HYUNDAI GRAND I10
l/100km and CO2
Running costs on the Hyundai Grand i10 is low due to its lightweight construction and small petrol engines. Its most thirsty engine is a 1.2-litre automatic which claims 6.9l/100 km on a combined cycle. Waving the fuel-saving flag is a 1.0-litre automatic, paired to a manual gearbox, which claims 5.4l/100 km on a combined cycle. Factors like low rolling resistance tyres and a maximum of four seats also assist in keeping emissions low. The cleanest in the range is the 1.0-litre manual that emits 132 g/km.
Reliability
In a UK reliability survey, Hyundai as a brand fared well, completing in the third position out of 32 manufacturers. However, it was rated as only average for customer satisfaction.
Buyers of a new Hyundai Grand i10 should be able to expect high levels of reliability as many owners of previous models reported issues relating to the cheaper fit and finish. Which is not so much of a problem on newer models. Trim squeaks and rattles are also kept at bay as the newer models have higher levels of build quality and a stronger body shell.
Insurance and servicing costs are low in the class. What may seal the deal for many buyers is Hyundai’s confidence-boosting seven-year, 200,000km Manufacturer’s Warranty and a 5-year/150 000 km Roadside Assistance.
Starting price: R171,900
Read: Top 3 things you need to know about the Hyundai Grand i10
KIA PICANTO
l/100km and CO2
Whether you’re paying cash or financing, the Picanto is a sufficiently cheaper option than the Hyundai i10 or the Volkswagen up!.
Running costs are also competitive; the Picanto is predicted to depreciate fairly slowly by city car standards. The four-cylinder 1.25-litre MPI engine averages a respectable 5.0l/100 km, which in our test averaged around 6.0l/100 km. CO2 emissions are rated around 129 g/km.
If you're looking to spend even less money than the 3-cylinder 1.0 engine won’t disappoint. The 1.0-litre MPI is a great engine and is more fuel-efficient than the 1.25, however, we'd suggest the beefier 1.25 for the slight premium and the performance. CO2 emissions for the 1.0l are rated around 114 g/km.
Reliability
In the aforementioned UK reliability survey, KIA finished in the fourth position out of 32 manufacturers, above the likes of Audi, MINI and sufficiently above Volkswagen, Peugeot, Citroën and Nissan.
In July 2019, KIA Motors SA increased the value proposition of the range with the inclusion of a standard 2-year/30,000km Service Plan for a new KIA Picanto. Attached to this is also a 5-year/Unlimited Kilometre Warranty and 3-years/Unlimited Kilometres Roadside Assistance.
Starting price: R158 995
Read: Is the Kia Picanto good for new drivers?
SUZUKI CELERIO
l/100km and CO2
The Suzuki Celerio is one of the cheapest new cars on sale today, undercutting rivals which include the Volkswagen up! which starts at R177 400.
There's only one engine in the Celerio range which is Suzuki’s award-winning K10B three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine. Its running costs are also suitably tiny. The Celerio has an impressive combined-cycle consumption figure of 4.6l/100 km on the AMT-model and 4.7l/100 km on the manual version. CO2 emissions are rated at 108 g/km for the AMT-model and 110 g/km for the manual version – both well below the 120 g/km emission tax bracket.
If you switch cars every few years then you may want to look at the depreciation figures. The Celerio is also said to sit in a higher insurance group for a car of its size and power, so young and newly qualified drivers should look into that.
Reliability
In the aforementioned UK reliability survey, the Celerio scored better marks than any other city car in the survey and is rated as one of the most dependable cars. Suzuki as a brand was voted as the most reliable manufacturer, so all things considered there's plenty to be optimistic about.
As with rivals, a new Suzuki Celerio comes with a 2 year/30 000 km Service Plan (excl the entry-level Celerio 1.0I GA MT) and a 5 year/200 000 km mechanical warranty.
Starting price: R141 400
Read: 5 extras you should fit on a new Suzuki Celerio
Verdict
It's a tricky one to call a winner here. If style is what you're after then look toward the Picanto.
If peace of mind is what you're seeking then Hyundai's 7 year/200 000 km Manufacturer’s Warranty may be worth considering for you.
If it's fuel economy you're chasing then the Suzuki Celerio is the one to get and you'll get good performance too. Plus Suzuki has been labelled the most reliable here.
Although, the Picanto offers a well-rounded package and the latest ones not only look great but also perform well too.
It ultimately comes down to personal preference, take a look at all of these up close, perhaps test drive them and see what features appeal to you against what you're willing to pay for a car. All three of these cars not only sell well in South Arica but also have great followings and either one will be a good buy.
Related reading: Hyundai Grand i10 vs Toyota Aygo vs Volkswagen up!: which one has the lowest running costs?