How far you can drive on R200 of petrol in South Africa

It’s been 22 years since South Africans could fill a 50-litre petrol tank for R200, while today the same amount buys around 7 litres – enough to give most cars a range of only up to 100km.

Filling the same-sized fuel tank right now costs motorists around R1,400, at inland prices, which range from R26.76 to R30.05 depending on type and grade.

That said, the situation is about to get worse, with petrol prices expected to reach record highs next week, and barring a dramatic reversal in fuel price recoveries, petrol looks destined to cross the R30-per-litre mark.

This would be the first time inland prices reach this threshold, a far cry from the R4-per-litre days at the end of 2004.

According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), a 50-year analysis of the country’s petrol prices highlighted that petrol breached the R1 per litre mark for the first time in November 1985.

Twenty years later, this increased to R5 per litre, crossing R10 per litre by 2008, R20 per litre in December 2021, and is now about to cross R30 per litre.

With petrol costing over R26 per litre, motorists driving hatchbacks with an average efficiency of 6.0l/100km can expect to drive over 800km with 50 litres of fuel, while the average motorist can expect a range of 650km.

Those driving less efficient SUVs or bakkies can expect to cover between 400km and 500km if they drive uneconomically.

R200 currently only buys around 7.5 litres of petrol, meaning a car averaging 7.5l/100km will have a range of 100km after refuelling if they maintain the car’s claimed consumption.

More efficient cars, like those averaging closer to 6.0l/100km can expect a range of up to 125km with R200 petrol in the tank, while some bakkie drivers will have to make peace with a range of only 70km for the same price.

How far South Africa’s favourite cars will drive with R200 of fuel

Motorists driving the best-selling cars in South Africa right now, which is quite a wide variety of vehicles, can expect a range of between 80km and 150km for R200 of fuel.

Below is a list of the most popular cars in the country right now and how far each can drive on R200 of fuel, depending on derivative.

1. Toyota Hilux

• Fuel type – Diesel
• Fuel efficiency – 7.6l/100km
• Fuel tank size – 80 litres
• Cost to refuel – R2,560
• R200 range – 81km

2. VW Polo Vivo

• Fuel type – Petrol
• Fuel efficiency – 5.9l/100km
• Fuel tank size – 45 litres
• Cost to refuel – R1,220
• R200 range – 125km

3. Ford Ranger

• Fuel type – Diesel
• Fuel efficiency – 7.4l/100km
• Fuel tank size – 80 litres
• Cost to refuel – R2,560
• R200 range – 84km

4. Chery Tiggo 4

• Fuel type – Petrol
• Fuel efficiency – 6.7l/100km
• Fuel tank size – 51 litres
• Cost to refuel – R1,365
• R200 range – 110km

5. Suzuki Swift

• Fuel type – Petrol
• Fuel efficiency – 4.4l/100km
• Fuel tank size – 37 litres
• Cost to refuel – R996
• R200 range – 170km

6. Isuzu D-Max

• Fuel type – Diesel
• Fuel efficiency – 7.3l/100km
• Fuel tank size – 76 litres
• Cost to refuel – R2,478
• R200 range – 85km

7. Toyota Corolla Cross

• Fuel type – Petrol
• Fuel efficiency – 6.7l/100km
• Fuel tank size – 47 litres
• Cost to refuel – R1,265
• R200 range – 112km

8. Hyundai Grand i10

• Fuel type – Petrol
• Fuel efficiency – 5.5l/100km
• Fuel tank size – 37 litres
• Cost to refuel – R996
• R200 range – 135km

9. Toyota Starlet

• Fuel type – Petrol
• Fuel efficiency – 5.4l/100km
• Fuel tank size – 37 litres
• Cost to refuel – R996
• R200 range – 138km

10. Suzuki Ertiga

• Fuel type – Petrol
• Fuel efficiency – 6.2l/100km
• Fuel tank size – 45 litres
• Cost to refuel – R1,211
• R200 range – 120km