In recent years, the automotive landscape has morphed, with more and more consumers preferring to spend their money on a compact crossover rather than a hatchback. It's easy to see why, though; the practicality of a compact crossover cannot be undermined - a raised seating position with a better view of the road, increased ground clearance for imperfect roads, and the ease of use typically offered by a hatchback.
Related: What is the best automatic compact crossover in South Africa?
Their SUV looks, and high equipment levels mean that the compact crossover segment is ripe for the picking, with nearly every manufacturer contesting wares. You're certainly spoiled for choice. Selecting the right one for you can be a challenge, so let's help you decide by taking a look at 5 of our favourite compact crossover offerings. We've narrowed things down to 5 compact crossovers that cost roughly R360 000. This will cost you approximately R6 500 per month in instalments when purchasing it on a standardised finance agreement. You can calculate your own terms by using our finance calculator.
Honda Elevate 1.5 Comfort
Our first pick is the brand-new Honda Elevate. While much was said about the steep pricing of the new CR-V, Honda has struck back with an affordable entry point into their SUV lineup. The attractive and well-equipped Elevate is powered by a 1.5-litre engine that produces 89 kW and 145 Nm torque, returning a claimed 6.1/6.7 l/100km depending on whether you choose the manual or automatic. We're expecting to see a good number of these on the roads in the future!
Safety
- Airbags - 2 (6 in Elegance trim)
- ABS - Yes, with EBD and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
- ISOfix - Yes, rear
Tech & Comfort
- Infotainment - 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Air Conditioning - Automatic climate control
- Boot Space - 458-litres
Price & Warranty
- From - R369 900
- Warranty - 5-year/200 000km warranty, 4-year/60 000km service plan
Related: Honda Elevate (2024) First Drive Review
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5 Comfort
Chery's reintroduction into South Africa started with the Tiggo 4 Pro and has grown to include the Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro as well. The entry point into the range is the Tiggo 4 Pro, and we've selected the 1.5 Comfort variant. The Tiggo 4 Pro is a popular choice for those looking for a feature-packed compact crossover. Any concerns around the longevity of the brand or aftersales backup should be dispelled, as Chery has assured local customers of their intentions to stay and their extensive local parts warehouse.
Safety
- Airbags - 6
- ABS - Yes, with EBD and ESP
- ISOfix - Yes, rear
Tech & Comfort
- Infotainment - 10.25-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Air Conditioning - Automatic Climate Control
- Boot Space - 340-litres
Price & Warranty
- From - R279 900 (R345 900 for the 1.5 Comfort)
- Warranty - 10-year/1 000 000km warranty for the first owner, 5-year/60 000km service plan
Related: Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5T Elite SE (2021)- A pleasant surprise in the compact SUV segment
Kia Sonet 1.5 LX
The compact Kia Sonet is the oldest offering here, but only by a few months. Released in 2021, it slid under the radar and, sadly, has gone rather unnoticed. Pity, as it's a rather good compact crossover that shows you that you don't need to sacrifice quality just because you're on a budget. Wonderful road manners and a high build quality make the Sonet an endearing option. Powered by a 1.5-litre engine that produces 85 kW and 145 Nm torque, the Kia Sonet returns a claimed 7.0 l/100km.
Safety
- Airbags - 2
- ABS - Yes, with EBD and ESC
- ISOfix - Yes, rear
Tech & Comfort
- Infotainment - 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Air Conditioning - Yes, manual
- Boot Space - 392-litres
Price & Warranty
- From - R360 995
- Warranty - 5-year/200 000km, 5-year/60 000km service
Related: Kia Sonet 1.5 EX Auto (2021) review - affordable motoring has never looked this good!
Haval Jolion 1.5T City
Haval is one of the bigger success stories in the automotive sector in the last few years. Attractive vehicles at reasonable prices quickly attracted buyers and showed the general public that luxury appointments are not purely reserved for vehicles in excess of R1-million. The Jolion is the most powerful option of our five, sporting a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine that produces 105 kW and 210 Nm. The caveat here is that the fuel consumption is notoriously heavy despite the claims of 7.5 l/100km.
Safety
- Airbags - 4
- ABS - Yes, with EBD and ESC
- ISOfix - Yes, rear
Tech & Comfort
- Infotainment - 12.3-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Air Conditioning - Yes, automatic climate control
- Boot Space - 337-litres
Price & Warranty
- From - R348 350
- Warranty - 5-year/100 000km warranty, 5-year/60 000km service plan
Related: Haval Jolion review (2021): Value-filled crossover hits all the right notes
Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 GL
What would a top 5 list be without one of the fastest-growing brands in South Africa? The Suzuki Grand Vitara is the firm's flagship offering and the latest version deviates from the rugged, off-road biased format that we're accustomed to, to a more agreeable urban runabout with refinement and suitable equipment levels. It's powered by the renowned 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine that produces 77 kW and 138 Nm torque, returning a claimed 6.0 l/100km.
Safety
- Airbags - 6
- ABS - Yes, with EBD and ESC
- ISOfix - Yes, rear
Tech & Comfort
- Infotainment - 7-inch (9-inch on GLX variants)
- Air Conditioning - Automatic Climate Control
- Boot Space - 310-litres
Price & Warranty
- From - R347 900
- Warranty - 5-year/200 000km warranty, 4-year/60 000km service plan
Related: 2023 Suzuki Grand Vitara First Drive Review
Our 2024 Crossover vehicle winner is...
As appealing as the latest Honda and Suzuki offerings are, it's the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro that tickles our fancy. It's a little heavier on fuel than the opposition, but the excellent tech makes living with the vehicle that little bit easier. You won't be going wrong if you choose any of these five, and it was a tough call between the Chery Tiggo and the Suzuki Grand Vitara for top honours, we will have to admit.
