Sizing up the market of affordable student cars
For students who study at tertiary institutions far from home, owning a reliable, cost effective vehicle is almost essential. For parents, it is an expense they cannot afford not to spend money on.
They have the option of buying a pre-owned vehicle from established dealers offering affordable premiums on low mileage cars. But in the end, there is much more peace of mind in having a brand-new car.
Review researched the South African vehicle market to see what is on offer for scholars.
VW Polo Vivo 1.4 55 kW Conceptline – R172 300:
The Polo Vivo has been the top selling passenger model since its market introduction in March 2010.
Key product attributes such as affordability, German build quality, safety, space and comfort have a set an unparalleled benchmark in its segment. These attributes continue to re-affirm Polo Vivo’s unique offering of affordable and accessible mobility to South African car buyers.
It offers value for money without compromising on core product essentials that customers expect from Volkswagen. In a Polo Vivo, customers are getting an A class car for the price of an A0 car, a difficult proposition to ignore in this heavily contested segment of the market.
The Polo Vivo has great residual value in its segment in the used car market. The cost of ownership over a three-year cycle makes this one of the cheapest cars to own in the South Africa market.
VW Up! – R166 300:
The Volkswagen Up! comes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), driver and front passenger airbags, plus side, head and thorax airbags for the front passengers.
Furthermore, there is electronic Stability Control (ESC) including hill hold and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), traction control, front integrated head restraints and a height adjustable steering wheel. The steering is speed-sensitive power-assisted.
Tata Indigo Flash – R124 995:
Tata has introduced an additional, limited edition variant of its Indica hatch as an added-value offering. The new model, known as the Indica Flash, is based on the Indica LGi model, with several distinguishing features and significant additions to the list of standard equipment.
Externally people will be able to identify this model with its bold black stripes, incorporating the Flash logo, running along the bottom of the doors, as well as the Flash logo on the corner of the bonnet. The steel wheels have also been replaced with distinctive, spoked alloy mag wheels.
However, the scope of the big upgrade comes once one sits inside the Indica Flash. There are leather seats with the Flash logo embroidered in the top of the front seats, while the steering wheel has a soft leather grip. An audio system with USB and hands free Bluetooth capabilities have also been added.
The Indica Flash is covered by a three-year or 100 000km warranty and has a two-year or 45 000km service plan plus road side assistance.
Renault Sandero Expression – R147 900:
Youthful and modern styling exudes a mix of discernible quality and refinement. While Renault’s ubiquitous, centre-piece diamond-shaped badge dominates the black grille and underscores the brand’s new design identity, a trendy, integrated roof spoiler, body-coloured side mirrors and 15-inch wheels standard across the range, add to its up-to-the-minute exterior appeal.
The Renault Sandero comes with Renault’s five-year or 150 000km warranty completed by a standard two-year or 30 000km service plan with service intervals at 15 000km.
Renault South Africa keeps more than 17 000 spare parts available in its local warehouse situated in Rosslyn (Pretoria) and the company makes sure that more than 95 percent of these parts are delivered in less than 24 hours to any Renault dealer nationwide.
Hyundai Grand i10 Motion – R154 900:
The Grand i10 is in South Africa consists of three derivatives namely the 1.25 Motion manual, the 1.25 Fluid manual (with a slightly higher specification level) and the 1.25 Fluid with a four-speed automatic gearbox.
Its 1 248cc engine delivers 64kW of power at 6 000rpm, and a maximum torque of 120Nm at 4 000rpm.
Fuel consumption can be as low as a 5,9 litres per 100km, with emissions of 130g/m in the 1.25 Motion manual and 1.25 Fluid manual derivatives, and 6,9 litres/100 km with emissions of 147 g/km for the 1.25 Fluid with the four-speed automatic gearbox.
Toyota Etios 1,5 Xi Hatchback – R163 900:
In summary, here’s a list of just a few of the quality and aesthetic enhancements the Etios has received since its introduction in May 2012:
A new grille design.
Colour-coding across the range for door mirrors and handles.
A new aero design exterior mirror featuring aero stabilising fins.
Auto-Up electric window function on the driver’s door.
Redesigned central instrument cluster with Ice Blue backlighting, enlarged LCD display for enhanced clarity and digital clock – the latter is on Xs models only.
Lights-on warning as well as seat belt and door ajar warning buzzers (Xs).
Improved NVH package which included a switch from rubber engine mounts to more refined, sound-absorbing hydraulic mounts. The silencer was also modified for enhanced insulation and the damper settings were adjusted to filter out suspension noise and improve ride quality.
Luggage cover with lift function.
Beneath the finery is the same 1.5-litre, four-cylinder mill (coupled to a five-speed manual transmission) producing 66kW at 5 600rpm and 132Nm of torque at 3 000rpm. Fuel economy is pegged at 5,9l per 100km for the sedan and 6.0l per 100km for the hatch in the combined cycle.
All Etios models come standard with a two-year or 30 000km service plan.
Chev Spark Campus 1,0 – R141 200:
With the Spark already featuring as a prominent choice for student consumers in South Africa, thanks to its youthful looks, attractive pricing and ‘cool’ connotations linked to the original Chevrolet Beat concept car which featured in the Transformers movies, the Spark Campus is the perfect option for those budget-minded students who require a cost-effective car which still looks fun and funky.
It features all the essentials such as air conditioning, remote central locking, a radio-ready audio setup which allows for youth-typical audio system customisation, ABS with EBD and dual front airbags, the Spark Campus presents a no-compromise budget-friendly value option. Its fuel economy also adds to the value proposition where students who operate on a tight budget can rest easy without exorbitant fuel expenses.
The comprehensive new Chevrolet Spark range comes standard with a five-year or 120 000km warranty and comprehensive Roadside Assistance, as well as a five years’ anti-corrosion cover. A service plan is available on all models as an optional extra on purchase.
Datsun GO – R106 900:
The default position when a parent looks for a car for their child is second-hand, mainly because of price, but Des Fenner, General Manager for Datsun South Africa, says, “this is not always the best move, because the running and maintenance costs of an old car can easily outweigh the costs of buying an affordable, new economy car.”
Technology has improved vastly over the years, making new cars more fuel efficient than ever. The Datsun GO, for example, has a 1.2-litre engine and does 6.2 litres to 100 kilometres.
Some parents, to keep insurance premiums low, say that they will be the regular driver. This may jeopardise your claim in the event of a loss or accident. You are usually required to state if someone under the age of 25 will be driving. Don’t fib; the insurer will find out. “A properly maintained new car will drive trouble free for many years. The problem with second-hand cars is that you do not know how they were driven or if they were properly maintained, so there is a bigger risk of breakdown” says Mr Fenner.
Nissan Micra Visia+ – R159 900:
The Micra comes with a brand new three-cylinder petrol engine displacing just 1.2-litres but producing a commendable 56kW and 104Nm. The fuel consumption is given at 5.2l per 100km in the combined cycle, and CO2 emissions a mere 124g per kilometre
Externally the versions differ in subtle ways: Visia has 14 inch steel wheels, and black doors handles and mirrors while Acenta has a black B-pillar between front end rear doors, body coloured handles and mirrors and a chrome flash on the grille. Tekna variants can be identified by the chrome surround on the lower air intakes, front fog lamps and 15-inch alloy wheels.
All Micra models have a full complement of active and passive safety equipment with ABS standard across the entire range. From the Visia+ grade and up customers get front and side airbags as well as aircon for hot South African summers as standard. Automatic speed sensitive door locking is also standard from the Visia+.
Also standard are power steering with a tilt adjustable column. Remote central locking and electric front windows are standard on the Visia+.
Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GA – R132 900:
Suzuki’s Celerio, which replaces the popular Alto mini hatchback in South Africa, has been created to provide buyers of small cars with a generous and enjoyable motoring experience. The newcomer proves that compact doesn’t need to be cramped, and that space and style don’t have to cost a fortune.
Developed for world markets, and already a top seller in India, the Celerio reflects Suzuki’s unrivalled expertise as a producer of compact cars and SUV’s with a concept that combines the user-friendly dimensions and wieldy road manners of a small hatchback with a surprisingly spacious interior and a voluminous luggage compartment.
The 1,0-litre unit combines ample urge with high efficiency, ensuring high performance and excellent fuel consumption. The maximum power is 50kW at 6 000rpm, combined with a torque peak of 90Nm at 3 500rpm.
The Celerio is the first Suzuki model to be fitted with the marque’s new automated manual gearbox, which allows clutchless operation of a manual gearbox without the energy loss usually associated with conventional torque converter-based automatic transmissions.
The Suzuki Celerio is covered by a three-year or 100 000km warranty, while a two-year or 30 000km service plan is included in only the GL model’s retail price. Services are at 15 000km intervals.
Kia Picanto 1,0 LS – R129 995:
Following the introduction of the KIA Picanto 1.0 LS in October 2015, KIA Motors South Africa has expanded its Picanto offering with a 1.2-litre LS model to fill the gap between the 1.0 LS and 1.0 LX models.
Major controls are arranged in an attractive, easy to use layout, while the thick rimmed, uniquely designed, two-spoke steering wheel and the signature Kia ‘three cylinder’ instrument cluster continues to reflect the consistency with which Kia’s new design philosophy is being used throughout the brand’s product line-up.
Features available on both models include manual air-conditioning, an under-floor trunk storage box, retractable dual cup holders and sun visors with vanity mirrors, as well as AUX/iPod/USB connections for the radio CD player with MP3 compatibility (the EX also sports steering wheel mounted controls and hands-free Bluetooth®.
A two-year or 45 000km service plan is available across the range at an additional cost.
