- Suzuki S-Presso 1.0 GL Auto – R188,900
- Renault Kwid 1.0 Zen Auto – R212,999
- Proton Saga 1.3 Standard Auto – R224,900
- Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GL Auto – R225,900
- Toyota Vitz 1.0 XR Auto – R239,900
When it comes to city driving, an automatic gearbox is one of the best features a car could have.
Slogging through dense traffic, riding the clutch on a manual is not only tedious and tiring, but also damages the clutch and reduces its lifespan.
If you’re looking to get into a self-shifting ride for your next set of wheels, here are your five most affordable options on South Africa’s new-car market.
Suzuki S-Presso 1.0 GL Auto – R188,900
The most attainable automatic in the country, the Suzuki S-Presso GL Auto sports a 1.0-litre petrol motor that is mated to a five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). The drivetrain is good for 49kW and 89Nm and registers a fuel economy of a low 4.4l/100km with the assistance of an engine auto stop/start function.
In the features department, potential patrons of the “micro-SUV” can expect electric front windows, a manual air-conditioner, remote central locking, a multifunction steering wheel, hill-hold control, ABS, two front airbags, and 14-inch steel wheels with plastic covers. A radio must be installed for an additional cost, though.
The Suzuki also provides 239 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up.
Each purchase of the S-Presso comes with a 5-year/200,000km warranty and 2-year/30,000km service plan.
Renault Kwid 1.0 Zen Auto – R212,999
A good R24,099 above the forerunner sits the Renault Kwid 1.0 Zen Auto.
The hatchback is equipped with a 1.0-litre petrol power unit too, producing 50kW and 91Nm, and a five-speed AMT turns the front axle resulting in a fuel spend of 4.9l/100km.
Being the mid-range Zen trim level, this particular Kwid sees LED daytime running lights, all-round power windows, a manual aircon, a semi-digital instrument cluster, a trip computer that calculates figures like remaining range, an 8-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth, rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, ABS, two front airbags, and 14-inch steel wheels with metallic covers.
Boot space in five-seater mode then comes in at 279 litres.
Each purchase of the Kwid comes with a 5-year/150,000km warranty.
Proton Saga 1.3 Standard Auto – R224,900
The Proton Saga 1.3 Standard Auto is the only sedan to make it into the top five most affordable automatics, and it also boasts the largest engine out of the lot with a displacement of 1.3 litres.
Employing a four-speed automatic box, the Proton pushes out 70kW and 120Nm and sips petrol at a rate of 7.0l/100km.
Standard kit encompasses central locking, electric windows, manual aircon, a multi-information driver’s display, a central touchscreen with Bluetooth, an Eco drive mode, ABS with brake assist, two airbags, rear parking sensors, and 14-inch alloy rims.
Thanks to its elongated bodywork, the sedan also supplies the most cargo room out of all the vehicles on this list at 420 litres.
Each purchase of the Saga comes with a 5-year/150,000km warranty.
Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GL Auto – R225,900
Another Suzuki, the Celerio 1.0 GL Auto, features an identical 1.0-litre, five-gear AMT setup as the S-Presso putting out 49kW and 89Nm at a slightly better fuel usage of 4.2l/100km.
It has a more impressive spec sheet than its stablemate, however, bringing a multifunction steering wheel, multi-info driver’s display with range and consumption readings, front and rear electric windows, 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote central locking, hill-hold control, engine auto stop/start function, ABS with brake assist, two airbags, rear parking sensors, fog lamps, and 15-inch alloys.
The compact hatch can also carry up to 295 litres in the boot.
Each purchase of the Celerio comes with a 5-year/200,000km warranty and 2-year/30,000km service plan.
Toyota Vitz 1.0 XR Auto – R239,900
The Toyota Vitz 1.0 XR Auto is the architectural twin of the Celerio and offers a near-identical package, except for a different badge, higher price, and shorter warranty.
Like its half-sibling, the Vitz gets a multifunction steering wheel, multi-info driver’s screen, all-round electric windows, 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote central locking, hill-assist control, ABS with brake assist, two airbags, rear parking sensors, fog lamps, and 15-inch alloys.
The Toyota’s 295-litre cargo area is the same as the Suzuki, too.
Each purchase of the Vitz comes with a 3-year/100,000km warranty and 2-service/30,000km service plan.
Keyword: Five most affordable automatic cars in South Africa