5 cheapest people carriers you can buy in South Africa right now

There is a wide selection of multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) available in South Africa, offering an affordable alternative to minivans and other large family vehicles.

What these people carriers offer the average family is a range of conveniences, increased seating capacity, and, in some cases, an increase in ground clearance, for when it becomes necessary.

In most cases, MPVs offer motorists at least seven seats, as well as extensive carrying space for everything from weekly groceries to the whole family’s holiday luggage.

Many of these vehicles also allow drivers to lower the back row of seats, which drastically increases luggage storage capacity.

MPVs are also popular on South Africa’s roads due to their use as e-hailing taxis, and even as light-commercial vehicles in various industries.

Arguably, the most common of these is the Suzuki Ertiga, which is unsurprising considering the brand’s local domination with its affordable offerings in nearly every segment.

Suzuki’s other MPV offering is the unique XL6. This model is fitted with the same Maruti Suzuki 1.5-litre petrol motor in the Ertiga, which can also be found in the Toyota Rumion.

Most vehicles in this segment are fitted with seven seats in one of two arrangements.

The first configuration entails two seats in the front, with two more in the middle row, and a back row featuring three seats.

Alternatively, seven-seater models are configured to have the same two seats in the front, followed by a three-seat bench, and two seats in the back row.

What makes the XL6 unique is its six-seat seating arrangement, configured as two in the front with two “captain’s chairs” in the middle row, and a two-seat bench right in the back.

South Africa’s most affordable MPVs

Local motorists continue to demonstrate a clear preference for affordable hatchback and SUV offerings, as these vehicles make up a large portion of sales.

Bakkies also continue to leave showroom floors at a remarkable rate, but there still exists a range of MPV models from various carmakers for South Africa’s families to choose from.

Click on the underlined prices for more information.

1. Renault Triber

• Starting price – R218,999
• Fuel economy – 5.5l/100km
• Power – 52kW/96Nm
• Seats – 7
• Boot capacity – 84 to 625 litres

2. Suzuki Ertiga

• Starting price – R304,900
• Fuel economy – 6.2l/100km
• Power – 77kW/138Nm
• Seats – 7
• Boot capacity – 153 to 550 litres

3. Toyota Rumion

• Starting price – R307,900
• Fuel economy – 6.2l/100km
• Power – 77kW/138Nm
• Seats – 7
• Boot capacity – 153 to 550 litres

5. Suzuki XL6

• Starting price – R365,995
• Fuel economy – 6.7l/100km
• Power – 77kW/141Nm
• Seats – 6
• Boot capacity – 209 to 550 litres

5. Mitsubishi Xpander

• Starting price – R365,995
• Fuel economy – 6.7l/100km
• Power – 77kW/141Nm
• Seats –  7
• Boot capacity – 160 to 781 litres