Cars are an expensive purchase in South Africa, but consumers can sometimes overlook the long-term costs of filling up their wheels with fuel multiple times a month.
The local motoring scene is rather diverse, as the best-sellers each month cover a wide variety of models from frugal hatchbacks to bakkies and SUV with large engines that match their stature.
Looking at a list of South Africa’s most popular cars, the most economical nameplate is the Toyota Vitz, a hatch that consumes just 4.2l per 100km thanks to its small 1.0-litre, naturally-aspirated drivetrain.
This means that, despite having a small tank of just 32 litres, the Vitz can travel for up to 762km before needing to top up.
This isn’t even close to the highest range of any vehicle on the list though, as there are multiple diesel bakkies and SUVs with a generous 80-litre tank.
Of this group, the Toyota Fortuner ends with the highest range at 1,177km, thanks to its large fuel cell and its lowest consumption figure of 6.8l/100km.
Two other models worth pointing out are the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Haval Jolion, which are available with a hybrid powerplant that lets them consume a bare minimum of 4.3l and 5.1l/100km, respectively.
Running cost of South Africa’s favourite cars
Below is a list of the best-selling cars in South Africa from September 2024, including their average fuel consumption, maximum tank size, driving range, and cost to refill.
The fuel expenses are calculated based on the official rates for October 2024, with petrol 95 set at R21.05 per litre and diesel 0.005% costing R18.57 per litre.
Click on the underlined prices for more information.
1. Toyota Hilux
- Average fuel consumption – 7.1l-8.7l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 80 litres
- Driving range – 920-1,127km
- Cost to fill tank – R1,485.60
- Starting price – R361,700
2. VW Polo Vivo
- Average fuel consumption – 4.8l-6.5l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 45 litres
- Driving range – 692-938km
- Cost to fill tank – R947.25
- Starting price – R266,600
3. Ford Ranger
- Average fuel consumption – 6.9l-8.4l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 80 litres
- Driving range – 952-1,159km
- Cost to fill tank – R1,485.60
- Starting price – R514,800
4. Toyota Corolla Cross
- Average fuel consumption – 4.3l-6.8l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 47 litres
- Driving range – 691-837km
- Cost to fill tank – R989.35
- Starting price – R408,400
5. Isuzu D-Max
- Average fuel consumption – 7.3l-8.5l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 76 litres
- Driving range – 894-1,041km
- Cost to fill tank – R1,411.32
- Starting price – R447,900
6. Toyota Fortuner
- Average fuel consumption – 6.8l-7.9l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 80 litres
- Driving range – 1,053-1,177km
- Cost to fill tank – R1,485.60
- Starting price – R679,100
7. Hyundai Grand i10
- Average fuel consumption – 5.5l-5.9l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 37 litres
- Driving range – 627-673km
- Cost to fill tank – R778,85
- Starting price – R224,900
8. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro
- Average fuel consumption – 6.7l-7.0l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 51 litres
- Driving range – 729-761km
- Cost to fill tank – R1,073.55
- Starting price – R279,900
9. VW Polo
- Average fuel consumption – 5.3l-6.4l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 40 litres
- Driving range – 625-755km
- Cost to fill tank – R842
- Starting price – R362,900
10. Nissan Magnite
- Average fuel consumption – 5.2l-6.0l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 40 litres
- Driving range – 667-769km
- Cost to fill tank – R842
- Starting price – R240,000
11. Suzuki Fronx
- Average fuel consumption – 5.5l-5.7l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 37 litres
- Driving range – 649-673km
- Cost to fill tank – R778,85
- Starting price – R297,900
12. Toyota Vitz
- Average fuel consumption – 4.2l-4.4l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 32 litres
- Driving range – 727-762km
- Cost to fill tank – R673.60
- Starting price – R189,900
13. Haval Jolion
- Average fuel consumption – 5.1l-8.1l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 55 litres
- Driving range – 705-1,078km
- Cost to fill tank – R1,157.75
- Starting price – R345,950
14. Mahindra Pik Up
- Average fuel consumption – 7.7l-9.3l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 80 litres
- Driving range – 860-1,039km
- Cost to fill tank – R1,485.60
- Starting price – R268,999
15. Renault Kwid
- Average fuel consumption – 4.9l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 28 litres
- Driving range – 636km
- Cost to fill tank – R589.40
- Starting price – R196,999
16. Suzuki Baleno
- Average fuel consumption – 5.4l-5.7l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 37 litres
- Driving range – 649-685km
- Cost to fill tank – R778,85
- Starting price – R255,900
17. Suzuki Ertiga
- Average fuel consumption – 6.2l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 45 litres
- Driving range – 726km
- Cost to fill tank – R947.25
- Starting price – R281,900
18. Toyota Starlet Cross
- Average fuel consumption – 5.5l-5.7l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 37 litres
- Driving range – 649-673km
- Cost to fill tank – R778,85
- Starting price – R299,900
19. Kia Sonet
- Average fuel consumption – 5.8l-6.6l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 45 litres
- Driving range – 682-776km
- Cost to fill tank – R947.25
- Starting price – R366,995
20. Toyota Starlet
- Average fuel consumption – 5.4l-5.7l/100km
- Fuel tank size – 37 litres
- Driving range – 649-685km
- Cost to fill tank – R778,85
- Starting price – R252,100
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