Suzuki Celerio Most Affordable New Car To Buy, Own And Operate

The Suzuki Celerio five-door hatchback is the most affordable new car to own and run in Australia, according to latest research by motoring organisations across the Tasman.

Launched in New Zealand and Australia earlier this year, the new model has emerged another winner from Suzuki when it comes to thrifty running costs.

The Celerio has been labelled Australia’s cheapest car to operate following the recent study by motoring clubs, including Victoria’s RACV and Queensland’s RACQ, the equivalent of the New Zealand Automobile Association.

It was less expensive to run than all other small cars in a survey that included depreciation, fuel, tyre replacement, servicing and insurance. Costs were based on averaging 15,000 kilometres a year and the purchase price with five years of depreciation.

This latest accolade, in which 111 new model cars were assessed, is a further triumph for Suzuki which has been outright winner of the award for four successive years. The Celerio’s predecessor, the Suzuki Alto, was the cheapest car to run in Australia in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Despite being larger and roomier than the Alto, the Celerio is lighter and even more fuel efficient, said Gary Collins, general manager of motor vehicle marketing for Suzuki New Zealand. In addition to excellent fuel economy, the Celerio’s impressive environmental credentials also include good dynamics and low CO2 exhaust emissions.

Remarkably, the Australian survey showed the Celerio cost less than one quarter of what people paid to keep a large four-wheel-drive vehicle on the road, he said.

For all expenses including depreciation, the survey placed the Celerio less expensive to run than the Mitsubishi Mirage, Holden Barina Spark, Nissan Micra and Fiat 500.

Powered by a lightweight, aluminium, three cylinder 50 kW engine, the Celerio achieves 4.7 litres/100 kilometres (60.1 miles per gallon) in the official factory combined test in town and open road driving, and 3.7 litres/100 km (76.3 mpg) in the extra-urban open road test.

This figure was even bettered in a rural highway evaluation over North Island roads earlier this year.

Suzuki also won the larger light-car class in which the popular Swift GL automatic was found to have lower running costs than rivals from Honda and Ford.

The RACQ said motorists should consider the hidden costs of depreciation, registration and servicing before making a decision on a new car. Depreciation and fuel were the highest costs and vehicle downsizing was seen as the best option for motorists wanting to save money.

Rising specification levels mean owners do not need to go without when choosing small. Standard equipment on the Celerio includes alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric windows front and rear, Bluetooth and hands-free phone connectivity and height adjustment for the driver’s seat.

In spite of leading the way in low running expenses, the Celerio is still the biggest car in the micro car class, and is sharply priced from $15,990 plus on road costs.