According to the latest study published by motoring clubs in Australia, including Victoria's RACV and Queensland's RACQ, the most affordable new car to own is Suzuki's Celerio micro-car.
According to the annual Drive Your Dollars survey, it was cheaper to own than the likes of the Mitsubishi Mirage, Holden Barina Spark, Nissan Micra and Fiat 500, making it the fourth year in a row that Suzuki has won the award, following the lead of the Celerio's predecessor – the Alto -- in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Powered by a 50kW 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, the Celerio is priced at $12,990 drive-away and costs an average of $99.77 per week in running costs. We gave the Celerio a score of 65/100 in our latest review, praising its low running costs but criticising its engine performance and cramped interior.
The most expensive (mainstream) vehicle to own and operate in Australia was the 5.6-litre petrol V8-powered Nissan Patrol ST-L, according to the motoring clubs. Pegged with an on-road purchase price just shy of $90,000, it is claimed to cost $443.46 per week to drive.
Suzuki also topped the light-car class, in which the Swift GL auto was found to be cheaper to run ($136.27 a week) than Honda's Jazz VTi CVT and the Ford Fiesta Ambiente auto.
Mitsubishi's Lancer ES CVT sedan was cheapest in the small-car category ($153.77), followed by the Nissan Pulsar ST CVT hatch and Holden's Cruze Equipe auto hatch.
The Toyota Camry S Atara Hybrid ($180.10) led the medium car class, ahead of the Skoda Octavia 103 TSI Ambition DSG hatch and Camry S Atara auto sedan.
Holden's Commodore Evoke sedan ($222.42) led the large-car class, ahead of the LPG version of the same car and Ford's Falcon EcoBoost, while the Honda Odyssey VTi was cheapest people-mover at $216.10.
Honda's HR-V VTi CVT ($172.62) auto scored top honours in the small SUV segment, while the Mazda CX-5 Maxx 2.5 auto was by far the cheapest mid-size SUV to run ($193.60).
Cheapest to run large SUV gong went to Ford's Territory TX RWD ($227.80), while the All-Terrain SUV winner was the Toyota Prado GXL diesel ($289.46).
Ford's Falcon Ute topped the 2WD class ($211.22), while Mitsubishi's Triton GLX dual-cab diesel auto was deemed the cheapest 4x4 ute to run ($230.03).
In total 111 vehicles across 13 categories were tested, with measured criteria including the purchase price of the car, fuel efficiency, servicing costs, interest repayments, tyre replacement, insurance and depreciation.
According to the data, the total average costs to car owners per week was $211.25, which is slightly lower than the year prior.
The RACV's manager for vehicle engineering, Michael Case, said 2015 is a better year for consumers to own and operate a vehicle.
"Interest rates are at a record low and although fuel prices have increased in recent months, they are still low compared to last year, making it more affordable to buy and operate a vehicle.
"Drivers can also make considerable savings at the petrol pump if they shop around," he said.
"When buying fuel, be aware of the fuel price cycle and fill up when it is cheap," said Case.
He suggested that motorists consider the hidden costs of depreciation, registration, servicing, and tyres before making a decision on a new car, but most importantly, to be well-researched.
"Before you hit the showroom, do your homework and most importantly don't be swayed by emotion. Ask yourself: Am I buying the car I want or the car I need?" he concluded.