AutoTrader has revealed that the Fiat Panda, Renault Kwid, and Suzuki S-Presso have among the best fuel efficiency of any pre-owned hatchback on the South African market.
To reach this conclusion, the company combed through the specifications and figures of thousands of hatchbacks listed on its platform, with few proving quite as efficient, affordable, and widely available as these three.
Fiat Panda
Updated in 2017 and removed from the market four years later, the Panda is available in three trim levels, including a standard model, a crossover variant aptly badged as the Cross, as well as a 4×4 specification.
The hatchback makes use of a 0.9-litre, turbo-petrol motor generating 63kW and 145Nm, paired with either a five or six-speed manual gearbox. The Cross features a slight power increase to 66kW and drives through the six-speed shifter only.
Feather the pedal just right and you’re looking at a fuel consumption of 4.2l/100km, translating to one litre of petrol consumed for every 24-odd kilometres driven.
On AutoTrader, the Fiat Panda is listed at an average price of R154,900, with an average mileage of 25,000km and an average year of registration of 2020.
At the time of writing, there are 22 live ads for the Panda.
Renault Kwid
The most futuristic-looking of the frugal hatchbacks, Renault’s Kwid is a popular option for buyers in both the new and used segments.
The pre-facelift Kwid was sold in Expression, Dynamique, and SUV-inspired Climber specifications, while the post-facelift model is available in Life, Zen, and Climber trims.
Regardless of the chosen model, since it came out all versions of the Renault are powered by a 1.0-litre petrol motor absent of forced induction, resulting in a power output of 50kW and 91Nm.
One of two gearboxes, a five-speed manual or automated manual, then delivers drive to the front axle.
Less efficient than the Fiat, the Renault reports a low average fuel spend of 4.7l/100km in the right conditions.
On AutoTrader, the Kwid is listed at an average price of R163,182, with an average mileage of 15,318km and an average year of registration of 2021.
At the time of writing, there are 692 live ads for the Kwid.
Suzuki S-Presso
The S-Presso currently holds the crown for being the most affordable new car on sale in the country.
Since 2020, the “micro-SUV” has been offered in offered in GL, GL+, and S-Edition equipment grades, and it has always been driven by a 1.0-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol motor connected to either a five-speed manual or automated manual transmission.
Before it was updated at the end of 2022, however, this powertrain made 50kW and 90Nm, and after the update, it saw fitment of a new engine with better fuel consumption and a lower potential of 49kW and 89Nm.
Nevertheless, neither drivelines are terribly heavy on propellant, and with the right driver behind the wheel, the little Suzuki manages to burn petrol at a rate of around 4.9l/100km.
On AutoTrader, the S-Presso is listed at an average price of R157,019, with an average mileage of 18,246km and an average year of registration of 2021.
At the time of writing, there are 321 live ads for the S-Presso.
Keyword: 3 pre-owned hatchbacks with great fuel consumption