R500 000 is a significant price point for South African car buyers. Not too long ago, it marked a crossover point from budget buys to the beginning of luxury buys. The goalposts have moved, though, as inflation and related costs have affected car pricing. As of typing this, average South African car buyers have been shopping for cars priced between R300 000 and R450 000. Simply because that's what the average public can afford, however, manufacturers have been capitalising on this price range with a slew of vehicles to choose from, mostly in the family-oriented range. When we look back at least five years ago, what could you get for your hard-earned half a million? Let's have a look.
Five Years Ago
Let's look at three segments to get a decent idea of what was available. Data-wise, we used our resources to estimate the cost of those older vehicles today.
SUVs
1. Kia Seltos
The previous generation, pre-facelift Kia Seltos, was a popular buy. Specifically with the 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine, this was a frugal, solid and practical buy. Brand new, a 1.5 EX Auto would run you around R439 995, but these days you'll find them for around R250 000 with about 100 000km.
Check out the latest Seltos deals here.
2. Haval H6
Earlier Haval H6 models were already a solid deal to begin with, but now that time has passed, you'll find some decent examples on the used market. Specifically, the H6 2.0T 2WD DCT Luxury, which, brand new, would run you R454 900, but these days you'll find a used example for around R280 000 with around 90 000km on the clock.
The latest Haval H6 deals are here.
Premium Hatchbacks
1. Volkswagen Polo GTI
How about something that will set your soul ablaze? The Polo GTI was and still is one of the definitive hot hatchbacks you could get for the money. The base variant, the 2.0-litre DSG, would cost you R466 500. Nowadays, you'll find a used one for around R350 000, with an average of 90 000km.
See the latest Polo GTI offers here.
2. Mini Cooper 3 Door
Maybe you've considered the fun yet chic runabout, the Mini Cooper. Looking specifically at the normal 3 Door Cooper Hatch, brand new, these would set you back R474 054, but today you're looking at around R350 000 for a used example with an average mileage of 50 000km.
Check out the Mini Cooper 3-door deals here.
Double Cab Bakkies
1. GWM P-Series
As far as budget bakkies went, the P-Series at the time was set to redefine the status quo in the bakkie segment. Looking at the 2.0TD Double Cab LT, brand new, these cost R509 900. Today, for a used example with an average mileage of 90 000km, they cost around the R360 000 mark.
The latest P-Series deals here.
2. Isuzu D-Max
A standard choice for a leisure vehicle, but also a dependable workhorse, you can't go wrong with an Isuzu D-Max. We're going back a generation here and looking at the D-Max 250 Hi-Ride Auto. Brand new, these were R490 100, but nowadays you're looking at a used example around R360 000 with an average mileage of 110 000km.
See the latest D-Max deals here.
Compared to today
SUVs
1. BYD Sealion 5 from R512 900
Here is a hybrid offering from BYD—one of the newcomers to the South African market within the last five years. Your money here gets you a nicely appointed SUV with a claimed fuel consumption of 5.2 L/100 km in the combined cycle.
The latest Sealion 5 offers here.
2. ICaur V23 from R519 900
Let's mix things up a little. How about a cool, customisable EV from ICaur? The ICaur V23 joins the R500k mark in the New Energy Vehicle market, which has grown in recent years, but it has a little more personality. The entry-level 2WD has a 59.9 kWh battery and has a claimed range of 360km.
Check out the latest V23 deals here.
Hatchbacks
1. Mazda 3 Hatch from 498 300
A strong play from a legacy manufacturer. The Mazda 3 is still that stylish, well-designed, dependable hatchback that it's always been. Here we have the entry-level 1.5-litre petrol Dynamic manual, which is the only manual-transmission passenger car on this list.
Here are the latest Mazda 3 offers here.
2. MG MG3 from R269 900
The MG3 has the lowest starting price on this list, but we're looking specifically at the hybrid variant, which starts at R469 900 and is the top-spec model. Another New Energy Vehicle to add to the mix here, and your money gets you a claimed consumption of 4.3L /100km combined cycle.
Double Cab Bakkies
1. JMC Grand Avenue from R529 900
JMC is slowly releasing strong bakkie models in the budget spectrum for South Africa. The JMC brand boasts durability and solid component suppliers for its vehicles, and the Grand Avenue is no exception. The 2.5TD Double Cab GL is the entry-level variant on offer here with 4x2, but splurge a little more, and you can get a 4x4 variant.
2. JAC T9 from R549 900
JAC has been back in vogue, now with their T9 double cab, a newer, more compelling bakkie at a competitive starting price. There is a smaller engine than the Grand Avenue above, at 2.0 litres, but you still get that turbodiesel punch.
What can be observed here?
Five years ago, you could get some premium cars from a mix of brands, both new and legacy, at the R500k mark. Premium brands and even some nice leisure models to boot. Today, that has shifted a bit: you're getting more new energy vehicles and new brands joining the fray, and Chinese manufacturers are securing the R500k price point quite nicely with stellar value-for-money products. Some legacy manufacturers aren't as affordable anymore, and some have discontinued a few models in favour of new ones. What people can afford has become more important than ever at this price point.
