Best small cars in South Africa

Those looking for basic personal mobility or are perhaps looking to downsize from a bigger vehicle will find the efficiency and manoeuvrability of a smaller vehicle appealing. We have compiled a list of what we think are some of the best new small cars for sale in South Africa.

Sean Nurse

1 Dec 2023 · 08:46Buying a Car2 min read

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Small fish in a big pond

Despite the apparent shift to crossovers and traditional SUVs, small cars are becoming increasingly popular in South Africa. A compact car makes sense for those of us who do not require a big boot or large rear quarters as the smaller the car, generally speaking, the smaller and more efficient the powertrain can be, saving you money at the pumps while also providing a package that is easy to drive and park in an urban environment.

Related: New city-hatchbacks

You, our valued readers, have asked what the best small cars are currently in South Africa, so we have compiled a list of some of the best new small vehicles for sale, with the criteria being that they are safe, efficient, affordable, and relatively practical.

Toyota Vitz

The Vitz has replaced the Agya as Toyota's cheapest car within the local market. Since it's based on the Suzuki Celerio, we would highly recommend this as an entry-level vehicle!

Kia Picanto

The Kia Picanto is one of the most well-rounded products in the budget car segment, offering great quality, solid specification levels, a good deal of safety and a large model range that caters to various budgets.

Fiat 500

Despite being older and smaller inside than other products on this list, the recently updated 500 wins in the style department and is a very high-quality piece of kit. Its turbocharged two-cylinder engine is an absolute hoot around town, too.

Hyundai Grand i10

At the time of writing, a new Grand i10 was about to be launched locally, with a fresh exterior and new features; however, the outgoing model is still a tempting proposition!

Suzuki Swift

The Suzuki Swift has established itself as a budget car royalty in the local market, and while it is not the safest product in this list, it offers great value for money and is one of the most spacious cars on this list.

Suzuki Celerio

The Celerio is one of the cheapest new cars in the country and one of the most efficient, making it a great basic transportation that is cheap to run and maintain.

Citroen C3

The C3 is back and is cheaper and more affordable than the car it replaces, making it worthy of consideration in the small car category!

Written by Sean Nurse

With a lifelong passion for cars, bikes, and motorsport, Sean knew that attaining a degree in journalism would allow him to pursue his passion, which was to be a motoring journalist. After graduating in 2012, Sean was awarded a bursary from the SAGMJ which allowed him to work for a variety of motoring publications. This was a dream come true for Sean, and after a year of gaining vital industry experience, he was hired as a motoring journalist at a local newspaper and worked his way up to editor. In 2020, Sean joined the AutoTrader team and counts himself lucky to wake up and genuinely love what he does for a living.Read more