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Thursday / 6 February 2025
HomeFeaturesSafest used hatchbacks, SUVs, and sedans under R600,000 in South Africa

Safest used hatchbacks, SUVs, and sedans under R600,000 in South Africa

Crash safety is one of the most important aspects to consider when buying a new set of wheels.

While new-age vehicles are generally equipped with a variety of safety-oriented systems that are designed to avoid crashes, even the most sophisticated of technologies can’t always cope with the unpredictability of human nature on the roads.

It’s thus imperative to choose a vehicle that not only excels in minimising the chances of an accident, but also one that will keep you and your passengers safe should the worst happen.

AutoTrader has therefore combed through the wealth of listings on its platform in search of safe and affordable transport available to South Africa.


Hatchbacks

The latest VW Polo, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Fit debunk the myth of small cars being unsafe.

All three received the maximum five-star crash test rating from the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), with the VW scoring 94% for adult occupants and 80% for child occupants.

Meanwhile, the Toyota did 95% and 84%, respectively, while the Honda was awarded 87% and 83%.

In South Africa, the Polo, Corolla, and Fit are well-equipped with safety features; six airbags, stability control, and anti-lock brakes (ABS) are standard on the base models. You’ll also get adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist, among other things, when you go higher up in the ranks.

The pricing of these hatchbacks on the pre-owned market, as provided by AutoTrader, is shown below:

Model Average price Average mileage Average registration age
Honda Fit R345,241 7,193km 2 years old
Toyota Corolla (E210) R402,219 31,990km 3 years old
VW Polo (2021 to 2024) R327,924 31,917km 3 years old


SUVs

Due to their size, SUVs are perceived to be safer than their smaller counterparts on the road, but that’s not always the case. That said, myriad examples excel when it comes to crash protection.

The Volvo XC40 is one such example. The Swedish brand is known for its safety, with its smallest offering boasting a five-star Euro NCAP score with an impressive 97% adult occupant rating and an 87% child occupant rating.

The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max is another good choice for safety-oriented families. With a five-star Asean NCAP result, the SUV boasts an 88% adult occupant protection rating and an 87% child occupant rating.

Last but not least, the Mazda CX-5 stands out in the safety category, with the Euro NCAP giving it 95% in the adult occupant and 80% in the child occupant protection category.

The pricing of these SUVs on the pre-owned market, as provided by AutoTrader, is shown below:

Model Average price Average mileage Average registration age
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max R525,069 18,872km 2 years old
Mazda CX-5 R376,577 63,784km 5 years old
Volvo XC40 R491,258 73,236km 5 years old


Sedans

If a sleeker sedan is more your speed, the current-generation BMW 3 Series (G20) stands out from the pack as it earned five stars from both the Euro NCAP and Asean NCAP programmes.

In Euro NCAP testing, it achieved an impressive 97% for adult occupant protection and 87% for child occupant protection.

Additionally, the German four-door performed exceptionally in the North American IIHS evaluations, receiving the highest “Good” rating in most categories.

A strong alternative within the R600,000 ballpark is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, specifically the previous-generation W205 model produced between 2015 and 2021.

Tested in 2014, it earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating with a score of 92%, and in 2021, the IIHS reaffirmed its capabilities by awarding it a Top Safety Pick+ rating for outstanding performance.

The pricing of these sedans on the pre-owned market, as provided by AutoTrader, is shown below:

Model Average price Average mileage Average registration age
BMW 3 Series (G20) R493,238 83,760km 6 years old
Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W205) R385,437 99,152km 8 years old


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