Most affordable cars in every major category in South Africa

Affordable new cars may appear to be scarce these days – but we found the most affordable entry-level vehicles in each major category and listed them below.

Hatchback – BAIC D20 1.3 Comfort – R149,990

The cheapest new car in South Africa is the BAIC D20.

For R150,000, this hatchback offers a four-speaker sound system, air conditioning, fabric seats, electric windows, intelligent rear window wiper, a rear window defroster, 14-inch rims, fog lights, daytime running lights, LED brake lights, and electronically-adjustable side mirrors.

With a five-speed manual transmission, its 1.3 litre petrol engine produces 75kW and 128Nm – and has a combined consumption of 6.7l/100km.

The BAIC D20 is sold with a 5-year/120,000km warranty, a 5-year/unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance plan, and an optional 3-year/45,000km service plan.

Sedan – Suzuki DZire 1.2 GA – R185,900

Next up is the cheapest sedan in the country, the Suzuki Dzire.

The Dzire has a 1.2-litre petrol engine generating 61kW and 113Nm.

It’s front-wheel drive, uses a five-speed manual transmission, and has a combined fuel consumption of 4.9l/100km.

The DZire’s modest design employs halogen headlights, fog lamps, 14-inch steel wheels, and offers a boot capacity of 378 litres.

On the inside, you’ll find fabric upholstery, electric windows, a manual air conditioner, and a four-speaker sound system.

The Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GA comes with a 5-year/200,000km warranty and a 2-year/30,000km service plan.

MPV – Renault Triber 1.0 Expression – R193,400

Renault represents the MPV category with its seven-seater Triber Expression.

Running on a 1.0 litre petrol engine, this front-wheel-drive vehicle uses a five-speed manual gearbox and produces 52kW and 96Nm, leading to a combined fuel consumption of 5.5l/100km.

On the outside you’ll find a roof rack, 14-inch wheels, front disc brakes, body-coloured bumpers, and projector headlights.

This MPV features a dual-tone fabric interior, electric windows, independent air conditioner in the first and second seat rows, rear park sensors, a digital instrument cluster, a gear shift indicator, and a two-speaker sound system with USB and aux ports.

The rear two seats can also be folded down to increase storage space to a total of 625 litres.

The Renault Triber 1.0 Expression includes a 5-year/150,000km mechanical warranty and a 2-year/30,000km service plan

Double Cab Bakkie – Mahindra Bolero 2.5TD – R244,999

While not the cheapest bakkie in South Africa – this title goes to the single cab Suzuki Super Carry 1.2 priced at R159,900 – the Mahindra Bolero is the cheapest new double cab you can find.

Powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine, this five-speed manual, rear-wheel-drive bakkie has an output of 74kW and 235Nm, and averages 9.5l/100km.

Standard equipment includes 15-inch rims, side steps, manual air-conditioning, fabric seats, and a load box with dimensions of 1,460mm x 1,530mm x 730mm – which can haul an 885kg payload.

A 3-year/100,000km warranty is included on the Mahindra Bolero 2.5TD double cab, with an optional 3-year/60,000km service plan.

SUV – Mahindra Scorpio 2.2CRDe S11 – R363,999

The Mahindra Scorpio is the cheapest “proper” SUV on sale in South Africa – if you don’t count the hoard of crossovers on offer.

For an entry-level model, the Scorpio boasts an impressive number of features. This includes a dual-tone dashboard, black and navy faux leather upholstery, eight seats, tinted electric windows, a 4.2-inch semi-digital instrument cluster, and a leather multifunction steering wheel.

Also included are a rear-window defogger, 7-inch infotainment system with Apple Car Play/Android Auto and voice assist, cruise control, rear parking sensors, automatic climate control with rear-seat vents, rain-sensing wipers, electric windows, and engine stop-start function.

The rear three seats can also be removed to increase the car’s load volume of 928 litres to a total of 1,664 litres.

The drivetrain then consists of a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine with a six-speed manual transmission. This gives the Scorpio a power output of 103kW and 320Nm, and a combined fuel consumption of 7.3l/100km.

SUV enthusiasts will also be interested to know the Scorpio has a towing capacity of 1,900kg. 

Exterior features comprise 17-inch alloys, front disc brakes, 165mm ground clearance, side steps, mud flaps, front fog lights, LED head and tail lights, and daytime running lights.

The Mahindra Scorpio 2.2CRDe S11 is available with a 4-year/120,000km warranty and a 5-year/90,000km service plan.