Top 5 articles of affordable sedans on AutoTrader

By Ané Theron

While hatchbacks and compact SUVs reign supreme in the sales kingdom, don't lose sight of some very affordable and practical sedans. Here's what you should consider if you need a solid, reliable daily drive, with a bit of extra boot space.

1. The more Dzirable compact sedan (Suzuki Dzire, from R 161 900)

"One of the major draw cards of modern Suzuki offerings is their fuel economy. Very seldom will you be able to hit the figures that the manufacturer quotes in the brochure, but rest assured that in the Suzuki Dzire you will able to achieve the claims of 4.9-l/100km without even trying – it really is that frugal", writes Chad Lückhoff in his review.

It's direct competition to the Honda Amaze below, and although it may not quite have such an upmarket feel and the standard leather seats that the Honda has, it's a fair bit cheaper. Definitely one to consider if you want quality on a budget!

2. Prepare to be Amazed (Honda Amaze, from R179 900)

Hondas are cars that will last a lifetime, and the little Amaze sedan is a fantastic starter car that is big on features. You can plainly see this from our launch report:

"The slick-shifting 5-speed manual is much more fun to drive, giving you maximum driver involvement and the chance to squeeze every last kiloWatt out of the 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine, which is not equipped with a turbocharger. This little engine has the heart of a lion, however, and when I first drove the entry-level Amaze from the airport to the launch venue, I thought that its powertrain was perhaps a 1.5-litre. In short: It’s ultra swift for a 66kW engine, and the Amaze’s low kerb weight obviously helps its case rather nicely."

3. Safety comparison: Toyota Corolla Quest (from R222 900) vs. Nissan Almera (from R221 900)

"Much preferred as a fleet or Uber vehicle than a mode of personal transport, the Corolla Quest and Nissan Almera make up a large portion of these two Japanese automakers’ monthly sales figures. But which one is the safest?"

Read our shootout of these two industry stalwarts, and find out which one offers the best value.

4. Nissan Almera: Ahead of the pack with new features (from R221 900)

Known to be reliable, cheap to run and to service, the ultra-spacious, if not super-attractive Almera is more than just an Uber vehicle. The Almera has been around for a while, and enjoyed a face-lift with a generous smattering of features in 2014:

"Exterior changes to the updated Almera include new headlights which flank a more distinguished chrome grille, along with a more aggressive front bumper for a more assertive attitude. The sides of the vehicle now play host to updated 15-inch alloy wheels and at the rear a redesigned bumper adds a sporty touch.  Rear parking sensors now make parking the Almera that much easier."

Not too convinced about the "sporty touch", but the Almera sure is functional.

5. Is the VW Polo good for families? (Polo Sedan from R213 000)

While the new Polo hatchback is one of the sexiest cars in its segment, it is a tad on the expensive side too. The good news is that the Polo Sedan is more affordable than the hatchback, with pricing for the entry-level 1.4 Trendline starting at R213 000, vs. the spicier Polo Hatch 1.0TSI Trendline, priced from R245 500. And there's that mammoth boot...to boot!

"While the Polo Sedan is essentially an older car than the new Polo hatch, it is still a great buy, if you don't mind the fact that their engines are all naturally aspirated (you have a choice between a 1.4-litre petrol, 1.6-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine) and not turbocharged like the Polo hatches are." They're reliable cars that are always sought-after, and any Polo that was well taken care of hangs on to its value.

• While the Polo Vivo sedans have been discontinued, you can still find them in our used cars section here.
• Other affordable, quality sedans include the Honda Ballade, Hyundai Accent, and Kia Rio sedan. Be sure to look for them on the AutoTrader website.