10 cheapest passenger cars on South Africa’s new-vehicle market…

By: CAR magazine

A fresh-faced vehicle has arrived in the country to assume the role of South Africa’s cheapest new car. We take a look at the ten least expensive passenger vehicles on the nation’s new-vehicle market (at mid-March 2020), each of which features dual airbags and ABS. Interestingly, nine are built in India.

10. Suzuki DZire 1,2 GA: R168 400

One of four models from Suzuki Auto South Africa to make the top ten (and the only sedan here), the DZire 1,2 GA employs the Japanese firm’s familiar naturally aspirated 1,2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, which sends 61 kW and 113 N.m to the front axle via a five-speed manual gearbox.

9. Suzuki Swift 1,2 GA: R166 900

The entry-level Swift, meanwhile, shares its platform and powertrain with the DZire above, and comes in some R1 500 cheaper than its three-box sibling. Suzuki claims a combined fuel consumption of 4,9 L/100 km for this version of its hatchback.

8. Renault Triber 1,0 Expression: R164 900

The recently launched, three-strong Renault Triber range kicks off at a shade under R165 000 with this Expression variant. Its free-breathing 1,0-litre three-pot generates 52 kW and 96 N.m, driving the front wheels through a five-speed manual. The Triber is the only seven-seater to make this list.

7. Datsun Go 1,2 Mid: R162 300

Datsun’s base version of the Go hatchback has to settle for seventh place but thankfully these days offers ABS and a pair of airbags as standard. The front axle is fed 50 kW and 104 N.m (or a touch more in the slightly more expensive CVT variant) from a naturally aspirated 1,2-litre three-cylinder, via a five-speed manual transmission.

6. Hyundai Atos 1,1 Motion: R159 900

The revived Atos (known as the Santro in India) returns to South Africa to grab sixth place, employing the Korean firm’s familiar free-breathing 1,1-litre four-pot, which makes 50 kW and 99 N.m. For the record, the Atos is CAR magazine’s Top 12 Best Buys winner in the budget category for 2020.

5. BAIC D20 1,3 Comfort: R149 990

The only vehicle here not imported from India, BAIC’s D20 hatchback sneaks in under the R150 000 mark. Thanks to its 1,3-litre four-pot, it’s also the most powerful vehicle on this list, with 75 kW and 128 N.m delivered to the front wheels through a five-speed manual.

4. Renault Kwid 1,0 Expression: R144 900

The facelifted Kwid ties for third place, with the Expression derivative playing the role of entry-level model for the French firm. Peak outputs from the 1,0-litre engine are 50 kW and 91 N.m, sent – you guessed it – to the front rubber through a five-speed ‘box.

3. Suzuki Celerio 1,0 GA: R144 900

Suzuki’s cheapest Celerio matches the Kwid on price, while its three-cylinder heart makes a similar 50 kW and 90 N.m. As with the other budget hatchbacks (and single sedan) on this list, power is sent fore via a manual transmission with five forward ratios.

2. Mahindra KUV100 Nxt 1,2 G80 K2+: R142 999

Serving as the base model in Mahindra’s burgeoning KUV100 Nxt range and the second-cheapest new car in South Africa, the petrol-powered K2+ variant offers 61 kW and 115 N.m from its 1,2-litre three-cylinder powerplant.

1. Suzuki S-Presso 1,0 GL: R134 900

Suzuki’s fresh-faced S-Presso has barged its way onto South Africa’s new vehicle market, with the entry-level GL derivative grabbing the title of the country’s cheapest car. Power comes from the brand’s naturally aspirated 1,0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine, which (as in the Celerio above) delivers 50 kW and 90 N.m to the front axle via a five-speed manual gearbox.

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