With car and fuel prices rising faster than many budgets are able to keep up with, the universe seems bent on parting motorists from their hard-earned money.
However, a number of cost-effective cars have been launched in South Africa that offer affordable price tags and cheap running costs without being completely stripped bare of comfort or safety features.
If you’re in the market for a sub-R200,000 car, we take a look at the five most affordable cars available in Mzansi today:
SUZUKI S-PRESSO 1.0 GL — R169,900
The S-Presso is Suzuki’s entry-level model range and the 1.0 GL is South Africa’s cheapest car at R169,900. It’s an ideal starter car for students.
With 49kW and 89Nm the 1.0l three-cylinder engine provides enough oomph for city and urban commuting, and the frugal 4.6l / 100km makes it cheap to run.
Dual front airbags, stability control and ABS brakes provide the standard safety fare, and comforts include power steering, front electric windows, remote central locking, aircon and rear park distance control.
The S-Presso is also available in GL+ guise for R178,000 if you want a few more features, including a touchscreen infotainment system and alloy wheels.
Warranty: Five years/200,000km. Service plan: Two years/30,000km
Crash rating: Three stars
SUZUKI CELERIO 1.0 GA — R183,900
Slightly larger than the S-Presso, the new-generation Celerio offers more legroom and a boot increased in size from 239l to 295l. It is powered by the same 1.0l engine and claims an even better consumption of 4.4l /100km.
In terms of safety the entry-level Celerio 1.0 GA is fitted with ABS brakes, stability control and dual airbags. The standard-fitted aircon will keep you cool around town, and other gadgets include power steering, a multi-function steering wheel and rear park-distance control.
Parting with R204,900 for the higher-specced Celerio 1.0 GL will bring you extra features like a touchscreen infotainment system, alloy wheels, remote central locking, front and rear electric windows and a rear windscreen wiper.
Warranty: Five years/200,000km. Service plan: Two years/30,000km
Cash rating: Not yet tested
RENAULT KWID 1.0 LIFE — R188,999
Despite its well-publicised poor crash rating and cheap build quality the Kwid is one of Renault’s best sellers in Mzansi, and the budget hatch was updated in 2019 with ABS brakes and a facelift.
The entry-level Life also has dual front airbags and power steering as standard features, with a touchscreen infotainment system, remote central locking, front electric windows, LED daytime running lights and rear park distance control.
A 1.0l three-cylinder petrol engine with 50kW and 91Nm serves duty, claiming 4.9l/100km.
Warranty: Five years/150,000km. Service plan: Two years/30,000km
Crash rating: Two stars
TOYOTA VITZ 1.0 X-Cite — R189,900
The Vitz, a rebadged Suzuki Celerio, was launched in April to take over from the Ayga as Toyota’s smallest and most affordable offering.
Backed by Toyota’s strong brand reputation and after-sales service, the pint-sized hatch is available in five versions with the well-specced 1.0 XR auto as the range-topper for R239,900. If your budget doesn’t stretch that far, the entry-level Vitz 1.0 offers decent back for buck with features like ABS brakes, dual airbags, aircon and rear park distance control for R189,900.
The 1.0l three-cylinder petrol engine delivers 49kW and 89Nm and is claimed to sip just 4.4l/100km.
Making it more affordable to get a Vitz into your garage is Toyota’s Kinto One leasing plan, which combines the use of the car with its service and maintenance in one monthly payment with no additional hidden fees when the vehicle is returned at the end of the contract. The monthly R2,999 for 12 months (18,000km) subscription fee also covers vehicle wi-fi and telematics, a tracking device, licensing and registration, and insurance.
Warranty: Three years/100,000km. Service plan: Two services/30,000km
Crash rating: Not yet tested
SUZUKI SWIFT 1.2 GA — R199,900/ SUZUKI DZIRE 1.2 GA — R198,900
With three cars in the top-five most affordable list it’s no wonder Suzuki has grown into South Africa’s third biggest motoring brand behind Toyota and Volkswagen.
The Swift is Suzuki’s best-selling model. Offering more space and power than the S-Presso and Celerio, it still sneaks in just under the R200,000 barrier.
Selling for almost the same price as the Swift, the DZire is the four-door sedan version and offers a larger 288l boot versus the hatchback’s 224l.
The 1.2l four-cylinder engine produces 61kW and 113Nm, providing more voema than the other cars in this list, while sipping an economical 4.9l/100km.
On the safety front all Swift and DZire models are fitted with two airbags, stability control and ABS brakes as standard.
Aircon, remote central locking, and front and rear electric windows provide the comforts in the entry-level GA models.
Warranty: Five years/200,000km. Service plan: Two years/30,000km
Crash rating: Three stars
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