Student drivers are mostly young, cash-strapped, inexperienced, and sometimes even a little bit reckless. And that is exactly why their cars should be inexpensive to buy, cheap to run, reliable, and safe. Here are AutoTrader’s top picks for student drivers, priced from most affordable to Dad-will-have-to-help.
*Prices were correct at the time this article was published, but have since increased.
Chevrolet Spark
There’s something very satisfying about driving the Chevy Spark - you feel very much connected to the road, and with fuel economy of only 5.4 litres per 100km, it’s right on the money. It’s a cool and cheeky little car, but its looks are more than skin deep - it’s proven itself to be durable and reliable. The characterful cabin with its motorcycle-inspired speedo and rev counter as well as its fashionable seat covers will have you smiling every time you open the door. In a car this small, a 1.2-litre engine is going to give you good performance too, as well as cost you very little to keep going. Have a look on AutoTrader for a used Chevy Spark, as Chevrolet have left SA for good.
Suzuki Celerio
It may not be the hottest little set of wheels you’ve seen, but its price tag is very attractive. Rear passengers won’t lack leg and elbow room, and its boot is sizeable too, beating that of the VW UP and Hyundai i10. It has ABS and two airbags. Due for a subtle facelift in 2018, the award-winning Celerio’s 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre engine will remain unchanged. It delivers 50kW of power /90Nm of torque in the 3 models currently on offer in SA.
Honda Brio Hatch
If you’re a new driver who is easily distracted (like most of us), the clean and simple dashboard of the solidly-built Honda Brio won’t steal your attention away from the road. Our favourite Brio is the 1.2-litre manual, which will delight you with its smooth gearshifts, small turning circle and nimble-footedness. The Brio hatchback’s boot is on the small side, so do check out the Brio Amaze Sedan (from R170 300) if you need extra room.
Toyota Aygo
If you’ve pleased your parents with fantastic matric results, chances are they may spoil you with the new Aygo X-Cite (R189 500), Toyota’s topless city runabout. It’s the safest of the Aygos, with front/side/curtain airbags (totalling six), stability control, hill-start assist, and satellite controls on the steering wheel. Trendy daytime running lights (standard on the X-Cite) not only look cute but serve a very important purpose of making the car visible. (The Aygo 1.0, R159 100, has ABS, EBD, brake assist, and four airbags.)
Toyota Etios Hatch
It may not seem that impressive until your friend in the Aygo challenges you to a race. Since we don’t condone you taking part in anything illegal or life-threatening, you can just show him the numbers and win on paper: The Etios’s 1.5-litre engine with 66kW and 132Nm offers lively performance in this segment. If you need something with a considerably bigger boot for sports equipment or camping gear, may we suggest the Toyota Etios Sedan, priced from R173 900?
Volkswagen Up!
Everybody loves a Volkswagen, but the current Polo Vivo is so...boring, and also quite a bit more expensive, with prices starting from R175 800 for the entry-level Conceptline model. (A new Vivo will be launching first quarter of 2018 though, if you are keen.)
The perfect antidote is the smaller VW Up!, with all the German build quality your parents require, but with heaps of personality too. It’s also big on space, light on fuel (5.1 l per 100 km) and it’s safe, featuring traction and stability control as well as four airbags. Given the Up’s compact size, The 1-litre engine has more than enough oomph for young drivers. Without a doubt, one of the more interesting choices among the entry-level cars.
Renault Sandero
The budget-friendly Sandero is the perfect student’s car. Featuring loads of room, pothole-resistant wheels and a peppy 66kW three-cylinder engine, as well as all the technology a young driver would need, the Sandero is as fun as it is functional. With Bluetooth and audio streaming as well as class-leading safety features like ESC (stability control), Mom and Dad won’t have to lie awake at night for too long. Parts are readily available in SA since the Renault/Nissan alliance happened, so if someone tries to tell you otherwise, you can casually mention the mammoth parts warehouse in Gauteng.
Suzuki Ignis
For student drivers who are all about image, the Ignis won’t disappoint with its outdoorsy looks and cheerful, modern cabin. The Ignis is a COTY finalist, which says a lot about how good it is in all departments. An energetic 1.2-litre petrol engine does duty in the Ignis, and it’s a light sipper at around 5.5 litres per 100 km.
The characterful Ignis has ABS, EBD with brake assist and two front airbags, which isn’t quite as comprehensive as the VW Up! and Renault Sandero Stepway, which both have traction and stability control. In the Ignis’s defence, there are standard rear-parking sensors in GLX-models. But the Ignis’s biggest boon? Fun-to-drive dynamics. If you’ve got a little bit more to spend, we absolutely LOVE the value package you get in the form of the spacious and spritely Suzuki Baleno, which costs from R199 900.
Some other great choices
Also consider the following starter cars that offer good value, reliability, low running costs, and sufficient safety features: The brilliant Hyundai i10, the frugal Ford Fiesta (a bit more pricey from R229 400, but maybe the folks can help), Ford Figo (the 1.5 TDCi Ambiente, R197 900, is famously light on diesel), or the cute new Kia Picanto - but bear in mind that ABS and two airbags are not standard in the ‘Start’ variants ( driver airbag only), and as a new driver, you definitely need those. If you have your heart set on the gorgeously styled little Fiat 500 (priced from 179 900), you can tell your folks about its SEVEN airbags, ABS + EBD, stability control, hill-start assist and brake assist. Another great option if you’re looking for a used car, is the Opel Adam. You’ll be the envy of your friends; it is as trendy and upmarket as it is safe. We’ve found a used Opel Adam 1.0T Jam on AutoTrader for the bargain price of R 159 900.
Cars to avoid
Given the low safety rating of the first-generation Datsun Go! and especially the Chery QQ3 (the latter scored zero stars out of 5 in the 60km/h crash test), we’d recommend inexperienced drivers to rather steer clear of these potential road-coffins. Another well-priced starter car is the Renault KWID, but it feels a bit unstable on the road and lacked ABS (this is no longer the case, however). We’d still rather recommend a used Suzuki Celerio or Chevy Spark.
