10 Best used family cars of 2021

For the purpose of this article, we set a mileage limit of 30 000 km, which means an age cap of 2 years if we stick to a maximum annual mileage of 15 000 km per year. And, because family hauling could be hard work, we ignored cars with less than 125 Nm. (It’s still not much, but at least it would move about better than a Kwid or a Go!)

We then split the group into sub-categories with various price limits, encompassing bargains (list prices lower than R 150 000), compact hatchbacks up to R 300 000, double-cab bakkies up to R 500 000, sedans, and SUVs up to R 600 000. For each of these 5 groups, we found our favourite currently listed on AutoTrader, as well as a worthy alternative.

Budget-focused bargains

With all car prices skyrocketing over the past few years, we were quite pleasantly surprised to find some very attractive, late-model cars with low mileages in this segment: Less money than a new Suzuki S-Presso's price can get you and your family into one of these well-rounded alternatives.

1. Fiat Panda TwinAir

Do not be deceived by its diminutive size, because the Panda manages to eke out Tardis-like cabin space from a rather small box. You can’t buy a new Panda anymore, but those low-mileage Pandas listed on AutoTrader have already taken their (substantial) initial depreciation knock, offer surprisingly decent performance from a cheerful little 2-cylinder turbo engine, and could absolutely serve as a car for a smallish, young family (once the kiddies are out of diapers and push carts, at least).

 

2. Renault Sandero 66 kW 

In spite of its relative popularity when it was still available as a new car, Sanderos also suffer from serious depreciation. That’s bad news for those who bought them new, but makes for excellent high-value shopping for bargain hunters. Essentially a Clio IV under the skin, the Sandero uses a higher roofline and boxier shape to provide more cabin- and luggage space, and should again serve a young family quite well.

 

Compact hatchbacks under R 300 000

This price barrier is still on the low side of its market segment, because a high-end compact hatchback can easily shoot past the R 1-million mark. But, unless you’re after a status symbol rather than a sensible family car, these compact hatchbacks will serve you and your family very well, without breaking the bank.

3. Suzuki Baleno/Toyota Starlet

These compact hatchbacks can actually be bought new for about 75% of this category’s budget cap, but buying used can get you even better value for money without any real downsides. In this price bracket, the Suzuta Staleno (or is that Toyuki Ballet?) twins absolutely dominate the market with their combination of space and practicality, safety credentials, frugality, and comprehensive standard specifications. The best part is their pricetags, which often drop below R 250 000 for nearly-new, high-trim examples.

 

4. Fiat Tipo Hatch

This stylish Italian never managed to get traction in the South African marketplace, but that doesn’t mean that it is without merit. Even more cabin space and a decisively bigger boot makes it even more practical than the high-value Baleno. And, because most Fiats simply don’t hold their value here, depreciation can easily knock 35% off the price of a Tipo by the time it’s 2 years old. It’s also very comfortable and well-equipped, and makes a lot of sense as a used buy.

 

Double cab bakkies up to R 500 000

In this field, the variety and price spread are mind-boggling, but we’ll stick to the mainstream brands for our favourite, and choose one of the Chinese challengers as an alternative.

5. Mitsubishi Triton

While nearly-new Tritons retail above the R 500 000 mark, you could get a 2-year-old (facelifted) example with very low mileage (less than 25 000 km) between R 480 000 and R 500 000. That’s an excellent price for a bakkie that counts among the most spacious out there, with a high-tech engine and gearbox, lots of safety kit, and very good standard equipment. 

Why a Triton, specifically? Because of its steep initial depreciation and well-equipped interior, that’s why. Rangers and Hilux double cabs in this price bracket will either be stripped of any niceties, be half-a-decade old, or carry intergalactic mileages. If you don’t want a Triton, you could also opt for a nearly-new, current-generation Nissan Navara, but know that it won’t have the same creature comforts as a Triton with a similar pricetag.

 

6. GWM P Series

Shopping below half-a-million Rand could also get you a brand-new GWM P Series double cab, or you could save quite a bit of money by opting for a used, 2021-model instead. Expect to save up to R 40 000, compared to the price of a new one, simply by settling for a used one with around 100 km on the odo.

 

Sedans

In this category, we threw price limits out an electrically-operated window, and simply browsed to find the best used family sedan at the lowest price. The main factor here is depreciation: Because it’s an unpopular body type, sedans tend to lose more of their value in a short period, offering great savings to used-car buyers in the process. We did decide on larger models, however, to maximise your family’s comfort.

7. Lexus ES

This is serious bargain territory, because a used, entry-level 2021 Lexus ES with about 10 000 km on the clock can be had for a cool R 120 000 less than a new one would cost – they’re currently below the R 600 000 mark in the used market. As far as family sedans go, the Lexus ES is one of the very best, with excellent safety specifications, superb ride comfort, lots of comfort- and convenience items as standard, and massive space both inside the cabin and in the boot. Combine this with steep initial depreciation, and a nearly-new Lexus ES deserves to be at the top of your used family sedan list.

 

8. Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.0T

A new (facelifted) Giulia will set you back almost a million Rand today, but you can get a year-old example for about 50% less. For a car as capable, pretty and desirable as the Giulia, that massive depreciation is largely undeserved, but market forces deem used Giulias to be worth a lot less than new ones. So, if you want an enjoyable sports sedan to carry your family, but don’t want something German (or more expensive), your satisfaction with a 2020-vintage Giulia should be guaranteed.

 

SUVs up to R 600 000

The SUV body style has become the default choice for modern families, and some really spacious SUVs can be had for surprisingly little money. We still stuck to the high-value side of the market, however, because family cars really should be about sensibility and not a high-status badge.

9. Kia Sorento

Considering that a new, entry-level Sorento starts well above the R 700 000 mark, the fact that you could get a very low-mileage, used 2021-vintage example at a discount of almost R 115 000 should make you sit up and take notice. This is the third-generation Sorento, which has already been replaced overseas, but even the outgoing model offered a lot of capability for reasonable outlay. Spacious, safe, well-equipped and good-looking, the Sorento should still cut a distinctive dash on the school run, and will properly pamper its occupants on a long trip as well.

 

10. Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace

The 7-seater is yet to receive a mid-life make-over to match the updated “normal” Tiguan, but already offers great value for money in the used market. 2021-vintage examples with delivery mileage on the clock can be had in up-spec 1.4TSI Comfortline trim for less than R 600 000 (saving at least R 40 000, compared to a new one), and low-mileage Trendline variants can drop as low as R 520 000. Both offer a lot of space, good standard equipment, and first-rate safety credentials for comparatively low prices.

* Prices were accurate at the time of publication, but are subject to change without prior notice.