Top 5 used compact SUVs under R200 000 for students
The compact SUV segment is busy, and South Africans can't seem to get enough of its practicality and user-friendliness. In this article, we look at affordable and reliable crossovers with no more than 100 000 km on the odometer, especially for school leavers or anyone looking for a cost-effective car.
It's that time of the year again - the daunting matric exams and the big step to further education or perhaps a job. If your child needs reliable transport, look at these five reliable, safe, and cheap crossovers to run and maintain. We searched AutoTrader for models with less than 100 000 km on the odometer.
1. Suzuki Vitara Brezza
The 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated Vitara Brezza (with 77kW and 138Nm) makes stylish transportation. The good news is that you can get a fairly new model at a surprisingly affordable price! Suzukis are easy to fix and cheap to run, making them ideal students' cars.
We saw 2022 models (entry-level in GL trim) with low mileage (under 40 000 km!) from around R170 000. Search AutoTrader here for used Vitara Brezza models.
Related: Top 5 reasons why the Suzuki Vitarta Brezza 1.5 GL S-Edition is ideal for everyday life.
2. Toyota Urban Cruiser
The Urban Cruiser is the Vitara Brezza's mechanical twin, but there are a few small specification differences. If you'd rather drive a Toyota than a Suzuki, then this previous-gen Urban Cruiser is for you. Engine specs are identical, and entry-level XS models on AutoTrader start at roughly the same price. Search for pre-loved Toyota Urban Cruisers here.
Related: Is the previous-generation Toyota Urban Cruiser good for families?
3. Honda BR-V
If you fancy a safe and reliable car, the name Honda undoubtedly springs to mind. What makes the 1.5-litre (with 88 kW and 145 Nm) BR-V special is that it's a seven-seater, but it's still a compact car that's easy to drive and park. We found a 2017 model with 73 000 km for a pocket-friendly R189 900, which is around the going rate for a BR-V of this age and mileage.
Read our review of the 2017 Honda BR-V here.
4. Mazda CX-3
We're huge fans of the fun-to-drive CX-3. Apart from being good-looking, it's quite peppy, too, with 115kW and 206 Nm. The 2.0 Active and Dynamic models cost a mere R160 000, but be sure to buy from a reputable dealership. Search AutoTrader for used Mazda CX-3s here.
Related: Are Mazdas expensive to repair?
5. Renault Duster
The Duster has proven its mettle over the years as an ultra-capable 4x4 (if you opt for a four-wheel-drive model). Both the all- and front-wheel-driven models make great city transportation, and the diesel models are super low on fuel.
Dusters are no longer cheap unless you opt for a slightly older model like the one shown here, which is from 2017. We found examples priced from around R150 000. Search here to see them.
Read our road-trip review of the Renault Duster (2017) here.
