The cheapest automatic cars in South Africa can often cost anywhere from R20,000 to nearly R100,000 more than the cheapest manual models.
Automatics transmissions (AT) are becoming increasingly favoured in the vehicle market due to how much easier they can make driving, especially in heavy traffic, and several cars in the more high-end segment are now offered exclusively as autos.
For many other vehicles, though, an AT is offered as an alternative to a manual gearbox and will usually add thousands of rands onto the asking price of a particular model.
How much more you’ll pay
It bears mentioning that comparing the cost of a manual and an automatic is not always a straightforward apples-to-apples situation, as in many cases an AT is only offered higher up in the vehicle’s trim line – creating an even larger price disparity.
That being said, it’s still worth highlighting how much extra the average motorist will need to pay if they want to take home their preferred vehicle with an automatic gearbox.
We looked at a variety of South Africa’s most popular cars to provide you with a better picture of what you can expect to pay for the cheapest model with a self-shifting transmission.
Click on the underlined vehicle names for more information.
Hatchbacks
| Model | Cheapest manual | Cheapest automatic | Price difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Swift | R194,900 | R227,900 | R33,000 |
| Toyota Starlet | R226,200 | R261,100 | R34,900 |
| Hyundai i20 | R297,900 | R329,900 | R32,000 |
| VW Polo | R329,300 | R391,400 | R62,100 |
| Peugeot 208 | R329,900 | R419,900 | R90,000 |
Sedans
| Model | Cheapest manual | Cheapest automatic | Price difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki DZire | R193,900 | R226,200 | R32,300 |
| Honda Amaze | R231,200 | R266,800 | R35,600 |
| Toyota Corolla Quest | R298,400 | R319,400 | R21,000 |
| VW Polo sedan | R332,400 | R381,700 | R49,300 |
| Subaru WRX | R799,000 | R877,000 | R78,000 |
Crossovers and SUVs
| Model | Cheapest manual | Cheapest automatic | Price difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Vitara Brezza | R262,200 | R283,900 | R21,700 |
| Nissan Magnite | R290,500 | R317,500 | R27,000 |
| Chery Tiggo 4 Pro | R299,900 | R336,900 | R37,000 |
| VW T-Cross | R387,600 | R432,200 | R44,600 |
| Toyota Fortuner | R623,200 | R646,400 | R23,200 |
Double-cab bakkies
| Model | Cheapest manual | Cheapest automatic | Price difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahindra Pik Up | R387,999 | R413,999 | R26,000 |
| Ford Ranger | R426,890 | R465,830 | R38,940 |
| Toyota Hilux | R479,200 | R568,400 | R89,200 |
| Isuzu D-Max | R511,400 | R530,100 | R18,700 |
| Nissan Navara | R514,500 | R542,900 | R28,400 |
Keyword: How much more you pay for an automatic than a manual in South Africa