,148	$7,794	$1,408	$2,256	$1,955	$772	$34,068
2	Mahindra XUV 3XO 1.2 AX5L FWD	$23,990	$0	$23,990	$13,990	$6,829	$7,090	$1,848	$2,256	$1,595	$716	$34,324
3	GWM Ora 5 Lux	$30,490	$3,500	$33,990	$17,090	$2,796	$8,864	$2,644	$2,256	$685	$752	$35,087
4	Honda HR-V Vi X	$32,900	$0	$32,900	$15,700	$6,514	$7,441	$1,848	$2,256	$995	$648	$35,401
5	Chery Tiggo 4 Urban Hybrid	$29,900	$0	$29,900	$15,700	$5,673	$7,842	$1,848	$2,256	$1,495	$884	$35,698
6	MG ZS 1.5 Vibe	$22,990	$0	$22,990	$13,940	$7,039	$7,995	$1,848	$2,256	$2,039	$928	$36,045
7	Chery Tiggo 4 Urban	$23,990	$0	$23,990	$14,940	$7,775	$7,415	$1,848	$2,256	$1,445	$652	$36,330
8	Hyundai Venue	$23,750	$3,731	$27,481	$15,481	$7,354	$6,886	$1,848	$2,256	$2,083	$884	$36,793
9	Chery C5 Urban	$29,990	$0	$29,990	$15,790	$7,249	$7,651	$1,848	$2,256	$1,400	$884	$37,078
10	Toyota Yaris Cross GX	$31,790	$3,977	$35,767	$19,267	$3,992	$7,954	$1,848	$2,256	$1,250	$864	$37,431
11	Kia Stonic S	$28,180	$3,977	$32,157	$17,857	$5,253	$7,111	$1,848	$2,256	$2,464	$672	$37,461
12	Suzuki Fronx Hybrid	$28,990	$3,810	$32,800	$17,500	$5,148	$8,437	$1,580	$2,256	$2,005	$672	$37,598
13	Haval Jolion Premium	$26,990	$0	$26,990	$16,890	$7,039	$7,766	$1,848	$2,256	$1,880	$884	$38,563
14	MG ZS 1.5 Excite+ Hybrid	$30,990	$0	$30,990	$17,490	$5,387	$8,903	$1,848	$2,256	$1,980	$732	$38,595
15	GAC Emzoom Luxury	$25,590	$1,839	$27,429	$13,829	$6,934	$10,873	$1,848	$2,256	$2,492	$1,224	$39,456
16	Jaecoo J5 Track	$25,990	$0	$25,990	$13,890	$7,880	$11,023	$1,848	$2,256	$1,735	$884	$39,515
17	BYD Atto 2 Dynamic	$31,990	$3,369	$35,359	$21,459	$2,796	$7,859	$2,644	$2,256	$1,413	$1,424	$39,851
18	Suzuki Jimny Lite AWD	$31,990	$4,139	$36,129	$19,529	$6,724	$6,381	$1,580	$2,256	$2,265	$1,652	$40,387
19	Mazda CX-3 Pure	$30,670	$3,738	$34,408	$18,808	$6,619	$7,662	$1,848	$2,256	$2,306	$644	$40,142
20	Haval Jolion Premium Hybrid	$31,790	$1,200	$32,990	$19,190	$5,043	$8,785	$2,644	$2,256	$2,075	$1,228	$41,221
21	Renault Duster 1.3 Evolution	$31,990	$3,357	$35,257	$18,657	$6,829	$8,651	$1,848	$2,256	$2,685	$492	$41,418
22	Hyundai Kona 2.0	$33,700	$4,028	$37,728	$20,128	$6,934	$7,538	$1,848	$2,256	$2,226	$980	$41,911
23	Kia Seltos 2.0 S	$31,250	$4,070	$35,320	$21,720	$7,249	$7,541	$1,848	$2,256	$2,094	$796	$43,504
24	BYD Atto 3 Essential	$39,990	$3,609	$43,599	$25,599	$2,886	$8,005	$2,644	$2,256	$1,628	$828	$43,846

How we crunch the numbers

Purchase price
The NSW drive-away price, not the manufacturer suggested retail price, reflects the actual cost for consumers. Redbook’s ‘drive-away’ calculator is used for consistency and promotional drive-away deals are included where relevant. Prices are correct as of June 30, 2026.

Depreciation
Data is sourced from AutoEdge and based on the vehicle’s estimated trade-in value after five years/60,000km.

Fuel costs
For combustion vehicles, the five year figure is calculated using the official combined fuel economy, NSW average fuel price (minimum RON for each car) and average annual driving distance. ABS data was used for annual distance figures, while pricing is based on NSW average fuel costs over the first six months of 2026.

Electricity costs
For electric vehicles, a blended model is used – 70 per cent home charging, 20 per cent public charging and 10 per cent solar. This creates a realistic national average of 32.5c/kW. The formula is calculated using combined energy consumption (kWh/100km) and weighted electricity cost over 55,500km.

Insurance
The comprehensive insurance premium from NRMA Insurance is based on a 30-year-old male living in Chatswood and using the car for personal use, with a clean driving history and $1000 excess.

Servicing and maintenance
Our servicing costs are the total spend for the first five services. These figures don’t include consumables like fi ters, which can change the price depending on your individual vehicle. LDV is the only brand without capped price servicing, with those figures based on dealer estimates.

Registration and CTP
The figures are based on NSW ownership over years 2-5, as these costs are already included in on-roads for the first year.

Total cost
The ownership cost is effectively everything you spend over five years, minus what the car is still worth if you were to sell it.

Tyres
One replacement set is included over five years. Tyroola provided pricing as of June 30, 2026, with replacement tyres being the same spec and brand as fitted from the factory.