Coupes under $50k
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- 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
2026 Zeekr X AWD: Premium small SUV arrives to take on established players
Zeekr’s smaller 7X sibling, known simply as X, has been given a refresh, with sharper pricing, faster charging capability and an extended standard feature list. Can it take the fight to its twin-under-the-skin, the Volvo EX30?
Xiaomi YU7 GT seen testing: High-performance electric SUV targets premium rivals
With supercar-level output and aggressive aero, Xiaomi’s flagship electric SUV could challenge established performance brands – at a significantly lower price point.
Chery ‘KP31’ ute: interior revealed of diesel PHEV dual cab ahead of late 2026 release
After revealing the exterior earlier this year, the interior of the incoming Chery ute has also been unveiled with an upscale design.
WIN this Chevy Corvette!
Win this $236K Corvette and support cancer patients in regional Victoria through a national raffle of only 15,000 tickets.
Mazda CX-6e electric SUV pricing revealed, undercutting Model Y and Sealion 7
Australian pricing has been announced for Mazda’s second electric vehicle debut this year, with the CX-6e mid-size SUV coming in below key rivals.
GWM Ora 5 electric small SUV set to debut at 2026 Melbourne Motor Show
GWM has announced the line-up it will showcase at the 2026 Melbourne Motor Show, including its new Ora 5 electric small SUV.
Denza confirms Z9GT electric grand tourer with 1000km range for Australia debut
High-performance EV with ultra-fast charging and 1000km-plus claimed range due in showrooms from Q3.
BYD expands Shark 6 ute range with cab-chassis and flagship Performance model
Hybrid dual-cab line-up grows as the brand targets tradies, fleets and private buyers with broader capability and pricing spread.
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 N pushes performance EV formula further
Sharper dynamics, improved refinement and clever tech elevate Hyundai’s second N-badged electric car, blending serious pace with everyday usability.
Toyota recalls more than 13,000 HiLux models due to alarming bullbar fault
A potentially large fault with the genuine accessory bullbar for the Toyota HiLux range has been discovered, leading to the recall of more than 13,000 2025-2026 vehicles.
Kia PV5: Australian pricing announced for new electric van
Kia’s first commercial van in 20 years is about to launch in Australia, with the electric PV5 priced from $55,990 plus on-road costs.
Chery E5: Smaller line-up but sharper pricing for stylish small electric SUV
Chery has sharpened the value of its E5 electric small SUV for the 2026 model year, dropping the price the Ultimate model by $3000.
Modern Classic: Ferrari Testarossa, from Maranello to Miami Vice
Its rakish design might have been polarising, but the Ferrari Testarossa dragged the Italian supercar maker into the modern age.
Forthing brand to launch in Australia with small SUV Taikon 5
Yet another Chinese brand will launch in Australia, with Dongfeng’s Forthing due in June with one small SUV on offer in both electric and plug-in hybrid form.
Honda expands CR-V range with cheaper hybrid entry and added tech
Updated 2026 line-up brings more hybrid variants, AWD option and seven-seat configuration as entry pricing drops….
What fuel crisis? BYD launches Seal 6 plug-in hybrid mid-sizer with over 1400km of range
BYD has made another addition to its local line-up in the form of the Seal 6 plug-in hybrid mid-size sedan and wagon, reportedly capable of over 1400km of range.
Read Toyota’s advice to hybrid owners battling recurring flat starter battery issue
Toyota hybrid owners who’ve reported flat starter batteries have been offered timely advice on how the brand’s hybrid system works best.
VFACTS March 2026: EV sales surge to record market share in March as demand accelerates
Battery electric vehicles account for 14.6 per cent of total sales amid fuel concerns and policy uncertainty.
From the Wheels Archive: Ford’s ground-breaking 4WD XY Falcon ute was decades ahead of its time
Forget the Ford Ranger, this Falcon-based four-wheel drive ute from Australia is the original gangster of lifestyle utes.
Ambitious eFuels project in Australia stalls as Porsche wavers…
Tasmanian eFuels project stalls amid shifting plans, regulatory hurdles and muted Porsche backing, raising fresh doubts over timelines and investment certainty.
2026 MG 4 Urban first drive: City-focused EV nails the price point
Following the announcement of local pricing, WhichCar by Wheels gets an early taste of MG’s fresh take on the MG 4, a city-focused, value-first offering for small car buyers otherwise sceptical about the leap to a fully-electric vehicle.
Wheels April 2026 issue now on sale
A broad mix of cars, from performance to hybrids, emerging brands and enduring favourites, all find their way into the pages of Wheels’ April 2026 issue.
Why plug-in hybrid ute owners are laughing now
Maligned early on, criticised as not being ‘legitimate’ and hammered for the absence of a ‘proper’ diesel engine, dual-cab owners with petrol/plug-in hybrid powertrains are laughing in the face of increased fuel prices.
Could your car be hacked? Why connected vehicles are the next cybersecurity battleground
As modern cars become “computers on wheels”, experts warn of growing risks—from data theft to potential remote interference.
