Top four best-buy budget options for October 2022

Each month we recommend four best-buy budget options limited by a fixed price and year of production. This month we have the Renault Kwid, Datsun Go, Hyundai Grand i10 and Suzuki Celerio pitted against each other. With a budget of R120 000 and a production date no earlier than 2019, these may be the best bang-for-buck used budget options in SA. 

First up on our budget best-buy list, we have the Renault Kwid, which showed so much enthusiasm when it was released, with its funky looks, standard kit and low price tag of between R120 000 and R130 000. Appealing to young, first-time buyers, it was an instant hit. The Kwid is perfectly suited for South African motorists who put fuel economy first when purchasing a vehicle. With efficiency in mind, its performance of  50 kW of power and 91 N.m of torque won’t set the world alight. It will sprint from a dead stop to 100 km/h in 13,67 seconds and continue onto 152 km/h.

Best-buy

Image: Renault

The Kwid embodies a simple modern design, with a bold structured grille that highlights the Renault diamond logo, it is one of the most affordable pieces of French automotive machinery you could find. The cabin has useful features such as an excellent 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, electric front windows and mirrors. What was originally omitted from the model is one of the most important safety features: an ABS system. A facelift was introduced in late 2019 with redesigned front, ABS and dual airbags as standard with larger 14-inch wheels. If you need to spend less, lower than R80 000, you will have to settle for the earlier version. With our R120 000 budget, you can purchase the much improved new model.

Fast Facts:

  • Price: R119 900 
  • Year: 2020
  • Engine: 0,9-litre 3-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine
  • Gearbox: 5-speed manual 
  • Fuel Consumption: 5,64 L/100 km 
  • Power/Torque: 50 kW/91 N.m

Placing second on our best-buy list is the Datsun Go. The first generation of Go was introduced in 2014 with the follow-up model arriving in 2019 with a raft of improvements in feel, safety equipment and the infotainment system. The safety improvement of the Go mimics that of the Kwid. In 2019, both airbags and ABS were added and the wheel size increased from 13 to 14-inch. LED lighting made an appearance as well.  The touch infotainment has Apple and Android capabilities, all aimed at appealing to a new, younger generation of drivers.

Best-buy

Image: Datsun

Offering a naturally aspirated 1,2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine with 50 kW of power and 104 N.m of torque, power is sent to the front wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox. The torque puts it above others for better acceleration while overtaking.

Fast Facts:

  • Price: R119 990
  • Year:  2019
  • Engine: 1,2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine
  • Power/Torque: 50 kW/104 N.m
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual
  • Fuel Consumption: 6,24 L/100km 

The Hyundai Grand i10 was originally launched in 2014 with a facelifted version appearing in 2017. The Latest Grand i10 arrived in 2021, further raising the bar with improved looks but with the same choice of engines from before. The Hyundai i10 has long been one of this country’s best-selling city cars. This Korean contender achieved that distinction in its original guise by being affordable and fuel efficient. Owing to the popularity of this small Hyundai and its impressive build quality, the prices are higher than some of its rivals. 

Best-buy

Image: Hyundai

While the large 4-Cylinder, 1,2 -litre powering the larger model with greater power and smoothness, you may have to lower your expectations and opt for the 3-Cylinder 1,0-litre to save money and fit within the tight budget. Producing an output of 48 kW of power and 94 N.m of torque, it can propel the Korean model onto a top speed of 155 km/h. The budget option will not come with a touchscreen infotainment system but does receive dual airbags, ABS, steering wheel-mounted controls, including phone functionality all come as standard. The ride quality on the i10 is commendable for its segment, with a decent-sized interior as well. 

Fast Facts:

  • Price: R119 900
  • Year:  2019
  • Engine: 1,0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine
  • Power/Torque: 48 kW/94 N.m
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual
  • Fuel consumption: 6,50 L/100km 

Lastly, we have the Suzuki Celerio, which won the Top 12 budget category in 2017 and 2018. The 2020 model offers a mild cosmetic facelift that was introduced in 2018. Suzuki has become a small, affordable mobility expert and the Celerio has retained its trademark. While the compact Japanese model might look small and unsteady on its wheels, it is much more impressive on the road. It’s easy to manoeuvre courtesy of a light body which offers a tight turning circle of just 9,4 metres.

Best-buy

Image: Suzuki

The Suzuki Celerio features a high-mount gear shift and high-hip points that produce good all-round visibility to further enhance ease of driving. The high seating position and large side door opening also facilitate entry and exit. The exterior styling of the Celerio is as conservative as the interior but the ride quality is good, with 165 mm ground clearance providing more space for tackling bumps and curbs. The engine has the same power as the Kwid and the Datsun, producing 50 kW but dropping in pulling effort against its competitors, torque output is a meagre 90 N.m.

If possible, look at the GL spec, which includes several added features such as Bluetooth audio, electric mirrors and windows, a rev counter and remote locking.

Fast Facts:

  •  Price: R119 900
  • Year:  2020
  • Engine: 1,0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine
  • Power/Torque: 50 kW/90N.m
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual
  • Fuel consumption: 5,60 L/100 km

The post Top four best-buy budget options for October 2022 appeared first on CAR Magazine.


The Car Guide

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Topical tips on buying used – Chapter 1

Image
Buying a used car can be harrowing, whether privately or from a dealer. Here are some tips, as well as some things to watch out for. Beware of low mileages, especially on smaller or cheaper cars. It is always possible that the odometer has been turned back. Some things to bear in mind are:- diesels are often bought because they the driver needs to undertake long trips without consuming vast amounts of fuel. This could be a sales rep, or someone travelling large distances to work, lots of lengthy trip for family holidays, etc. So, usually higher mileages than normal. An expensive or luxury car may not see much time on the road, but very seldom a “workhorse”. This makes the executive cars likely to have a lot more life left than the overworked and abused hatchback. These also spend most of their life in a home garage or undercover parking lot at work. Related: Someone paid more for a mint BMW 325iS Evo 2 than a used M4 A vehicle without any service history is a serious disadvantage
Read more

Like Lego? Then the R8-engined Rhino RR01 Kit Car From Lithuania is For You

Image
The Rhino RR01 is presented as an affordable Audi R8-engined supercar that’s both street-legal and geared for the track, here’s all you need to know about the new model.  Image: Rhino Looking for your next sportscar? Find it here with CARmag.  This groundbreaking vehicle is the inaugural supercar hailing from the Baltic state of Lithuania, born and crafted in Kaunas, 100 km away from the capital city of Vilnius. Surprisingly, it was conceived by yacht engineers who had minimal experience in the automotive world by painstakingly developing the car from scratch. All monocoque design, chassis, bodywork, interior, and electronics were done by themselves. While the prototype borrowed the engine from an ‘Audi R8’, the ‘Kit Car’ model offers the freedom to install various engines, allowing drivers to experience the thrill of a racing car on both roads and tracks. Image: Rhino Lithuania has contributed individual components to major car manufacturers, but until now, the country had ne
Read more

Could this teased Lancia sports car be a reborn Stratos?

Image
Lancia recently teased a coupe-looking model, waiting to be unveiled in their Multiverse. Could this then, signify the return of a historic moniker like the Stratos to the struggling automaker? Image: Lancia #MakeLanciaGreatAgain – a social media phrase that has been making the rounds for the better part of a decade. World Rally Championship titles, Formula 1 single-seat winners and some other gems in between. The Italian automaker litters dates in history and motorsport, with some truly revolutionary ideas and models that aided their bid to become one of the most successful motorsport manufacturers of all time. But that is all in the past. Lancia now contends sole markets with a platform-shared model but there have been ambitious plans under Stellantis ownership to kick-start the automaker and make them great again… words that delight so many enthusiasts and aficionados. Related: Automobili Amos debut Martini Racing Livery Lancia Delta and Safarista What better way to do this th
Read more