Coupes under $50k
- Home /
- Best coupes under $50k
Whether you’re just starting to drive or heading into a mid-life crisis, coupes appeal to all of us. Luckily, these days you don’t need to spend big money to enjoy the thrills of the swept-back driving experience.
While you are able to buy a Subaru BRZ or Toyota 86 for less than $40,000, choices start to expand once you’re shopping under the $50,000 so let’s start there.

Toyota 86
It is getting a little long in the tooth, but the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ combo still offers sports car thrills for an affordable price. Available in manual or automatic with a choice of specification levels, the Toyota 86 has stood the test of time despite external pressure to fill it with extra power.

Mazda MX-5
With the nameplate just celebrating its 30th birthday, there’s small wonder why so many flock to the Mazda MX-5 for an engaging top-down drive. Even if you’re more of a hard-top fan, Mazda now offers the RF version which includes a folding metal roof.

Hyundai i30 Fastback N
A relatively new player to the coupe game, Hyundai’s i30 N was transformed into a four-door coupe following the success of the hatchback. Sleeker styling marries with everything that made Hyundai’s first true hot hatch great

KGM Actyon Hybrid: Latest electrified mid-size SUV launches in Australia
Australian mid-size hybrid SUV buyers have yet another option to choose from with the arrival of the KGM Actyon Hybrid.

Battle of the budget busters: Three affordable compact SUVs gets the Wheels comparo treatment
Three sharply priced small SUVs from BYD, Mahindra and Suzuki compete for buyers on a tight budget, but as equipment, efficiency and expectations shift, only one contender ultimately delivers true modern-day value.

Toyota is the world’s leading carmaker… again
Toyota has again been crowned the world’s biggest carmaker, ending 2025 on top of the new car sales race for the sixth year in a row.

New road markings quietly influencing how Australians drive
Rumble strips roll out near ACT roundabouts as authorities look to slow traffic without signs or bumps.

Cars we wish were sold here: Toyota Prius
It was sold in Australia until 2022 but the current model Prius isn’t available locally… which we think is a damn shame. Here’s why…

MG teases new electric sedan as MG7 EV speculation grows
Blurred preview hints at a sleek four-door EV aimed at China – and potentially Australia.

Over white, black and silver? Our pick of some of the best new car colours…
Most of us end up in cars coloured white, black, grey and silver. But to truly stand out, here are 10 new car colours that are far more interesting.

New hypercar alert: Rimac reveals first Nevera R ‘Founder’s Edition’ on ice
Ultra-rare electric hypercar makes public debut on frozen lake as deliveries begin.

F1’s 2026 season shapes up amid Hollywood buzz and major on-track changes
Oscar nominations for Formula One film coincide with secretive early testing and a sweeping technical reset.

From the Wheels archive: Holden VB Commodore vs Ford XD Falcon in a V8-powered muscle car face-off
In 1979, Wheels pitted the all-new V8-powered Falcon XD and Commodore VB manuals against each other in a battle to crown ‘The King of the Hill’.

Kia Australia boss: ‘We’ll gouge market share from any brand we can’
Kia Australia boss says the influx of Chinese brands into Australia won’t hinder Kia’s growing market share.

2026 Kia EV4 first drive review: An affordable alternative to Tesla’s Model 3
With sub-50k pricing, and a competitive standard feature list, Kia has Tesla and BYD square in its sights with the new EV4 electric sedan.

Mazda CX-5 notches major milestone with five million sales worldwide
The popular mid-size SUV becomes Mazda’s third model to pass the mark as a new generation takes shape.

BMW boosts range for iX1 and iX2 as small EV battle heats up
Efficiency tweaks deliver longer driving distances without changing performance or charging times.

Mercedes-Benz unveils updated S-Class with new tech and revised V8
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has received a comprehensive update with a lot of new tech and even an overhauled V8 engine.

Tesla will kill the Model S and Model X to make way for robot production
Production of Tesla’s trailblazing Model S and Model X will end later in 2026 to make way for the company’s new Optimus robots.

Geely EX2 tops China’s sales charts ahead of Australian launch
Compact electric hatch becomes China’s best-selling car as local arrival is locked in for 2026.

Major study launched to discover why driver-assist tech is not reducing our road toll
Real-world testing aims to understand how Australians use – or more commonly, ignore – ADAS technology.

MG4 Urban: International pricing revealed as potential guide for its Australian arrival
Newer, cheaper MG4 Urban priced thousands less than the regular MG4, with both expected to soon go on sale in Australia.

Which are the best small hatchbacks for under $40k driveaway?
Buyers looking for an affordable new car that isn’t an SUV might just want to consider a hatchback. Here are four of the best…

Latest in class action against Isuzu Australia over emissions claims
Owners of D-Max and MU-X allege defeat devices led to excess pollution and seek compensation.

Ineos Grenadier reveals special Black Edition amid updated 2026 model release
Stealth styling arrives just as the rugged 4×4 receives subtle but meaningful updates for 2026.

EVs outsell petrol vehicles in Europe for the first time – and Australia is mirroring the shift
Battery-powered and electrified vehicles have hit a milestone in key markets both in Europe and Australia, show December 2025 figures.

Genesis X Skorpio Concept pushes the brand into extreme off-road territory
High-powered desert racer signals a bold new direction for Genesis design and engineering.