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The cheapest cars to own and run in WA
RAC's Car Running Costs survey tested 53 popular cars across 9 categories to find the cheapest to own and run in WA.
by Alex Forrest
Published
5 min read
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Drive
8 min readDrive
RAC's Car Running Costs survey tested 53 popular cars across 9 categories to find the cheapest to own and run in WA.
by Alex Forrest
Published
5 min read
Text size
by Alex Forrest
Published
Text size
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
See the full list of vehicles >>
