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Awesome SUVs for under R500,000

Do you want to buy a new SUV, and have a budget of R500,000?

Using TopAuto Car Prices, we found five SUVs that hit the spot – listed below.


Nissan X-Trail Visia

The top-of-the-range X-Trail is a great buy at R600,000, and the cheaper entry-level Visia is no different.

Despite being the base model, it receives daytime running lights with follow-me-home functionalities, cruise control, an advanced driver assist display, a rear-view camera, a multifunction steering wheel, heated/cooled cup holders, a manual air-conditioning system, and a 7-inch infotainment display that supports Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

In the safety department, it achieves a 5-star Euro NCAP rating through the fitment of driver, passenger, front, and side airbags, ABS with brake assist, hill start assist, vehicle dynamics control, and electronic brake force distribution.

This specific model gets the 2.0-litre, petrol engine that puts out 106kW and 200Nm, and drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.

Fuel consumption is a claimed at 8.3l/100km, and the SUV lets you carry 550 litres of cargo in five-seater mode.

The Nissan X-Trail 2.0 Visia has a South African price of R462,000 – which includes a 6-year/150,000km warranty and a 3-year/90,000km service plan.


Renault Koleos Expression

Renault’s flagship Koleos is one of the more chic SUVs on the roads, and its feature-set isn’t lacking, either.

The Expression trim comes with dual-zone climate control, heated/cooled cup holders, an Arkamys 8-speaker sound system, automatic headlights with LED daytime running lights, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

Driver aids are extensive, too, consisting of ABS with brake assist, hill start assist, a two-stage driver’s airbag, and front, side, and curtain airbags for the rest of the cabin – assuring a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

The SUV is powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine that generates 126kW and 233Nm of torque, with drive sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed XTronic transmission.

Combined fuel consumption comes in at 8.1l/100km, while the body style allows 464 litres of cargo in the boot.

The Renault Koleos 2.5 Expression CVT has a South African price of R474,900 – which includes a 5-year/150,000km mechanical warranty and a 5-year/90,000km service plan.


Toyota RAV4 GX

The Toyota RAV4 bea all SUVs on this list when it comes to cargo space with all the seats up – 698 litres.

It also offers LED headlights with daytime running lights, cruise control, manual air-conditioning, a reverse camera, a multi-information display, and the Toyota Display Audio system that supports Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

Safety and assist features comprise driver, passenger, front, side, and knee airbags, parking sensors, ABS with brake assist, hill assist control, trailer sway control, and four drive modes – combining to give the SUV a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

At the front sits a 2.0-litre, petrol engine delivering 127kW and 203Nm – paired with a CVT transmission.

Drive is sent to the front wheels only, and combined fuel consumption comes in at 6.5l/100km.

The Toyota RAV4 2.0 GX Auto has a South African price of R485,500 – which includes a 3-year/100,000km warranty and a 6-services/90,000km service plan.


Subaru Forester 2.0i

The Subaru Forester is one of the few SUVs on the market that offers four-wheel-drive at this price point.

Additionally, it provides keyless entry and start, a multifunction display, power adjustable driver’s and passenger seats, cruise control, a reverse camera, and a 6.5-inch infotainment display.

Safety is a big priority for the brand, and the Forester achieves a 5-Star Euro NCAP safety rating with its seven airbags, auto vehicle hold, brake vectoring, active torque split, and X-Mode – an off-road drive setting that activates five forms of control to limit slipping tyres.

Under the hood you will find a 2.0-litre, petrol motor that produces 115kW and 196Nm – connected to a Lineartronic CVT transmission.

Combined fuel consumption is rated at 7.6l/100km, and the body will carry 520 litres of cargo.

The Subaru Forester 2.0i has a South African price of R486,000 – which includes a 5-year/150,000km warranty and a 3-year/75,000km service plan.


Mazda CX-5 Dynamic

Mazda’s largest SUV, the CX-5, offers a great blend of style and features at a reasonable price.

As standard, the Dynamic trim sports dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, paddle shifters, cruise control, leather seats, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, automatic adaptive LED headlamps, heated mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, a multifunction steering wheel, and an 8-inch infotainment display.

Safety and assist systems are abundant as well, with ABS with emergency brake assist, hill launch assist, G-vectoring control, a reverse camera, and driver, passenger, side, and curtain airbags standard.

This gives the CX-5 a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

At the front lies a 2.0-litre, petrol engine capable of producing 121kW and 213Nm – with a six-speed automatic transmission sending drive to the front wheels.

The SUV will let you carry 442 litres of cargo in the rear, while combined fuel consumption sits at 6.9l/100km.

The Mazda CX-5 2.0 Dynamic Auto has a South African price of R499,100 – which includes a 3-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, service plan, and roadside assistance.


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