Most Fuel-Efficient New Cars in South Africa (2025)
If fuel efficiency is important to you, then consider the most fuel-efficient new cars on sale in South Africa!
What are the most fuel-efficient new cars in South Africa? Check out this list!
The cost of running a car is often overlooked by car buyers, and fuel consumption is an important cost consideration when you are shopping for a new or used car.
Fuel prices are generally on the rise which means that the cost of travel is increasing. By choosing to drive a more fuel-efficient car, you will save hundreds and thousands of Rands per annum.
This list includes both petrol and diesel-powered cars but excludes New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) such as Battery Electric cars, Hybrids and Plug-In Hybrids.
The list is generated using claimed manufacturer fuel consumption figures. Note that real-world fuel consumption will vary depending on many factors such driving style, road conditions, load etc and therefore this list should only be used as a guide.
Most fuel-efficient cars in South Africa for 2025
Suzuki Celerio and Toyota Vitz automatic – 4.2 L/100km
The automatic versions of the Suzuki Celerio and Toyota Vitz are the most fuel-efficient cars in South Africa, both claiming an excellent 4.2L/100km. Suzuki products are well known for returning impressive real-world fuel economy and as a result of the Suzuki-Toyota product share agreement, the Toyota-badged Vitz benefits from the same frugal engine.
The engine under the bonnet is a naturally-aspirated 1.0-litre petrol engine with 49 kW and 89 Nm on offer and mated with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Note that the manual derivatives of the Celerio and Vitz claim a fuel efficiency figure of 4.4 L/100km which is also well worth considering if you prefer to drive a manual car.
In addition to the aforementioned Celerio and Vitz, the Suzuki S-Presso is also recognised as one of the most fuel-efficient petrol cars available with the S-Presso automatic derivative claiming 4.4 L/100km while the manual derivatives claim 4.6 L/100km.
The S-Presso is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine with 49 kW and 89 Nm and is paired with a 5-speed automated manual transmission (AMT) or a 5-speed manual transmission.
Pricing for the Suzuki S-Presso starts from R178 900 and goes up to R219 900. The S-Presso 1.0 GL automatic is priced at R192 900 while the GL+ automatic is priced from R203 900.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA received a subtle facelift in 2023 and C220d is powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 140 kW and 400 Nm with a fuel efficiency claim of 4.4 L/100km. An 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is standard. The CLA is offered in 2 trim guises including Progressive, priced from R969 256 and the AMG Line from R998 956. The CLA 220d is the most fuel-efficient new diesel car on sale right now.
The facelifted Mercedes-Benz A200d sedan employs a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine with 110 kW and 320 Nm and is paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Mercedes-Benz claims 4.5 L/100km.
The A200d Progressive sedan is priced from R970 614 while pricing for the A200d AMG Line starts from R1 000 314.
Mercedes-Benz claims the third position on this list with its 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine proving to be the most efficient, this time applied in the mild-hybrid C-Class sedan with 147 kW and 440 Nm and paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This engine is said to return 4.7 L/100km.
Pricing for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class C220d starts from R1 134 587.
The Audi A1 Sportback 30TFSI claims the third spot on this list with the German firm claiming 4.8 L/100km.
The Audi A1 is powered by a peppy turbocharged, 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre petrol engine with 85 kW and 200 Nm of torque and is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The A1 Sportback 30TFSI Advanced is priced from R530 900 while the A1 Sportback 30TFSI Black Edition is priced from R593 390.
The new BMW 2 Series came to market in 2022 and the 220d is particularly efficient with BMW claiming 4.8L/100km.
The 2 Series can be had in either Gran coupe or Coupe guise and the 2.0-litre turbocharged 220d offers 140 kW and 400 Nm of torque and comes paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Pricing for the BMW 2 Series 220d Coupe is priced from R905 037.
The charming Fiat 500 is powered by a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine that offers 51 kW and 102 Nm of torque and is paired with a 5-speed automated manual transmission.
The VW Polo Vivo received an update in 2024 and the range-topping Polo Vivo GT is the most fuel-efficient derivative in the lineup with Volkswagen claiming an impressive 4.8 L/100km!
Under the bonnet is a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that offers 81 kW and 200Nm and is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.
The BMW 420d Coupe employs the same 140 kW / 400 Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that’s found in the BMW 2 Series (see above) and it too is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 4 Series is offered as a Coupe, Gran Coupe or Convertible.
BMW claims a fuel consumption figure of 4.8 L/100km for the 420d Coupe (priced from R1 045 373) while the 420d Gran Coupe (priced from R1 046 044) claims 5 L/100km.
The new BYD Sealion 6 has touched down as South Africa’s most affordable PHEV. We have pricing for this Chinese newcomer, which has a slated range of up to 1 092 km…
The new BYD Sealion 6 – known as the “Song Plus” or “Seal U” in some countries – has quietly arrived in South Africa, debuting as the local market’s most affordable plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
As we first reported in February 2025, the local Sealion 6 portfolio comprises a trio of derivatives at launch. According to our information, the line-up kicks off at R639 900, which makes this Chinese crossover Mzansi’s most affordable PHEV.
The Sealion 6 thus undercuts the 225 kW Toyota RAV4 2.5 PHEV – which is priced at R980 000, though Toyota SA Motors has yet to start actively marketing this model – by as much as R340 100. It’s also more attainable than the 342 kW Haval H6 GT PHEV that is scheduled to hit the local market towards the middle of 2025, priced at approximately R800 000.
But back to the Sealion 6, which arrives as BYD Auto SA’s 2nd PHEV after the likewise freshly launched Shark 6. The Sealion 6 is available in the Comfort, Dynamic and Premium grades. Comfort (starting at R639 900) and Dynamic (priced from R689 900) derivatives combine a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with a front-mounted electric motor drawing urge from an 18.3 kWh battery pack.
Peak outputs for this PHEV system come in at 160 kW and 300 Nm, facilitating a 0-100 kph sprint in a claimed 8.5 seconds. All-electric range is a listed 80 km, while the overall range is slated to be as high as 1 092 km.
Meanwhile, the flagship Premium variant upgrades to a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol mill and adds a 2nd (rear-mounted) electric motor. This all-paw derivative’s maximum power and torque figures thus increase to 238 kW and 550 Nm, respectively, cutting the claimed 0-100 kph time to just 5.9 seconds (though the electric range dips to 70 km and the overall range falls to 961 km). The Premium AWD derivative is priced from R789 900.
All 3 variants ride on 19-inch alloy wheels as standard and ship with a panoramic sunroof, LED headlamps, sequential rear indicators, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, faux-leather upholstery, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a 4-way power-adjustable front-passenger seat, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen.
Safety features standard across the range include 7 airbags, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, rear parking sensors, lane-departure warning, lane-departure prevention, emergency lane-keeping assist, front-collision warning, rear-collision warning, blind-spot detection, high-beam assist and a raft of other driver-assistance features.
The mid-tier Dynamic and top-spec Premium trim levels further boast a 360-degree camera system (as opposed to the Comfort derivative’s reverse-view camera), front parking sensors, 1-touch tailgate operation, a 10-speaker “Infinity” audio system (rather than the Comfort’s 6-speaker “Dirac” arrangement), dual wireless smartphone chargers and heated-and-ventilated front seats. Finally, the all-wheel-drive Premium variant additionally scores a head-up display.
Measuring 4 775 mm from nose to tail, the BYD Sealion 6 is by no means a small vehicle, coming in at just 20 mm shorter than the 7-seater Toyota Fortuner, for instance, and exactly the same length as the Omoda C9. For the record, BYD claims a luggage capacity of 425 litres.
In South Africa, the Sealion 6 is available in only 4 (muted) exterior colours: Time Grey, Arctic White, Delan Black and Smokey Grey. Interior colour schemes include plain black and a black-and-brown combination.
How much does the BYD Sealion 6 cost in South Africa?
BYD Sealion 6 Comfort FWD – R639 900
BYD Sealion 6 Dynamique FWD – R689 900
BYD Sealion 6 Premium AWD – R789 900
The prices above likely include BYD Auto SA’s 5-year/100 000 km warranty and a maintenance plan with the same parameters.
Changan Automobiles will be returning to South Africa with Jameel Motors handling distribution.
The growth rate of Chinese brands always continues to defy belief. One minute the products are average at best, and then soon enough, the vehicles are futuristic and effortlessly on par with established brands. Changan Automobiles had a small presence here back in the day (remember the Chana Star LCV?) but will be making a comeback in 2025.
Changan Automobile and Jameel Motors have signed an agreement to bring in a portfolio of SUVs, sedans, bakkies and new-energy vehicles to South Africa. Changan Automobile is one of China’s four largest automotive groups, and like most of the giants, has numerous sub brands too. Jameel Motors’ operations are extensive and retails both passenger and commercial vehicle brands across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia.
While product specifics are not fully confirmed yet, the statement said Changan’s range of SUVs, sedans and bakkies with internal-combustion power as well as Deepal’s new-energy vehicles will be coming to SA in the 4th quarter of 2025.
As a reminder, the Changan Hunter double-cab bakkie services as the underpinnings for the Peugeot Landtrek bakkie, but interestingly, Stellantis will be building an assembly facility in South Africa for this vehicle and that should be coming online in the next few years.
Now that the 2024/25 CarsAwards programme has ended, let’s look at the models that have been highly influential in the SA new-vehicle market during the first 25 years of the 21st century. Which model would you crown SA’s “Car of the Quarter Century?”
It seems that just an eyeblink ago, we were still talking about Napster, the Y2K bug, the dot-com bubble that no one expected to burst and the birth of Survivor (“reality TV”). Suddenly, we’re contemplating which model on the local new-vehicle market deserves the title of SA’s “Car of the Quarter Century”!
An honourable mention for the Suzuki Swift – a champion of the shrinking light hatchback segment – and a sales smash.
No, you haven’t been in a time machine. The beard-greying, hair-losing reality is that 12 weeks ago, the 1st century of the millennium turned 25 years old. Good or bad, the world is a much different place: AI and politics have become pervasive, let alone divisive, while nationalism is on the rise around the globe.
Here at the southern tip of the African continent, however, things tend to happen a little slower. We’re more about what factor sunscreen to put on today and what meat we’re slamming onto the braai tonight than about, uhm, (failing) bipartisan agreements between parties. And that’s a good thing. Our transport needs haven’t changed. Moreover, no talk of Trump or totalitarianism will ever temper our love for cars.
The Nissan GT-R was a niche product, but for a while, it offered supercar-slaying performance at an almost attainable price.
So, sticking within the borders of Mzansi and in the spirit of democracy, I thought I’d put forward a list (in no particular order) of the most influential cars on the South African market of the past 25 years; my list of candidates for the – unofficial, of course – SA’s “Car of the Quarter Century” title provides a snapshot of changes to consumers’ car choices – and buying power (in light of reduced new-car affordability).
Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W203-series)
In January 2005, the Three-pointed Star sold a whopping 2 774 new units of its W203-series C-Class business-class sedan in Mzansi. It was more than double its nearest segment rival – the E46-gen BMW 3 Series, which, admittedly, was on runout at heading for replacement by the E90 model just months later.
Nonetheless, this was the pre-recessionary boom at its best: more new Mercedes-Benz C-Class units found homes that month than the infinitely humbler Toyota Corolla. Even the Volkswagen Polo and CitiGolf lagged behind the mighty (and locally produced) ‘Benz by around 1 000 units each.
Ciro De Siena presents a Buyer’s Guide to the W204-series-based C63 AMG:
But sales shocks aside, during that period, the East London-built C-Class cemented its status as the benchmark transport choice for church ministers, headmasters, town mayors and corporate middle managers alike, popularising a balance of luxury and all-important badge appeal from just R220k for a base-model C180. In 2007, this candidate for SA “Car of the Quarter Century” was succeeded by the W204-series (shown above), followed by the W205-series (in 2014) and the W206-series (in 2022).
Mercedes-Benz SA’s Buffalo City assembly plant began producing the W205-series C-Class in 2014.
Thanks to the rise of the crossover, the 3-box sedan is now all but dead; today, Mercedes-Benz SA sells only a few hundred cars across all its ranges combined each month. Still, the W203-series C-Class will forever remain an automotive icon of street cred in a simpler time when things seemed more affordable.
The 2nd-gen BMW X5 made its local debut in early 2007.
Think about it – a 5 Series in Timberland boots sounds both outrageous and marvelous, doesn’t it? As the pioneering luxury SUV, the BMW X5 combined luxury, versatility and performance into a product that appeared to be able to go off-road – but couldn’t. Yet, no one cared. Last year, I argued the case for the BMW X5 as the most influential “Car of the Quarter Century” – that’s why I have included it on this list.
Watch Francisco Nwamba’s Buyer’s Guide video for the F15-series BMW X5:
Right-lane roadhogs love the invincible feel of the X5, as do soccer moms, and so do hasty politicians with nowhere to go – to say nothing of blue-light brigades. No wonder it was BMW AG’s 3rd-best-selling model in 2011. If you’re a wealthy Saffer, you can’t leave for Trumptown if you haven’t owned an X5 yet.
Not all that long into the new millennium, it became obvious to the SA motor industry that the geriatric Toyota Tazz and Volkswagen CitiGolf continuation models couldn’t be kept on life support forever.
And so, because one can never get to much of a good thing, (then) Volkswagen SA decided to keep outgoing versions of the Polo alive (starting with the 4th-gen, which was rebranded as the Polo Vivo) – as a spiritual successor to the CitiGolf, in 2010 – the same year as the 5th-gen Polo was launched.
Watch Juliet McGuire’s Buyer’s Guide video for the 5th-gen VW Polo:
The 5th-gen Volkswagen Polo built on the successes of its predecessors and was empirious as South Africa’s most popular light hatchback. Its pricier predecessor, the (now facelifted) 6th-gen Polo, has a lot more competition – from myriad budget and small crossovers built in countries such as India and China.
For its part, the Polo Vivo has been a sub-Saharan smash hit, racing to 425 000 units sold by August last year. Sure, this budget-beater will forever exist in the shadow of the more vaunted but pricier Polo, but South Africans’ love of the brand and confidence in its build quality has meant that even as a gateway model, the Vivo’s popularity has remained unequalled; and doing justice to the original meaning of the name Volkswagen: a car for the people. See also:Volkswagen Polo Vivo (2024) Launch Review
The 1st iteration of the Volkswagen Polo Vivo bowed out with the nostalgia-baiting Citi Vivo.
In simple terms, the 1st-gen Volkswagen Tiguan was the tremor that triggered the crossover tsunami; it kicked off an entire generation of hatch-based crossovers that would later redefine family transport.
The Tiguan was also one of the 1st beneficiaries of VW’s then-new philosophy of platform-sharing (in this case, the Golf 5’s MQB platform) that standardised as many components as possible across a multitude of vehicle applications: a game-changing trend that’s become universal practice today.
Watch Juliet McGuire’s Buyer’s Guide video for the 2nd-gen VW Tiguan:
No one could argue against the allure of a Golf on stilts – not then, or when the 2nd-gen Tiguan arrived in 2016 and not today, when the 3rd-gen Tiguan continues to push even further upmarket.
The 1st-gen Tiguan was a trailblazer – but far from perfect. Buyers of the short-lived (there’s a reason why) super- and turbocharged variant may want a word first, seeing as they wish they’d opted for a TDI instead of eternally visiting their twin-charged 1.4 TSIs at their local workshops’ “intensive care units”.
Taking a leaf from the Volkswagen Tiguan’s prize-winning book, the Blue Oval took the Fiesta‘s B-platform, raised its ride height and slapped on a pseudo-SUV body to create the Ecosport small crossover. Along with the 1st-gen Renault Duster, which also made its local debut in 2013, the EcoSport helped to establish the South African new-vehicle market’s now-bustling compact SUV segment.
The Ecosport was a value-for-money (and cutesy) crossover that shot off the showroom floors because those who drove it (mostly women) appreciated the elevated seating position combined with compact proportions – so compact, in fact, that there was no space under the load-bay floor for a spare wheel.
As its local sales performances constantly demonstrated, the fit-for-purpose Ford was hard not to like, but as familiarity breeds contempt, by the end of its 10-year-long tenure, it had become long in the tooth, and its platform was unable to accommodate newer technologies, which is why the model was shelved.
Not that local buyers would have cared about aging DNA; as the little available used stock in the market pays testimony to that. Sadly for Ford SA, the EcoSport’s death hasn’t translated to buyers leaping with the same fervour towards its infinitely more sophisticated, but also quite pricier, Puma replacement.
Of course, no list of favourites would be complete without mentioning a Toyota product. When the Hilux-based body-on-frame 1st-gen Fortuner was unveiled here in 2006, it became an overnight middle-class must-have – and almost 20 years and (just) 2 generations later – it still is.
Ciro De Siena presents a Buyer’s Guide for the 1st-gen Toyota Fortuner (2006-2016):
No pandemic, price increases, or overly prolonged life cycle (the current one was launched here in 2016) has put acolytes off – Toyota continuously struggles to meet demand, month after month. For making 7-seat off-roader ownership attainable for thousands of South Africans and outselling rival products by an exaggerated margin, the Fortuner deserves to be a candidate for SA’s “Car of the Quarter Century”.
Watch Ciro De Siena’s video review of the 2023 Toyota Fortuner 2.8GD-6 VX 4×4:
Never mind the Japanese Adventure SUV’s slightly cramped and outdated cabin – or its compromised load bay: South Africans adore a 4×4 badge, and the Fortuner has come to personify suburbia’s latent adventure aspirations like no other. See also:Toyota Fortuner GR-Sport (2025) Launch Review
After more than a decade in the bakkie wilderness as rebadged Mazda efforts, the Ford Ranger finally came good in 2011 when it was consolidated as a single, Australian-designed global model, the T6.
Produced for more than a decade (in Silverton, South Africa, among other places), the original lineup comprised a considerable 33 derivatives, including single-cab, SuperCab and double-cab variants.
Watch Ciro De Siena compare the 2019 examples of the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux:
The Ranger was, finally, a genuine potential Toyota Hilux beater, with reasonable durability, arguably better ride quality, a higher-grade tech interface (first SYNC 2, then SYNC 3), and from 2019, available with a compelling 157 kW/500 N.m 2.0-litre twin-turbodiesel with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Until being replaced by the “T6.2” Ranger in 2022, the bakkie was kept current by constant variant and specification upgrades, notably the Thunder, Wildtrak, Stormtrak and Raptor flagship (shown above).
When Korean cars arrived in SA in the late ’90s, they were barely better than the 1st wave of Chinese ones that followed a decade later. The Kia Sportage, which began life as a homely small off-roader (with low range), evolved dramatically into a meritorious candidate for SA’s “Car of the Quarter Century”.
The launch of the 3rd-gen Sportage (and identical Hyundai iX35) in 2010 represented a quantum leap forward for Kia’s family car offering. The newcomers were attractive, well-specced, competitively-priced – and highly desireable; massively boosting the public perception about the quality of Korean cars in a time that Indian and Chinese cars were hitting rock-bottom in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.
That perception was bolstered by the 2023 launch of the current-gen Sportage. While some legacy brands persist with the business model of making any feature beyond 4 seats and a steering wheel an optional extra, the Sportage is available in generously equipped trim grades. The Kia was, and is, a smart buy. Like it did in 2023/24, the Sportage won the 2024/25 Cars.co.za Awards’ Family Car category.
Today, Chinese vehicles are taking over the world market at a rapacious pace. For that, they have to thank 2021’s Haval H6, which embodied Chairman Mao’s vision of a Giant Leap Forward for Chinese cars like no other. FYI, the Haval H6 will soon be facelifted, bringing with it more features and performance, but here’s why the GWM sub-brand’s family car is a candidate for SA’s “Car of the Quarter Century”.
Ciro De Siena and Jacob Moshokoa compare the Haval H6 and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max:
The H6, offered in turbopetrol-, petrol-electric hybrid and GT guises, opened the floodgates for Chinese-made small crossovers and medium SUVs. They’re eye-catching, stuffed to the hilt with luxury and tech features, plus they’re offered at prices that force SA’s legacy brands to improve their competitiveness.
Watch Ciro De Siena’s review of the Haval H6 GT:
The Chery armada has followed, incorporating its platform shared sub-brands Omoda and Jetour in an all-out assault (as has GAC, but on its own steam); the new brands recognise that in this segment, the battle for customer wallets is no longer being won on the Nürburgring, but by offering superior value.
No list of SA favourites (or candidates list for SA’s “Car of the Quarter Century”) would be complete without a Volkswagen Golf GTI. Most iterations of the Wolfsburg-based brand’s hot hatch have been offered in Mzansi, but the 4th-gen Golf GTI, which debuted in the late ’90s and was beefed up early in the 2000s, deserves a mention because it successfully made the world forget about the awful Golf 3 GTI.
The Golf 4 GTI is memorable as the 1st-ever turbocharged GTI, an avenue that has now become the norm as hatchback-making OEMs first implemented turbocharging in pursuit of power and, later, fuel efficiency. It also suggested that a hot hatch could balance premiumness with performance. Suffice it to say that the “best-of-both-worlds” approach has become the GTI nameplate’s lasting trademark.
Watch Francisco Nwamba’s Buyer’s Guide video for the 7th-gen VW Golf GTI:
However, the Golf 5 GTI gets the nod for introducing another industry-defining component: the dual-clutch transmission (or direct-shift gearbox – DSG). Yes, subsequent GTI iterations were faster, more refined and luxurious, but the Golf 5 GTI had a rawness that later models, which increasingly trade on badge value instead of the joy of the driving experience itself, lack. It remains the GTI that I want most.
Watch Ciro De Siena’s video review of the Volkswagen Golf 7 GTI:
Will Nissan SA stick with old Navara over Triton-based bakkie?
Will South Africa receive the next-gen (Triton-based) Nissan Navara or could a heavily facelifted version of the locally made D23-series model soldier on in our market?
While the next-generation Nissan Navara – based on the new Mitsubishi Triton – has been confirmed for markets like Australia, the Japanese automaker will seemingly instead offer a heavily facelifted version of the current D23-series model in Latin America. Where does that leave South Africa?
Well, the answer to that question is by no means clear, leaving us to offer little more than well-considered speculation at this point. But first, if you’ll indulge us, let’s take a step back. At its recent Global Product Showcase event in Yokohama, Nissan detailed its global product plans covering the next couple of years.
The next-gen Navara will be based on Mitsubishi’s new Triton.
In its overview of key models by region, the Japanese company said Oceania – that is, Australia, New Zealand and a handful of smaller markets in the area – would welcome an “all-new 1-tonne pick-up” in “FY26” (Japan’s fiscal year, running from the start of April 2026 to the end of March 2027).
Though it oddly didn’t specify that this bakkie would wear the Navara badge, the company again said the product would leverage “Nissan’s partnership with Mitsubishi Motors”. That, of course, means the version locked in for Australia will indeed be based on Alliance partner Mitsubishi’s 6th-generation Triton.
The Navara built in Argentina and Mexico is badged as the Frontier.
However, quite fascinatingly, in the section on models for Latin America, Nissan said the “Frontier/Navara mid-size pick-up truck” would arrive in that region in FY26, “bringing an evolved design, enhanced infotainment and [an] impressive suite of advanced driver-assist technologies”.
The accompanying (suitably shadowy) teaser image for Latin America shows a double-cab bakkie with a new front end – featuring triple light stacks and a red “Nissan” badge – and squared-off wheel arches. But the side mirrors, front doors and rear doors all appear identical to those of the current D23-series Navara.
Nissan’s teaser image for the Latam region shows the updated Frontier/Navara and new Versa.
So, it seems Latin American markets like Brazil and Argentina (where the bakkie is badged as the Frontier) will eschew the Triton-based model in favour of a heavily updated – or, in Nissan’s words, “evolved” – D23-series model, a generation that dates all the way back to 2014.
Curiously, the section on Africa makes absolutely no mention of a bakkie, instead detailing plans to roll out the Indian-made Magnite to further nations in the region, while also touching on the new Y63-series Patrol (pencilled in for Mzansi for FY26) and a fresh 5-seater SUV (set to be based on the Indian-spec Renault Duster and also likely to arrive in SA in 2026).
Nissan started building the D23-series Navara in SA in mid-2021.
Of course, the Navara is a crucial product for Nissan South Africa seeing as it’s currently the only model rolling off the line at the Rosslyn factory in Gauteng, with production of the half-tonne NP200 having ceased back in March 2024 (which prompted a “restructuring” of the local business).
Interestingly, Nissan SA has yet to make any announcements on a new investment into the local facility, which would, of course, be required were Rosslyn to produce the next-gen version. But, considering such a model will be based on the Triton, we’d expect it to be built in a Mitsubishi factory (likely the firm’s Laem Chabang plant in Thailand) instead.
Will Africa follow Latin America’s lead with the Navara?
That leads us to believe Nissan’s bakkie strategy in Africa could mirror its approach in Latin America. If that indeed ends up being the case, South Africa would stick with a heavily facelifted version of the long-in-the-tooth D23-series model, a bakkie that would likely continue being built in Rosslyn for export to the rest of Africa.
In effect, the D23-series Navara would thus live on in Mzansi as a prolonged lifecycle vehicle, in much the same way as the 1st-generation Volkswagen Amarok is still in production in Argentina (despite much of the rest of the world having moved to the Ranger-based 2nd-generation model produced at Ford’s Silverton plant in South Africa).
The Rosslyn-built Navara is exported to several African markets.
For now, though, the Japanese automaker’s local division is keeping its cards very close to its chest, saying only that the Rosslyn facility – which has been producing the Navara since mid-2021 – remains “Nissan’s light commercial vehicle (LCV) hub” for Africa and a “key component of the company’s ongoing strategy to expand into new export markets”.
At the recent reveal of the Navara Pro-4X Warrior, Jordi Vila, President of Nissan Africa, added that he “sees a strong future for our company in Africa, and the Navara represents a core model in our plans to capture opportunities and expand our footprint”.
Nissan SA recently expanded its Navara range with the Premcar-developed Warrior flagship.
Make of that what you will, but we’d say – based on the latest information, at least – that there’s every chance South Africa will stick with a prolonged lifecycle version of the Navara rather than switch to the new Triton-based model. Of course, only time will tell…
Like your bakkies with an extra dose of brawn? Let’s take a look at the most powerful double-cab bakkies currently available in the South African market…
Double-cab bakkie buyers in South Africa are spoilt for choice, and if power and torque figures get you revved up and excited, this bakkie list is for you. Here are the most powerful double-cab bakkies currently on offer in South Africa…
Pricing is accurate as of March 2025.
Most Powerful Double-Cab Bakkies in SA
1. BYD Shark 6 – 321 kW
The BYD Shark 6 has arrived in South Africa and it’s not only the first Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) bakkie on sale in Mzansi, it’s also the most powerful bakkie you can buy right now, knocking the Ford Ranger Raptor off its perch at the top of this list.
The BYD Shark 6 combines a 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine with a plug-in hybrid system that comprises a 29.6 kWh battery pack and an electric motor on each axle. Peak outputs are rated at 321 kW and 650 Nm or put another way, 70 kW and 310 Nm up front, and 150 kW and 340 Nm at the rear.
All-electric range is claimed at 85 km with a total range of around 760 km. BYD says the battery’s state of charge will move from 30 to 80% in approximately 20 minutes when using a 55 kW DC fast charger.
The Shark 6 is said to accelerate from zero to 100 kph in 5.7 seconds, which if true, makes it the quickest bakkie on the market, for now…
Pricing for the new BYD Shark 6 starts at R959 900.
The Ford Ranger Raptor made landfall in South Africa in the opening quarter of 2023 and offers a whopping 292 kW and 583 Nm developed from its twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, which comes paired with a specially calibrated 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Ranger Raptor offers formidable off-road performance thanks to its uprated Fox 2.5-inch Live Valve Internal Bypass shock absorbers, which make high-speed off-road driving a breeze. Moreover, the Raptor features a 2-speed transfer case, front and rear locking differentials and up to 7 driving modes as well as an electronically controlled active exhaust system.
The Ford Ranger Raptor is priced from R1 270 000 (note this excludes the cost of a service plan).
The 2.0-litre turbopetrol hybrid powertrain develops a total output of 255 kW and 648 Nm and is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain is also found under the bonnet of the Tank 500 SUV.
The Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster has arrived in South Africa and it’s currently the third most powerful double-cab bakkie you can buy with its BMW-sourced 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder turbopetrol engine developing 210 kW and 450 Nm of torque. An 8-speed automatic ZF transmission is standard.
Local buyers can also opt for a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder turbodiesel engine with 183 kW and 550 Nm of torque on offer.
The Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is the 5th-most powerful double-cab bakkie in South Africa with only 1 kW separating it from the new Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster. The Gladiator draws power from a naturally aspirated 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine that offers 209 kW and 347 Nm of torque, and is mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Apart from boasting an impressive power output, the Jeep Gladiator is also one of the most hardcore 4×4 bakkies on the market. In addition, it’s one of the most expensive double-cab bakkies you can buy right now with a price tag of R1 385 900.
The Wildtrak and Platinum version of the latest Ford Ranger can be specified with a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine, which generates a heady 184 kW and 600 Nm. Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission is standard fare.
Pricing for the V6-powered Ranger Wildtrak starts at R1 087 000 while the range-topping Ranger Platinum is priced from R1 150 000. Note that, again, a service plan is not included as standard.
While Volkswagen’s original Amarok employed a 6-cylinder motor boasting 190 kW and 580 Nm, the 2nd-generation version of the bakkie (built by Ford) has switched to the Blue Oval brand’s aforementioned 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel unit, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Amarok V6’s peak power output thus falls slightly to 184 kW, though maximum torque increases to 600 Nm. Pricing for the V6-powered Amarok starts from R1 071 100 (in conjunction with the Style trim level).
The BYD Shark 6 has finally arrived in South Africa. Here’s what this 321 kW plug-in hybrid bakkie – launching as Mzansi’s most powerful double cab – will cost you…
The BYD Shark 6 has officially launched in South Africa, arriving not only as Mzansi’s very first plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) bakkie but also the local market’s most powerful and fastest-accelerating double cab.
So, what does the Chinese new-energy vehicle automaker’s potent pick-up cost in SA? Well, according to our information, the BYD Shark is priced at R959 900, with just a single “Premium” derivative on the menu (for now, at least).
That means the Shark 6 undercuts models such as the Volkswagen Amarok 2.0BiTDI Style 4Motion (R966 500), Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo Wildtrak 4×4 (R983 000), Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 4×4 GR-Sport (R999 000) and GWM P500 2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4×4 (R999 900), not to mention the 20 double-cab bakkie derivatives priced on the far side of R1-million.
None, of course, is as powerful (on paper, at least) as the Shark 6. Thanks to a peak system figure as high as 321 kW, this new double-cab contender grabs the title of South Africa’s most powerful bakkie from the 292 kW Ford Ranger Raptor.
The powertrain comprises a turbocharged 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine combined with a plug-in hybrid system featuring a 29.6 kWh battery pack and an electric motor on each axle. Peak system outputs stand at 321 kW and 650 Nm (170 kW and 310 Nm up front, and 150 kW and 340 Nm at the rear), while 3 terrain modes are on offer, along with a so-called “virtual” differential lock.
For the most part, the petrol engine acts as a generator (to top up the battery) and is only capable of directly driving the front wheels at speeds higher than 70 kph. BYD claims the Shark can complete the 0-100 kph sprint in just 5.7 seconds, before topping out at 160 kph. Again, that’s the quickest claimed sprint time of any bakkie on the local market (though the imminent fully electric Riddara RD6 looks poised to steal that title with a time of only 4.5 seconds).
According to the Chinese firm, the lithium-iron phosphate battery pack offers an all-electric WLTP range of up to 85 km (down from the NEDC figure of 100 km), which pushes the combined range to a claimed 760 km. BYD says the battery’s state of charge will move from 30 to 80% in approximately 20 minutes when using a 55 kW DC fast charger.
The Shark 6 employs a ladder-frame chassis and is the Chinese brand’s very first attempt at a bakkie. It features independent suspension at each corner (rather than traditional leaf springs at the rear), while the battery pack is neatly integrated into the platform.
From what we understand, the 5-seater plug-in bakkie has a payload of 835 kg (with the load bed measuring 1 520 mm by 1 500 mm by 517 mm), a braked towing capacity of 2 500 kg and an unladen ground clearance of 230 mm. The listed approach, departure and breakover angles are 31, 19.3 and 30 degrees, respectively.
Measuring 5 457 mm from nose to tail, the BYD Shark – which stands 1 971 mm wide and 1 925 mm tall – is a considerable 107 mm longer than a Ranger double cab, while featuring a 10 mm shorter wheelbase (at 3 260 mm) than that of the Blue Oval brand’s bakkie. Inside, you’ll find a 12.8-inch multimedia rotating screen and a 10.25-inch LCD instrument panel, along with a 12-inch head-up display and wireless smartphone charging.
So, what other kit does the Premium grade include? Well, the SA-spec Shark 6 Premium rides on 18-inch alloy wheels (wrapped in 265/65 R18 Continental tyres) and ships with 7 airbags. Other standard features include a 360-degree camera system, parking sensors (front and rear), a head-up display, adaptive cruise control and a raft of driver-assistance functions.
Aluminium roof rails also ship standard, along with items like keyless entry (and start), rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, faux leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats (with heating and ventilation), a 12-speaker “Dynaudio” sound system, LED headlamps and sequential rear indicators.
While the BYD Shark 6 is the only plug-in bakkie on the market right now, the GWM P500 PHEV is expected to arrive in South Africa later in 2025, while it’s surely only a matter of time before the Ford Ranger PHEV (which is built exclusively in Mzansi) hits the local market, too…
How much does the BYD Shark 6 cost in South Africa?
BYD Shark 6 Premium – R959 900
The price above likely includes BYD Auto SA’s 5-year/100 000 km warranty and a maintenance plan with the same parameters.
BMW wasn’t the 1st German premium brand to build performance sedans – Mercedes-Benz has a longer – and no less illustrious – history of large, luxurious 4-door models powered by muscular V8 motors. We drive 3 SELs from one very special collection.
IMAGES: Charles Russell
Ronin is a film well known for its car chases through narrow European streets, but for Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts, there is 1 one star in the movie – no, not the E34-series BMW M5, or Robert De Niro – the brown SEL (450SEL 6.9), which was driven in a way only likely to be seen on the silver screen. Today, fortunately, no one is chasing me, although I am following other cars – in a less lairy fashion, of course.
The leading car is a “6.9”, driven by the owner of all 3 of these stately ‘Benzes. Next in the convoy is his wife, who’s piloting a rather special SEL – the Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3. I am behind the wheel of what might be the only 280SEL 4.5 in South Africa, and I’m absorbing every second of the experience!
We head up the beautiful Outeniqua Mountain Pass outside George and the owner isn’t holding back. Watching the 2 grand Mercedes-Benz SEL limousines ahead of me follow the contours of the road is a sight to behold. Classic driving at its finest.
I’m driving the Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5 first because it is the least powerful SEL here, but it feels remarkably nimble for a ’70s sedan. On paper, its 145 kW V8 is overshadowed by the more powerful 6.3 and 6.9, but the 280SEL 4.5 is also the lightest of the 3 and, as I shift the floor-mounted transmission lever to S, the ‘box drops to a lower gear (and holds it) as the ‘Benz powers out a series of bends.
Specifications:
Model: Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5
Years of production: 1971–72
Engine: 4.5-litre V8, petrol
Power: 145 kW at 4 500 rpm
Torque: 358 Nm at 3 000 rpm
Transmission: 3-speed auto, RWD
Weight: 1 705 kg
Fuel consumption: 15 L/100 km
0-100 kph: 11 sec (claimed)
Top Speed: 200 kph (claimed)
Once you have chosen your line and the initial body roll has settled, you can lean on the throttle with zeal. After you have mastered its ways, the 4.5 is even more satisfying to drive than you might imagine.
At this pace, the 4.5 easily keeps up with its Mercedes-Benz SEL siblings and all too soon, we need to turn off at a lookout point for our 1st shoot location, a perfect opportunity to examine all 3 engine bays.
The M100-series V8 in the 6.9’s engine bay looks the most modern unit, which it is, although anoraks will remind you it’s an evolution of the older (M100) 6.3-litre V8 found in the 300SEL 6.3. That engine was the first V8 installed in a Mercedes-Benz production car (originally launched in 1964 with the legendary 600 Grosser), while the 6.9’s motor was, and still is, one of the largest capacity engines ever slotted into a Mercedes-Benz – very appropriate indeed for the 1st range of cars that received the S-Class title.
With photographs in the bag, it is time to drive the other 2 sedans, and I head for the black 300SEL 6.3. Although it lacks an original steering wheel, the interior provides an experience to savour.
The dark red upholstery gives the cabin a luxurious aura, while the luscious red carpets further contribute to its almost Victorian ambience. Wood veneer can be found in the front and rear, too.
This car certainly has a story to tell… Rumours suggest it belonged to the Royal Family of Lesotho at some stage in its life. Strong evidence of this is the fixed divider, which separates the driver’s quarters from the rear – it’s not a feature often seen in these cars.
The divider means the driver’s seat is fixed in position, but that’s not a problem for me because I’m granted a more commanding view over the steering wheel. Aft occupants (likely to have been VIPs) have access to controls for the Becker radio and ventilation system – they’re not unlike those in the ‘Grosser.
Specifications:
Model: Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 (W109)
Years of production: 1967–72
Engine: 6.3-litre V8, petrol
Power: 184 kW at 4 000 rpm
Torque: 500 Nm at 2 800 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed auto, RWD
Weight: 1 780 kg
Fuel consumption: 15.5 L/100 km
0-100 kph: 6.5 sec (claimed)
Top Speed: 220 kph (claimed)
Little effort is needed to use the 300SEL 6.3’s indicator stalk, and as I turn back onto the mountain pass, the engine is thoroughly warmed, which gives me license to drive the ‘Benz a little harder. I slowly press the long pedal, and immediately, I feel the V8’s eagerness, which translates into a swift burst of thrust.
As with the 280SEL 4.5, I take it slower through the corners, but the moment I can predict my trajectory out of a corner, I press the accelerator pedal again and find the 184 kW 300SEL 6.3 quite lively, despite its vintage. It took another 3 decades or so before Mercedes-Benz and the AMG tuning firm officially tied the knot, but the 1967 300SEL 6.3 is surely the 1st true Mercedes-Benz performance sedan!
For an apex Mercedes-Benz SEL, cubic capacity rules
At slower speeds, there is a slight delay before the engine responds to throttle inputs, followed by a lift of the nose while the long rear overhang dips closer to the ground. But it proves easy to keep an eye on the small, centrally mounted rev counter with its redline just over the 5 000 rpm mark.
I’m surprised by how similar the driving experiences of the 4.5 and 6.3 are. The willingness of the earlier apex Mercedes-Benz SEL engines and the gusto with which they rev (when haste is required) are almost identical. The additional weight of the 6.3 is easily offset by the bigger V8’s surplus power and torque.
With full air suspension, the 300SEL 6.3 was one of the most advanced performance sedans of its era, and it makes sense why this car’s US launch took place at the Laguna Seca race track in California and why the hugely talented Mercedes-Benz engineer and executive Rudolf Uhlenhaut attended that event.
Specifications:
Model: Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 (V116)
Years of production: 1975–80
Engine: 6.8-litre (6 834 cm3) V8, petrol
Power: 210 kW at 4 250 rpm
Torque: 549 Nm at 3 000 rpm
Transmission: 3-speed auto, RWD
Weight: 1 935 kg
Fuel consumption: 16 L/100 km
0-100 kph: 7.4 sec (claimed)
Top Speed: 225 kph (claimed)
As we pull over for more detail and interior photography, the sun starts to set behind the mountains. Even in fading light, the 450SEL 6.9 has an imposing stance. With the longest body and wide tracks, it has the largest wheelbase here (2 960 mm). Owing to the Oil Crisis in the 1970s, Mercedes-Benz postponed the launch of its top S-Class by almost a year and a half, until September 1975. It was worth the wait, though.
This evening, almost 40 years later, I’m greeted by the smell of the lush and cosy velour interior of the 450SEL 6.9 (leather upholstery was optional). It overpowers the more traditional smell of Mercedes-Benz cars of this era. Once seated, the velour-trimmed chairs allow little movement, and I immediately feel as if I could drive this sedan late into the night. How plush and luxurious this car must have felt in its time.
Even when performing a simple task such as closing the 6.9’s door, I sense I’m dealing with a different beast. The door feels heavier than those of the other SELs and shuts with a more distinctive thud. Velour door inserts are framed by thick blue moulds, all contributing to the cocooning atmosphere of the cabin.
The 6.9, although technically a 6.8-litre (6 834 cm3) V8, was the perfect powertrain for Mercedes-Benz’s top-of-the-range S-Class at the time. Even though the 600 Grosser limousine was still available when the 450SEL 6.9 went into production, the top W116 S-Class eclipsed that car’s power and torque.
The 6.9’s M100 features mechanically controlled, Bosch K-Jetronic injection and dry-sump lubrication, and is mated with a 3-speed automatic transmission – the only ‘box ‘Benz had at the time that could handle all the torque! Needless to say, this engine’s character is vastly different to that of the 6.3.
As expected, the almost 2-tonne 450SEL 6.9 is slightly lazier and takes a more relaxed run through the rev range than its 2 Mercedes-Benz SEL predecessors. And once you’ve sampled as much acceleration as the “6.9” can muster (which is plenty), you can sit back, pull the armrest down and settle into a plush cruise. Thanks to a 96-litre fuel tank, fuel stops should not inconvenience the driver too much.
The improvements Mercedes-Benz made during the leap from the W108 and W109 to this V116 are immediately apparent, particularly when it comes to refinement, taken care of by the 450SEL 6.9’s suspension with hydro-pneumatic level control at the rear. Engine and road noise are kept well at bay, while the heavier kerb weight means the car feels more planted on the road. It also means you don’t really want to hustle it through corners. So it’s fortunate I wasn’t tasked with driving the 6.9 in Ronin…
Summary
Soon (too soon), the sun sets, and we drive the cars back to their neat garages, where they are stored and pampered. What a perfect evening to drive 3 of Mercedes-Benz’s most noteworthy large sedans from the previous century, each with an engine larger than most powerplants in ‘Benz’s current line-up.
I cannot pick a winner out of this Teutonic trio – that wasn’t the aim of this drive. Each V8-powered SEL offers a different experience, although the engine is the dominant factor in all 3 models. There is little in terms of an exhaust note, but when you put your foot down, you can hear those V8s working hard.
The 280SEL 4.5 was an export model for North America, making its presence here all the more special, and the 450SEL 6.9 was one of the fastest sedans of its time. However, if I had to buy one, the 300SEL 6.3 would give me the biggest smile every time I open the garage door. It’s one of the original Q-cars and the OG 6.3. But don’t take my word for it. When Road & Track tested this car new, the magazine called it not only “the greatest sedan in the world” but described it perfectly by stating it was “truly the executive road racer” and that it “does more different things well than any other single car”. Amen to that.
The all-electric Volvo EX90 has finally landed in South Africa. Here’s how much you will be paying for the flagship premium SUV.
The all-electric Volvo EX90 will be hitting local dealerships in April and our market will be getting the top-spec Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Performance derivative, which costs just under R2.7 million. Under that sleek body is Volvo’s SPA2 platform and the vehicle is assembled at Volvo’s plant in Charleston, South Carolina USA.
Positioned as a 7-seater all-electric premium SUV, the EX90 goes up against the likes of the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Powertrain, performance and range
The electric Volvo EX90 features a twin-motor setup with 380 kW and 910 Nm. A sprint time of 4.9 seconds to 100 kph is claimed and thanks to a 111 kWh battery back, a range of up to 604 km on the combined cycle is possible. The vehicle can accept high-speed charging too and when hooked up to a 250 kW charger, the battery can go from 10-80% in around 30 minutes.
Safety?
It’s a Volvo and naturally at this price point you will be expecting every conceivable piece of safety tech fitted. You’ll notice a bulge on the vehicle’s roof and that’s the LiDAR sensor which scans the road. There are also integrated radars and cameras backed up by both NVIDIA DRIVE tech and Volvo’s own software.
Volvo claims the EX90 has been designed to be the safest vehicle the brand has ever built. Standard assistance features include adaptive cruise control with steering support, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera, Lane Keeping Aid, Park Pilot Assist, Run-off Road Mitigation, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert, Collision Avoidance and Mitigation, Intersection Autobrake, and Road Sign Information. There are 10 airbags too.
Standard equipment
Volvo South Africa has confirmed our market will be getting just the Ultra Twin Performance derivative which covers all the bases in terms of premium, tech and safety features. The EX90 rides on 22-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, has a panoramic glass roof, electrically-operated tailgate, front seats with 4-way lumbar/heating and massage functionality, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, Bowers & Wilkins audio system, wireless inductive smartphone charger, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and USB ports to name but a few.
The biggest point of interest in the cabin is the vertically-orientated 14.5-inch infotainment screen which runs Google Android Automotive (not to be confused with Android Auto mirroring tech) and this system has integrated applications like Google Maps, Google Assistant as well as access to the Play Store.
How much does the new electric Volvo EX90 cost in South Africa?
Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Performance
R2 650 000
Customers can opt for one of 8 colours and one of two interior trim options. The above price includes a 3-year/60 000 km maintenance plan, a 5-year/100 000 km warranty, 8-year battery warranty, and 5-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance. Volvo SA will also provide new EX90 owners with two years of free public charging, a GridCars wallbox with installation, and 10 GB of Vodacom data per month for three years.
Many buyers prefer the convenience that an automatic transmission offers but if you are in the market for a new automatic mini SUV with a budget of no more than R300k, what are your options? Take a look at the cheapest automatic compact SUVs currently available in South Africa!
If you’re looking for the cheapest automatic compact SUVs on sale in South Africa for under R300k, this list is for you!
The small SUV is a hugely popular car in South Africa as they offer higher levels of practicality while also offering improved gravel-travel ability. The popularity of automatic transmissions is evident and while self-shifting offerings are generally pricier than their manual counterparts, there are some automatic compact SUVs on the market that will strike a chord with buyers looking for value and convenience at an attractive price.
Prices are accurate as of March 2025.
Cheapest Automatic Compact SUVs Under R300k in South Africa
Nissan Magnite 1.0 Visia Automatic – R263 200
The Nissan Magnite is the cheapest automatic compact SUV in South Africa! A mildly facelifted Magnite arrived in South Africa in 2024. The base Magnite derivatives are powered by a 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre petrol engine with 53 kW and 96 Nm of torque and paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission or 5-speed manual transmission.
Of course, you can still opt for the more powerful 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine delivering 74 kW and 152 Nm of torque. Buyers have the choice between a 5-speed manual or a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Two trim levels, Accenta and Accenta Plus are available to buyers. The range-topping Magnite Acenta Plus Automatic is priced from R410 700.
The Renault Kiger is offered with 2 automatic derivatives, with the Zen derivative being the cheapest at R274 999. The Kiger 1.0 Zen CVT automatic is powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder engine with 52 kW and 96 Nm of torque. A more powerful turbocharged Kiger 1.0 Intens CVT automatic, priced from R359 999, is also available with outputs of 74 kW and 160 Nm.
The new Mahindra 3XO is a popular choice for compact SUV buyers looking for value-for-money and the 3XO MX2 automatic is the cheapest automatic in the range with a price of R279 999.
The Mahindra 3XO is powered by a 1.2-litre turbopetrol engine that produces 82 kW and 200 Nm of torque and is paired with a 6-speed automatic or manual transmission. In addition to the base MX2 derivative, buyers can also opt for trim grades such as MX3, AX5, AX5L and the range-topping AX7L.
The Suzuki Ignis 1.2 GLX automatic slips in under the R300k mark but its truly compact dimensions make it one of the smaller cars on this list.
The Ignis makes use of a naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engine that produces 61 kW and 113 Nm of torque and comes paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission, or a 5-speed manual if you prefer.
Chery bolstered its local Tiggo 4 range with a new entry-level automatic derivative, the Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5 LiT automatic! It’s powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine with 83 kW and 138 Nm of torque and is paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). You can also opt for the higher-specced Tiggo 4 Comfort automatic which is priced from R359 900.
