Everyone is obsessed with speed, but not every car is designed to give you the thrill of going from 0 to 62 mph in under four seconds.
In fact, many of Australia’s best-selling cars offer only modest performance figures, so we’ve decided to put together a list of the 10 lowest power-to-weight ratio cars currently on sale.
We did this rather than simply rating vehicles based on overall performance, as power versus weight is much more relevant in the real world.
We’ve also mentioned claimed 0-100km/h times if these were provided by a manufacturer. However, most of the cars on this list do not have stated acceleration figures for obvious reasons.
Are you surprised by the cars here? Let us know in the comments below.
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Click on a model’s name in the table above to jump directly to its information on the page, or keep scrolling to see the full article.
BYD Dolphin Essential
The base BYD Dolphin currently has the lowest power-to-weight ratio of any new model currently available in Australia, achieving output of just 46.5kW per tonne.
70kW in total isn’t much when you’re trying to move the Dolphin’s 1,506kg, which gives a claimed 0-100km/h time of 12.3 seconds. Its 44.9 kWh battery is said to be able to travel 340 km (WLTP) on one charge.
At $29,990, it’s at least somewhat affordable before on-road driving. However, if you need more power, you can upgrade to the Dolphin Premium for $36,990 before hitting the road. It has an output of 90.5 kW/t and accelerates to 100 km/h in just seven seconds.
| specification | BYD Dolphin Essential |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single engine electric |
| transmission | – |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 46.5 kW/t |
| Tare mass | 1506kg |
| Performance | 70kW |
| Torque | 180 Nm |
MORE: Explore the BYD Dolphin showroom
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BYD Atto 1 Essential
Two BYD electric hatchbacks top the list, with the base Atto 1 offering just 50.2kW per tonne.
This gives it a better 0-100km/h time than its bigger brother, which is reportedly capable of completing the sprint in 11.1 seconds. Although it produces less peak power, the Atto 1 is significantly lighter than the Dolphin at 1294 kg.
While it can only travel 220km (WLTP) on a charge, it’s incredibly affordable at $23,990 before on-road use. The more expensive Atto 1 Premium achieves a range of up to 310 km and increases the power-to-weight ratio to 82.7 kW/t. Pricing is $27,990 before on-road launch.
| specification | BYD Atto 1 Essential |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single engine electric |
| transmission | – |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 50.2 kW/t |
| Tare mass | 1294kg |
| Performance | 65kW |
| Torque | 175 Nm |
MORE: Explore the BYD Atto 1 showroom
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Hyundai Inster 2WD
The third and final EV on this list is the base Inster, which tops the Atto 1 with a slightly improved 51.6kW per tonne.
It offers a peak power of 71 kW, a dead weight of 1375 kg and a claimed range of 327 km on the WLTP cycle. The kicker is that it’s much more expensive than the base Atto 1, at $39,000 before on-roads.
All other Inster trims offer peak power of 85kW with a power-to-weight ratio of up to 60.1kW/t and the range costs a maximum of $45,000 before on-road.
| specification | Hyundai Inster 2WD |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single engine electric |
| transmission | – |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 51.6 kW/t |
| Tare mass | 1375kg |
| Performance | 71kW |
| Torque | 147 Nm |
MORE: Discover the Hyundai Inster showroom
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Fiat 500
Next up is the petrol Fiat 500, which produces 55.4kW per tonne.
Although it ranks fourth on this list, it actually has the lowest overall power output of all, at just 51kW. Fiat claims it can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 12.9 seconds when its 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine is running at full speed.
| specification | Fiat 500 |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | 1.2 liter four-cylinder petrol engine without a turbocharger |
| transmission | 5-speed automatic |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 55.4 kW/t |
| Tare mass | 920kg |
| Performance | 51kW |
| Torque | 102 Nm |
MORE: Explore the Fiat 500 showroom
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Isuzu MU-X 2.2 LS-T
The first large SUV on this list is the 2.2-litre Isuzu MU-X LS-T with an output of 58.5kW per tonne.
Priced at $71,400 before release, the LS-T is the most expensive 2.2-liter MU-X currently on sale. All 2.2 models produce 120 kW of power and 400 Nm of torque. However, the individual trim levels differ slightly in weight, with the LS-T offering the lowest power-to-weight ratio.
For comparison: 3.0-liter models produce 140 kW and 450 Nm, with a power-to-weight ratio of up to 68.0 kW/t depending on the variant.
| specification | Isuzu MU-X 2.2 LS-T |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | 2.2 liter turbodiesel with 4 cyl |
| transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 58.5 kW/t |
| Tare mass | 2050kg |
| Performance | 120kW |
| Torque | 400 Nm |
MORE: Explore the Isuzu MU-X showroom
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Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Cockatoo
The ever-popular Toyota Prado in flagship Kakadu trim produces 59.5kW per tonne with its 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine.
The 2.5-ton 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 via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Like other large SUVs here, the Prado’s power-to-weight ratio depends on the variant. The base GX, for example, offers 62.0 kW/t.
| specification | Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Cockatoo |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | 2.8 liter turbodiesel with 4 cyl |
| transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 59.5 kW/t |
| Tare mass | 2520kg |
| Performance | 150kW |
| Torque | 500 Nm |
MORE: Explore the Toyota LandCruiser Prado showroom
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GWM Tank 300 Diesel
The diesel is one of four powertrains available for the GWM Tank 300 and vehicles so equipped produce 60.7kW per tonne.
The 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel is available in two variants priced at either $47,990 or $51,990 for powertrain and produces up to 135kW of power and 480Nm of torque.
Otherwise, the turbo petrol Tank 300 offers 76.9 kW/t, the hybrid 111.5 kW/t and the plug-in hybrid 116.7 kW/t.
| specification | GWM Tank 300 Diesel |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | 2.4 liter turbodiesel with 4 cyl |
| transmission | 9-speed automatic transmission |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 60.7 kW/t |
| Tare mass | 2223kg |
| Performance | 135kW |
| Torque | 480 Nm |
MORE: Explore the GWM Tank 300 showroom
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Mahindra Scorpion
The Mahinda Scorpio Diesel is available in one variant and offers 61.4 kW per tonne.
The Scorpio Z8L costs $48,990 for the car and its 2.2-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine produces 129kW of power and 400Nm of torque. It has a six-speed automatic transmission and is said to weigh 2100 kg.
| specification | Mahindra Scorpion |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | 2.2 liter turbodiesel with 4 cyl |
| transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 61.4 kW/t |
| Tare mass | 2100kg |
| Performance | 129kW |
| Torque | 400 Nm |
MORE: Explore Mahindra Scorpio showroom
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Kia Picanto car
The Kia Picanto is Australia’s best-selling city hatchback and produces 63.5kW per tonne with an automatic transmission.
Although they are sold in two sporty-sounding variants (Sport and GT-Line), both feature the same 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with 62kW of power and 122Nm of torque. Its ranking here is based on models with a four-speed automatic transmission, as the five-speed manual transmission alternative increases the power-to-weight ratio to 63.5 kW/t.
Regardless, the Picanto is still Australia’s cheapest car. The price range starts from $19,190 before on-road costs.
| specification | Kia Picanto car |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | 1.2 liter four-cylinder petrol engine without a turbocharger |
| transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 62.4 kW/t |
| Tare mass | 993kg |
| Performance | 62kW |
| Torque | 122 Nm |
MORE: Explore the Kia Picanto showroom
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Suzuki Jimny XL car
Next up is the Suzuki Jimny, which in five-door XL guise produces 63.7kW per tonne.
All Jimnys are powered by the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine with 75kW and 130Nm. Its ranking here is based on the XL car, as the XL manual produces 63.7 kW/t and the three-door variant produces up to 67.6 kW/t.
Both body styles are available with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission, and the price range for the Jimny range is between $31,990 and $37,490 before on-road launch.
| specification | Suzuki Jimny XL |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | 1.5 liter 4-cylinder petrol engine without turbocharger |
| transmission | 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 63.2 kW/t |
| Tare mass | 1187kg |
| Performance | 75kW |
| Torque | 130 Nm |
MORE: Explore the Suzuki Jimny showroom
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