The previous generation Toyota Urban Cruiser is a solid choice for SUV buyers on a budget. Picture: Toyota
Pre-owned SUVs are in high demand, but at an average price of R508 000 is out of many car buyers’ reach.
“SUVs generated almost 40 million advert views this year while 33% of all used cars sold in the first half of 2023 were SUVs,” says George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader.
The good news for buyer on a budget is there are plenty of more affordable, nearly-new SUVs. Importantly, many of them still offer used car buyers the balance of warranty and/or maintenance plans.
Finding that inexpensive, nearly-new SUV is a far easier process if expectations are tempered, and one is open to different brands and models.
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AutoTrader compiled a list of the 10 most affordable local SUVs sold, being one year old on average. All of them are under R300 000, with two being even less than R200 000. Each has average mileage lower than 20 000 km and all seat five despite being classified as compact.
If your budget is less than R200 000, the Mahindra KUV100 Nxt at an average price of R182 524 is just the car for you. Both the KUV100 Nxt and its pre-facelifted sibling, the KUV100 (R199 890), sell for below R200k.
The Indian-built KUV100 offers a roomy cabin and spirited 1.2-litre petrol engine.
Next up is the Suzuki Ignis at R217 084 with average mileage of 10 545. The Ignis is technically classified as a compact SUV.
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In fourth place at an average selling price of R243 694 is the Honda WR-V. The 1.2-litre petrol-driven Honda WR-V seats five and comes with generous boot space of 363 litres.
This compact SUV crossover boasts an abundance of tech, a total of six airbags and a five-year warranty.
Hot on the Honda’s heels is the Renault Kiger (R249 533), Mahindra XUV300 (R282 917) and Suzuki Vitara Brezza (R283 652). The Vitara Brezza is almost R5 500 cheaper than its production sibling, the Toyota Urvan Cruiser (R289 069).
Rounding off the top 10 cheapest SUVs is the Opel Crossland, which sells for an average price of R297 258, and the Nissan Magnite (R297 474).
The top 10 cheapest SUVs sold with a registration year of 2022:
1 Mahindra KUV100 Nxt (R182 524, 11 672 km)
2 Mahindra KUV100 (R199 890, 11 000 km)
3 Suzuki Ignis (R217 084, 10 545 km)
4 Honda WR-V (R243 594, 17 568 km)
5 Renault Kiger (R249 533, 12 340 km)
6 Mahindra XUV300 (R282 917, 7 859 km)
7 Suzuki Vitara Brezza (R283 652, 11 459 km)
8 Toyota Urban Cruiser (R289 069, 15 183 km)
9 Opel Crossland (R297 258, 12 778 km)
10 Nissan Magnite (R297 474, 11 783 km)
More information on the local pre-owned market is available in the AutoTrader Mid-Year Car Industry Report.
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