5 French cars to beat the fuel price hike

By Ané Theron

Local car-buyers are looking for fuel-economical vehicles more than ever, so we've listed a few French favourites that aren't just cheap to run, but also chock-full of safety features, since the French leave no stone unturned when it comes to making cars family-friendly.

Here are our fantastic 5, listed from the most luxurious to the most affordable.

1. Best for stylish, upmarket SUV fans who like to be different: Peugeot 3008 2.0 HDi Active, 439 900

Not only is the custom-built 3008 mulltiple Dakar-winner Stéphane Peterhansel's choice of car for the Dakar rally, the Peugeot 3008 has also won a list of awards as long as my left leg. Coveted titles include European Car of the Year 2017, and 2017 Women's World Car of the Year (SUV category). It also went on the win a whole bunch of country-specific awards as well such as Drive 360's Family Car of the Year.

The meticulously-built 3008 is a feast for the senses. My test model came in 1.6T petrol GT-Line guise (R532 900) with beautifully stitched leather seats, Peugeot's i-Cockpit interface and even a "cat paw" seat massaging function. But the most affordable diesel option in the line-up is the above mentioned 2.0HDi Active model (with 110kW and 370Nm and a 6-speed manual transmission) and you'll be astounded by just how economical it is once you start driving. It also features the i-Cockpit with Peugeot's 8-inch central touchscreen and dedicated brushed aluminium piano-key buttons underneath. 

The clean and serene cabin is extremely well insulated from noise and you feel like you're in a Mercedes-Benz E-Class instead of a family SUV. Peugeot says you'll be able to squeeze 1060 out of a single tank and if you drive very sensibly, this figure can be attained. But apart from being a consumption champ, the 3008 is full of important stuff, such as 6 airbags, cruise control with speed limit information & intelligent speed adaptation, road sign detection, lane departure warning, front collision warning, driver fatigue warning, and an advanced emergency brake system. Then there's also hill-start assist, rear parking aid, an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, rain-sensing wind-screen wipers and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Excellent value for money!

2. Best for trendy urbanites with racing aspirations: Peugeot 308 1.2T Allure auto, R369 900

Clean lines, smooth edges, and the very French 'less is more' design philosophy makes for an understatedly elegant hatchback, specced to the brim with modern tech and safety features. And Peugeot's 1.2-litre turbo engine is remarkably zesty too. These days, a 1.2-litre turbo is easily equivalent to a naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre engine or larger. The lively engine of the 308 Allure strikes the ideal balance between peppy performance and decent fuel economy, but drive it with too much spirit and you'll soon see your fuel consumption rise. 

But, we have other reasons why we love the 308 as well. Its sporty, well-bolstered seats are ultra comfy, the layout of the front fascia is trés chic, there's tech and spec for days, and the size of the sporty steering wheel makes you feel like you're an F1 driver. With 96 kW and 230 Nm on tap, you'll be able to indulge in all of your fast-track fantasies, but without having to spend megabucks on a Golf GTI. How's that for having your 'petits fours' and eating it too?

According to Peugeot, average fuel consumption is a fine 5.2 litres per 100 km, but we attained a slightly higher (but still a very good) figure of 6-7. If you want to go for something smaller, then the Peugeot 208 will also sip very lightly.

3. Best for urban moms and outdoorsy dads: Renault Kadjar (used models only)

The recently-discontinued Renault Kadjar never quite got the attention it deserved, and I was sad to see it scrapped from the local line-up. It was even a 2017 SA Car of the Year finalist! Apart from being one of the safest and most well-specified 5-seater family SUVs in its segment, the flagship Renault Kadjar 96kW dCi Dynamique 4WD (with 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine) also surprised me with its fantastic fuel economy, giving me around 1200 km on just one tank of fuel. The Kadjar was also available with a 81 kW, 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine, which was also highly economical. Head on over to AutoTrader's virtual showrooms to search for a pre-loved Kadjar here.

4. Best for anyone who wants SUV ruggedness and value for money: Renault Duster 1.5dCi Dynamique auto, R322 900

When the all-new Duster launched towards the end of last year, we knew that Renault was on to something special. Gone was the budget interior, and a whole host of nifty new features made their way into the range as a whole, including handy cameras on the flagship Prestige model that give you 'eyes' on every side of the car. All Dusters now come with electronic stability control too. But the Duster's real superpower is how far one tank can take you if you drive decently. Click here to read all about my trans-Karoo economy run. (The Duster is also an AutoTrader Car of the Year finalist for 2019.)

5. Best for buyers on a budget: Renault Sandero 66 kW turbo Expression, R179 900

The sassy little Sandero is one of SA's safest entry-level cars. Apart from its ability of run on the smell of a petrol rag, it scored high marks for child as well as occupant protection in the AA and ANCAP road crash safety tests. For the little darlings in the back, there are 3x3-point seat belts and the Sandero is one of the few starter cars in SA that have ESC (electronic stability control) as standard, which helps you stay in control of your vehicle. Using an average of only 5.2 litres per 100 km, its 50-litre fuel tank will keep you on the road for a very long time.

Love French cars?

Read our driving impression of the new Renault Koleos here.

The launch report of the Renault Mégane RS can be read here.