Cars that were discontinued in South Africa in 2023

It has been a great year for new cars in South Africa, with dozens of automotive brands bringing out a plethora of tantalizing options for the road-going citizen.

However, it has also been a year marked by the loss of several models, including three of its most prevalent nameplates which, of course, refers to the departure of the Ford EcoSport, Suzuki Vitara Brezza, and Toyota Urban Cruiser, all of which were among the best choices in South Africa’s sub-R300,000 SUV market.

The announcement of their imminent cancellation came as a shock to the motoring community for this very reason, but all of their respective automakers have since brought out new vehicles that, in theory, make up for the losses.

Ford brought out the Puma, while Suzuki and Toyota introduced the Grand Vitara and new Urban Cruiser, respectively, though it’s worth noting that the latter may share the name of its predecessor but is built on an entirely different platform.

As for other carmakers, BAIC canned the X25, while Mahindra did the same with its KUV100 and XUV500. Toyota dropped the FJ Cruiser from its portfolio, and Nissan did the same with the Almera, taking out another unit in the dwindling affordable sedan market.

Hyundai dropped the Atos, leaving the Grand i10 as its new entry point, and Toyota did something similar by replacing the Agya with the new Suzuki Celerio-based Vitz.

Subaru’s VX was replaced this year by the new Crosstrek, and Kia confirmed it is phasing out the Rio hatch as it will no longer be produced for right-hand-drive countries.

Farewell

These are all of the cars that have been discontinued in South Africa over the course of 2023.

BAIC X25

• Starting price when new – R219,990

Ford EcoSport

• Starting price when new – R311,400

Hyundai Atos

• Starting price when new – R199,900

Kia Rio

• Starting price when new – R330,995

Mahindra KUV100

• Starting price when new – R172,999

Mahindra XUV500

• Starting price when new – R416,999

Nissan Almera

• Starting price when new – R291,900

Subaru XV

• Starting price when new – R464,000

Suzuki Vitara Brezza

• Starting price when new – R262,900

Toyota Agya

• Starting price when new – R200,000

Toyota FJ Cruiser

• Starting price when new – R797,100

Toyota Urban Cruiser

• Starting price when new – R283,200