2024 Best Compact Hatch
Once one of the most important segments in the local market, the Compact Hatch has come under increasing pressure from affordable crossovers. However, the winner of this category of the 2023/24 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, sponsored by Absa is the Volkswagen Polo, which hits back with increased sophistication and attractive design.
Cars in this segment appeal to a very wide audience – from young professionals to family-car buyers trading up from entry-level vehicles and pensioners buying down from something larger and expensive. The 2024 Best Compact Hatch has to be a well-balanced car and reflect what is best about modern automotive design and engineering, but present it in a distilled, reasonably affordable form.
The Compact Hatch category
This category is guided by both eligibility factors and pillars of success.
Eligibility factors for this category include a list price between R350 000 and R500 000 at the time of semi-finalist voting (September 1, 2023), an anti-lock braking system, a minimum of 4 airbags, aircon, USB support, Bluetooth connectivity and a service plan.
Pillars of success for this category include a balance of fuel economy and power/performance, value for money, practicality, brand strength, design and quality appeal, ride and handling and safety.
Best Compact Hatch: CarsAwards WINNER
Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI 85kW R-Line
The locally assembled Volkswagen Polo helped to establish South Africa’s compact car segment and remains a frontrunner – and benchmark – in the segment. The facelifted 6th-gen model is the biggest and most advanced Polo yet and comes with an array of engines suited to our market. We’d argue that it is the most modern-looking car in the segment too, but all of this excellence comes at a price premium.
Read a Launch Review of the Volkswagen Polo
Find a Volkswagen Polo for sale on Cars.co.za
RUNNER-UP: Honda Fit 1.5 Elegance
Honda has followed an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach with the latest iteration of its Jazz. Now called the Fit, the compact hatchback retains its cute city looks and incredibly practical setup, complete with those legendary “magic seats”. A 1.5-litre petrol engine offers adequate performance and fair economy, but it’s the only car here with a naturally aspirated powertrain, which may count against it in terms of performance, but on the other hand should prove incredibly reliable.
Read a review of the Honda Fit
Find a Honda Fit for sale on Cars.co.za
Opel Corsa 1.2T Elegance
The Opel Corsa is a perennially underrated offering in this segment. The Russelsheim-based brand is now part of the Stellantis group (which includes Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and other car brands) and the Corsa clearly benefits from Opel’s sister brands’ small-car nous. Its 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol is one of the finest small engines around, the cabin looks and feels modern and the 5-year warranty is a plus.
Read a review of the Opel Corsa
Find an Opel Corsa for sale on Cars.co.za
More about the #CarsAwards
The winners of the 2023/24 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, sponsored by Absa (as well as the recipient of the prestigious Brand of the Year title) were named on 29 February 2024.
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