There are at least six different hatchbacks earmarked for a South African release before the end of 2024.
The year is rapidly coming to an end, but several automakers have held off on debuting their highly anticipated products until the final quarter.
This includes six different hatchbacks that cover a wide price range, from the very affordable to the luxurious.
Starting with what will arguably be the most important entry for most road users, the next-gen Suzuki Swift will make its long-awaited debut at the end of October.
The new model will start at R219,900, making it one of the most affordable vehicles in the country which will undoubtedly help it to retain its position as one of the most popular, too.
The rest of the upcoming selection is considerably more upmarket, such as the new BMW 1 Series and Audi A3.
The A3 is receiving a major facelift, while the 1 Series is entering a new generation with two units – including the hot hatch M135.
Audi has yet to confirm the A3’s sticker, but the BMW is set to go for at least R713,395, making it the cheapest option in the blue-and-white badge’s stable.
Speaking of BMW, its sub-brand Mini is getting ready to launch the updated Cooper, which is getting both a three- and five-door version.
Anyone who wants the upgraded Cooper can expect to pay at least R602,051, or up to R624,051 for the larger body type.
The last two units in store for South Africa are the Fiat 500e and Abarth 500e, which share a platform but fill very different roles.
As indicated by the “e” in their names, these are fully-electric iterations of the evergreen Fiat 500 and will be the first electric vehicles (EVs) from Fiat parent company Stellantis in South Africa.
The Fiat will be the everyday mass-market option, relatively speaking, but is still likely to cost over R500,000 when it reaches our shores if other “affordable” EVs like the GWM Ora are anything to go by.
Abarth, meanwhile, has fitted a more powerful electric motor to its version of the small car, effectively making the 500e a battery-powered hot hatch.
One other vehicle worth mentioning is the Renault Clio, which was initially set to receive an update this year but has since been delayed owing to unfavourable market conditions, according to The Citizen.
A varied selection
These are all of the hatchbacks that are scheduled to appear in South Africa before the end of the year
Click on the underlined links for more information.
Abarth 500e
- Read more
- Pricing – To be announced
Audi A3
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- Pricing – To be announced
BMW 1 Series
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- Pricing – R713,395
Fiat 500e
- Read more
- Pricing – To be announced
Mini Cooper
- Read more
- Pricing – R602,051
Suzuki Swift
- Read more
- Pricing – R219,900
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