Ten underrated cars South Africans should consider
These are hidden gems our motoring team believes should feature more strongly in the sales charts
If there’s one thing we have learnt about the SA consumer over the years, they are smart shoppers when it comes to buying cars. Their top choices have consistently reflected solidly packaged offerings that are keenly priced, practical to various degrees and value for money.
However cunning buyers are in their selections, a few gems do slip through the cracks and these are 10 cars that our motoring team believes should feature more strongly in the sales charts.
ALFA ROMEO GUILIA
In defence of the consumer, Alfa Romeo custodians have been careless with the brand reputation for many years. The Italian outfit has seemingly turned over a new leaf and its products are more reliable, as proven by the firm taking the top spot in the 2022 US JD Power sales satisfaction survey.
The Guilia is a mid-size luxury and sports sedan that has it all: looks, luxury and genuine sports driving ability. Available in a limited range 2.0T Veloce with 206kW/400Nm and the Quadrifoglio with a ferocious 375kW and 600Nm, the Guilia is a car deserving of SA’s attention.
Price: R1,086,900-R1,805,900
HYUNDAI I30N
This one is for the driving enthusiast. SA has a healthy appetite for hot hatches, which once had more than 15 different brand offerings in the segment. The number of hot hatches and sedans on sale in SA has dwindled to a handful and Hyundai persists with its i30N, which sold only nine units in February.
There really should be more of them on our roads. We know this from driving it and the Korean company has delivered a scintillating hot hatchback. The engine offers 206kW and 392Nm, 0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h; plus it handles like a champion. Price: R779,900
HYUNDAI PALISADE
Another gem from Hyundai is the Palisade, which was recently updated with more striking styling and an updated cabin. It’s a large SUV that’s available as a seven- or eight-seater packed with great features, and is a refined driving experience, especially on long journeys.
It’s powered by a punchy and frugal 2.0l turbo diesel, and has all-wheel drive should you want to explore on gravel or loose sand roads. The biggest hook is the asking price of slightly over R1m.
Price: R1,066,900
HONDA FIT
Formerly known as the Jazz, the Honda Fit is a little hatchback with remarkable space and modularity in its shape-shifting interior to fit family or cargo. It’s also well-built with good tech features.
It drives well and is available with two frugal engines, one of them being a hybrid.
Price: R347,500-R509,600
RENAULT DUSTER
The Renault Duster is a wellpriced family crossover with a spacious cabin a 414l boot. The digitisation is also impressive, as is the décor and materials used in the cabin.
It’s available with 1.5l fourcylinder turbo diesel engines, with manual or automatic transmissions, and the top model comes with switchable allwheel drive.
Price: R357,999-R409,999
SUBARU XV
A number of Subaru’s products languish in the shadow of German and other popular alternatives, including the XV crossover.
It’s available as an entry-level 2.0i model and the higherspecced 2.0i-S ES, with the latter getting a front-view monitor that shows the scene in front of the car to assist with moving in tight spaces. It also helps avoid obstacles when owners try out the all-wheel drive system, and it has a useful 220mm ground clearance in off-road situations.
Price: R464,000-R531,000
TOYOTA GR YARIS
Here’s what you need to know most about the Yaris GR: it has a turbocharged three-cylinder engine that cranks out 198kW and 360Nm, making it good enough for a 0-100km/h sprint in 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 230km/h.
This high-performance special from Toyota’s Gazoo Racing motorsport division has variable all-wheel drive and a manual gearbox that makes it a real driver’s car, and it’s also engineered to play in the dirt.
Price: R791,900
VOLKSWAGEN CADDY
The Volkswagen Caddy is made for entrepreneurs and families.
Large and practical, with a modular interior, the new-generation car has better styling than its van-like predecessor. Available with up to seven seats, it’s laden with modern comforts and convenience items, and lugs passengers in comfort and safety. When you aren’t carting the children about you can remove the seats and easily fit lifestyle accessories or use it for moneymaking side hustles.
Price: R427,200-R630,600
PEUGEOT 2008
Winning SA’s 2021 Car of the Year title didn’t do much for this compact crossover’s popularity. Pity, because customers wary of going French are missing out on a great package.
Apart from its styling charm, the 2008 has a solid build quality and one of the best-looking interiors in the segment.
The 2008 blends utility and charisma with a fun-to-drive nature. Its driver appeal is rounded off by a perky and economical 1.2 turbo three-cylinder engine.
Increased spare parts availability and a longer new warranty should help assuage concerns about aftermarket support, despite Peugeot’s relatively small dealer network.
Price: R454,900-R544,900
MITSUBISHI TRITON
The Triton sells at a trickle compared to one-tonner bakkie rivals such as the Hilux, Ranger and D-Max.
The Triton’s styling is polarising and the 2.4 turbodiesel engine lags behind its more powerful peers, but the imported bakkie offers significant price savings over the opposition.
For instance, the top model with all the bells and whistles — the Triton 2.4DI-D double cab 4x4 Extreme — goes for just under R770,000 compared to rivals selling for about R950,000. This, along with Mitsubishi’s long-running reputation, makes the Triton deserving of more popularity.
Price: R419,995-R768,990