Which car brand offers the best value for money? Aussies deemed Subaru, Kia and Suzuki as the go-to brands for a good deal, rating them five stars for value for money.
Our review compares new cars on customer satisfaction, so you can find out what other Aussies think about the compared brands before you go ahead with a purchase. Think of it as like asking hundreds of your closest mates which new car they think is best!
Canstar Blue surveyed 1,571 Australians for their feedback on the new car(s) they’ve purchased in the last five years.
The winning brand is the one that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating once all the scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.
Find more detailed information on our Most Satisfied Customer methodology.
Every dollar really does count, especially when Australians are spending an average of $37,362 on a new car, down almost three grand compared to last year. While we all have that one dream car that we’d love to get behind the wheel of, it’s often the price tag that stands in the way. Here are a few tips below to help you get the most out of your trip to the dealership.
Your local dealer may be just down the road, but it may not offer the best deals. So, it’s best to look around before you lock yourself into a contract. Each dealership may also offer you different deals or additional extras at no cost depending on who you go with.
As long as it’s in good condition, most dealerships are more than happy to take your old faithful off your hands for a discount. This is clearly a popular option for Aussie motorists, with 48% of survey respondents buying their new car via an exchange deal.
Deals aren’t just at the EOFY. With car dealerships setting monthly sales targets, you’re more likely to get a better deal at the end of the month than at the start. Also keep an eye out for the release of newer models, as you may be able to pick up older models at a more affordable price.
If you don’t ask, you won’t get it. Our survey showed over a third (39%) of respondents tried to negotiate a lower price on their new car. As a general rule, most car dealers are willing to chip off a chunk of the price to seal the deal!
Additional extras such as that sparkly paint job can quickly add up, so be sure to only get what you really need. Some extras may even affect your insurance premiums, costing you further down the line.
Ultimately, purchasing a new car will be an exciting time, with plenty of sleek, shiny and heart-racing models available to get your motor running. Despite the excitement, however, it’s important to remember that a new car will also be an investment, as well as an expense, for years to come.
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Site Editor, Dean Heckscher. He’s our resident expert on all things automotive, health & fitness, streaming and more. Dean is also one of Canstar Blue’s customer research report producers, helping to turn complicated subjects into easily-digestible information for our readers. He’s passionate about helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services.
Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.
Here are the best-rated brands for value for money from Canstar Blue’s previous ratings:
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