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
BYD Seal 6 Touring review: ‘Making wagons cool again’
A plug-in hybrid station wagon with over 1000km driving range between refills? And now the most affordable in its class in Australia? What’s not to like?
New Mercedes-Benz GLA revealed with hybrid and electric power as EQA bows out
Third-generation luxury crossover SUV adopts Mercedes’ new MMA platform, gains longer range, faster charging, more cabin space and arrives in Australia next year.
Porsche plans drastic job cuts as Chinese slowdown and EV transition bite
German sports car maker will slash an astonishing one in five positions by 2035 as falling sales, weaker demand in China and mounting competition force a major restructuring.
Audi Q9 flagship large SUV takes aim at the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS
Audi is aiming at other large luxury SUVs such as the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS with its new flagship Q9, which will reach Australia in 2027.
Treasurer confirms fuel excise cut will end Sunday as motorists face higher prices at the bowser
Temporary discount introduced during the Middle East conflict will expire from Monday, despite speculation it could be extended again.
Toyota bZ4X AWD review: Refreshed electric SUV takes aim at Tesla, BYD and Zeekr
Competition amongst electric medium SUVs is fierce, which is why the updated Toyota bZ4X is fighting an uphill battle. Will its overhaul help it win over more fans?
Tesla’s Cybertruck likened to the Ford Edsel, motoring’s most famous flop
Once hailed by Elon Musk as Tesla’s “best product ever”, the radical electric pick-up is now being compared with Ford’s ill-fated Edsel as sales fall well short of expectations.
Australia’s worst crash hotspots revealed
New insurance claims data identifies the nation’s busiest crash locations, with Victoria home to nine of Australia’s top 10 accident blackspots.
GWM outmuscles Ford with new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine
GWM Australia has finally released performance figures for its new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, offering more torque than Ford’s V6 diesel.
Volkswagen prices new flagship Walkinshaw-developed Amarok W600
New dual-cab combines locally developed suspension, V6 diesel power and premium equipment, with pricing above the Ford Ranger Raptor.
Coles plugs into EV boom with fast-charger rollout at supermarkets
Up to 30 Coles stores will gain high-speed EV chargers over the next two years as the supermarket giant looks to make grocery shopping more convenient for electric vehicle owners.
BYD Australia expects Seal 6 station wagon to outsell sedan
BYD Australia is expecting to sell more station wagons than sedans of its new Seal 6 mid-sized plug-in hybrid model.
BYD Australia says June sales success won’t be repeated any time soon
BYD Australia has downplayed suggestions that it could topple Toyota’s new car sales dominance.
Subaru hints at return of STI performance heroes with trio of new petrol-powered models
Japanese brand teases three high-performance combustion models, including potential next-generation WRX and BRZ successors, as it looks to revive its enthusiast credentials.
‘Billion dollar baby’: It’s 20 years since the VE Commodore first launched
Twenty years on, Holden’s clean-sheet VE Commodore remains one of the boldest and most ambitious vehicles ever conceived in Australia – a billion-dollar gamble that became a national icon.
Aussie state launches review of dangerous driving laws amid calls for tougher penalties
State government to examine whether existing offences and penalties go far enough to hold dangerous drivers accountable after fatal crashes.
Ultra-low kilometre Ferrari 458 Speciale to go under the hammer in Australia
Rare 2015 naturally aspirated Ferrari has travelled just 1330km and is expected to attract strong interest from local and international collectors.
Wheels August 2026 issue now on sale!
Our exhaustive real-world PHEV SUV test headlines an August issue 2026 packed with comparisons, first drives, exclusive interviews, performance heroes, classics and industry insight.
Which are the top 10 cheapest electric SUVs in Australia?
The price barrier for electric cars has fallen in the past 12 months, bringing them in reach of many more Australians. Which are the current 10 cheapest SUV models?
From the Wheels Archive: XC Cobra – Ford’s hottest Falcon ever
Born out of a need to shift the last batch of Falcon Hardtop body shells, the XC Falcon Cobra has gone on to become a bona fide Ford legend.
Toyota head warns ‘it cannot survive’ as iconic Corolla is positioned for EV option
A behind-the-scenes documentary reveals Toyota’s push to reinvent its best-selling model as executives warn against complacency in the face of rising Chinese competition.
Honda previews next-gen Ridgeline ute as Australian launch remains possible
Third-generation dual-cab confirmed for launch within two years, with tougher styling, new hybrid power and the possibility of right-hand drive still under consideration.
Ford Mustang returns to patrol US highways as police embrace V8 muscle
The iconic pony car is in use by a number of police forces across America, plus a look back at some of the best examples of high-powered Australian police cars.
XPeng G6 review: Tesla Model Y rival now factory-backed and updated
The Chinese brand has just relaunched in Australia under factory distribution, so how does the updated XPeng G6 fair against a sea of rivals like the Tesla Model Y?
