{"id":723496,"date":"2023-10-08T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-08T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=723496"},"modified":"2023-10-06T16:12:48","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T14:12:48","slug":"3-of-the-best-entry-level-budget-and-compact-hatchbacks-in-south-africa-in-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/motoring\/723496\/3-of-the-best-entry-level-budget-and-compact-hatchbacks-in-south-africa-in-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"3 of the best entry-level, budget, and compact hatchbacks in South Africa in 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

South African online motoring portal Cars.co.za has revealed the 39 finalists of its 2023\/24 Consumer Awards, revealing three of the best hatchbacks in South Africa across three price brackets – entry-level, budget, and compact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Consumer Awards is one of the country\u2019s most comprehensive motoring awards programs \u2013 following the announcement of the 65 semi-finalists in September, reported<\/a> TopAuto. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These 39 finalists will now be subjected to back-to-back testing at the Gerotek proving ground in Gauteng by the combined panel of 20 judges in November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The judges\u2019 scores for the vehicles will contribute 50% of the final standings, with the other 50% to be based on feedback from the experiences of thousands of vehicle owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith 50% of the final scores determined by brands\u2019 ratings in the survey, a vehicle only really stands a very good chance of winning if it is a good product in the eyes of the judges and if its brand delivers solid after-sales service,\u201d said the head of the CarsAwards project, Hannes Oosthuizen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the Consumer Awards finalists span across 13 different categories and price brackets, we focused on the most popular segment in South Africa – hatchbacks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatchbacks are versatile vehicles that offer practicality, affordability, and excellent fuel efficiency, making them ideal for city driving and everyday use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are generally priced lower than other car types but offer similar features and performance. This makes them an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers who are looking for a reliable and efficient vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to their affordability, hatchbacks are also well-suited for the country\u2019s narrow and congested roads. With their compact size, they are easy to manoeuvre through traffic and park in tight spaces, making them a practical choice for urban dwellers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As outlined by the Consumer Awards, there are 13 hatchbacks listed among the finalists, with 9 of them falling under three categories and price brackets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These categories, the top three cars, and the price brackets are listed below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entry-Level Hatch \u2013 Under R250,000<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renault Kiger 1.0 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n