Is the Chery QQ3 good for families? Here's our verdict.

The Chery QQ3 is and has always been a small car. It is a budget city runabout designed to get you from point A to point B and while you can fit four adults in the cabin, it will be a tight squeeze if you add a fifth. Chery has added a few modern features, but the vehicle's architecture remains quite old when compared to its rivals. The luggage area is capable of consuming only 190 litres, which is not a lot.

Related: Used cars ranked by practicality - Budget Hatchbacks

 

The model that provides the most safety features is the top-of-the-range QQ3 1.1TXE. This model offers dual airbags up front as well as ABS and EBD. It also offers four electric windows, air-conditioning, and a radio/CD player, but very little else in the form of comfort features. We also struggled to find the TXE model on the AutoTrader website. Only TE and TX models are listed on site, and these models those don’t have airbags or anti-lock brakes.

 

There are two engines on offer; one is a 38 kW 800cc, three-cylinder motor and the other is a 50kW 1.1-litre motor. Both are void of forced induction (in other words, there's no turbo, which is to be expected at this price), and will require you to make good use of the gearbox lever if you want any form of forward movement; enough to keep up with the current traffic flow, at least. The fuel tank capacity is 35 litres and it will consume around 5.8 l / 100km.

 

Looking at used options on our website one can expect to pay around R70 000 for a fairly new model, however, if you want a small hatchback for your family then perhaps you should consider something else, such as a Ford Figo 1.4TDCI Ambiente. Just bear in mind that older diesel cars tend to have more problems than their petrol counterparts; especially if the diesel engine is small.

The Ford Figo was a hit and remains a popular choice with buyers looking for an economical, well-built, and reliable car. We found a 2012 model for R69 000 with 128 000 km on the clock. The Ford Figo offers two airbags and ABS as standard and the claimed fuel range of the 51kW diesel model is around 849 km. It also offers more space than the Chery QQ3 and will be easier to maintain, thanks to Ford's extensive dealer network in South Africa. It is well worth a look if you are considering a practical hatch.

 

Take a look at these 3 articles to find out which models we rate as quality used buys that won't cost the earth:

 

1. Best used family cars for R100 000 or less: sedans

2. Related: Best used SUVs for R100 000 or less

3. Related: Best used hatchbacks for R100 000 or less

 

Verdict

The Chery QQ3 might seem like a value proposition given its price, but there are many other more reliable options from established brands out there.

 

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