The new European cars under $50,000 drive-away

Despite the rapid advancement in automotive technology and the proliferation of car manufacturers from all over the world, there’s no doubt European cars still hold a certain allure.

This allure almost defies logic, given plenty of European brands now have manufacturing operations based outside of Europe, while, conversely, plenty of Korean, Chinese or North American carmakers build and design their cars in Europe. 

According to sales figures, cars designed and produced outside of Europe are dominating the Australian industry.

In 2022, the majority of new cars sold in Australia were imported from Japan, followed by Thailand and Korea in third place. 

In fact, Asian countries accounted for almost 80 per cent of all new car imports into Australia last year. 

Still, there remains a staunch army of diehard Francophiles, German loyalists or – if you’re willing to overlook the technicalities of geopolitics – Anglophiles.

Those familiar with European cars know they rarely come cheap, but with rapid-fire interest rate rises and mounting household debt, ‘affordable’ is at the front of even the most discerning car buyer’s brain. 

Want to live la dolce vita on a budget? We’ve gathered the European cars you can still buy for under $50,000 drive-away.

What is it? An iconic three-door, four-seat, front-wheel-drive hatchback designed in Turin, Italy. 

Where is it made? The Fiat 500 models sold in Australia are produced in a factory in Poland.

How much does it cost? From $23,100 plus on-road costs for the Lounge grade, or roughly $27,625 drive-away (based on a quote for a Melbourne postcode).

Click here for more info on the Fiat 500

What is it? A light passenger car from German carmaker Volkswagen, offering the choice of three variants and an automatic or manual transmission.

Where is it made? Technically, the Volkswagen Polo is only half-European – although it’s German-designed, Polos sold in Australia are actually produced at a factory in South Africa. 

How much does it cost? From $25,750 plus on-road costs for the 70TSI Life variant with manual transmission, or roughly $30,392 drive-away (based on a quote for a Melbourne postcode).

Click here for more info on the Volkswagen Polo

What is it? A front-wheel-drive, light SUV from Volkswagen – available in two model grades.

Where is it made? Volkswagen T-Cross models sold in Australia are built in Germany. 

How much does it cost? From $30,990 plus on-road costs for the 85TSI Life grade, or roughly $32,990 drive-away (based on a national drive-away offer).

Click here for more info on the Volkswagen T-Cross

What is it? A small hatchback with five doors, five seats and two engine options, from Czech carmaker Skoda.

Where is it made? Skoda Scala models sold in Australia are made in the Czech Republic.

How much does it cost? From $33,490 drive-away for the Ambition 85TSI grade (based on a national drive-away price).

Click here for more info on the Skoda Scala

What is it? A front-wheel-drive light SUV offered in four model grades. 

Where is it made? While Renault itself is a French brand, Renault Captur models sold in Australia are made in Spain. 

How much does it cost? From $31,800 plus on-road costs for the Life grade, or roughly $34,990 drive-away (based on a quote for a Melbourne postcode).

Click here for more info on the Renault Captur

What is it? French brand Citroen’s bold and colourful five-door, five-seat, front-wheel-drive hatchback. 

Where is it made? Citroen C3 models sold in Australia are made in Slovakia.

How much does it cost? From $32,267 plus on-road costs for the Shine grade, or roughly $36,656 drive-away (based on a quote for a Melbourne postcode).

Click here for more info on the Citroen C3

What is it? A small, front-wheel-drive SUV with two engine options from Czech brand Skoda. 

Where is it made? Skoda Kamiq models sold in Australia are made in the Czech Republic.

How much does it cost? From $37,990 drive-away for the 85TSI Style variant (based on a national drive-away price).

Click here for more info on the Skoda Kamiq

What is it? A five-door, five-seat, front-wheel-drive light hatchback from Czech brand Skoda.

Where is it made? Skoda Fabia models sold in Australia are made in the Czech Republic.

How much does it cost? From $38,990 drive-away for the Fabia Monte Carlo (based on a national drive-away price).

Click here for more info on the Skoda Fabia

What is it? German carmaker Audi’s smallest car – a five-door, five-seat, front-wheel-drive hatchback. 

Where is it made? Audi A1 models sold in Australia are built in Spain.

How much does it cost? From $34,250 plus on-road costs for the 30 TFSI grade, or roughly $39,775 drive-away (based on a quote for a Melbourne postcode).

Click here for more info on the Audi A1

What is it? A coupe-styled, front-wheel-drive small SUV from French brand Renault offered across three model grades. 

Where is it made? Although Renault is headquartered in France, it produces Australian-delivered Arkana models in South Korea. 

How much does it cost? From $36,800 plus on-road costs for the Zen grade, or roughly $39,990 drive-away (based on a quote for a Melbourne postcode).

Click here for more info on the Renault Arkana

What is it? VW’s ubiquitous small passenger car, available in both hatch and wagon form, with both entry-level engines and hot-hatch versions available (although the latter will push you past the $50K price threshold). 

Where is it made? Volkswagen Golf models sold in Australia are built in Germany. 

How much does it cost? From $35,190 plus on-road costs for the 110TSI hatchback, or roughly $40,277 drive-away (based on a quote for a Melbourne postcode).

Click here for more info on the Volkswagen Golf

What is it? Czech carmaker Skoda’s medium passenger car offered in either liftback 'sedan' or wagon body style.

Where is it made? Skoda Octavia models sold in Australia are made in the Czech Republic.

How much does it cost? From $40,990 drive-away for the 110TSI Style liftback variant (based on a national drive-away price).

Click here for more info on the Skoda Octavia

What is it? Renault’s medium SUV offered in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. 

Where is it made? Although Renault is headquartered in France, it produces Australian-delivered Koleos models in South Korea. 

How much does it cost? From $37,000 plus on-road costs for Life 2WD grade, or roughly $41,442 drive-away (based on a quote for a Melbourne postcode).

Click here for more info on the Renault Koleos

What is it? An Italian-designed three-door, four-seat, front-wheel-drive hatchback that’s available with a manual transmission. 

Where is it made? The Abarth 695 models sold in Australia are produced in a factory in Poland.

How much does it cost? From $36,400 plus on-road costs, or roughly $41,487 drive-away for the Competizione grade with manual transmission (based on a quote for a Melbourne postcode).

Click here for more info on the Abarth 695

What is it? A small SUV that’s the slightly bigger sibling of the T-Cross offered in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive form. 

Where is it made? T-Roc models sold in Australia are built in Portugal. 

How much does it cost? From $37,100 plus on-road costs for 110TSI Style FWD grade, or roughly $42,213 drive-away (based on a quote for a Melbourne postcode).

Click here for more info on the Volkswagen T-Roc

What is it? A front-wheel-drive small SUV from French carmaker Peugeot. 

Where is it made? Peugeot 2008 models sold in Australia are produced in Spain.

How much does it cost? From $38,945 plus on-road costs for the Allure grade, or roughly $43,250 drive-away (based on a quote for a Melbourne postcode).

Click here for more info on the Peugeot 2008

What is it? A medium SUV offered in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. 

Where is it made? Skoda Karoq models are made in the Czech Republic.

How much does it cost? From $43,990 drive-away for the Style 2WD grade (based on a national drive-away price).

Click here for more info on the Skoda Karoq

What is it? A small, front-wheel-drive SUV that looks a bit like a high-riding hatchback, from French carmaker Citroen.

Where is it made? Citroen C4 models sold in Australia are made in Spain.

How much does it cost? From $39,990 plus on-road costs for the Shine grade, or roughly $44,698 drive-away (based on a quote for a Melbourne postcode).

Click here for more info on the Citroen C4

What is it? A pint-sized hatchback from BMW-owned British brand Mini, sold in either three-door, four-seat form or five-door, five-seat form.

Where is it made? Mini three- and five-door hatch models sold in Australia are made in the United Kingdom. The Mini Convertible range is Netherlands-sourced (though these do push past the $50,000 drive-away ceiling in place here).

How much does it cost? From $38,640 plus on-road costs for the three-door Classic variant, or roughly $45,392 drive-away (based on a quote for a Melbourne postcode).

Click here for more info on the Mini Cooper

What is it? The smallest, most affordable car from Spanish carmaker Cupra, which is available with petrol or plug-in hybrid power (although the latter will push it over the price threshold). 

Where is it made? Australia-delivered Cupra Leon models are made in Spain. 

How much does it cost? From $47,990 drive-away for the Leon V (based on a national drive-away price).

Click here for more info on the Cupra Leon

What is it? A small car from French carmaker Peugeot offered as either a hatchback or a wagon.

Where is it made? Peugeot 308 models sold in Australia are made in France. 

How much does it cost? From $43,990 plus on-road costs for the GT hatch grade, or roughly $48,866 drive-away (based on a quote for a Melbourne postcode).

Click here for more info on the Peugeot 308