The cheapest cars to own and run in WA in 2025

Published Mar 2026

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More affordable electric cars, falling fuel prices and lower interest rates all contributed to cars costing slightly less to own and run in 2025 compared to 2024.

With many consumers experiencing cost increases in other areas of their lives, such as groceries, utilities and health care, the average cost of running a car fell by approximately $34 to $341.32

per week. That equates to a reduction, on average, of $1791.40 over a year.

Among the biggest influencing factors in overall lower prices this year was the increased availability of affordable electrified vehicles, and lower average petrol and diesel prices.

But there were also significant increases in certain vehicle categories which con-sumers will need to consider, especially in relation to purchase price. For example, in 2024 in the 4x4 ute category, a Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2.0 cost $78,306, but by 2025 it had risen to $86,689 drive away.

By comparison, in the small car category, the introduction of the electric BYD Dolphin Essential in January 2025 at a drive away price of $32,600 helped it to

a win among small cars. Pricing was a big factor, but so was its cheap charging cost.

In a sign of the times, the Dolphin led small car stalwarts, including the Hyundai i30 (2nd place), the Toyota Corolla Ascent (3rd place) and the Mazda3 (4th place).

Across the board, annual incremental cost increases in registration, compulsory third-party insurance and electricity for electric vehicle charging took the edge off cost reductions in other areas.

For those who have the option to lease a vehicle through their work, the fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption for fully electric vehicles further enhances the possible savings of a lease arrangement, which includes repayments using pre-tax dollars.

But those in the market will have noted that plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) such as the BYD Shark 6 became ineligible for the FBT exemption from 1 April 2025.

Depreciation remains a major expense for new vehicle buyers, and one that is typically not felt until owners consider selling their vehicle.

In a change that will be surprising for some, certain Chinese-built vehicles this year displayed significantly improved retained value.

But Toyota was still at or near the pointy end for resale value across the board, with the Landcruiser 300 Series GX topping the whole survey, retaining 67 per cent of its new price after five years.

Cheapest light passenger car - MG MG3 HYBRID+ EXCITE
On-road price (est.): $29,710.10
ANCAP safety rating: ****
STANDING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP: $181.16
Loan repayments: $658.49
RUNNING COSTS per month
Fuel: $102.13
Servicing: $50.15
Tyres: $14.67
TOTAL COST per month: $1,006.58
TOTAL COST per week: $232.29
ANNUAL COST: $12,078.98

Cheapest small passenger car - BYD DOLPHIN ESSENTIAL
On-road price (est.): $32,558.33
ANCAP safety rating: *****
STANDING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP: $187.79
Loan repayments: $697.87
RUNNING COSTS per month
Fuel: $51.03
Servicing: $22.00
Tyres: $13.33
TOTAL COST per month: $972.02
TOTAL COST per week: $224.31
ANNUAL COST: $11,664.26

A blue BYD_Dolphin in a suburban driveway

Cheapest small SUV - CHERY TIGGO 4
On-road price (est.): $30,710.25
ANCAP safety rating: *****
STANDING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP: $180.82
Loan repayments: $680.65
RUNNING COSTS per month
Fuel: $118.13
Servicing: $33.75
Tyres: $16.67
TOTAL COST per month: $1,030.02
TOTAL COST per week: $237.70
ANNUAL COST: $12,360.20

A white Chery_Tiggo_4 in a studio setting

Cheapest medium passenger car - TOYOTA CAMRY ASCENT HYBRID
On-road price (est.): $44,168.27
ANCAP safety rating: *****
STANDING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP: $185.33
Loan repayments: $946.72
RUNNING COSTS per month
Fuel: $95.00
Servicing: $30.08
Tyres: $14.27
TOTAL COST per month: $1,271.40
TOTAL COST per week: $293.40
ANNUAL COST: $15,256.81

A white Toyota_Camry parked outside a home

Cheapest medium SUV - GWM HAVAL H6 LUX HYBRID
On-road price (est.): $41,711.90
ANCAP safety rating: ******
STANDING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP: $201.20
Loan repayments: $894.07
RUNNING COSTS per month
Fuel: $113.75
Servicing: $36.33
Tyres: $20.67
TOTAL COST per month: $1,266.02
TOTAL COST per week: $292.16
ANNUAL COST: $15,192.30

A white Haval H6 parked in a mountainous region

Cheapest large SUV - SUBARU OUTBACK AWD
On-road price (est.): $49,295.04
ANCAP safety rating: *****
STANDING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP: $241.24
Loan repayments: $1,056.61
RUNNING COSTS per month
Fuel: $159.69
Servicing: $54.84
Tyres: $18.27
TOTAL COST per month: $1,530.65
TOTAL COST per week: $353.23
ANNUAL COST: $18,367.79

A grey Subaru_Outback driving on a country road

Cheapest people mover - HYUNDAI STARIA
On-road price (est.): $54,759.60
ANCAP safety rating: *****
STANDING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP: $261.79
Loan repayments: $1,124.00
RUNNING COSTS per month
Fuel: $229.69
Servicing: $47.55
Tyres: $17.33
TOTAL COST per month: $1,680.37
TOTAL COST per week: $387.78
ANNUAL COST: $20,164.43

A black Hyundai_STARIA parked near a lake

Cheapest 2WD ute - MAZDA BT-50 XS
On-road price (est.): $40,160.00
ANCAP safety rating: *****
STANDING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP: $208.30
Loan repayments: $860.83
RUNNING COSTS per month
Fuel: $158.81
Servicing: $47.69
Tyres: $22.00
TOTAL COST per month: $1,297.63
TOTAL COST per week: $299.45
ANNUAL COST: $15,571.61

A white Mazda_BT-50 Cab Chassis parked on a concrete slab

Cheapest 4WD ute - BYD SHARK 6
On-road price (est.): $60,734.25
ANCAP safety rating: *****
STANDING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP: $220.02
Loan repayments: $1,246.64
RUNNING COSTS per month
Fuel: $103.25
Servicing: $45.65
Tyres: $20.67
TOTAL COST per month: $1,636.23
TOTAL COST per week: $377.59
ANNUAL COST: $19,634.76

A blue BYD_Shark_6 in a desert landscape

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