Compare car brands including Audi, Mazda, Suzuki, Mercedes, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, BMW, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Holden, Ford, Honda and Volkswagen on their value for money, as rated by consumers.
Which car brand offers the best value for money? Aussies deemed Suzuki as the go-to brand for a good deal, rating it five stars for value for money!
Is choosing a new set of wheels driving you up the wall? Buying a new car is one of the biggest financial commitments you can make. But it can also turn out to be one of the quickest depreciating assets you can own. That’s why it’s important to think long and hard about which model – and price tag – is right for you. After all, you can spend an absolute fortune on a new car – but that doesn’t mean it will be a great value.
To help you decide, Canstar Blue has asked more than 2,500 Australian motorists for their feedback on the new cars they’ve bought from a dealership in the last three years, to find out which is deemed to offer the best value for money. Car brands that received the minimum required survey sample size of 30 responses are compared in this year’s report.
Which new cars represent the best value for money? Here is what our latest survey found:
This year, Suzuki seemed to make the most ‘cents’ when it came to value for money. It was the only car maker to receive a five-star review for value, with most other brands parked on four stars for bang for your buck. Honda, Ford and Volkswagen eventually rounded up the category scores with three stars each for value.
Regardless of which brand you pick up, there are a number of ways that you can ensure that you get the most bang for your buck. Read on for details.
Every dollar really does count, especially when Australians are spending an average of $40,128 on a new car. 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 55% 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 four in five (82%) 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 home & lifestyle journalist, Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito. She’s an expert on household appliances, grooming products and all things grocery and shopping. In addition to translating our expert research into consumer-friendly ratings reports, Tahnee spends her time helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services, while highlighting the best deals and anything you need to be aware of.
Image credits: BlueSkyImage/Shutterstock.com.
Canstar Blue surveyed 12,000 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who have bought a brand new car from a dealership in the last three years – in this case, 2,553 people.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey.
Here are the best-rated brands for value for money from Canstar Blue’s previous ratings:
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