6 value-packed cars for thrifty women

By Ane Theron

If there’s one thing us womenfolk are good at, it’s turning those pennies around. I  recently drove a couple of value-for-money cars that would suit pennywise ladies perfectly! Light on fuel and fairly priced, here are my current top 6.

1.Suzuki Baleno (from R199 900)

This Japanese marque is getting better and better, and the Baleno is another example of how far Suzuki have come. The Baleno is no show-stopper, although its understated looks grew on me during the week I spent with it - it reminds me a little of the previous-generation Renault Mégane. I love the Baleno it for its light body mated to a perky 1.4-litre engine, which never crossed the 5.8 litres (of petrol) per 100km mark, even in traffic! It hugs the road like it’s nobody’s business, and it’s decidedly roomy as well. Rear passengers have ample space and the boot is a generous 328 litres. Steering is light, but direct, and it’s highly entertaining to stir that 5-speed gearbox around some frisky mountain passes. Standard spec is decent enough, with radio/CD player with Bluetooth, auxiliary input, and USB connectivity. Safety systems comprise ABS with EBD and brake assist, as well as 2 airbags. GLX-variants get side airbags and curtain airbags too, totalling 6. Visit the Suzuki website for the full list of specs . Chad Luckhoff attended the Baleno launch and made a video - click here to watch.

 2.Renault Sandero (from R164 900)

If you’re looking for an inexpensive and safe way to make it to your destination, the Sandero (pictured here is the entry-level model) is a good bet. It features pothole-resistant wheels, advanced safety systems such as traction and stability control, hill start assist, and 2 airbags as standard. (The top-spec Stepway Dynamique gets all the bells and whistles, including 4 airbags and standard satnav. It costs R194 900.) The rear seat offers good legroom and elbow room for children and (average-sized) adults alike. Featuring a turbo-charged 3-cylinder engine, it needs only sniff at a fuel rag to keep going. We averaged around 5.4litres per 100 km on launch, and we spent quite some time in heavy traffic. Read my driving impression here.

3.Suzuki Ignis (from R169 900)

If you like your cars cute, characterful and quirky, the fun-to-drive and fun-to-behold Ignis will suit your lifestyle as well as your personality. The fresh and modern interior will brighten your mood every time you get inside, and you’ll be surprised how good the steering feels out on the open road. The 1.2-litre engine inside that petite body-shell translates to fuel usage of only 6.1 litres per 100 km combined. It’s the thrifty dame’s Mini Cooper!

I drove the mid-range Ignis 1.2 GLX MT, which comes with 2 airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, and a relatively long list of comfort and convenience features. Every IGNIS gets the above mentioned safety features, but the GLX MT and Auto variants get a push-button start, roof-rails, Bluetooth, satellite controls on the steering wheel, rear park distance control, and so forth. Chad Luckhoff attended the launch - you can read all about it here.

4.Honda BR-V (from R239 000)

A seven-seater for under R240 000? A much safer bet than a Datsun Go+, the Honda offers reliability, user-friendliness and solid build quality - with space for all the carpooling kids and their stuff. A 1.5-litre engine powers the BR-V, which did not feel lazy at the coast, but once all 7 seats have a pair of bottoms on top, things may change. But for the lady who likes boot space, fold that third row flat and you’ll have a perfectly spacious station wagon! The entry-level Trend-variant has ABS, EBD and Brake Assist, as well as two front airbags. I attended the launch in the Western Cape and also took the BR-V on a budget birthday adventure. Click here.  For the full list of specs, check out the Honda SA website .

5.Toyota C-HR (from 318 500)

Our most expensive car on the list is the luxurious C-HR. If you’re an introverted wallflower, this head-turner probably won’t float your boat. But if you are a sassy lady who likes her life modern, loud and colourful, the Toyota C-HR will make you very happy, indeed. Toyota really pushed the envelope with the C-HR’s design, and that 1.2-litre turbo engine? It’s remarkably swift, smooth and slowly sips on fuel.  Spacious, classy, yet youthful and fresh, the C-HR is a car that’s just as much fun to drive as it’s nice to look at. Every C-HR gets the obligatory ABS and EBD with Brake Assist, but hill-start assist, stability control and traction control are standard features too. It’s not the largest boot and the car could really do with rear-parking sensors, but it’s so lovely to sit inside it (and drive it!)that I’m willing to overlook its faults. I would have liked two more airbags too (2 are standard). Click here for my road test. You can click here to see the C-HR on the Toyota website.

6.Fiat Tipo (from R229 900)

Ok, I’ll be honest - I haven’t driven the TIpo, but it’s on my to-drive-list. But when I saw the spec sheet and the price, I knew I’d have to include it in my list. This sexy newcomer from Fiat looks svelte, fast and expensive, and comes with 1.3, 1.6 and 1.4-litre engines (the 1.3 is a diesel). It offers a multitude of convenience features as standard, but it’s the safety features that will please protective parents. ABS with EBD and Panic Brake, which will add more braking power in case of emergency. Traction and stability control add further peace of mind. 2 airbags are standard but you can add side and curtain airbags at extra cost.  Both the hatch and sedan versions have a gigantic boot, and interior build quality is said to be solid. The Tipo offers fresh, fashionable European design and is chock-full of spec to simplify your life. My colleague Lawrence Minnie drove the Tipo, and you can check out his video here. You can also pay the Fiat SA website a visit here.