Looking for the best affordable cars for young students going into the New Year? Look no further.
Carfind.co.za has selected what we believe are the cars to suit both the modest pocket, as well as a balance of good fuel consumption, safety and convenience features.
HYUNDAI ATOS
Hyundai has been playing well in the small car segment for some time now. In fact, it is one of the leading brands providing compact vehicles to a wide range of buyers. For the young student market the
Atos is a great choice to make. It comes with a 1.1-litre engine producing 50kW and 99Nm of torque, par for the course really. Fuel consumption is quite impressive too, averaging about 5.9 litres per 100km. Best of all the
Atos can be had with an automatic transmission. While it is not the most spacious, it will carry five passengers, and luggage for two. Safety is taken care of by features such as ABS, two front airbags, central locking and ISOFIX rear child seat harnesses. Best of all the buyer can enjoy a 17.8cm infotainment touch screen that accesses Android Auto, Apple Carplay, Bluetooth connectivity and others.
Pricing starts at R175 500
TOYOTA AGYA
Toyota’s smallest car comes fitted with ABS brakes with EBD for the 14-inch wheels, two front airbags, and a class-leading infotainment system. This extensive system is anchored around the
Toyota Connect ecosystem that provides
Agya drivers with in-car WiFi connectivity and 15GB of free data, a streaming service called MyEntertainment that gives access to music, videos and services. Precisely the types of features that any self-respecting, fun-loving yet responsible young student seeks from their car. Under the bonnet is a 0.9-litre engine that makes 49kW of power and 89Nm of torque, mated to either a 6-speed manual or 4-speed auto. Toyota reckons it will sip around 4.9 litres of petrol per 100km, which is exactly what is needed in this high petrol price times.
Pricing starts at R182 200
SUZUKI SWIFT
A favourite among the young-at-heart, the
Swift recently got itself updated in the
South African market. The update included a refreshed face, standard rear parking sensors (you know yourself), some cool colour options and new 15-inch alloy wheels among others. The
Swift is packed with safety features that include ESP, ABS brakes with EBD, front airbags, central locking, an immobiliser and an alarm system. At the heart of it all is the company 1.2-litre petrol that delivers 61kW and 112Nm of torque for the front wheels.
Suzuki says it will return 4.9 litres per 100km. Some of the standout interior features include air conditioning, all-round electric windows, USB connectivity and electrically adjustable side mirrors. Some models also come with a touch screen infotainment system.
Pricing starts at R184 900
HONDA AMAZE
Unique in this company dominated by hatches,
Honda’s Amaze does stand out with its oddball exterior looks, which can be quite subjective. Driving past that you will notice that the car is a sedan, with a large 420 litre capacity. Boots ensure that luggage is safely stowed away from prying eyes and is not easily accessible by the unauthorised.
Honda seems to build really high quality cars that last a very long time. As such they tend to be priced marginally higher than rivals. It is powered by a 66kW, 110Nm 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine that gives it an average fuel rating of 5.7 litres per 100km. Students can choose between a 5-speed manual and a CVT auto transmission for their driving convenience. Two front airbags, ABS brakes with EBD and extensive use of high-tensile steel in the new platform ensures body rigidity. Of course interior features like Bluetooth connectivity, multifunction steering wheel and USB ports are standard.
Pricing starts from R209 100
