Best buys on the used-car market – From R125,000 to R500,000

Cars.co.za has announced its “inaugural Best Used Car Buys” buyer’s guide showcasing bargains that can be found on the pre-owned vehicle market in seven price categories ranging from R125,000 to R500,000.

Data for the list was compiled with model and pricing data that is “collected on an ongoing basis” from the company’s prominent used-car marketplace which has 71,774 ads listed at the time of writing, as well as “the test team’s vast experience with cars, SUVs, and bakkies in the new- and used-vehicle markets,” said Cars.co.za Consumer Experience Manager, Hannes Oosthuizen.

“There are so many variables at play when it comes to choosing a used vehicle. Given the current economic climate, we have placed emphasis on value for money, durability, good after-sales service, and fuel efficiency,” said Oosthuizen.

While information on paper is still useful when considering a pre-owned vehicle, there are more nuances to be considered once the vehicle has lived a previous life which is where the “used-car lens” comes into play, too.

“For example, a solid product that wasn’t priced quite right when new, or which, for whatever reason, didn’t garner many sales in the new-car market, may subsequently have suffered significant depreciation. In light of that, it may make a lot more sense as a used-car buy,” said Ootshuizen.

“The opposite of that is when an award-winning vehicle goes on to be in high demand in the used-car market. When the asking prices of such a model become too inflated compared with other models in its segment, it becomes less appealing as a used-car buy.”

Best used car buys

According to Cars.co.za, the following vehicles are considered to be the “Best Buys” in their respective categories in the country’s used market.

Under R125,000

• Entry-Level – Kia Picanto 1.0/1.2 (also consider Hyundai Grand i10 1.25)
• Compact Hatch – Ford Fiesta 1.4 Ambiente (also consider VW Polo Vivo 1.4 Comfortline, Renault Sandero Dynamique)
• Compact Family Car/Crossover – Ford EcoSport 1.5 TiVCT
• Sedan –  Hyundai Accent 1.6 GLS/Fluid (also consider Kia Rio 1.4)

Under R150,000

• Entry-Level – Suzuki Ignis 1.2 GL (also consider Hyundai Atos 1.1 Motion, Kia Picanto 1.2)
• Compact Hatch – Honda Jazz 1.2 Trend (also consider Opel Corsa 1.0T Essentia)
• Compact Family Car – Ford EcoSport 1.5 TDCi Titanium (also consider Opel Crossland X 1.2T Enjoy)
• Sedan – Kia Rio 1.4 Tec (also consider Hyundai Accent GL/Motion)

Under R200,000

• Entry-Level – Toyota Starlet 1.4 XI (also consider Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL, Hyundai Grand i10 1.2 Fluid)
• Compact Hatch – Honda Jazz 1.5 Elegance (also consider VW Polo 1.2 TSI Comfortline (previous-gen))
• C-segment Hatch – VW Golf VII 1.4 Comfortline (also consider Ford Focus 1.5 Trend)
• Compact Family Car – Renault Duster 1.6 Dynamique (also consider Ford EcoSport 1.5 TDCi Titanium, Hyundai Creta 1.6 Executive)
• Family Car – Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi Acenta (also consider Hyundai ix35 2.0, Mazda CX-5 2.0)
• Sedan – Suzuki Ciaz 1.5 GL (also consider Hyundai Elantra 1.6 Executive)

Under R250,000

• Entry-Level – Toyota Starlet 1.4 XS (also consider Suzuki Baleno 1.4 GL, Kia Picanto 1.2 X-Line)
• Compact Hatch – VW Polo 1.0 TSI Comfortable (also consider Kia Rio 1.4 EX, Opel Corsa 1.0T Essentia)
• C-segment Hatch – VW Golf 1.4 TSI Comfortline (also consider Mazda3 1.6 Dynamic, Opel Astra 1.4T Sport)
• Compact Family Car – Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 Xs (also consider Ford EcoSport 1.5 TDCi Titanium, Hyundai Creta 1.6 Executive)
• Family Car – Nissan Qashqai 1.2T Acenta (also consider Mitsubishi ASX 2.0 GLS, Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Premium)
• Sedan – Mazda3 1.6 Dynamic (also consider Hyundai Elantra 1.6 Executive, Kia Pegas 1.4 EX)
• Double-Cab – Ford Ranger 2.2 TDCI XLS (also consider Isuzu KB250 D-Teq HO)

Under R300,000

• Compact Hatch – Honda Fit 1.5 Comfort (also consider VW Polo 1.0 TSI Highline, Peugeot 208 1.2T Allure)
• Premium Hatch – BMW 118i (also consider Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI/35 TFSI, VW Golf 1.4 TSI Comfortline)
• Compact Family Car – Kia Seltos 1.6 EX (also consider Suzuki Vitara 1.6 GLX, Opel Crossland X 1.2 Cosmo)
• Family Car – Mazda CX-5 2.0 Active (also consider Toyota RAV4 2.0 GX Auto, Kia Sportage 2.0 Ignite+)
• Premium Sedan – BMW 320i (also consider Mercedes-Benz C180, Audi A4 1.4 TFSI)
• Performance Car – Ford Fiesta ST (also consider Suzuki Swift Sport)
• Double-Cab – Ford Ranger 2.2 TDCI XLT (also consider Isuzu KB/D-Max 250 HO X-Rider)

Under R400,000

• Premium Hatch – BMW 120i (also consider Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI/35 TFSI, VW Golf GTI)
• Compact Family Car – Kia Seltos 1.5D EX+ (also consider Toyota Corolla Cross XS, Peugeot 2008 1.2T Active Auto)
• Family Car – Mazda CX-5 2.0 Dynamic (also consider Toyota RAV4 2.0 GX Auto, VW Tiguan 1.4 TSI Comfortline Auto)
• Performance Car – Mini JCW (also consider Renault Megane IV RS, Audi TT 2.0 TFSI)
• Double-Cab – Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 Raider 4×4 (also consider Ford Ranger 2.2 TDCI XLT Auto, Isuzu KB300 D-Teq LX)
• Executive SUV/Crossover – Volvo XC60 D4 Momentum (also consider BMW X1 sDrive20d, Audi Q3 2.0 TDI)

Under R500,000

• Premium Hatch – BMW 118i M Sport (also consider Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI/35 TFSI Auto, Mercedes-Benz A200)
• Compact Family Car – Kia Seltos 1.4T GT-Line (also consider Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 XS Hybrid, Hyundai Grand Creta 2.0 Elite)
• Family Car – Mazda CX-5 2.0 Individual Auto (also consider Toyota RAV4 2.0 VX Auto, VW Tiguan Allspace 2.0 TSI Highline 4Motion)
• Sports Car – Jaguar F-Type 3.0 V6 Coupe (also consider Mazda MX-5, Ford Mustang 5.0 GT)
• Hot Hatch – Ford Focus RS (also consider Hyundai i30N, Renault Megane IV RS)
• Double-Cab – Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 Raider 4×4 (also consider Ford Ranger 2.0D XLT Auto, Isuzu D-Max 300 LX 4×4)
• Executive SUV/Crossover – BMW X3 xDrive20d (also consider Audi Q5 2.0 TDI / 40 TDI, Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.0i4 D HSE)
• Adventure SUV – Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 4×4 Auto (also consider Ford Everest 3.2 LTD Auto, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4D 4×4)
• Luxury Sedan – Lexus ES 250 EX (also consider Volvo S90 D5 Inscription, Mercedes-Benz E220d Avantgarde)