- Fiat 500
- Kia Picanto
- Mahindra KUV100 Nxt
- Mahindra XUV300
- Nissan Almera
- Renault Kiger
- Renault Kwid
- Suzuki Swift
- Toyota Agya
- Toyota Corolla
Demo cars are attractive as they generally come with all the bells and whistles of new models while selling for a considerably lower price.
Pre-owned car platform Motus Select has rounded up 10 demo vehicles you should keep an eye out for that tick the boxes of being spacious, fuel-efficient, and affordable.
Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 boasts one of the lowest fuel-consumption figures on the market, obtaining 4.0l/100km thanks to its 0.9-litre turbo-petrol motor putting out 63kW and 145Nm.
Available in Cult, Club, and Dolcevita specifications, the hatchback brings equipment such as a 5-inch touchscreen radio, LED daytime running lights, a leather multifunction steering wheel, hill-start assist, and seven airbags.
It can also be had in coupe and convertible body styles, as well as with manual and automatic transmissions.
Kia Picanto
The Picanto is one of the most-popular hatchbacks in South Africa, being sold in Start, Street, Style, and crossover-inspired X-Line trims.
The Start is rather stripped down, with manual airconditioning, a Bluetooth radio, and a multifunction steering wheel being the most notable additions.
From the Street onwards, standard features are more plentiful and include an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, central locking, front and rear electric windows, and a rear-view camera.
The hatch is then powered by one of two petrol engines, a 1.0-litre generating 49kW and 95Nm or a 1.2-litre with 61kW and 122Nm, both achieving a 5.0l/100km average fuel consumption. Both units are also offered in manual or automatic guise.
Mahindra KUV100 Nxt
Mahindra’s most affordable vehicle, the KUV100, is powered by one of two 1.2-litre powertrains each mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, the petrol version putting out 61kW and 115Nm at 5.9l/100km, and the diesel 57kW and 190Nm at 4.3l/100km.
A total of six derivatives complete the line-up, the entry-level K2+ providing manual AC, manual windows, vinyl seats, no radio or speakers, and two airbags.
With the K6+ and K8+ you’ll get amenities such as a radio or 9-inch touchscreen both with support for Bluetooth, in addition to four speakers, a multifunction steering wheel, keyless start, fabric upholstery, all-round electric windows, rear parking sensors, and central locking.
Mahindra XUV300
The XUV300 is a noticeable step up from its smaller KUV sibling, the base W4 model bringing a Bluetooth-capable radio, electrically-adjustable wing mirrors, a manual airconditioner, central locking, rear parking sensors, and seven airbags.
From the W6 upwards, the crossover gains a 9-inch central screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in navigation, a multifunction steering wheel, and cruise control.
As for its power source, the XUV is equipped with either a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol motor generating 81kW and 200Nm, or a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel unit offering 86kW and 300Nm.
Both powerplants connect to a six-speed manual shifter, the petrol scoring an average fuel use of 6.3l/100km and the diesel 5.0l/100km.
As an added bonus, the XUV300 is rated the “safest car in Africa” – scoring five out of five stars for adult safety and four out of five for child safety at the Global NCAP crash test.
Nissan Almera
The Almera is one of the last remaining affordable sedans in South Africa.
The four-door is offered in Acenta specification, the two variants only being separated by the types of transmissions they are shipped with – a five-speed manual on one and four-speed automatic on the other.
A 1.5-litre petrol motor under the bonnet provides 73kW and 134Nm, returning a consumption rating of 6.3l/100km in manual and 7.2l/100km in automatic.
On the specification sheet, buyers will find automatic headlights, rear parking sensors, manual AC, Bluetooth, a multifunction steering wheel, and two airbags.
Renault Kiger
One of the best-selling crossovers in the country, the Renault Kiger comes with a 1.0-litre naturally-aspirated or turbocharged engine, producing 52kW/96Nm or 74kW/160Nm. Both can be paired with a manual or automatic transmission, with petrol expenditure rated between 5.2-5.3l/100km for the normal models and 5.0-5.4l/100km for the turbocharged trims.
Across the Kiger family, luxuries comprise a digital instrument cluster, electric front windows, manual aircon, a radio with USB inputs, rear parking sensors, and dual front airbags.
The pricier Zen and Intens trims further receive rear electric windows, a rear window wiper, a height-adjustable driver seat, climate control, keyless entry and start, a multifunction steering wheel, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Renault Kwid
One tier below the Kiger, the Kwid is Renault’s entry-level offering with a 1.0-litre motor sitting between the front wheels churning out 50kW and 91Nm.
As with the others, this hatchback provides manual and automatic drivetrains and maintains an average consumption of 4.9l/100km in each.
With Life, Zen, and Climber grades on the market, the Kwid brings front electric windows, manual airconditioning, a radio with Bluetooth support, backup parking sensors, and two front airbags.
If you’re willing to fork out a little bit more money, the Renault offers a reverse camera, rear power windows, and an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
Suzuki Swift
The Suzuki Swift is a fan favourite in South Africa and has been for quite some time.
The range currently comprises four specification grades with the GA, GL, and GLX all driven by a 1.2-litre powerplant generating 61kW and 113Nm. Regardless of whether you’re buying the manual or automatic, fuel consumption is rated at 4.9l/100km.
A Sport model is also available which packs a 1.4-litre, turbo-petrol block with 103kW and 230Nm on tap at 6.1l/100km.
The entry-level GA makes do with all-round electric windows, central locking, manual AC, rear parking sensors, and two airbags. In the GL, owners also get hill-hold control, a multifunction steering wheel, and a Bluetooh radio, while the GLX brings keyless entry and start, climate control, a reverse camera, and a 7-inch media centre.
Toyota Agya
One of the country’s fastest-selling vehicles on the used market, the Agya sports a 1.0-litre petrol engine capable of 49kW and 89Nm at an average fuel consumption of 4.8l/100km, and there are both five-speed manual and four-speed automatic models to choose from.
Features are standard across the range, each Agya offering LED lights, manual airconditioning, all-round electric windows, two speakers, central locking, and dual front airbags.
However, buyers should take note that certain Agya specifications do not have a pre-installed radio and will likely be sold with an aftermarket unit – if any – whereas others will have a Toyota-fitted system with Bluetooth support and will have “(Audio)” written in their names.
Toyota Corolla
One of the most famous nameplates in the world, the Corolla is a sedan that has been on the market since before many of its competitors were even thought of.
It is the priciest model on the list, but comes with the reliability and trustworthiness associated with the Toyota brand.
Motivated by a 1.8-litre hybrid or 2.0-litre petrol motor, the Corolla turns the front wheels through a CVT gearbox and registers a fuel economy of 3.9l/100km and 5.9l/100km, respectively.
It’s also generously kitted and spoils owners with automatic LED lights, partial leather seats, a multifunction steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, smart keyless entry, and seven airbags.
Keyword: 10 affordable demo cars to keep an eye out for