If you’re in the market for a new vehicle these days, you’re facing a brutal double-whammy: the price of new vehicles and the price of fuel are both through the roof, and seemingly only increasing.
And that means the market for pre-owned is growing.
Requirement: You’re in your late 30s and looking for something that has a premium feel, with a budget of R200 000. These cars will give you space, comfort and peace of mind on a daily basis.
2010 Subaru Legacy 2,0i Premium
With 110 kW and 196 N.m of torque on tap, this big Subaru is a bit under-powered but the six-speed manual transmission delivering power to all four wheels means that it isn’t far from being dynamic. Standard trim includes leather electrically adjustable seats with a memory function, dual-zone climate control, an electric sunroof and 16-inch alloy wheels.
2011 Hyundai Sonata 2,4 Executive
The Sonata is one of the safest bets on this list and an underrated car in this segment. The 131 kW delivered to the front wheels means that it is very capable and economical. It has also achieved some admirable crash test results. The interior may not scream luxury, but with electrically adjustable seats, Bluetooth audio and other great features, it should keep you satisfied.
Like the Subary Legacy, the Honda Accord has been playing this game for a very long time. The Accord boasts good looks, a spacious interior and 110 kW and 192 N.m of torque from its 2,0-litre i-VTEC powertrain, delivered to the front wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include heated leather seats with a memory function, climate control, cruise control and Bluetooth audio.
The Optima is likely the best-specced car on this list, so if it’s features you’re looking for, then look no further. It also offers a generous boot and the effective engine found in the Sonata mentioned above. It’s also worth mentioning that, four years on, it still looks modern.
With its big V6 engine, this may be harder on the wallet than others on this list, but if you place your faith in the engineers of Toyota, then it will be sure to please. The boot space is slightly more modest than the models mentioned above, but with 183 kW and 310 N.m of torque on tap, delivered to the rear wheels, it’s definitely the best performer.
