Top Five Cheapest New Cars in South Africa
South Africa’s new car market is going through a bit of a rough patch and the importance of cheaper, more affordable cars is higher than ever. Manufacturers have been quick to adapt and, as a result, offer some interesting options to consider on a tight budget. Let’s look at the five of the cheapest cars available in South Africa.
#5: Datsun Go Mid
The Datsun Go was a success as soon as it entered the local market a few years ago. As popular as it was, it did have its fair share of critics that weren’t too pleased with some of its features (or lack thereof). The refreshed Datsun Go addressed a lot of these concerns, and finds its way onto the list with a starting price of R154,500.
Engine: 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder, petrol
Drivetrain: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Output: 50kW of power, 104Nm of torque
Weight: 788-kilograms
Consumption: 5,5-litres/100km
Warranty: 3-year/100,000km
#4: BAIC D20 Hatch Comfort
The Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Company, or BAIC, is a Chinese manufacturer that has managed to bring in a handful of models at very attractive prices. The BAIC B20 Hatch makes its way into fourth place on the list with a starting price of R149,990.
Engine: 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol
Drivetrain: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Output: 75kW of power, 128Nm of torque
Weight: 1091-kilograms
Consumption: 6,4-litres/100km
Warranty: 5-year/120,000km
#3: Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GA MT
Suzuki is big on offering a lot of value at reasonable prices and the Celerio is the essence of this idea. It’s the cheapest Suzuki available and makes up a significant portion of Suzuki South Africa’s sales figures, indicating the importance of the model in the manufacturers product line-up. It finds itself in third place on our list with a starting price of R141,400.
Engine: 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, petrol
Drivetrain: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Output: 50kW of power, 90Nm of torque
Weight: 825-kilograms
Consumption: 4,7-litres/100km
Warranty: 3-year/100,000km
#2: Mahindra KUV 100 K2+ Petrol
The Mahindra KUV is the Indian manufacturers attempt at a compact-budget SUV, and at a starting price of R137,999 it’s a very attractive option. In fact, it misses out on the first place spot by just under R100. Interestingly, it’s also one of the most powerful models on the list.
Engine: 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder, petrol
Drivetrain: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Output: 61kW of power, 115Nm of torque
Weight: 1085-kilograms
Consumption: 5,9-litres/100km
Warranty: 3-year/100,000km
#1: Renault Kwid 1.0 Expression
The cheapest car in the country right now is the Renault Kwid, with a feather-light price tag of R137,900. You’re probably thinking that the cheapest car in SA would sell by the dozen, and you’d be right. The Kwid makes up just under 50% of Renault South Africa’s total sales.
Engine: 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, petrol
Drivetrain: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Output: 50kW of power, 91Nm of torque
Weight: 693-kilograms
Consumption: 5,9-litres/100km
Warranty: 5-year/150,000km
Do you drive one of these cars? Let us know what you think of it by writing a review and sharing it with the AutoAdvisor community.
FAQ
Q: What is the cheapest new car you can buy in South Africa?
The cheapest new car in South Africa is the Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GA MT at R141,400, offering basic but reliable transport with a frugal 1.0-litre engine and decent fuel economy.
Q: Which budget cars under R160,000 offer the best value in South Africa?
The top value picks under R160,000 are the Suzuki Celerio at R141,400 for reliability, the BAIC D20 Hatch at R149,990 for features, and the Datsun Go Mid at R154,500 for space and practicality.
Q: Are Chinese cars like BAIC reliable in South Africa?
BAIC offers decent reliability for the price point, backed by a competitive 5-year/120,000km warranty that's longer than most Japanese rivals, though long-term reliability data is still limited compared to established brands.
Q: What should I expect from a car under R155,000 in South Africa?
Cars under R155,000 typically offer basic features like manual transmission, minimal safety equipment, cloth seats, and small engines, but you'll get decent fuel economy and manufacturer warranties ranging from 3 to 5 years.
Q: Is it worth buying the cheapest new car instead of a used car?
Buying the cheapest new car gives you a full warranty, known service history, and modern safety features that older used cars may lack, making cars like the R141,400 Celerio a smart choice for budget-conscious buyers wanting peace of mind.
Should You Buy It?
If you're shopping for the most affordable new wheels in South Africa, the Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GA MT at R141,400 is your best bet. It offers proven Japanese reliability, decent fuel economy, and Suzuki's solid dealer network for support. The BAIC D20 Hatch Comfort at R149,990 is worth considering if you want more power and a longer warranty, while the Datsun Go Mid at R154,500 makes sense if you need extra space. Bottom line: these budget cars won't win any beauty contests, but they'll get you from A to B reliably without breaking the bank, and that's exactly what they're designed to do.
