Buying on a budget? Here are the 7 Cheapest Cars in South Africa

By: Nelson Kalula

Looking to buy a new car on a budget? Here are the 7 cheapest cars in South Africa you can buy in 2022. Whether you’re looking for a small city car or a larger family vehicle, there’s something on this list to suit your needs. So, if you’re looking to save money on your next new car purchase, read on!

Check out our list of the Cheapest Cars in South Africa

Accurate as of January 2023.

1. Suzuki S-Presso – R162 900

Suzuki S-Presso - cheapest cars in south africa

Starting off our list of the 7 cheapest cars in South Africa you can buy in 2022 is the Suzuki S-Presso which now starts at R156 900. Specifics on the new, low-priced S-Presso lineup from Suzuki Automobile South Africa have been made public which reaffirms that affordable mobility still exists. The manual and automatic versions of the new S-Presso, built in India, are powered by the same 1,0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine found in the Celerio.

This makes the Japanese model capable of 50 kW at 5 500 r/min and 90 N.m at 3 500 r/min, sending power to the front wheels via a choice of five gears. Suzuki asserts that their vehicles typically consume 4,9 L/100 km, regardless of the cog-swapper configuration.

Suzuki Cars for Sale in Gauteng

Suzuki Cars for Sale in Cape Town

Suzuki Cars for Sale in Durban

2. Mahindra KUV100 – R172 999

KUV100 is one of the cheapest cars in South Africa

When Mahindra introduced the KUV100 to the local market in 2016, it quickly became the company’s most popular passenger vehicle. The Indian manufacturer has made some significant updates to its well-liked KUV (Kool Utility Vehicle) range recently. Beyond just adding an Nxt extension, there have been aesthetic changes, new features, and the debut of a stripped-down variant of K2. The flagship G80 K8 was previously reviewed in the August 2016 issue, and this update has been put through its paces here.

Mahindra Kuv100 Cars for Sale

Cheap Mahindra Kuv100 Cars for Sale

New Mahindra Kuv100 Nxt Cars for Sale

Mahindra Kuv Cars for Sale in Mahindra

3. Renault Kwid – R180 999

Renault Kwid is also one the cheapest cars in South Africa

There aren’t many new cars available in South Africa that are within most people’s price range. It’s true that once you drop below R180 000, your options narrow significantly.

Starting at R174 400, it outshines the competition on paper thanks to its 5-year warranty, 1-year of full coverage insurance, and a long list of standard features (which includes electric power steering, electric front windows, and Bluetooth audio).

This seems too good to be true in a market where crossovers are trending heavily. The Kwid may satisfy your aesthetic, functional, and financial needs, but it comes at a cost. As a matter of fact, that something might be a deal breaker. Check out our Renault Kwid 1,0 Dynamique review.

Renault Kwid Cars for Sale

Renault Kwid Cars for Sale in Western Cape

Renault Kwid Cars for Sale in Gauteng

Renault Kwid Cars for Sale in Limpopo

4. Suzuki Celerio – R178 900

Affordable vehicles
Image: Suzuki

Amidst unprecedented fuel price increases, Suzuki South Africa has timed the release of one of the most fuel-efficient new cars to the local market. It may have a small footprint, but don’t let that fool you; the Suzuki Celerio offers remarkable fuel economy, adorable styling, and increased interior space. Their compact Celerio couldn’t have come at a better time offering enviable fuel efficiency and a host of standard features.

Even though the Suzuki Celerio’s 1,0-litre 3-cylinder naturally aspirated motor only produces 49 kW and 89 N.m, when paired with an automatic transmission, the Japanese automaker claims the vehicle can achieve a combined fuel consumption of 4,2 L/100 km. The GL we tested had a 5-speed manual transmission and was rated at 4,4L/100 km, but we were only able to achieve 5,3L/100 km on our launch drive through the stop-and-go traffic of Johannesburg’s urban core. Still, this is an impressive figure that will keep prospective buyers wallets happy. This a great addition to our list of the 7 cheapest cars in South Africa.

Used Suzuki Cars for Sale in Gauteng

Suzuki Celerio Cars for Sale

Used Suzuki Celerio Cars for Sale in Western Cape

5. Mahindra Bolero 2,5Di Single Cab – R192 999

Mahindra Bolero cheapest cars in South Africa
Mahindra extends Bolero range with Maxitruck workhorse.

The Mahindra Bolero 2,5Di Single Cab Maxitruck Plus’ price is the lowest on this list, but it only sold 37 units in August. Small quantities of the Indian-built utilitarian vehicle left the sales floor, possibly as a result of the 2,5-liter four-cylinder engine’s underwhelming output of 46 kW and 195 N.m. For its price, it is a great addition to our list of cheapest cars in South Africa for those looking for a basic bakkie to haul relatively light loads in.

Cheap Mahindra Bolero Cars for Sale

Mahindra Bolero Single Cab Cars for Sale

6. Suzuki Dzire – R193 900

Affordable vehicles
Image: Suzuki

The phrase “affordable motoring” is something heard more prevalently these days. The market is becoming increasingly focused on vehicles that are affordable both initially and over time in terms of repairs and upkeep. Luckily, our market offers a variety of choices. When it comes to introducing compact cars that meet the needs of these customers, Suzuki is among the leaders, if not the leader.

The Suzuki Swift hatchback has consistently been one of the CAR team’s top picks, and its widespread appeal is reflected in high monthly sales numbers. The new and improved Dzire shares its platform with the Swift hatchback, but it wears a sedan silhouette and boasts a boot that is 288 litres larger than its hatch counterpart.

Used Suzuki Dzire Cars for Sale

New Suzuki Dzire Cars for Sale

Suzuki Dzire Cars for Sale in Gauteng

7. Hyundai Atos – R199 900

Hyundai Atos one of the cheapest cars in South Africa
A self-shifting transmission is now available for the Atos

Last on our list of cheapest cars in South Africa is the Hyundai Atos. In 2003, the Hyundai Atos was a pivotal model that established the company’s presence in our market and beyond. The Atos is one of the cheapest cars in the South African market, and it offers a variety of features that are perfect for everyday driving. With its small size and fuel efficiency, the Atos is perfect for city driving, and its low price makes it a great option for budget-minded drivers.

The width of the vehicle has grown by 120 mm from the outgoing model, which is the only appreciable change. This may seem inconsequential, but it prevents the uncomfortable physical contact that is a common feature of driving a compact car, especially for passengers who are larger in stature.

Hyundai Atos Cars for Sale

Cheap Hyundai Atos Cars for Sale

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