BusinessTech
Off-roaders have long been a staple within the South African car market thanks to their ability to handle the demanding terrain South Africa has to offer.
The admiration for these cars is evident in the strong sales of bakkies and SUVs in October 2022 – with the Toyota Hilux topping the list as the most popular off-roader.
According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), the Toyota Hilux sold 3,336 units in October 2022 – contributing to Toyota’s total sales of 12,574 last month.
It’s unsurprising that 4×4 vehicles are popular among South Africans, given the vast amount of farms, coastlines, and outdoor activities South Africa’s landscape provides.
However, off-roading and owning a car that is capable of taking on tough terrain can seem expensive at first – seemingly requiring the newest bakkies and SUVs with the latest 4×4 technology.
For example, The Toyota Fortuner 2.4GD-6 4×4 comes with a price tag of close to R680,000 – while the brand’s top SUV offering, the Toyota Land Cruiser 300, will cost you over R1 million.
The good news is that this needn’t be the case, as several affordable vehicles currently on the market offer four-wheel drive, letting their owners veer off the beaten path at a fraction of the price.
One such car is the Suzuki Jimny, which comes with a starting price of R334,900 and is arguably the most recognizable mini off-roader in the country. According to Naamsa’s report, Suzuki sold 216 units of the Jimny in October 2022 alone.
The five most affordable cars with a four-wheel-drive option that you can buy right now in South Africa under R500,000 are listed below.
Suzuki Jimny
The Suzuki Jimny runs on a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an average combined fuel consumption of 6.3l/100km.
It’s configured with a five-speed manual gearbox with a low-range mode and a part-time AllGrip four-wheel-drive system – with a ground clearance of 210mm.
As for features, owners can expect manual air conditioning, hill assist, 15-inch steel rims, cloth seats, and a radio on the entry-level GA – with a touchscreen infotainment system in its higher variants.
Renault Duster
The Renault Duster four-wheel drive variant is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine, offering an average fuel consumption of 5.2l/100km.
It comes paired with a six-speed manual transmission and features hill assist with descent control, cruise control, a multi-view camera, and blind spot warning – among others. It also has a ground clearance of 210mm.
Mahindra Scorpio
The Mahindra Scorpio comes with a part-time four-wheel drive system, much like the Jimny, and is powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine.
Its six-speed manual gearbox also has a low-range function, while ground clearance comes in at 165mm – offering an average fuel consumption of 7.3l/100km on a combined cycle.
Its notable features include faux-leather upholstery, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, voice assist, and a leather multifunction steering wheel.
Suzuki Vitara
The Suzuki Vitara is powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine, which connects to a full-time AllGrip four-wheel-drive system.
It comes with a five-speed manual transmission and offers average fuel consumption of 6.2l/100km – with 185mm ground clearance.
Its notable features include keyless start and entry, LED headlamps, and four driving modes – Auto, Sport, Mud/Snow, and Lock (designed to maximize grip).
Subaru XV
The Subaru XV is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine combined with a CVT transmission.
It offers 7.3l/100km on a combined fuel cycle, and a full-time all-wheel-drive system sees symmetrical power distribution to each wheel – with a ground clearance of 220mm.
The XV also features voice commands, automatic climate control, cruise control, paddle shifters, and two intelligent driving modes for sport and economical driving.
Read: Top 6 most affordable hybrids you can buy in South Africa right now
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