For years, the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) has campaigned for cars sold locally to be fitted with side head protection for front- and rear-seat occupants, which is standard for many popular budget options.
The AA’s #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign with the Global New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP) recently awarded the Toyota Starlet a Zero-Star rating during crash tests, which Toyota disputed.
Following these tests, AA CEO Bobby Ramagwede said that owners of entry-level vehicles and their families are at risk of serious injury in the case of an accident.
“Safety equipment and vehicles that are manufactured to a high standard of structural safety should never be an optional extra or a feature that is reserved for markets outside of Africa, nor should manufacturers be hiding behind the unfortunate lack of stringent vehicle-safety legislation locally.
“You cannot put a price on the life of South African consumers and their families,” noted Ramagwede.
This echoes what the AA has been campaigning for, for months, following several tests involving models it deems unsafe for a lack of key safety equipment.
It highlighted how most cars sold in African markets have less safety equipment as standard and are not subject to the same standards as vehicles sold in other regions.
“The AA believes no vehicle should be sold here without side head protection for front and rear rows,” added Ramagwede.
It is common for budget vehicles in South Africa to lack extra airbags, with several only fitted with two as standard, and manufacturers only adding better safety and assistance features in more expensive trim levels.
While comfort options like adaptive cruise control tend to be “nice to haves” and reasonable incentives to buy a higher-spec model, the AA believes that basic safety equipment like airbags should be standard across the range.
Many entry-level passenger cars and bakkies are fitted with only two front-mounted airbags for the driver and front passenger.
While side head protection, in the form of curtain airbags, is usually reserved for higher trims, several affordable options offer buyers at least six airbags as standard.
The cheapest cars in South Africa with six airbags
As the AA continues to campaign for more airbags, several car manufacturers have already introduced affordable options with crucial safety equipment installed.
Below is a list of the models sold for less than R300,000 in South Africa that are fitted with six or more airbags as standard. Click on their underlined prices for more information.
1. Toyota Vitz
- Starting price – R180,600
- Airbags – 6
2. Suzuki Celerio
- Starting price – R188,900
- Airbags – 6
3. Renault Kwid Climber
- Starting price – R212,999
- Airbags – 6
4. Renault Triber
- Starting price – R218,999
- Airbags – 6
5. Suzuki Swift
- Starting price – R228,900
- Airbags – 6
6. Suzuki DZire
- Starting price – R232,900
- Airbags – 6
7. Hyundai Grand i10 Executive
- Starting price – R235,900
- Airbags – 6
8. Renault Kiger Techno
- Starting price – R244,999
- Airbags – 6
9. Nissan Magnite
- Starting price – R252,200
- Airbags – 6
10. Mahindra XUV 3XO
- Starting price – R259,999
- Airbags – 6
11. Suzuki Baleno GL
- Starting price – R269,900
- Airbags – 6
12. Hyundai Exter
- Starting price – R269,900
- Airbags – 6
13. Toyota Starlet Xi
- Starting price – R271,000
- Airbags – 6
14. Citroën C3
- Starting price – R274,900
- Airbags – 6
15. Honda Amaze Comfort
- Starting price – R277,000
- Airbags – 6
16. MG ZS
- Starting price – R289,900
- Airbags – 6
17. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT Auto
- Starting price – R299,900
- Airbags – 6
18. Citroën Aircross
- Starting price – R299,900
- Airbags – 6
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