By Daniel Stanton
The Suzuki Alto GL has the lowest running costs of any new vehicle in Australia. That’s the finding of new NRMA research showing how much motorists pay per week to own a new-model car.
The Alto GL costs around $89 a week to operate. In contrast, the most expensive car to run – a Toyota Land Cruiser Sahara – costs around $360 a week.
NRMA has turned its research into an online running costs calculator and the comprehensive listings have been released exclusively to Open Road. Developer of the calculator, NRMA Motoring Research Engineer David Carr, said it was a valuable tool for anyone buying a new car.
He said new car buyers should choose carefully, as models in the same class could vary in cost by as much as $185 per week.
“The least expensive car in the people mover class, the Kia Rondo LX, costs around $150 per week to run, while the Chrysler Grand Voyager costs around $335 per week to run,” Mr Carr said.
“The cost variation is not so dramatic in smaller classes. Australia’s cheapest car to run, the Suzuki Alto GL, is $48 a week cheaper to run than the most expensive car in the light class, the Suzuki Swift Sport EZ, which costs around $135 per week to run.
“Optional extras such as electronic stability control, turbo and engine size will drive up running costs and the buyer can consider all of these when using NRMA’s running costs calculator.”
The calculator is packed with operating costs for an unprecedented 620 vehicles – over 100 more models than the original calculator launched in 2009.
“The new calculator is the most accurate ever, taking into account ever-changing fuel prices, on-road costs and insurance prices,” explained Mr Carr.
Calculations are for private ownership in NSW, based on an annual distance of 15,000km travelled over an ownership period of five years. The formula takes into account the negotiated vehicle price, depreciation, opportunity cost, registration, comprehensive insurance, NRMA membership, maintenance and repairs, and fuel. Read on for more information.
The cost of fuel is the most volatile factor affecting the family budget. Astounding changes of as much as 70 cents per litre can happen in as little as six months, as it did during the second half of 2008 (see graphic below).
Mr Carr said the unpredictable price of fuel made it more important than ever to prepare a budget for day-to-day living, as average weekly fuel bills could change by as much as $40 depending on the vehicle’s consumption.
Insurance can vary significantly depending on a person’s age, driving record and where the car is garaged. For example, NRMA investigated the comprehensive insurance cost for a Suzuki Alto garaged in a Sydney suburb and found that for
an over-50 driver with a good driving record, the premium was $654. When an under-25 driver was added, it jumped to $946. Adding a 17-year-old P-plater to the equation saw the premium jump to a staggering $1956.
Mr Carr said the variation in insurance costs was phenomenal and allowing Members to enter their own insurance premium was fundamental in creating an accurate running costs figure.
“This is exactly why we wanted to create a cost analysis tool with realistic variables for our Members,” Mr Carr said.
The recommended retail price is not always the price a buyer pays. With this in mind, the price a buyer negotiates with the dealer is the exact price the user enters into the calculator.
Carbon pollution is a huge public issue. NRMA is a staunch supporter of reducing our carbon footprint and is always searching for the best environmental answers to Australia’s motoring future.
Now, the running costs calculator enables the environmentally conscious motorist to do his or her little bit for the planet. Each of the 620 vehicles has been given a greenhouse rating out of 10.
The ratings are from the Green Vehicle Guide and rate each vehicle’s greenhouse and air pollution emissions.
Mr Carr said it came as no surprise that the Toyota Prius Hybrid has the highest greenhouse rating at 9.0 out of 10, beating some more fuel efficient diesel vehicles.
“We’ve found that, generally, the bigger the car, the poorer the greenhouse rating, with the exception of hybrid vehicles,” Mr Carr said.
“The lowest rated vehicle in the small vehicle class scored 6.5 out of 10, while the highest rated vehicle in the SUV large class scored just 4.5.
“Motorists want to know dollar for dollar exactly what their car will cost them to run and with these added features, the running costs calculator is the most comprehensive analysis tool available in Australia,” he said.
Use NRMA’s running costs calculator.
Open Road July/August 2010.
Car reviews
