{"id":586461,"date":"2026-04-05T05:45:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T05:45:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/586461\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T05:45:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T05:45:21","slug":"new-cars-with-the-lowest-power-to-weight-ratios-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/586461\/","title":{"rendered":"New cars with the lowest power-to-weight ratios in Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everyone\u2019s obsessed with speed, but not every car is here to give you the thrill of a sub-four-second 0-100km\/h time.<\/p>\n

In fact, many of Australia\u2019s best-selling cars offer only modest power figures, so we\u2019ve decided to compile a list of the 10 cars on sale right now with the lowest power-to-weight ratios. <\/p>\n

We\u2019ve done this instead of simply ranking vehicles based on outright power, because power versus weight is much more relevant in the real world.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve also mentioned claimed 0-100km\/h times where provided by a manufacturer, however most cars on this list don\u2019t have claimed acceleration figures for obvious reasons.<\/p>\n

Are you surprised by any of the cars here? Let us know in the comments below.<\/p>\n

CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0to get a great deal.<\/p>\n

Click on a model\u2019s name in the table above to jump directly to its information on the page, or keep scrolling for the full article.<\/p>\n

BYD Dolphin Essential<\/p>\n

The base BYD Dolphin<\/a> currently has the lowest power-to-weight ratio of any new model currently available in Australia, clocking in at just 46.5kW per tonne.<\/p>\n

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70kW total isn\u2019t much to work with when trying to shift 1506kg of Dolphin, which gives it a claimed 0-100km\/h time of 12.3 seconds. Its 44.9kWh battery is also claimed to deliver 340km (WLTP) on a charge.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s at least fairly affordable at $29,990 before on-roads, though if you need more power, you can step up to the Dolphin Premium for $36,990 before on-roads. That has 90.5kW\/t and can get to 100km\/h in just seven seconds.<\/p>\n

SpecificationBYD Dolphin EssentialPowertrainSingle-motor electricTransmission\u2013Power-to-weight ratio46.5kW\/tTare mass1506kgPower70kWTorque180Nm<\/p>\n

MORE: Explore the BYD Dolphin showroom<\/a><\/p>\n

Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

BYD Atto 1 Essential<\/p>\n

Two electric BYD hatchbacks top the list, with the base Atto 1 offering just 50.2kW per tonne.<\/p>\n

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That gives it a better 0-100km\/h time over its larger sibling, claimed to be capable of completing the sprint in 11.1 seconds. Though it produces less peak power, the Atto 1 is noticeably lighter than the Dolphin at 1294kg.<\/p>\n

It can only do 220km (WLTP) on a charge, but it\u2019s incredibly cheap at $23,990 before on-roads. The more expensive Atto 1 Premium bumps that up to 310km and increases power-to-weight to 82.7kW\/t, priced at $27,990 before on-roads.<\/p>\n

SpecificationBYD Atto 1 EssentialPowertrainSingle-motor electricTransmission\u2013Power-to-weight ratio50.2kW\/tTare mass1294kgPower65kWTorque175Nm<\/p>\n

MORE: Explore the BYD Atto 1 showroom<\/a><\/p>\n

Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

Hyundai Inster 2WD<\/p>\n

The third and final EV on this list is the base Inster, which pips the Atto 1 with a slightly improved 51.6kW per tonne.<\/p>\n

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It offers a peak power output of 71kW, a tare mass of 1375kg, and a claimed driving range of 327km on the WLTP cycle. The kicker is that it\u2019s much more expensive than the base Atto 1 at $39,000 before on-roads.<\/p>\n

All other Inster trims offer 85kW of peak power with power-to-weight ratios up to 60.1kW\/t, and the lineup tops out at $45,000 before on-roads.<\/p>\n

SpecificationHyundai Inster 2WDPowertrainSingle-motor electricTransmission\u2013Power-to-weight ratio51.6kW\/tTare mass1375kgPower71kWTorque147Nm<\/p>\n

MORE: Explore the Hyundai Inster showroom<\/a><\/p>\n

Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

Fiat 500<\/p>\n

Next up is the petrol Fiat 500, which produces 55.4kW per tonne.<\/p>\n

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Though ranking fourth on this list, it actually has the lowest overall power output of all at just 51kW. Fiat claims it can achieve the 0-100km\/h sprint in 12.9 seconds when its 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine is at full tilt.<\/p>\n

SpecificationFiat 500Powertrain1.2L non-turbo 4cyl petrolTransmission5-speed autoPower-to-weight ratio55.4kW\/tTare mass920kgPower51kWTorque102Nm<\/p>\n

MORE: Explore the Fiat 500 showroom<\/a><\/p>\n

Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

Isuzu MU-X 2.2 LS-T<\/p>\n

The first large SUV on this list is the 2.2-litre Isuzu MU-X LS-T, producing 58.5kW per tonne.<\/p>\n

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Priced at $71,400 before on-roads, the LS-T is the most expensive 2.2-litre MU-X currently on sale. All 2.2 models produce 120kW of power and 400Nm of torque, but each trim level varies slightly in weight, with the LS-T offering the lowest power-to-weight ratio.<\/p>\n

For context, 3.0-litre models produce 140kW and 450Nm, with power-to-weight ratios of up to 68.0kW\/t depending on the variant.<\/p>\n

SpecificationIsuzu MU-X 2.2 LS-TPowertrain2.2L turbo-diesel 4cylTransmission8-speed autoPower-to-weight ratio58.5kW\/tTare mass2050kgPower120kWTorque400Nm<\/p>\n

MORE: Explore the Isuzu MU-X showroom<\/a><\/p>\n

Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

Toyota LandCruiser Prado Kakadu<\/p>\n

In flagship Kakadu trim, the ever-popular Toyota Prado produces 59.5kW per tonne from its 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine.<\/p>\n

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The 2.5-tonne Prado Kakadu is both the heaviest and most expensive vehicle on this list at $100,690 before on-roads. Its engine produces 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque, with drive sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed auto.<\/p>\n

Like other large SUVs here, the Prado\u2019s power-to-weight ratio depends on the variant. The base GX, for example, offers 62.0kW\/t.<\/p>\n

SpecificationToyota LandCruiser Prado KakaduPowertrain2.8L turbo-diesel 4cylTransmission8-speed autoPower-to-weight ratio59.5kW\/tTare mass2520kgPower150kWTorque500Nm<\/p>\n

MORE: Explore the Toyota LandCruiser Prado showroom<\/a><\/p>\n

Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

GWM Tank 300 Diesel<\/p>\n

The diesel is one of four powertrains available for the GWM Tank 300, and so-equipped vehicles produce 60.7kW per tonne.<\/p>\n

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Available in two variants priced at either $47,990 or $51,990 drive-away, the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel 4cyl produces up to 135kW of power and 480Nm of torque.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, the turbo-petrol Tank 300 offers 76.9kW\/t, the hybrid offers 111.5kW\/t, and the plug-in hybrid offers 116.7kW\/t.<\/p>\n

SpecificationGWM Tank 300 DieselPowertrain2.4L turbo-diesel 4cylTransmission9-speed autoPower-to-weight ratio60.7kW\/tTare mass2223kgPower135kWTorque480Nm<\/p>\n

MORE: Explore the GWM Tank 300 showroom<\/a><\/p>\n

Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

Mahindra Scorpio<\/p>\n

Available in one variant, the Mahinda Scorpio diesel offers 61.4kW per tonne.<\/p>\n

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The Scorpio Z8L is priced at $48,990 drive-away, and its 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine produces 129kW of power and 400Nm of torque. It utilises a six-speed automatic transmission, and is claimed to weigh 2100kg.<\/p>\n

SpecificationMahindra ScorpioPowertrain2.2L turbo-diesel 4cylTransmission6-speed autoPower-to-weight ratio61.4kW\/tTare mass2100kgPower129kWTorque400Nm<\/p>\n

MORE: Explore the Mahindra Scorpio showroom<\/a><\/p>\n

Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

Kia Picanto auto<\/p>\n

The Kia Picanto is Australia\u2019s best-selling city hatchback, and with an automatic gearbox, it develops 63.5kW per tonne.<\/p>\n

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Despite being sold in two sporty-sounding variants (Sport and GT-Line), both get the same 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 62kW of power and 122Nm of torque. Its ranking here is based on models with the four-speed auto, as the five-speed manual alternative bumps its power-to-weight ratio to 63.5kW\/t.<\/p>\n

Regardless, the Picanto is still Australia\u2019s cheapest car, with the range kicking off at $19,190 before on-road costs.<\/p>\n

SpecificationKia Picanto autoPowertrain1.2L non-turbo 4cyl petrolTransmission4-speed autoPower-to-weight ratio62.4kW\/tTare mass993kgPower62kWTorque122Nm<\/p>\n

MORE: Explore the Kia Picanto showroom<\/a><\/p>\n

Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

Suzuki Jimny XL auto<\/p>\n

Next up is the Suzuki Jimny which, in five-door XL guise, produces 63.7kW per tonne.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

All Jimnys are powered by the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 75kW and 130Nm. Its ranking here is based on the XL auto, as the XL manual produces 63.7kW\/t, and the three-door variant produces up to 67.6kW\/t.<\/p>\n

Both body styles are available with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, and the Jimny lineup ranges in price from $31,990 to $37,490 before on-roads.<\/p>\n

SpecificationSuzuki Jimny XLPowertrain1.5L non-turbo 4cyl petrolTransmission5-speed manual or 4-speed autoPower-to-weight ratio63.2kW\/tTare mass1187kgPower75kWTorque130Nm<\/p>\n

MORE: Explore the Suzuki Jimny showroom<\/a><\/p>\n

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