Suzuzki’s budget-busting Alto small car and mid-size Kizashi sedan have both emerged as the cheapest vehicles to run in the 2011 Cost of Vehicle Ownership Survey conducted by motoring clubs RAC, NRAM, RACV, RAA and RACT.
Taking to account private ownership over five years, driving around 15,000kms per year, regular servicing, replacement parts and fuel prices, the Suzuzki Alto (starting at $12,490 ‘driveaway’) costs $110.70 per week and the Kizashi (starting price $28,490) costs $205.39.
RAC spokesperson Matt Brown explained one finding of the survey was motoring costs increase as vehicles get larger – a mid-size vehicle delivering a saving of up to $5,000 per year compared to a larger one.
“If you don’t need a large vehicle, you can save big dollars simply by choosing one that better suits your purposes,” Mr Brown said.
According to Suzuki, the survey also highlighted the higher initial purchase price of super-low fuel consumption and emissions vehicles like modern diesels, even when spread over five years, does add to the weekly motoring bill.
In that context, the fuel-efficient petrol-powered Suzuzki Alto (combined cycle average consumption as low as 4.7l/100kms) is almost $50 per week cheaper to operate than some European turbo-diesel compact cars.
“The report highlights the Alto and Kizashi both offer outstanding efficient without adding the prohibitive cost imposed by hybrid or diesel cars,” explained Suzuki Australia General Manager Tony Devers.
