The MG 5 has lost its entry-level variant as part of a safety update, and with it it has lost the title of Australia’s most affordable new sedan.
So, which car now wears the title?
Until the end of this month, the entry-level Hyundai i30 Sedan is Australia’s most affordable sedan, priced at $30,990 drive-away nationwide.
This drive-away offer is available until June 30, 2025, or while stocks last, and excludes government, fleet and rental buyers.
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Depending on the state or territory, this deal represents a saving of between as low as $1426 (ACT) and as much as $2308 (Victoria).
Should this offer not be extended, the title of Australia’s cheapest sedan could shift once again in the new financial year.
Looking at prices before on-road costs, the i30 Sedan retails at $29,000, which sees it undercut by the Mazda 2 G15 GT at $28,190.
Depending on the state and territory, the G15 GT – the only Mazda 2 Sedan remaining – is priced between $31,151 (ACT) and $32,297 (Victoria)
The i30 Sedan and Mazda 2 Sedan are priced extremely closely, though they sit in different segments.
The Mazda is a light car, measuring just 4360mm long on a 2570mm wheelbase and powered by a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 81kW of power and 142Nm of torque.
It’s offered exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission, and offers claimed fuel economy of 5.0L/100km.
As it’s the top-spec Mazda 2, standard equipment includes a surround-view camera, keyless entry, and leather and suede upholstery.
That’s on top of features found on the base G15 Evolve hatch, which includes LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, a head-up display, a 7.0-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter.
As with all Mazda 2s, it also features a suite of active safety and driver assist technology including forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Hyundai i30 Sedan measures 4710mm long on a 2720mm wheelbase – larger than the MG 5 – and is powered by a 110kW/180Nm naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and claimed fuel economy of 6.1L/100km.
You need to step up to more expensive i30 Sedans to get features like blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic assist, a surround-view camera and leather upholstery, but the entry-level sedan offers AEB, lane-keep assist and lane centring, a wireless phone charger, and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Like the Mazda 2, it rides on 16-inch alloy wheels and features LED headlights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
Other affordable sedans on the market include the Kia K4 S ($32,990 drive-away), Mazda 3 G20 Pure ($31,310 before on-roads or currently $33,990 drive-away), and Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport Hybrid ($32,320 before on-roads).
The MG 5 Vibe undercut these vehicles significantly, priced from $24,888 drive-away. The updated Chinese sedan is now offered exclusively in Essence trim, which has copped a $4000 price hike and now rings up at $32,990 drive-away.
MORE: Everything Hyundai i30
