13 automatic cars you can buy under R280,000 in South Africa – and one just launched this month

·28 Sep 2024

Despite having a car with an automatic gearbox often being considered a luxury, there are 13 automatic vehicles priced under R280,000 in South Africa.

Driving in South Africa can be challenging due to its diverse terrains and heavy traffic, making automatic transmissions an attractive option for many drivers.

One key advantage of automatic cars is their convenience. Unlike manual vehicles, automatic cars don’t require drivers to manage a clutch or shift gears.

This makes navigating through busy urban traffic or driving in hilly areas significantly easier.

Automatic transmissions also simplify driving, allowing new drivers to focus more on the road and less on gear changes.

In stop-and-go traffic, common in many of South Africa’s cities, automatic transmissions help reduce driver fatigue.

By eliminating the need for constant gear shifting, they allow for a more relaxed driving experience.

Furthermore, the seamless gear changes provide a smoother ride, particularly over long distances, making travel more comfortable for drivers and passengers alike.

Modern automatic cars are not only easier to drive but can also be more fuel-efficient than older models.

Advances in technology have allowed manufacturers to design automatic systems that optimise gear shifts based on driving conditions.

This can lead to better fuel economy, which is an essential consideration in South Africa, where fuel prices continue to rise.

For many drivers, the potential savings on fuel make automatic cars an economically attractive option.

Overall, the user-friendly nature, adaptability to different terrains, and potential fuel savings make automatic cars a popular choice for drivers across the country.

While automatic cars are often associated with high-end models, there are now many affordable options on the market.

According to the latest quarterly employment survey from Stats SA, the average salary in South Africa is R27,450 per month.

Finance experts typically recommend allocating no more than 25% of one’s monthly net income to vehicle-related expenses.

This means that the average worker could comfortably spend up to R6,862 a month on car-related costs, putting all 13 automatic cars on this list within reach for many South Africans.

Among these options is Mahindra’s newly launched XUV 3XO, which was introduced to the South African market on September 19, 2024.

This crossover is set to replace the outgoing XUV300 and has a starting price of R254,999, which is R23,000 less than its predecessor.

Eight different variants are available, with prices ranging from R254,999 to R404,999.

Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The automatic models feature driving modes like Zip, Zap, and Zoom that enhance performance across different terrains.

For those looking to finance the automatic vehicles in this article, WesBank’s vehicle finance calculator estimates monthly repayments between R4,337 and R6,231, assuming no deposit and a 0% balloon payment over five years at an interest rate of 11.50%.

All the 13 automatic cars you can buy for under R280,000 in South Africa right now are listed below.

Kia Picanto 1.0 Start auto – R278,995