NZ’s cheapest new car just got cheaper
Words: Richard Edwards
Suzuki has cut the price of the Ignis GLX manual by $1,140 to $21,850 plus on-road costs, which stretches its lead as the cheapest new car on sale in New Zealand.
The gap to the next-cheapest car, the MG3 Vibe petrol at $23,990, is now $2,140. The gap to the Kia Picanto GT-Line, at $24,490, is $2,640.
The Ignis GLX manual uses a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine making 66kW and 120Nm, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. Claimed fuel use is 5.2L/100km.
Suzuki has also taken $1,000 off the Swift GLS manual for the rest of 2026, bringing it down from $25,990 to $24,990. That matches the introductory price of the new Swift GLS automatic, which joined the range this week, and the Chery Tiggo 4 Urban.
Both Swifts use a 1.2-litre three-cylinder mild hybrid making 61kW and 112Nm, and they’re the most economical cars in this group, with claimed figures of 4.0L/100km for the manual and 4.3L/100km for the CVT. The Swift carries a three-star ANCAP rating.
The MG3 Vibe runs a 1.5-litre four-cylinder with 81kW and 142Nm through a CVT, uses a claimed 6.0L/100km and has a four-star ANCAP rating from 2025.
The Picanto GT-Line has a 1.25-litre four-cylinder making 62kW and 122Nm, with a four-speed automatic and claimed fuel use of 6.7L/100km.
The Tiggo 4 Urban is the biggest car here and has the most power by a long way. Its 1.5-litre turbo four makes 108kW and 210Nm and drives through a CVT. It also has the highest fuel use, at a claimed 7.4L/100km, and it’s the only car in the group with a five-star ANCAP rating.
New Zealand’s cheapest new cars (plus on-road costs)
| Car | Price | Engine | Power and torque | Gearbox | Fuel use | ANCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Ignis GLX Manual | $21,850 (RRP $22,990) | 1.2 four-cylinder | 66kW, 120Nm | 5-speed manual | 5.2L/100km | Not listed |
| MG3 Vibe Petrol | $23,990 | 1.5 four-cylinder | 81kW, 142Nm | CVT | 6.0L/100km | 4 stars (2025) |
| Kia Picanto GT-Line | $24,490 | 1.25 four-cylinder | 62kW, 122Nm | 4-speed auto | 6.7L/100km | Not listed |
| Chery Tiggo 4 Urban | $24,990 | 1.5 turbo four-cylinder | 108kW, 210Nm | CVT | 7.4L/100km | 5 stars (2023) |
| Suzuki Swift GLS Manual | $24,990 (RRP $25,990) | 1.2 three-cylinder mild hybrid | 61kW, 112Nm | 5-speed manual | 4.0L/100km | 3 stars (2024) |
| Suzuki Swift GLS Auto | $24,990 (introductory) | 1.2 three-cylinder mild hybrid | 61kW, 112Nm | CVT | 4.3L/100km | Not listed |
