The 10 best-selling hatchbacks in South Africa right now – with pricing

·17 Sep 2023

Hatchbacks have always been a popular choice among car buyers in South Africa, and the latest data from Naamsa highlighted the most popular models based on sales numbers for August 2023.

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.

Another factor contributing to the popularity of hatchbacks in South Africa is their fuel efficiency. With rising fuel prices, many consumers are looking for vehicles that offer good mileage and lower fuel consumption. Hatchbacks typically have smaller engines, which means they use less fuel than larger vehicles.

According to Naamsa’s data, the cheapest German-made model – the VW Polo Vivo – was the most-sold hatchback in August 2023, selling 2,452 units last month. This was followed by the Toyota Starlet, which accomplished a performance of 1,372 sales, narrowly edging out the Suzuki Swift, which took third spot on the podium with 1,349 models moved.

The rest of the top 10 best-selling hatchbacks included: the VW Polo (4th), Hyundai Grand i10 (5th), Renault Kwid (6th), Suzuki S-Presso (7th), Toyota Vitz (8th), Suzuki Baleno (9th), and the Kia Picanto (10th).

It must be noted that BMW and Mercedes-Benz do not report model-specific sales and were, therefore, not included. For reference, the two premium brands sold 930 and 560 vehicles across their entire model ranges last month, respectively.

Those looking for the most fuel-efficient hatchback can consider the Sukuzi S-Presso, boasting a fuel consumption of 4.6 litres per 100 kilometres.

Other fuel-efficient options include the Renault Kwid and the Suzuki Swift, both with a fuel consumption of 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres.

An interesting comparison is also between the Toyota Starlet and the Suzuki Baleno, which were released in the same timeframe, are similarly priced, and have identical engines.

The Baleno was the 9th best-selling hatch last month, compared to the Starlet’s position as number two, which could be the result of South Africa’s love for the Toyota badge.

The 10 best-selling hatchbacks in South Africa right now are listed below.

1. VW Polo Vivo – 2,452 units