3 of the best entry-level, budget, and compact hatchbacks in South Africa in 2023
South African online motoring portal Cars.co.za has revealed the 39 finalists of its 2023/24 Consumer Awards, revealing three of the best hatchbacks in South Africa across three price brackets – entry-level, budget, and compact.
The Consumer Awards is one of the country’s most comprehensive motoring awards programs – following the announcement of the 65 semi-finalists in September, reported TopAuto.
These 39 finalists will now be subjected to back-to-back testing at the Gerotek proving ground in Gauteng by the combined panel of 20 judges in November.
The judges’ scores for the vehicles will contribute 50% of the final standings, with the other 50% to be based on feedback from the experiences of thousands of vehicle owners.
“With 50% of the final scores determined by brands’ ratings in the survey, a vehicle only really stands a very good chance of winning if it is a good product in the eyes of the judges and if its brand delivers solid after-sales service,” said the head of the CarsAwards project, Hannes Oosthuizen.
While the Consumer Awards finalists span across 13 different categories and price brackets, we focused on the most popular segment in South Africa – hatchbacks.
Hatchbacks are versatile vehicles that offer practicality, affordability, and excellent fuel efficiency, making them ideal for city driving and everyday use.
They are generally priced lower than other car types but offer similar features and performance. This makes them an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers who are looking for a reliable and efficient vehicle.
In addition to their affordability, hatchbacks are also well-suited for the country’s narrow and congested roads. With their compact size, they are easy to manoeuvre through traffic and park in tight spaces, making them a practical choice for urban dwellers.
As outlined by the Consumer Awards, there are 13 hatchbacks listed among the finalists, with 9 of them falling under three categories and price brackets.
These categories, the top three cars, and the price brackets are listed below.
Entry-Level Hatch – Under R250,000
Renault Kiger 1.0
- Price: R239,999
Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GL
- Price: R204,900
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX
- Price: R239,900
Budget Hatch – R250,000 to R350,000
Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Zen
- Price: R327,999
Suzuki Baleno 1.5 GLX
- Price: R291,900
Toyota Starlet 1.5 XR
- Price: R339,000
Compact Hatch – R350,000 to R500,000
Honda Fit 1.5 Elegance
- Price: R400,600
Opel Corsa 1.2T Elegance
- Price: R436,900
Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI 85kW R-Line
- Price: R456,800
Read: How much you need to earn to finance the cheapest BMW, Audi, and Mercedes in South Africa
Loading ...