Despite the bad press, there are still plenty of diesel vehicles offered in South Africa. So, we had a rummage through the data to unearth the 10 cheapest new diesel-powered passenger vehicles on the local market.
At the time of publishing, the 10 least expensive oil-burners in SA were priced between R195 995 and R279 995, with – rather interestingly – half coming from a certain Indian manufacturer.
Take note that we’ve concentrated on the passenger vehicle market in this piece, and have thus excluded commercial vehicles like bakkies…
1. Mahindra KUV100 1,2 D75 K6+: R195 995
In this guise, the diminutive KUV100 employs a 1,2-litre turbodiesel three-cylinder engine worth a meagre 57 kW and a more palatable 190 N.m. Mahindra claims a combined fuel economy figure of just 4,4 L/100 km with a CO2 rating that ducks under the taxable threshold.
2. Ford Figo hatch 1,5 TDCi Ambiente: R197 900
Ford’s little Figo isn’t quite as popular as it once was, but the range still features one of the cheapest oil-burners around. The familiar 1,5-litre unit is linked to a five-speed manual and makes 74 kW and 215 N.m, which the Blue Oval says translates to a 12,1-second sprint to three figures. Claimed consumption? A mere 4,1 L/100 km.
3. Mahindra Thar 2,5 CRDe: R219 995
The two-seater Thar, which is the country’s cheapest 4×4 equipped with low-range, uses a 2,5-litre turbodiesel worth 79 kW and 247 N.m. The Indian automaker claims a fuel economy figure of 7,5 L/100 km.
4. Mahindra TUV300 1,5 CRDe T8: R229 995
Yes, another Mahindra. But this one, the TUV300, employs a 1,5-litre oil-burner (again, with three cylinders) that sends 74 kW and 240 N.m to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. It sips at a claimed 5,4 L/100 km.
5. Ford Fiesta hatch 1,5 TDCi Ambiente: R247 900
Interestingly, the 1,5-litre turbodiesel used by the Fiesta hatchback makes less grunt than the unit used by the Figo above, sending 55 kW and 185 N.m to the front wheels courtesy of a five-speed manual. While the obligatory sprint time is set at 13,5 seconds, Ford says this model will sip at just 3,6 L/100 km.
6. Volkswagen Polo hatch 1,4 TDI Trendline: R253 600
The lone VW on the list comes in at number six in the form of the oil-burning Polo hatch. Its 1,4-litre turbodiesel heart (which is linked to the front wheels via a five-speed manual) makes 55 kW and 210 N.m, returning a claimed fuel consumption of 4,1 L/100 km.
7. Mahindra Xylo 2,2 CRDe E2: R254 995
The eight-seater Xylo uses a 2,2-litre four-cylinder oil-burner, which is worth 88 kW and 290 N.m. The Indian brand claims a fuel consumption of 7,6 L/100 km, although CO2 emissions come in at a hefty 200 g/km.
8. Fiat Tipo sedan 1,3 Multijet Easy: R274 900
Interestingly, this 1,3-litre turbodiesel engine is not offered in hatchback guise. Installed exclusively in the Tipo sedan, the four-pot makes 70 kW and 200 N.m, directed to the front wheels via a five-speed manual. The Italian automaker says it’ll sip at a mere 3,7 L/100 km.
9. Renault Duster 1,5 dCi Dynamique: R279 900
Renault’s familiar 1,5-litre oil-burner is worth 80 kW and 240 N.m, which the French automaker says will send this front-wheel-drive variant (fitted with a six-speed manual) from standstill to 100 km/h in 12,2 seconds. Claimed combined fuel consumption? Some 4,8 L/100 km…
10. Mahindra XUV500 2,2 CRDe W4: R279 995
The fifth Mahindra to make the list uses a 2,2-litre mill like the Xylo above. But in the XUV500, the diesel unit churns out a healthier 103 kW and 330 N.m. Fitted with a six-speed manual directing power to the front wheels, this model sips at a claimed 6,5 L/100 km.
Also read:
- 10 cheapest dual-clutch vehicles in South Africa…
- 11 cheapest six-cylinder passenger vehicles in SA
- 8 most expensive four-cylinder vehicles in SA…
- 7 most powerful sedans on SA’s new vehicle market
- 7 most powerful SUVs on SA’s new vehicle market
- 5 most expensive double-cab bakkies in South Africa
- 9 dirtiest hatchbacks on SA’s new car market
- 5 biggest engines on South Africa’s new car market
- 7 most expensive SUVs on SA’s new vehicle market
- 5 cheapest rear-wheel-drive cars in South Africa
- 7 most fuel-efficient double-cab bakkies in SA
- 6 most powerful naturally aspirated new cars in SA
- 5 cheapest new cars in SA with 200 kW or more
- 5 most powerful manual cars you can buy new in SA
- 5 double-cab bakkies that make the most torque…
- 5 bakkies we think South Africa would go crazy for
- 5 of the most blatant copycat cars out of China
- 5 big bakkies South Africa might want but can’t have
- 5 cheapest automatics on SA’s new vehicle market
- South Africa’s 5 cheapest vehicles with low-range
- 5 biggest gas-guzzlers on SA’s new vehicle market
- 5 most fuel-efficient cars we’ve recently tested
- 7 most fuel-efficient non-hybrid petrol cars in SA
- 5 most fuel-efficient non-hybrid diesel cars in SA
