Sub 400 Chinese vehicles
Our local automotive market knew we would see an increase in Chinese-made vehicles entering our market. Still, it was unprepared for the sheer volume of new models entering and supplanting well-established marques. Many new brands have joined the fray recently, offering well-specced vehicles at very keen prices. As per the 2024 AutoTrader industry report, the average price when buying a used car is R 385,000, so what can you get new from the Chinese manufacturers for the same money?
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The number of vehicles available is surprisingly large and covers a number of market segments. Let's first look at the passenger models and see what you can get for the R 400 000 spending limit.
Chery Tiggo Cross Elite (2025) Video Review
Chery Tiggo
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5 LiT manual
| R 269 900 |
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5 LiT Auto
| R 299 900 |
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5 LiT Panel Van Manual
| R 339 900 |
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5 Comfort
| R 355 900 |
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5 LiT Auto
| R 359 900 |
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5T LiT Panel Van Auto
| R 374 900 |
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5 Elite CVT
| R 386 900 |
Chery Tiggo Cross 1.5T Comfort
| R 399 900 |
Chery Tiggo 7 Pro 1.5 Distinction
| R 399 900 |
Haval Jolion
Haval Jolion 1.5T City
| R 345 950 |
Haval Jolion 1.5T City Plus
| R 370 950 |
Haval Jolion 1.5T City Premium
| R 391 150 |
Omoda C5
| Omoda C5 1.5 Street | R 329 900 |
| Omoda C5 1.5T Style | R 364 900 |
As you can see, quite a few cars in the mid-size and crossover segments can be obtained for under R400k.
Workhorses
This is the market sector that consumers will be most familiar with and associate Chinese vehicles with. At the lighter end of the workhorse spectrum, these vehicles are cheap and cheerful and deliver a lot of bang for the small business buck. These are all the hardier-working Chinese vehicles that can be had for under 400k in South Africa.
Foton Tunland
Foton Tunland G7 2.0TD single cab Hi Rider
| R 319 900 |
Foton Tunland G7 2.0TD double cab TL manual
| R 399 900 |
JAC
| JAC X200 2.8 TDI 68kW 1.5 Ton Dropside single cab | R 349 900 |
| JAC T6 2.8TDI Doublecab Lux | R 359 900 |
| JAC T8 2.0CTi Doubelcab Lux | R 399 900 |
DFSK
| DFSK K01S Single Cab | R 189 900 |
| DFSK C35 1.5 Panel Van | R 265 000 |
GWM
| GWM Steed 5 2.0VGT Single Cab S | R 305 950 |
