On the hunt for affordable cars that won’t break the bank? We’ve rounded up this list of the cheapest cars in South Africa, including some cheap automatic cars for sale.
With many affordable options on the market, buying an automobile doesn’t have to be heavy on the wallet. Yes, you may have to compromise a little on quality and features, but these hatchbacks deliver impressive results too.
We break down some of the most affordable cars in South Africa, so you can cruise in style without burning a hole in your pocket.
Alternatively, are you a traveller seeking a cheap car for only the duration of your trip in South Africa? Or, for whatever reason, you’re just looking to buy a car for the short term. In this case, we recommend you rent a car from Bidvest instead of going through the hassle of buying one. They offer a variety of daily and weekend rates, along with corporate rental specials.
Affordable cars in South Africa
Image by @Lernestorod on Pixabay
Thanks to car manufacturers and dealers who understand that not everyone can afford a Mercedes Benz A-Class or a Porsche Macan, here’s a list of cheap cars for sale. A budget-friendly car still gets the work done of commuting from one place to another and helps you stretch your Rand further to save money.
While we’re big fans of the manual gearbox, we also understand that working with three pedals in traffic can be especially excruciating. So, we’ve also looked at some cheap automatic cars in South Africa.
From manual gearbox lovers to two-pedal fans, this list includes manual, automatic, old, and new cheap cars you can choose from.
Note: Pricing is accurate as of September 2021.
- Suzuki S. Presso – From R149 900
Image by @AutoPhotography on Unsplash
Launched in 2020, Suzuki’s S-Presso is ideal for first-time buyers looking for a cheap small car in South Africa. Pick either the five-speed manual or five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). The S-Presso boasts a power of 50 kW and a maximum twisting force of 90Nm.
With prices starting at R149 900, and going up to R168 900 if you choose the five-speed AMT version, the Suzuki S-Presso is the cheapest new car in South Africa.
- Baic D20 – From R149 990
Another budgeted car sitting just under the R150 000 mark is the Baic D20 1.3 Comfort.
The base-spec D20 generates outputs of 75kW and 128Nm and is powered by a 1.3-litre four-pot engine. The rest of the D20 range delivers a power of 85 kW and 148 Nm of torque through a 1.5-litre petrol engine.
This Chinese hatchback is a strong car, capable of effortlessly gliding over bumpy roads and uneven terrain. Choose between a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. Prices start at R149 990 and can go up to R169 990 and beyond if you opt for the 1.5-litre alternative.
- Suzuki Celerio – From R153 900
Image by @EugeneChystiakov on Unsplash
Launched in 2015, the Suzuki Celerio is one of the best small affordable cars in South Africa. The Celerio employs a five-speed automated manual transmission, but you can get the five-speed automatic derivative too.
Powered by a 3-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine, the Celerio offers 50 kW and 90 Nm of torque. Prices for the base-spec Celerio 1.0 GA start at R153 900, while the higher-spec Celerio 1.0 GL is available for R171 900. If cruising in a two-pedal is more your style, you can get the automatic version for R185 900.
- Mahindra KUV100 – From R154 999
Image by @UtkarshShankar1 on Unsplash
The Mahindra KUV100 Nxt K2+ is powered by a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine with 61kW and 115 Nm of torque outputs. This entry-level car is one of the cheapest cars in South Africa, offering a budget-friendly price of R154 999.
With its five-speed manual transmission, the Mahindra offers decent performance along with two airbags and ABS and EBD safety features.
- Renault Kwid – From R162 900
The Renault Kwid has grown to be immensely popular in South Africa and is the best-selling model of Renault in the country. Powered by a 50kW engine and 91 Nm of torque, the Kwid has a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol capacity.
Pick from either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. First in the range is the Kwid 1.0 Expression valued at R162 900. Prices increase to R172 900 for the higher-spec Kwid Dynamique and start at R183 900 if you choose Kwid Climber (the range-topper).
- Toyota Agya 1.0 AT – From R192 500
Image by @Ssafehavens on Unsplash
The Toyota Agya is not big on features but has a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol powerhouse generating 49 kW and 89 Nm of torque to the front axle. The four-speed automatic transmission’s price starts at R192 500, but you can also opt for the five-speed manual derivative.
The small hatchback isn’t the most modern self-shifter, but it offers an overall good driving experience and does the job in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
- Kia Picanto – From R203 995
The Kia Picanto 1.0 Start Auto is slightly above the R200 000 mark but is still a fantastic affordable option in the auto market. You might even end up recommending this to a friend.
Through a 10-litre three-cylinder engine, the Picanto generates 49 kW and 95 Nm of torque. The brand claims that this, together with a four-speed torque converter, sips only 5.3 L/100 km on a combined cycle. Not bad for a compact-sized modern auto.
- Datsun Go – From R210 700
Image by @Qimono on Unsplash
The Datsun Go 1.2 Lux Auto offers affordable luxury and low fuel consumption in a country with rising fuel prices.
The vehicle has a naturally aspirated 1.2-litre, three-cylinder mill. It employs a continuous variable transmission of five steps to generate a horsepower of 57 kW and 104 Nm of torque. This results in lower fuel consumption of 5.0 L/100 km on a combined cycle.
Concluding cheap cars in South Africa
And there you have it, some of the cheapest cars in South Africa. Of course, there are plenty more options on the market, from cheap new cars to older derivatives.
If buying a cheap hatchback doesn’t appeal to you, why not opt for a used car? There are many used car markets in South Africa with a variety of style options. AutoTrader is one such online marketplace where you can easily compare prices for new and used cars and buy one that meets your requirements.