South African consumers looking to ditch their manual cars for a more stress-free automatic alternative have many options.
At present, the average price car buyers pay for a new set of wheels sits at R391,000 and those with a budget around this figure can pick and choose between popular nameplates such as Toyota, Suzuki, Chery, Haval, and Hyundai if they’re after a self-shifting crossover.
Crossovers are just about the most sought-after body type in South Africa today, and many motorists are making the switch away from the previously popular manual gearbox to the less effortful automatic.
In fact, market intelligence agency Lightstone Auto confirmed to cars.co.za in 2023 that the sales ratio between the two gearboxes has reached a tipping point in our market, meaning automatic passenger cars officially passed manuals in terms of sales last year – the former accounting for 51% of all registrations and the latter 49%.
This reflects a rather rapid change in consumer preference, as approximately 77% of vehicles sold 10 years ago had three pedals instead of two.
Simultaneously, the crossover silhouette took the market by storm in recent years.
With quickly deteriorating road conditions and fierce economic headwinds, many South Africans over the last decade ditched their expensive sedans, hatchbacks, bakkies, and SUVs in favour of the more affordable and sometimes equally practical crossover.
You could therefore say that a sub-R400,000 crossover with an automatic cog-swapper is a match made in heaven.
Automatic crossovers under R400,000
The list below details 14 automatic crossovers you can buy in South Africa right now for in and around the budget of the average consumer.
Click on the underlined prices for more information.
Nissan Magnite 1.0 Visia
- Starting price – R256,800
- Power – 53kW/96Nm
- Fuel efficiency – 5.9l/100km
- Warranty – 6-year/150,000km
- Service plan – 3-year/30,000km
Mahindra XUV 3XO 1.2T MX2
- Starting price – R274,999
- Power – 82kW/200Nm
- Fuel efficiency – 5.6l/100km
- Warranty – 5-year/150,000km
- Service plan – 3-year/55,000km
Renault Kiger 1.0 Zen
- Starting price – R274,999
- Power – 52kW/96Nm
- Fuel efficiency – 5.2l/100km
- Warranty – 5-year/150,000km
- Service plan – 2-year/30,000km
Suzuki Ignis 1.2 GLX
- Starting price – R285,900
- Power – 61kW/113Nm
- Fuel efficiency – 4.9l/100km
- Warranty – 5-year/200,000km
- Service plan – 2-year/30,000km
Hyundai Exter 1.2 Premium
- Starting price – R294,900
- Power – 61kW/114Nm
- Fuel efficiency – 5.9l/100km
- Warranty – 5-year/150,000km (car) | 7-year/200,000km (engine)
- Service plan – 3-year/45,000km
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5 LiT
- Starting price – R314,900
- Power – 83kW/138Nm
- Fuel efficiency – 6.8l/100km
- Warranty – 5-year/150,000km (car) | 10-year/1-million kilometre (engine)
- Service plan – 3-year/30,000km
Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GL
- Starting price – R317,900
- Power – 77kW/138Nm
- Fuel efficiency – 5.7l/100km
- Warranty – 5-year/200,000km
- Service plan – 4-year/60,000km
Toyota Starlet Cross 1.5 XS
- Starting price – R322,300
- Power – 77kW/138Nm
- Fuel efficiency – 5.8l/100km
- Warranty – 3-year/100,000km
- Service plan – 4-services/60,000km
Citroen C3 Aircross 1.2T Max
- Starting price – R344,900
- Power – 81kW/205Nm
- Fuel efficiency – 6.3l/100km
- Warranty – 5-year/100,000km
- Service plan – 4-year/60,000km
Haval Jolion 1.5T City Plus
- Starting price – R370,950
- Power – 105kW/210Nm
- Fuel efficiency – 8.1l/100km
- Warranty – 5-year/100,000km
- Service plan – 5-year/75,000km
Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 GL
- Starting price – R376,900
- Power – 77kW/138Nm
- Fuel efficiency – 6.0l/100km
- Warranty – 5-year/200,000km
- Service plan – 4-year/60,000km
Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 XR
- Starting price – R382,900
- Power – 77kW/138Nm
- Fuel efficiency – 6.1l/100km
- Warranty – 3-year/100,000km
- Service plan – 4-services/60,000km
Haval Jolion Pro 1.5T Premium
- Starting price – R391,150
- Power – 105kW/210Nm
- Fuel efficiency – 8.1l/100km
- Warranty – 7-year/200,000km
- Service plan – 5-year/75,000km
Kia Sonet 1.5 LX
- Starting price – R391,995
- Power – 85kW/144Nm
- Fuel efficiency – 6.2l/100km
- Warranty – 5-year/unlimited kilometre
- Service plan – 4-year/60,000km
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