Car prices are escalating at a rapid pace in South Africa, making it much harder to discern what a reasonable asking price is for a model in a particular segment.
Making the issue more complicated is the fact that some sectors have grown dramatically over the last few years while others have sharply declined, so many popular models may longer be an option for consumers as they may have been pulled from the market.
The worst-affected body type in this regard is sedans, which used to be the go-to shape for most customers, but sedans have lost a great deal of their market share to the growing crossover and SUV trend, which has resulted in many automakers abandoning sedans altogether.
A few still remain, however, and Proton is catering to fans of the body type with the affordable Saga, which costs just over R200,000.
In this price range, you can also find the Suzuki Ignis, S-Presso, and Super Carry, which hold the title of the country’s cheapest crossover, hatchback, and single cab bakkie, respectively.
Suzuki is the only brand on the list to feature three times, illustrating the Japanese firm’s commitment to price-conscious transport.
Renault is helping out those who need a practical set of wheels with the Triber, the cheapest multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) while Subaru has the most affordable estate with the capable Outback.
Anyone who wants a convertible can check out the Fiat 500 Dolcevita, while SUV fans can start their search with the Mahindra Scorpio-N.
Much further up the price ladder, you’ll find the “entry-level” coupe with the Toyota GR86 that starts at R800,000, making it the most expensive segment on the list.
Finally, there’s South Africa’s coveted leisure bakkie category, where the Isuzu D-Max marks the entry-point for the Extended Cab style as there aren’t very many brands that still produce the body type.
As for the all-important double cab, the cheapest model you’ll find in any showroom is none other than the GWM Steed 5.
Setting the bar for every bracket
These are the cheapest models in every major vehicle segment in South Africa.
Click on the underlined prices to visit TopAuto Car Prices for more information.
Coupe
Toyota GR86 2.4 auto
- Starting price – R801,900
- Power – 174kW/250Nm
- Fuel consumption – 8.8l/100km
Convertible
Fiat 500 TwinAir Dolcevita
- Starting price – R379,900
- Power – 63kW/145Nm
- Fuel consumption – 4.0l/100km
Crossover
Suzuki Ignis 1.2 GL
- Starting price – R230,900
- Power – 61kW/113Nm
- Fuel consumption – 5.1l/100km
Estate
Subaru Outback 2.5i Field
- Starting price – R815,000
- Power – 138kW/245Nm
- Fuel consumption – 7.3l/100km
Hatchback
Suzuki S-Presso 1.0 GL manual
- Starting price – R178,900
- Power – 49kW/89Nm
- Fuel consumption – 4.6l/100km
MPV
Renault Triber 1.0 Life
- Starting price – R228,999
- Power – 52kW/96Nm
- Fuel consumption – 5.5l/100km
Sedan
Proton Saga 1.3 Standard manual
- Starting price – R209,900
- Power – 70kW/120Nm
- Fuel consumption – 7.0l/100km
SUV
Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z4
- Starting price – R477,199
- Power – 129kW/400NmNm
- Fuel consumption – 7.7l/100km
Single cab bakkie
Suzuki Super Carry 1.2
- Starting price – R182,900
- Power – 59kW/104Nm
- Fuel consumption – 5.9l/100km
Extended cab bakkie
Isuzu D-Max 1.9TD Extended cab
- Starting price – R494,700
- Power – 110kW/350Nm
- Fuel consumption – 7.1l/100km
Double cab bakkie
GWM Steed 5 2.0VGT double cab SX
- Starting price – R390,150
- Power – 110kW/320Nm
- Fuel consumption – 7.6l/100km
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