We’ve all felt the pinch over the past year or two. As the South African economy struggles to grow under the Covid-19 pandemic, consumers are starting to tighten their belts in order to save money. One of the main areas where they’re doing this is with transport.
With many working from home, people are starting to downsize their vehicles - looking for cheap, reliable cars that are inexpensive to fuel and cheap to maintain. Here are the five cheapest new cars available in South Africa.
1. Suzuki S-Presso 1.0 GL
The quirky S-Presso holds the honour of being South Africa’s cheapest new car. With a price tag of just R149 900, it undercuts rivals by a considerable margin. Like the rest of the range, it’s powered by a rather peppy 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine that provides remarkable fuel economy - just 4.9 L/100 km (claimed).
Despite the remarkably low price, would-be S-Presso buyers receive ABS brakes, dual front airbags and air-conditioning as standard. A two-year/30 000 km service plan is a highlight of the package, along with the impressive five-year/200 000 km warranty.
2. BAIC D20 Hatch 1.3 Comfort
Far bigger than any of the other cars on this list, the Chinese BAIC D20 comes in second. The base-model Comfort derivative costs just R990 more than the S-Presso, but does without a standard service plan or the extensive dealer network the Suzuki offers.
Under the bonnet is a 1.3-litre petrol engine which produces 75 kW and 128 Nm of torque. The most powerful engine here is also the heaviest on fuel. The manufacturer claims an average of 6.7 L/100 km - rather heavy for a small capacity motor. Like the S-Presso, you receive ABS brakes and dual front airbags as standard.
3. Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GA
First introduced in 2014, the Celerio has, like most Suzuki products, proven to be popular with South African consumers. Powered by the same three-cylinder engine as the S-Presso, the Celerio GA comes in at a slightly higher price point.
For your R153 900, the Celerio receives the same basic safety and convenience features as its smaller brother, but makes do without remote central locking. Electric windows aren’t available, either. A slightly larger boot does justify the price over the S-Presso, though. Unfortunately, the Celerio doesn’t receive the service plan as standard, but does receive the impressive five-year/200 000 km warranty.
4. Mahindra KUV100 Nxt 1.2 G80 K2+
Technically the fifth cheapest car in SA (the S-Presso GL+ undercuts it by R99) Mahindra’s KUV100 brings crossover ownership into the hands of many more South Africans. The styling may win many South Africans, with the chunky aesthetic and crossover appeal giving it an SUV look.
It certainly won’t have the thirst of an SUV, though. A 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine delivers claimed fuel economy of just 5.9 L/100 km. Like the others, the Mahindra receives dual front airbags and ABS - but doesn’t receive a service plan as standard. The warranty covers the powertrain for three years, while the car itself receives a five-year plan. It’s worth noting that like the BAIC, this Indian crossover has a 10 000 km service interval.
5. Renault Kwid 1.0 Expression
The most expensive entrant on the list is the Renault Kwid. At R162 900, it’s R13 000 more than the base model S-Presso. Powered by an equally small 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine, the Kwid matches it’s Japanese rival for power, but just beats it in the fuel economy stakes.
Suzuki claims 4.9 L/100 km for the S-Presso, while Renault says the Kwid can best that, at 4.7 L (claimed). It boasts a bigger boot, too (279 L vs 239 L) but matches the rest for safety features. Despite the larger price tag, Renault has not given the Kwid a standard service plan although the warranty, at five-years/150 000 km, should give some peace of mind.
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FAQ
Q: What is the cheapest new car you can buy in South Africa?
The Suzuki S-Presso 1.0 GL is South Africa's cheapest new car at R149,900, offering impressive fuel economy of 4.9 L/100 km and a comprehensive five-year/200,000 km warranty.
Q: Are cheap cars in South Africa reliable and safe?
Yes, even budget cars like the S-Presso and Celerio come with essential safety features including ABS brakes and dual front airbags as standard, plus Suzuki's proven reliability and extensive dealer network.
Q: What does it cost to run the cheapest cars in South Africa?
The most economical options like the Suzuki S-Presso cost just 4.9 L/100 km to fuel, while the BAIC D20 uses 6.7 L/100 km, making the Suzuki models significantly cheaper for daily running costs.
Q: Which cheap car offers the best warranty in South Africa?
Suzuki leads the pack with a five-year/200,000 km warranty on both the S-Presso and Celerio, plus a two-year/30,000 km service plan that adds serious value to your purchase.
Q: Should I buy a Chinese car like the BAIC D20 to save money?
While the BAIC D20 at R150,890 offers more space, it lacks the service plan and dealer network of Suzuki models, making the S-Presso a smarter long-term investment despite similar pricing.
Should You Buy It?
The best budget car under R160,000 in South Africa is definitely the Suzuki S-Presso 1.0 GL at R149,900. You get unbeatable fuel economy, a proper warranty, and Suzuki's legendary reliability. The BAIC D20 might offer more space for just R990 extra, but the S-Presso's service plan and dealer support make it the smarter buy. If you need something slightly more refined, the Celerio GA is worth the small premium, but honestly, the S-Presso delivers everything most South Africans need in a budget car.
