Best affordable used SUVs for moms with babies
Many new South African moms who need to upgrade from a small hatch to a larger and more practical SUV often find it way too expensive. These pre-loved SUV gems between R100k and R200k will make life easier without breaking the bank!
Moms need cars with large boots, and an SUV is an obvious choice because it has high ground clearance, which can be very helpful if you need to secure kids in their car seats.
Related: Top 6 premium SUVs with the most boot space in SA
Because of depreciation, buying a used SUV makes the most sense. The cars listed here are recommended in multiple generations if you have more than R200k to spend, but we capped mileage at 120,000 km. They are in no specific order.
Used car budget: R100 000 to R200 000
Honda: BR-V or CR-V
The BR-V is the smaller of the two, resembling a station wagon with the added appeal of seven seats (watch our 2017 video review), and Honda's 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine will save you big on fuel. If you want comfort features galore and space for the whole family, then the larger and more powerful CR-V (read my 2016 review) is your best bet.
Kia: Soul, Sportage, Sorento
Whether you choose the practical Soul (our top choice!), the sporty-looking Sportage, or the seven-seater Sorento, rest assured that these Kias are all great for families of all sizes. I also reviewed the Kia Soul in 2015 and found it ideal.
VW: Tiguan (opt for manual in older cars)
Your options are limited with a small budget, and the first-gen Tiguan's boot was a bit small, so if you're a toddler's mama and the baby buggy is not needed anymore, the Tiguan may work well for you. The 2015 model is reviewed here.
Later models like the one viewed here will cost you more, but the boot's much roomier.
Hyundai: ix35, Venue, Creta
The ix35 is spacious, well-equipped, and safe, and the ladies love it. The diesel models are very frugal! (Our first ix35 review dates back to 2014.)
The urban-oriented Venue is much smaller, and the first-generation Creta models didn't have ESP, but they did come with 6 airbags. You can read more about the 2017 Creta here, a fabulous car for mums.
Nissan: Qashqai , X-Trail
The X-Trail and Qashqai are great for parents; if you need more boot space and legroom on row two, opt for the X-Trail. Read our 2018 Nissan Qashqai review here.
Toyota: RAV4
The RAV4 is one of the most reliable cars ever built; any model will do, but be careful of models that seem too cheap. Toyotas are legendary for their resale value! Read our 2016 RAV4 review here.
Mazda: CX-3, CX-5
These cars are known for being reliable and safe, especially the CX-5, which is ideal for moms seeking space for baby and toddler paraphernalia. The smaller CX-3 may work better for urban-dwelling moms. Read our 2016 Mazda CX-3 Road-Trip Review here.
Renault: Duster
The Duster is arguably Renault's most reliable car. It's great for small families and has a well-sized cargo area, and 4x4 models are surprisingly capable if weekend getaways and off-road tracks are your thing. I reviewed the 2016 model here.
