4 new crossovers you can buy for the price of a used VW Polo in South Africa

South African used-car shoppers looking to buy a second-hand VW Polo may want to consider the four budget crossovers that cost less new than the hatch does used.

Most South African car buyers shopping in pre-owned showrooms are doing so to save money while getting as much value as possible.

That being said, many of the options at pre-owned dealers are already out of warranty and no longer have their service plans to fall back on, making them more expensive to maintain.

This also makes cheaper new cars more appealing, especially if you’re budgeting for a used Polo hatch, which has an average price of R265,000, according to AutoTrader.

For this price, buyers can expect a five-year-old example with 73,358km on the clock, meaning both its warranty and service plan have expired.

That being said, for this price, buyers are getting a turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine, producing 70kW and 175Nm with a very frugal average fuel consumption of around 5.4l/100km.

Standard equipment includes 14-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, electric side mirrors, a multifunction steering wheel, manual air conditioning, cloth seats, six airbags, a digital cockpit display, four speakers, and an 8-inch infotainment screen with Bluetooth and App-Connect.

However, for the same price or less, South Africa has six crossover SUVs – four distinct models – that offer buyers the opportunity to own a brand-new car with a service plan and warranty intact.

This list includes the country’s cheapest crossover – the Renault Kiger – as well as the Tata Punch, Nissan Magnite, and Mahindra XUV 3X0.

While none of these Indian-built crossovers can match the German hatch’s local pedigree or its performance, all but one beat its average claimed fuel consumption.

That being said, the Mahindra boasts a more powerful 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol motor, producing 82kW and 200Nm, and a six-speed manual transmission that combine for an average consumption of 5.3l/100km.

Crossovers for the price of South Africa’s favourite hatch

Crossover SUVs offer motorists greater versatility and capability compared to hatches, often thanks to their higher ground clearance and increased storage and loading capacity.

Additionally, a warranty and service plan protect buyers, making a new crossover a better choice for those who can’t afford to set aside money every month to save toward future maintenance costs.

Below are the four crossovers South Africans can buy for the price of a used VW Polo hatch. Click on their underlined prices for more information on each model.

1. Renault Kiger

• Starting price – R219,999
• Power – 53kW/96Nm
• Fuel economy – 5.3l/100km
• Warranty – 5-year/150,000km and 2-year/30,000km service plan

2. Tata Punch

• Starting price – R244,900
• Power – 65kW/115Nm
• Fuel economy – 5.3l/100km
• Warranty – 5-year/125,000km and 3-year/45,000km service plan

3. Nissan Magnite

• Starting price – R252,200
• Power – 53kW/96Nm
• Fuel economy – 5.9l/100km
• Warranty – 6-year/150,000km and 3-year/30,000km service plan

4. Mahindra XUV 3X0

• Starting price – R259,999
• Power – 82kW/200Nm
• Fuel economy – 5.3l/100km
• Warranty – 5-year/150,000km and 3-year/55,000km service plan