The petrol price may be decreasing, but we know this is only a temporary relief. With the fuel price having breached the R20/litre mark back in March of 2022 and reaching its highest in June 2022 with a price of R26.31/litre (95 Premium - inland), vehicle owners have been reassessing their vehicle ownership and driving habits.
Related: SA's most fuel-efficient cars
Keeping your running costs low helps you save money for things that matter, and saving money at the pumps is an easy way of helping stretch your salary. Whether you're looking to upgrade to a new car, or possibly even downscaling to make the most of your finances, we can assist. We're looking at 5 of the most fuel-efficient SUVs and crossovers that not only sip fuel frugally but also cost less than R350 000. Looking for a used diesel SUV? Click here to see what we recommend.
Fuel-efficient SUVs under R350 000
1. Mahindra XUV300 1.5TD W6
The Mahindra XUV300 is a hidden gem. Powered by a 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine, this compact SUV produces 85.8 kW and a stout 300 Nm of torque. It sends power to the front wheels through a 6-speed manual gearbox, with a claimed fuel consumption of only 5.0 l/100km.
It has great tech features, including a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and onboard navigation. The XUV300 is one of the safest cars in the segment and scores a full five stars in the GNCAP.
2. Opel Crossland 1.2
Opel may not have the same presence on our roads as it once did but that's no reason not to consider the Crossland 1.2 as a fuel-efficient compact SUV. The Opel Crossland 1.2 is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that develops 60 kW and 118 Nm torque, sending power to the front wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox. Opel claims that you can expect to see as little as 5.1 l/100km on the combined cycle from this model.
3. Renault Kiger 1.0 Turbo Intens Auto
If you have to have an automatic, then the Renault Kiger is the one for you. This self-shifting crossover is powered by a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 74 kW and 160 Nm torque, with the power sent to the front wheels through a constant velocity transmission (CVT). The claimed fuel consumption for this model is 5.4 l/100km.
Want to save even more money? The manual version is not only cheaper, but it returns a claimed fuel consumption of 5.0 l/100km.
4. Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 GL manual
What would a fuel efficiency list be without a Suzuki? Known for their sober drinking habits, the Suzuki Grand Vitara is powered by the renowned K15B engine that is a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 77 kW and 138 Nm torque, directing this power to the front wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox. Suzuki claims a combined cycle fuel consumption of 6.0 l/100km but knowing Suzuki, you can get it below this without struggling.
The new Grand Vitara has exemplary road manners and is exceptionally safe with six airbags as standard, electronic stability control (ESP), ABS brakes with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Hill Hold Assist (HHA) and rear parking sensors.
5. Nissan Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta Plus Manual
Powered by an energetic 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, the Nissan Magnite draws on engineering from the legendary Nissan GT-R to give you the best bang for your buck. This unit produces 74 kW and 160 Nm to take the Magnite from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.7 seconds as you row through the 5-speed manual gearbox. You can expect to see fuel consumption figures of 5.3 l/100km from this unit.
The Magnite gives you 336 litres of boot space and is crammed with safety systems and tech features, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
