Cash-strapped buyers who insist on buying a brand new car have a few decent choices available. Let's go through the lineup of SA's 10 cheapest new cars to find what's good, what needs improvement, and what's best in 2024:
1. Suzuki S-Presso – from R174 900
Suzuki’s baby-SUV is officially SA’s cheapest car, and thanks to newly added stability control, its local safety rating has improved too. If you can stretch to the Celerio, however, go with SA’s second-cheapest car.
- Engine: 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol
- Power: 50 kW
- Torque: 90 Nm
- Transmission: 5-speed manual or 5-speed automated manual
- Fuel consumption: 4.9 L/100 km
Cheapest used model on AutoTrader: 2021 Suzuki S-Presso 1.0 S-Edition, R104 999 with 52 000 km.
Search for used S-Presso models here.
2. Suzuki Celerio – from R188 900
The Celerio is such an impressive little car that Toyota even slapped their badge onto it: The Toyota Vitz is the Celerio’s near-identical mechanical twin. Whichever one you choose, you can’t really go wrong.
- Engine: 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol
- Power: 50 kW
- Torque: 90 Nm
- Transmission: 5-speed manual or 5-speed automated manual
- Fuel consumption: 4.6 L/100 km
Cheapest used Celerio on AutoTrader: Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GA from 2017 with 98 001 km. Search AutoTrader for used Celerios here.
3. Toyota Vitz – from R189 900
The Vitz is a great choice if you don’t live near a Suzuki dealership or just prefer to drive a Toyota, plus you have the option of leasing it (rather than buying it), via Kinto One, a pay-for-use transport solution. Click here to read more about how Kinto One works.
- Engine: 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol
- Power: 51 kW
- Torque: 95 Nm
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Fuel consumption: 5.1 L/100 km
The cheapest Vitz model on AutoTrader is a 2023 model with 21 000 km on the odometer. Search for used Toyota Vitz models here.
4. Renault Kwid – from R196 999
The Kwid is not our first choice in this lineup of cars, but new drivers will appreciate the on-board tech and ‘digital’ instrument binnacle, and probably won’t be too bothered by the overall build and ride quality.
- Engine: 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol
- Power: 50 kW
- Torque: 91 Nm
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Fuel consumption: 4.7 L/100 km
Cheapest used Kwid on AutoTrader: 2018 Kwid 1.0 Dynamique with 174 000 km for R58 000. (Just bear in mind that pre-2019 models only had 1 airbags and no ABS.)
Search AutoTrader for used Renault Kwids here.
5. Suzuki DZire sedan - from R204 900
The Dzire or “Swift with a boot” is a smidge cheaper than its hatchback stablemate, so if you’re a budget-oriented buyer who needs a bit more cargo space than the average hatch provides, it will do nicely.
- Engine: 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol
- Power: 61 kW
- Torque: 113 Nm
- Transmission: 5-speed manual or 5-speed automated manual
- Fuel consumption: 4.9 L/100 km
Cheapest used Suzuki Dzire on AutoTrader? A 2018 DZire 1.2 GL Auto with 85 000 km for R104 999.
Search here for used Suzuki Dzire models.
6. Suzuki Swift – from R205 900
We have always loved the Swift with its fun-to-drive dynamics, decent spec level, and attractive, modern styling. It’s arguably SA’s best, cheapest hatchback.
- Engine: 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol
- Power: 61 kW
- Torque: 113 Nm
- Transmission: 5-speed manual or 5-speed automated manual
- Fuel consumption: 4.9 L/100 km
Cheapest Swift on AutoTrader: A 2013 1.4 GLS model with 88 000 km on the odometer for R75 000.
Find used Swift models on AutoTrader here.
7. Proton Saga – from R209 900
The Proton Saga hasn't been around for long so it will be a while before we can start recommending it with a clean conscience. Over time, customer satisfaction (or disgruntlement) will determine how reliable it is. My colleague, who had it on test, thought it was a decent daily driver if you're on a budget. Read his review here.
- Engine: 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder petrol
- Power: 70 kW
- Torque: 120 Nm
- Transmission: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic
- Fuel consumption: 6.3 L/100 km
Cheapest Proton Saga on AutoTrader: A 2023 1.3 Standard with 37 500 km on the clock for R159 900.
Search AutoTrader for Proton Saga models here.
8. Suzuki Ignis – from R224 900
The Ignis is my personal favourite car, or rather, micro-SUV in this lineup. It’s built for local road conditions and loves a good romp on a dirt road too, and even went along on a Karoo adventure with dirt bikes. The interior is fresh and youthful and there’s plenty of space in the rear seats. A win for small families.
- Engine: 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol
- Power: 61 kW
- Torque: 113 Nm
- Transmission: 5-speed manual or 5-speed automated manual
- Fuel consumption: 4.9 L/100 km
Most affordable used Ignis on AutoTrader: a 2018 Ignis 1.2 GL with 43 000 km for R120 000.
Search AutoTrader for used Ignis models here.
9. Renault Triber - from R228 999
If you can live with its meagre output, the seven-seat Triber is not a bad buy and not low on spec either, but bear in mind that a car full of people will slow it down further. It's great for families (and the school run) as it’s super light on fuel. And there's even a Triber panel van now. Read our Triber review here.
- Engine: 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol
- Power: 52 kW
- Torque: 96 Nm
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Fuel consumption: 5.5 L/100 km
Cheapest used Triber on AutoTrader: A 2021 Triber 1.0 Prestige Auto for R120 000 with 54 000 km.
Search AutoTrader for used Renault Tribers here.
10. Nissan Magnite - from R232 500
The Magnite shares many of its underpinnings with the Triber. It’s the most expensive budget car on this list, has a turbocharger, and looks snazzy, but I’d still rather go with the Ignis for ride height, or the Swift, if I want a hatch, yet the Magnite does offer its fair share of charms if you love its styling. Read our Magnite review here.
- Engine: 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol
- Power: 74 kW
- Torque: 160 Nm
- Transmission: 5-speed manual or CVT
- Fuel consumption: 5.9 L/100 km
Cheapest used Magnite on AutoTrader? R219 500 for a 2023 Magnite 1.0 Visia with 10 km.
