Great used cars at the same price as a new Suzuki Swift

The Suzuki Swift is the go-to for many new car buyers and understandably so. It's great to drive, safe, well-specified for the price, cheap to service, and very light on fuel too. No wonder South Africans can't get enough of Suzuki:

According to the official sales report – published by industry body naamsa on the first business day of every month – Suzuki welcomed 5 235 new customers into its fold in January. - Suzuki SA

But what else is out there that may be worth your while if you desire something more?

The entry-level Swift 1.2 GA has a price tag of R205 900, and the Swift 1.2 GL costs R225 900, so we capped the price at R226 000 and the mileage at 80 000 km to see what we could find when we searched AutoTrader, and here's what our search yielded, listed here in no specific order:

1. Audi A3 Sportback

If you're lucky, you may find examples of the Audi A3 Sportback 30 TFSI for around R203 000 or just a little bit more, like this one in Kempton Park with 59 900 kilos on the odo. It's a 2020 model. Just bear in mind that DSG gearboxes are expensive to fix if something goes wrong and parts are generally not cheap.

Volvo V40 vs Audi A3 Sportback vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class: which one is the best value for money?

2. Honda Jazz 1.5 Sport

The Honda Jazz (now the Honda Fit) is one of the most reliable cars ever built, and the Jazz Sport offers a bit more pzazz. And space in the cabin is plentiful! We found a Jazz Sport or two like this one in Lyndhurst with 32 000 km and it's a 2019 model at R204 995.

Also, look into the Honda BR-V and Honda WR-V in this price range.

Top 5 Honda Jazz articles on AutoTrader

3. Volkswagen T-Cross

The Volkswagen T-Cross is a fabulous little (yet not-so-little) family SUV and we found examples on AutoTrader from R208 000 and up. This one is from 2021 with 28 000 km and it's a Comfortline model at R209 000.

In this price range, we also found some relatively young VW Golf models and a Passat.

Read our T-Cross 1.0TSI Comfortline review from 2021 here.

4. Ford EcoSport

In this price bracket, you're spoiled for choice with all the Ford Focus models, Fiestas, EcoSports, Kugas, and even a Ranger double cab or two.

We picked the Ford EcoSport because it is inexpensive to run and parts are readily available, and because you can get a top-spec Titanium model with a full leather interior and a variety of other comfort features, like this 2018 model in Bellville for only R209 000, with just 44 000 km on the clock.

A word of warning, however: The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine in many older Ford products has a few issues, so avoid it where you can.

Read our road-trip review of the 2021 Ford EcoSport Black here, but for the review of the 2022 Titanium model, click here.

5. Hyundai Venue

Also highly recommended

Search for these used Hyundai models from R200 000 here

Search for used Kia Rio models from R200 000 here.

Love the Suzuki nameplate?

So do we. Search for a variety of pre-loved Suzuki models between R150 000 and R250 000, here.