Hi, looking to get a new car - will be going to test drive some cars this weekend.
Does anyone have any suggestions for small SUVs under 30k ish — max 35k.
I have been looking at the Suzuki Vitaras / KIAS - anyone own any of these that can give some insight ?
Small SUV mainly used for occasional camping 2 people and some road trips here and there.
Corolla cross?
Nah lift kit, more bad ass, esp if you put on brand new recovery tracks on the side
Oh lift kit, i thought teh trend was lowering the car instead, like really low
There's lots in this segment to choose from under $35k:
Suzuki Vitara
Kia Seltos
Mazda CX-3
Hyundai Kona
Honda HR-V
Toyota Corolla Cross
Ford Puma
Test drive a few and see what works best - I'd recommend the CX-3 tbh.
I think in that list the HR-V and Corolla Cross are the larger two in the segment.
The HR-V should have the "Honda Magic Seats", which might be helpful for OPs "mainly used for occasional camping 2 people and some road trips here and there"
The cheapest (best selling) with longest warranty (10 years) is MG ZST 1.5L Vibe from around $24K drive away
https://mgmotor.com.au/collections/offer
Chinese shit
CX-3 basic trim is having so many features missing afaik.
Check the manufacturers maintenance plan/costs and also insurance premiums to workout ongoing overheads as well.
I give it 5 more minutes before some bozo reckons you need an EV.
How about Tesla Y ? :) (that was 4min)
Returned looking for this comment. Wasn't disappointed.
Which windscreen washer fluid would you suggest?
lol SCA 5l premix mate
PSA for anyone reading this: you do NOT need to service your car at the dealership where you purchased it, despite what they will try and insinuate or lead you to believe:
https://www.choice.com.au/transport/cars/maintenance/article…
In my experience for new cheapish cars the price difference is negligible. Often you get to maintain roadside assistance and when warranty items are required there is definitely no battle to contend with. YMMV.
2 year / 30,000km service from Kia - $494
Same service recently completed on our Kia at an independent mechanic - $220
@scrambledeggs: That's a big difference and a good price for an oil change, injector cleaner additive and brake bleed. Interestingly with a Hyundai PD i30 in the family the difference was approximately $30 per service.
DIY at home?
You need your service log signed by an authorised service center / mechanic.
@Ryanek: Only if you want to keep the warranty. Even then you could argue anything that's not touched during regular servicing should still be covered.
Nailed it. Waiting for the EV freaks to come out telling us to save the planet whilst sacrificing the poor in third world countries mining the Nickel and Lithium
We test drove all the small SUVs around this price range 24 months ago and settled on a Kia Seltos.
Can you provide more info as to why - ie resale, interior, maintenance plan/costs and insurance premiums?
Nicest car to drive, best interior for the price, most spacious, best features for the price. Insurance and maintenance is not going to vary that much between cars.
I've been through a similar exercise about 6 months ago and chose the 2025 Hyundai Kona. I've had it for exactly 6 months this weekend and am still very happy with the car. My criteria also included enough leg room in the back for teenagers. Most other cars didn't fare well for rear passenger comfort. Toyota Corolla Cross was particularly punishing for those in the rear seat. However, that does not seem to be a factor for OP.
Hyundai also have the Venue, which is a bit smaller and might fit the OPs budget and requirements.
man if I can spend that amount of money on a SUV, I would get a proper used one, like Land Cruiser, Pajero etc
Pajero's are not a small SUV - Maybe ASX (or Eclipse Cross at a pinch). OP wants a 'small' SUV I think. More information needed from OP.
yeah, I meant that you can get a proper, but used 4WD SUV at this price, not a car with SUV type body. I have a kinda mid-sized diesel AWD SUV (that's what I could afford ~10k), but man I would love to have a proper one for camping.
Bugger that. ppl don't just use either for light city applications, and at that price you'd be getting a multi owner,or high km rig.
Small SUV mainly used for occasional camping 2 people and some road trips here and there.
Not sure you actually need an SUV for this. I've been camping up in back road national parks with miles of dirt roads, and people show up in 2WD corollas, Toyota Hiaces, all kinds of non-SUVs no problem. Unless you're sure you will be definitely going on real rough roads that require high clearance, then you probably need an SUV.
Unless you're sure you will be definitely going on real rough roads that require high clearance, then you probably need an SUV.
Modern "city" SUVs are just raised station wagons, and are no better off-road than a typical hatchback or sedan realistically. If you want to go off-road, you need a proper 4x4 otherwise you're just going to get bogged, or you'll just end up breaking your suspension, differential, or some other components.
Depends on your definition of 'off road'. A typical hatchback is more capable than many people give them credit for. Of course beaches are out, as is rock crawling, but plenty of gravel roads can be driven in a hatchback. Lets face it, the vast majority of places youll want to go have some form of gravel road in and out.
Geely EX5
Alot of Cheap Chinese cars hitting the market and big price cuts, if you don't consider resale you might wanna check it out.
Haval, Geely, Chery, Jaecoo, MG etc
My recommendations are:
Thanks chatJVT
None of them are sub $30k!
Japanese or korean. Aim for something you see a few of on the roads. Drive them, sit in them. Check the boot.
Pick one YOU like.
Edit: do you NEED a new car or just want one? Consider hanging on for 2-3 more years then go EV and save on fuel costs.
What happens in 2-3 years?
EV market is more developed. More options. More used EVs. More charging infrastructure - even though most will still charge 90% at home.
Chinese brands are coming at a rate of knots and in a couple of years we should have some dominant choices. Right now there is a bunch of brands gunning for our market but some will liekly fade away. The legacy makers will also have well established EV ranges.
Theres a lot more choice today than 3y ago, but its still a developing market.
Mitsubishi ASX
Hyundai Venue.It even comes in 6SP manual for adult drivers
Not an EV? Won't someone think of the climate? /s
For a CS (ask Tom Gleeson) you really are obsessed with me.
I don't know Tom so I can't ask him. Is his stage persona your role model?
No obsession. I was just commenting above, scrolled further down then saw your unusual suggestion.
This vehicle is going to kill us all but there's too many hoomans anyway so its kinda okay I guess maybe but then what about the climate. /s
Is his stage persona your role model?
I don't know Tom so I can't ask him
Not my role model but I did see him years ago (MCF) on the road long before his TV career. That's where I first heard that term.Have not heard it since, but it's pertinent.
Used EV might be good for camping, pulling power from your car for example
also consider this jeep
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/904847#comment-16499107
Used EV might be good for camping, pulling power from your car
caveat is that Tesla's and some other EVs don't support this last I checked.
Small SUV mainly used for occasional camping 2 people and some road trips here and there.
Why do you need a small SUV for this?
FYI people suggesting things like CX3 are hilarious. it's literally a Mazda 2 raised up.
Its not even raised up by much either. They arent much taller than their counterparts.
nah you need the black plastic cladding for a rugged outdoorsy active lifestyle
I'm not sure if it counts as a small SUV but I've been very happy with my Subaru Forester.
It would have to be a second hand one to fit the under $30k condition.
Ahh that's a fair call. I skimmed over the 'new' requirement.
Chery Tiggo 4 $23990 driveaway
Don't get an ICE MG.
CX30 EOFY 35,990
New Qashqai 38, maybe too much. (Lots bigger, could score an old model off the lot for way less) 2.9% finance.
HRV 32,990
ZRV 37,900
ASX in runout, from 28 if they exist still
Vitara from 27,590
Oh look, all Japanese recommendations… cause you don’t want an unreliable car.
Buy a car from an established manufacturer.
You have no idea how important dealer networks are, should you run into any issues…
For a new car also check on availability or wait times.
Secondhand SsangYong Korando
Solid mechanicals and the 1st buyer has taken the hit
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/ssangyong/korando/between-2…
CX-5 doing run out for about 33k DA, made in Japan and have stock unlike Toyota Hybrids. This is the natural choice.
Suzuki Vitara AWD – with all-wheel drive, it’s a solid option if you’re planning light off-road trips or the occasional camping weekend.
Kia Seltos – comfortable and roomy, it’s well-suited for road trips and handles everyday driving with ease.
MG ZS – it’s not AWD, but it’s roomy, affordable, and leaves a bit of budget for extras if you want to kit it out for camping.
How off road will you go with the camping?
I suggest subaru XV or Forester
Nissan QASHAI is on low instead at the moment
Chery Tigo is amazing value, well under your budget. If you go for it make sure you get latest version has light bar across back. Tyres aren’t the best, but has every safety feature and is a decent drive.
Corolla with a lift kit