Motoring

Here’s what R500,000 buys you from all major car brands in South Africa

Staff Writer

 ·19 Feb 2022

There is an ongoing replacement trend in South Africa, which is expected to continue throughout 2022, says Cyril Zhungu, head of automotive retail finance Standard Bank.

Demand, he says, is being generated through vehicle model renewal and new vehicle model introductions, which remain a key factor in stimulating recent vehicle sales.

Local vehicle manufacturers, importers and distributors have become more proficient in adapting to shifting consumer needs, said Zhungu. This includes an influx of mid-range SUVs into the country in recent years as South Africans migrate to ‘more’ terrain vehicles with good clearance.

Hatchbacks, however, still remain the most sought-after shape, a recent BusinessTech poll showed, with several new models also in play in 2022, led by the Polo GTI.

Calculations made using Wesbank’s repayments calculator, including the assumption of a 0% deposit for car financing and no additional fees, shows that to afford a mid-range vehicle, one would need to earn a gross monthly salary of R41,900 or above, while monthly repayments of R10,500 would be enough to pay off a R500,000 vehicle.

The likes of Volvo, Mercedes Benz, and BMW do not feature on this list as entry-level vehicles start at R654,442 for the Volvo XC40, R591,020 for the BMW 1 Series, and R660,554 for an A-Class Mercedes.

Here are a few of the cars R500,000 can buy:

Volkswagen

• Polo GTI 2.0 TSI
• Price: R489,400

Peugeot

• 2008 1.2T GT
• Price: R511,900

Mitsubishi

• Eclipse Cross 1.5T GLS
• Price: R509 995

Subaru

• Subaru XV 2.0i-S ES CVT
• Price: R509 000
  

Nissan

• X-Trail
• Price: R483,900

Toyota

• Hilux Double Cab 2.4 GD6 RB SR MT
• Price: R503 700

Jeep

• Renegade Limited
• Price: R529 900

Kia

• Kia Sportage 2.0L Ignite Plus 2WD Auto
• Price: R503 995
  

Audi

• A1 Sportback 35 TFSI 5-DR S TRONIC
• Price: R517 000
  

Ford

• Ranger 2.2 TDCi Double Cab XL 6AT 4×2 HR
• Price: R504 700

Mini

• Cooper Hatch 3-door
• Price: R506 054

Hyundai

• Tucson 2.0 Premium
• Price: R506 900

Isuzu

• D-Max 250 double cab Hi-Ride auto
• Price: R500 000

Mazda

•  CX-5 2.0 Active AT
• Price: R492 900

Honda

•  HR-V 1.8 Elegance CVT
• Price: R484,300

Renault

• Koleos Expression CVT MY21
• Price: R494 900

Haval

• H6 2.0T Super Luxury
• Price: R494 900

Read: Here’s what car R1 million buys you from every major car brand in South Africa