Budget 7-seater MPV safety shootout! Toyota Avanza vs. Suzuki Ertiga vs. Datsun Go

By Ané Theron

On a budget, and looking for the safest seven-seater MPV your money can buy? We compare three entry-level Mom's Taxis that won't completely break the bank.

Which MPV offers the most in terms of safety, and overall value?

Toyota Avanza 1.3 S, R227 200

The ever-popular Toyota Avanza is everyone's favourite bread bin on wheels. Sure, it may not be the most attractive Toyota in the line-up, but it's a very practical little van for its price, and is much loved by fleet managers, taxi services and guest house owners. The last facelift has also added a fair amount of convenience and safety features, making the Avanza the best-equipped car in this line-up. It's extensively equipped with safety spec: The Avanza gets the usual ABS brakes coupled with EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) and BA (brake assist). It's most notable safety features are traction and stability control, which none of the other two contenders have. The Avanza has two frontal airbags. Rear fog lights are standard, and it has remote central locking. A full-sized spare wheel hides under the boot floor. The outer rear seats have ISOFIX child seat anchors.

Suzuki Ertiga 1.4 GA, R202 900

The humble Ertiga is another MPV that offers a fair amount of consumer value. While not as well-kitted out as the pricier Avanza, it's by no means an empty shell. It has ABS, EBD, two airbags and a high-level brake light to help alert traffic behind you that you're slowing down. Remote central locking is standard and it gets a full-sized spare wheel. Suzukis are reliable cars and if you are looking for nothing but a school-run-mobile, this particular Ertiga is quite sufficient. 

Datsun Go+ 1.2 Lux, R150 900

Sadly, the Datsun Go+ lacks ABS brakes, and everything that goes along with it, like EBD and BA. While sources have confirmed that the new Datsun Go will be receiving ABS, we don't quite know how long it will take for the 7-seater Go+ to receive this all-important safety feature. The Go+ is equipped with just one airbag. It has manual central locking and follow-me-home headlamps, as well as a high-level brake light in the rear.

Clearly, Toyota is top dog

In this segment you truly get what you pay for.  It goes without saying that the Avanza is the winner, but so many of us struggle to make ends meet and the Go + is our only option. I would opt for a slightly used Suzuki Ertiga instead, or I may even look for a slightly higer-mileage Avanza that costs in the region of 150k, just to have traction/stability control which can be a life-saving feature. Be sure to have a look on our website for the perfect people-carrier.