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- SA's cheapest diesel car could help you score around 800km from 35 litres.
- Ford's EcoSport can achieve up to 1000km per tank if you drive it gently.
- Renault Duster impresses with economy, features and asking price.
- For motoring news, go to Wheels24
As the cost of living in South Africa increases and fuel costs rise unabated, and we scrape the lint from the bottom of our wallets to fill up, buying a new car might be the last thing you're thinking about right now. But, if you're driving an older model or a gas-guzzler, there's no better time to look at a frugal replacement vehicle.
New car prices are expected to rise further in the coming months as stock shortages of semiconductors and shipping containers wreak havoc in the auto sector. Before you know it, that new car you once thought about owning (even briefly while scrolling your favourite motoring site, Wheels24) might be out of reach.
If you are going to pull the trigger on a new model soon, we thought we'd recommend a few cars that hit a sweet spot regarding purchase price and fuel economy. To this end, here are four sub R350 000 diesel-powered crossovers that can work as compact family cars.
Would you consider one of these diesel vehicles as a compact family car? In the comments section below, let us know your thoughts on the fuel price, and the type of fuel you prefer for your family car and why.
1. Mahindra KUV 100 Nxt 1.2TD D75 K6+
Priced at R240 999, the Mahindra KUV 100 Nxt 1.2TD D75 K6+ is the most affordable compression-ignition new passenger car in South Africa. Its 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine produces 57kW and 190Nm, which is more than enough to move it and four occupants around without breaking a sweat.
You will have to get used to a bit of turbo lag, and the engine is noisy when cold, but the car is easy to drive with a lightweight clutch and easy-to-row five-speed manual gearbox. According to Mahindra, it sips a claimed 4.3 litres per 100km in a combined cycle, which should be good enough to achieve 814km from its 35-litre fuel tank.
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If you don't need too much trunk space and are not too fussy about having a premium badge on the bonnet, the value for money is compelling here. You get a nice roomy interior, a couple of airbags, anti-lock brakes, air-conditioning, a Bluetooth-compatible audio system and a decent warranty (five years or 150 000km). You also get a Service Plan that covers your costs of keeping the car in good running order for three years or 50 000km.
The Mahindra KUV 100 Nxt 1.2TD D75 K6+ reminds us of the Polo TDI from the early 2000s, with its three-cylinder turbodiesel engine. It was built for fuel economy, and it delivered on that promise. If you are serious about saving on fuel costs, you can't ignore this KUV as an affordable way to get around town and across the country from time to time.
2. Mahindra XUV 300 1.5TD W6
Another Mahindra, because the brand is pumping out affordable models in this segment. The latest XUV 300 is dubbed the safest car in Africa, thanks to an array of safety features that come standard across the range. Of course, the further up the field you shop, the more dazzling it gets with features, but Mahindra tested the entry-level car when performing crash tests, and that's the one that achieved five stars.
Priced at R 281 999, it's powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that produces 86kW of power and 300Nm of torque. The OEM claims it will sip 5.0 litres per 100km in a combined cycle, giving you around 840km from its 42-litre fuel tank. We tested the XUV 300 recently, and it was sensational regarding fuel economy.
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Mahindra has sharpened the inside of the XUV 300 with excellent supportive seats and a decent audio system with Bluetooth compatibility. You also get a powerful aircon, central locking and electric windows. It also boasts anti-lock brakes, a couple of airbags and cruise control. In the W6 configuration, the car is nicely packaged and doesn't feel under-specced.
The XUV 300 shines in interior comfort and ride quality considering its asking price. The car rides well over poor surfaces, and the lightweight clutch and six-speed manual are a treat. We like its no-frill approach to getting you and your family safely around town - with a reasonable asking price considering the cost of smaller cars that sell for more money from Japan and South Korea. A five-year or 150 000km warranty adds peace of mind, while a five-year or 90 000km Service Plan will keep it ticking.
3. Ford EcoSport 1.5 TDCi Ambiente
Punching with the XUV 300 above for your money is the R322 500 Ford EcoSport 1.5 TDCi Ambiente. The EcoSport is one of Ford South Africa's best-selling vehicles. It soldiers on yearly with new limited editions such as the EcoSport Black and the latest Active version.
The Ambiente version uses a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine as its power source. It boasts 74kW of power and 205Nm of torque. Ford claims it sips 4.6 litres per 100km in a combined cycle, giving you at least 1130km from its 52-litre fuel tank.
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You can get around town comfortably with an easy-to-operate clutch and five-speed manual gearbox. But, the car is also brilliant in accommodating at least four adults and luggage. You can use this car as a family vehicle if you have older kids and do not feel compromised for interior space and trunk room. We also like its specification levels considering its price point. You get an excellent aircon, anti-lock brakes, electric windows and mirrors and central locking. Six airbags might be the deal-maker here, as this is best-in-class.
We recommend the diesel EcoSport because it's tried and tested and never let us down during a test period. You get a whopping amount of miles per tank if you drive it nicely, and it's arguably the best-looking compact crossover in this segment. You get a decent four-year or 120 000km mechanical warranty, but the four-year or 60 000km Service Plan is an optional extra.
4. Renault Duster 1.5dCi Zen
Priced at R342 900, the Renault Duster 1.5dCi Zen is creeping up on the pricey side of life, but it still comes in less than R350 000 or R8000 per month, depending on how you plan to buy it. We thought its fuel gauge was broken during our recent test drive.
But, we learned that the Duster is so light on diesel that you have to get used to the fuel gauge not moving. The car's 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine produces 66kW of power and 210Nm of torque. More impressively, it sips a claimed 5.1 litres per 100km, but we achieved sub-5 figures. With its 50-litre fuel tank brimmed, you'll be able to accomplish nearly 1000km between fill-ups if you drive it gently.
READ: Reader's respond: Why the Renault Duster is such a favourite SUV with South Africans
The car is also feature-rich, with a lovely infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get comfy seats, plenty of interior space and a decent trunk. You're also sorted when it comes to safety, as the Duster offers four airbags, anti-lock brakes, ISOFIX anchors and traction control.
We highly recommend the Duster as a good alternative to a premium hatchback. You get an excellent ride height, charming looks, a respectable level of standard features and a good aftersales promise. The Duster comes with a five-year or 150 000km mechanical warranty and a three-year or 45000km Service Plan from Renault. Read our Duster test here.
Would you consider one of these diesel vehicles as a compact family car? In the comments section below, let us know your thoughts on the fuel price, and the type of fuel you prefer for your family car and why.
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