- The safest choice
- Mahindra XUV300 – 5-star NCAP
- Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5 Urban – 5-star NCAP
- Renault Kiger – 4-star NCAP
- Nissan Magnite – 4-star NCAP
- Suzuki Vitara Brezza 1.5 GL – 4-star NCAP
Safety is one of the single most important aspects to consider when buying a new car, but it can often seem like the models with the greatest protection come with a hefty price tag.
Luckily, more and more safety equipment is becoming standard for vehicles of all shapes and sizes.
It’s hard to imagine that, not that long ago, things like seatbelts and headrests were not compulsory in cars, but today you can expect almost any new set of wheels to come standard with items like anti-lock brakes (ABS) and ISOFIX child-seat mounts.
Carmakers have even started to integrate safety features into the design of their models, like daytime running lights (DRLs) which are intended to increase the car’s visibility to pedestrians and other drivers, but also come across as a cool cosmetic detail.
Features like these are all factored into a car’s NCAP score, which assesses the safety of a vehicle in the case of a collision.
Anything with a score of four stars or more is considered to be above average in terms of safety due to its crash protection and its generous amount of crash avoidance or mitigation technology.
The safest choice
Crossovers are quickly becoming one of the most popular vehicle body types in South Africa owing to their relative affordability while offering a level of practicality that’s somewhere between a hatchback and an SUV.
If you’re in the market for one of these high-riders, the five safest options under R320,000 can ne found below.
Mahindra XUV300 – 5-star NCAP
The Mahindra XUV300 is the cheapest crossover in South Africa to have a five-star NCAP score, starting at R259,999 with six units on offer.
Standard kit includes a full-size spare wheel, two front airbags, ABS, EBD, rear parking sensors, front and rear seatbelt reminders, two ISOFIX mountings, airbag deactivation for children, and impact-sensing door unlock.
Further up the tiers, you’ll get front parking sensors, a rearview camera, LED daytime running lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, automatic hazard lights on heavy braking, an auto-dimming rearview mirror to prevent glare, and side and curtain airbags – bringing the total up to seven.
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5 Urban – 5-star NCAP
The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro has five trim levels with prices starting at R308,900.
The Chinese crossover comes with ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, emergency brake assist, traction control, roll stability control, front seatbelt reminders, rear park-distance control, LED daytime running lights, two ISOFIX mounts, and six airbags.
Higher trim levels will throw in a 360-degree camera system, automatic LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front collision warnings.
Renault Kiger – 4-star NCAP
The Renault Kiger is available in South Africa in six specifications with prices starting at R224,999.
Safety equipment on the crossover includes ABS, two front airbags, electronic brake force distribution, a full-size spare wheel, rear parking sensors, front seatbelt reminders, speed-sensing door locks, two rear ISOFIX mounts, and impact sensors that unlock the doors in an accident.
Higher specifications will then add front-side airbags, an electronic stability programme, a reverse camera with guidelines, LED daytime-running lights, and LED headlights for improved visibility at night.
Nissan Magnite – 4-star NCAP
The Nissan Magnite has nine specifications and can be had from a starting price of R227,900.
It has the same NCAP score as the Renault Kiger as the two cars are actually built upon the same platform, which is also reflected in its similar price.
The base model comes with a full-sized spare wheel, ABS, two front airbags, electronic brake-force distribution, rear parking sensors, front seatbelt reminders,and speed-sensing door locks.
Upgrading to a pricier model will give you two ISOFIX fixtures, hydraulic brake assist, vehicle dynamics control, traction control, a rear or 360-degree camera, and LED daytime-running lights and headlights.
Suzuki Vitara Brezza 1.5 GL – 4-star NCAP
The Suzuki Vitara Brezza is due to be discontinued in the near future, but is still listed on the company’s website at the time of writing.
It starts at R269,900, is available in six specifications, and features ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, electronic braking assist, front seatbelt reminders, front passenger and driver airbags, rear park-distance control, a rearview camera, daytime-running lights, and two ISOFIX points.
The only safety items offered by the higher-tier models are automatic LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers.
Keyword: 5 safest crossovers in South Africa under R320,000