As of June 2023, the cheapest new car that you can purchase in New Zealand is the Suzuki Swift GL Manual. The pricing starts at $19,396. The Swift is a small hatchback that is known for its fuel efficiency and affordability. It gets an average of 4.8L/100km in the city and 4.0L/100km on the highway, which is good for a small hatchback.
It comes standard with a 1.2-litre petrol engine and a manual transmission. Despite being the cheapest, it has a cute but sporty look, and bold colours, which appeals to many younger women.
The second cheapest new car in New Zealand is the MG3 Core Manual, made by MG of course. It starts at $20,990. The MG3 is another small hatchback that is known for its value for money, great fuel efficiency, and the 7-year warranty. It comes standard with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and also a manual transmission.
Note, the prices are before on-road costs (such as such as registration, licensing, and insurance), but include rebates.
Here is a table of the cheapest new cars in New Zealand:
| Suzuki Swift GL Manual | $19,396 |
| MG3 Core Manual | $20,990 |
| Toyota Yaris GX Manual | $26,160 |
| Toyota Yaris Hybrid GX | $26,995 |
| Mazda2 Neo Manual | $27,290 |
For comparison, even after a clean energy rebate, the cheapest electric vehicle in NZ is the MG ZS EV at $40,365
