The Kia Sonet is the most powerful crossover that you can buy in South Africa for less than R300,000.
The entry-level SUV scene has seen quite a few changes this year with the welcome introduction of several new models.
One of these is the aforementioned Kia, as the Korean automaker recently launched a new LS specification that slashed the Sonet’s starting price by a considerable R67,000.
Consequently, the Sonet now falls just shy of R300,000 while retaining its 1.5-litre engine with an output of 85kW and 144Nm.
Not far behind is the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, which also uses a 1.5-litre plant with a marginally lower figure of 83kW and 138Nm.
The third-most powerful option is another new entry, namely the Mahindra XUV 3XO, which may have a smaller 1.2-litre block, but is the only vehicle on the list to feature a turbocharger.
As a result, the XUV can pump out an impressive 82kW and 200Nm, which is the highest torque stat of the group by a wide margin.
Below this, you can find the twin set of the Suzuki Fronx and the Toyota Starlet Cross, which both use a 1.5-litre setup with 77kW and 138Nm.
This is followed by two 1.2-litre engines found on the Citroen C3 and the brand-new Hyundai Exter, which end up with the same figure of 61kW and 115Nm.
The last two entries on the list are another badge-engineered couple with the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger, which sadly no longer have a turbocharged powertrain under R300,000.
Buyers will therefore need to settle for a 1.0-litre, naturally-aspirated mill with a rating of 53kW and 96Nm.
Power on a budget
These are the most powerful crossovers from every brand that has a model under R300,000 in South Africa.
Click on the underlined prices for more information.
Kia Sonet 1.5 LS Manual
- Power – 85kW/144Nm
- Fuel consumption – 6.6l/100km
- Starting price – R299,995
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5 LiT Manual
- Power – 83kW/138Nm
- Fuel consumption – 7.0l/100km
- Starting price – R279,900
Mahindra XUV 3XO 1.2T MX2 Manual
- Power – 82kW/200Nm
- Fuel consumption – 5.3l/100km
- Starting price – R254,999
Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GL Manual
- Power – 77kW/138Nm
- Fuel consumption – 5.5l/100km
- Starting price – R297,900
Toyota Starlet Cross 1.5 XS Manual
- Power – 77kW/138Nm
- Fuel consumption – 5.6l/100km
- Starting price – R299,900
Citroen C3 1.2 Feel
- Power – 61kW/115Nm
- Fuel consumption – 5.6l/100km
- Starting price – R242,900
Hyundai Exter 1.2 Premium Manual
- Power – 61kW/115Nm
- Fuel consumption – 5.7l/100km
- Starting price – R269,900
Nissan Magnite 1.0 Visia Manual
- Power – 53kW/96Nm
- Fuel consumption – 5.9l/100km
- Starting price – R240,000
Renault Kiger 1.0 Life
- Power – 53kW/96Nm
- Fuel consumption – 5.3l/100km
- Starting price – R249,999
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