Motoring

The only cars still priced under R300,000 in South Africa right now

Staff Writer

 ·27 May 2023

With the unabated rise in the cost of living in South Africa, 50% of new car buyers are looking for vehicles priced under R300,000 – giving you an option of 31 models to choose from.

Many experts, banking professionals, and lenders have noted the financial pressures South Africans face due to load shedding, heightened inflation, and the recent and consecutive interest rate hike of 50 basis points – among others.

Add the fact that new vehicle prices have also increased, and you’ll find that many South Africans are unable to afford most of the cars currently on the market.

This was evident in TransUnion’s latest Vehicle Pricing Index (VPI), which reported that the percentage of cars – both new and used – being financed below R200,000 declined to 20% in Q1 2023 from 25% in Q1 2022, likely due to the increased average purchase price of new vehicles, leaving little choice for prospective buyers in this price band.

The data further found that 30% of vehicle financing deals were for cars between R200,000 and R300,000 – meaning around 50% of prospective car buyers are shopping for vehicles under R300,000.

Cars have become an essential form of transport for most of South Africa, but the list of affordable options is dwindling. Several car makers – such as Renault, Ford, and Datsun – have discontinued their entry-level models.

In contrast, others have increased the retail prices of their affordable options amid the various challenges facing the manufacturing industry.

According to TransUnion, the price of new vehicles, on average, increased by 6.3% in Q1 2023.

As a result, only seven passenger vehicles retail for under R200,000 in South Africa right now. When you add these cars to the 24 listed vehicles on this list, and the total number of models on offer under R300,000 in the country is 31.

Interestingly, one of the cars on this list is the new Citroën C3 – which is now on sale in South Africa at a starting price of R229,900.

This is R79,000 less than the previous model, which retails at R305,900.

The C3 comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is displayed on a 10-inch (26cm) touchscreen infotainment system – the largest in its segment.

These 24 cars, priced between R200,000 and R300,000, are listed below.

Renault Kiger 1.0 Turbo Zen – R299,999

GWM Steed 5 2.0VGT single cab S – R299,950

Volkswagen Polo Vivo hatch 1.6 Highline – R299,600

Hyundai Grand i10 1.2 Fluid auto – R297,900

Nissan Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta – R296,500

Fiat 500 TwinAir Club – R294,900

Suzuki Baleno 1.5 GLX manual – R291,900

Nissan Almera 1.5 Acenta – R291,900

Suzuki Vitara Brezza 1.5 GL auto – R290,900

Kia Pegas 1.4 EX auto – R285,995

Mahindra XUV300 1.2T W6 – R284,999

Suzuki Ciaz 1.5 GL auto – R280,900

Kia Picanto 1.2 X-Line auto – R278,995

Toyota Starlet 1.5 XS auto – R278,300

Toyota Rumion 1.5 S – R275,100

Honda Amaze 1.2 Comfort auto – R272,600

Suzuki Ignis 1.2 GLX auto – R270,900

Suzuki Ertiga 1.5 GA – R265,900

Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX auto – R255,900

Renault Triber 1.0 Intens auto – R246,999

Proton Saga 1.3 Premium – R239,900

Toyota Vitz 1.0 XR auto – R239,900

Citroen C3 1.2 Feel – R229,900

Renault Kwid 1.0 Climber – R205,999

Read: The rising cost of owning a car in South Africa – and how much it has changed