Fuel prices are a major headache for South African consumers right now, and it’s an issue that is only expected to get worse before the end of the year.
Petrol is currently sitting at a maximum of R24.54 per litre as of September 2023, while diesel costs R23.29 per litre, and both of these will likely increase further in the coming months owing to the rise of international oil prices, and the worsening rand/US dollar exchange rate.
Picking a fuel-efficient set of wheels is therefore more important than ever, though this can be a somewhat complex process owing to the wide array of models on the market.
Hybrids are the obvious choice here, but there are a few different types of electrified engines, including mild, range-extender, and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) – the latter of which allows for fully-electric driving for a limited range, usually in the ballpark of 100km or less.
The problem is that hybrids are expensive, with PHEVs in particular being reserved for high-end brands that typically go for more than R1 million.
Looking at SUVs, which are becoming the new favourite vehicle body type for the majority of local motorists, the most efficient model in the country is the Range Rover P460e PHEV, but its incredibly low 0.9l/100km heavily relies on the notion that its users travel on electricity for the vast majority of their day-to-day trips.
The most frugal car to not feature any form of hybrid assistance is the new Kia Sportage diesel, which boasts a usage of 4.9l/100km.
Cost-effective travel
These are the most fuel-efficient SUVs in South Africa right now, according to their manufacturer’s claimed figures.
Click on the underlined prices for more information.
Range Rover P460e HSE – 0.9l/100km
- Starting price – R3,315,500
- Power – 338kW/550Nm
Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine AWD Plus Dark – 1.6l/100km
- Starting price – R1,314,000
- Power – 340kW/709Nm
BMW X5 xDrive50e – 1.9l/100km
- Starting price – R1,880,000
- Power – 230kW/450Nm
Jaguar F-Pace P400e AWD R-Dynamic SE – 2.4l/100km
- Starting price – R1,979,800
- Power – 297kW/640Nm
Porsche Cayenne e-hybrid – 2.4l/100km
- Starting price – R2,194,000
- Power – 346kW/650Nm
Land Rover Defender 110 P400e X-Dynamic HSE – 2.8l/100km
- Starting price – R2,135,900
- Power – 297kW/640Nm
Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid GX-R E-Four – 4.8l/100km
- Starting price – R741,300
- Power – 163kW/221+e Nm
Kia Sportage 1.6CRDi LX – 4.9l/100km
- Starting price – R609,995
- Power – 100kW/320Nm
Lexus NX 350h EX – 5.0l/100km
- Starting price – R1,000,100
- Power – 179kW/239+e Nm
Haval H6 1.5T HEV Ultra Luxury – 5.2l/100km
- Starting price – R669,950
- Power – 179kW/530Nm
Mercedes-Benz GLC220d coupe 4Matic – 5.5l/100km
- Starting price – R1,156,053
- Power – 143kW/400Nm
Mazda CX-5 2.2DE AWD Akera – 5.7l/100km
- Starting price – R778,700
- Power – 140kW/450Nm
Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.0T Veloce Q4 – 5.7l/100km
- Starting price – R1,205,500
- Power – 206kW/400Nm
Audi Q5 40TDI quattro – 6.2l/100km
- Starting price – R982,900
- Power – 140kW/400Nm
VW Tiguan 2.0TDI 4Motion R-Line – 6.6l/100km
- Starting price – R829,200
- Power – 130kW/380Nm
Honda CR-V 1.5T Executive – 6.7l/100km
- Starting price – R755,900
- Power – 140kW/240Nm
Proton X90 1.5T Standard – 6.8l/100km
- Starting price – R559,900
- Power – 140kW/255Nm
Opel Grandland 1.6T – 7.0l/100km
- Starting price – R599,900
- Power – 121kW/240Nm
Peugeot 3008 1.6T Active – 7.0l/100km
- Starting price – R599,900
- Power – 121kW/240Nm
Isuzu mu-X 1.9TD LS – 7.0l/100km
- Starting price – R708,000
- Power – 110kW/350Nm
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro 1.6TGDI 290T Executive – 7.2l/100km
- Starting price – R609,900
- Power – 145kW/290Nm
Nissan X-Trail 2.5 Visia – 7.4l/100km
- Starting price – R669,400
- Power – 135kW/244Nm
Hyundai Tucson 2.0D Elite – 7.4l/100km
- Starting price – R764,900
- Power – 137kW/416Nm
Ford Everest 2.0 BiTurbo XLT – 7.5l/100km
- Starting price – R848,300
- Power – 154kW/500Nm
Subaru Forester 2.0i S ES – 7.6l/100km
- Starting price – R669,000
- Power – 115kW/196Nm
Citroen C5 Aircross 1.6T Feel – 7.9l/100km
- Starting price – R633,900
- Power – 121kW/240Nm
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