Toyota Vitz vs Suzuki Celerio vs Renault Kwid: Which one has the lowest running costs?

It's the battle of the sub-R200 000 hatchbacks as we compare the running costs of the mechanically identical Toyota Vitz with the Suzuki Celerio and have thrown in the Renault Kwid for good measure.

With rampant inflation and ever-increasing fuel costs, budget-friendly hatchbacks may be the best option to ensure reasonable mobility costs. The Toyota Vitz is certainly a good budget option, but how do its running costs compare with two key rivals? Looking to buy one of these budget hatchbacks but need to sell your current vehicle first? AutoTrader can get you an Instant Offer!

There is only one engine option within the Vitz range, so how do the base model’s running costs compare with two key rivals in the form of the Suzuki Celerio and Renault Kwid?

The figures

	Toyota Vitz	Suzuki Celerio	Renault Kwid
Engine size	3-cyl, 1.0-litre petrol	3-cyl, 1.0-litre petrol	3-cyl, 1.0-litre petrol
Power/Torque	49 kW/89 Nm	49 kW/89 Nm	50 kW/91 Nm
Gearbox	5-speed manual	5-speed manual	5-speed manual
Seats	5	5	5
Airbags	2	2	2
Driven wheels	Front	Front	Front
Load Capacity	295-litres	295-litres	279-litres
Fuel capacity	32-litres	32-litres	28-litres
Claimed consumption	4.4 L/100 km	4.4 L/100 km	4.9 L/100 km
CO2 emissions	101 g/km	92 g/km	118 g/km
Service plan	2-services/ 30 000km	2-yr/30 000km	2-yr/30 000km
Price	R189 900	R183 900	R192 999

Comparing the trio

Purchase price

The models we have chosen for this comparison are competitors from a pricing and body-style perspective. Monthly instalments are calculated throughout 72 months with a 10% deposit and no balloon or residual. The interest rate is set at 12%.

Toyota Vitz

With the instalment parameters in place, the Vitz will work out at R3 341 monthly over 72 months.

Suzuki Celerio

With the instalment parameters, the Celerio will work out at R3 236 monthly over 72 months.

Renault Kwid

With the instalment parameters, the Kwid will work out at R3 396 monthly over 72 months.

Fuel consumption

The Toyota and Suzuki are mechanically identical, so their fuel consumption will be the same, and judging by our real-world testing, the Japanese duo has lower fuel consumption than the Kwid.

Service plans

All three contenders come with service plans that will take car of two services.

Verdict

Having looked at the data in the first five years of ownership, we would be confident that all three products would cost a similar amount to run. However, there can only be one winner, and thanks to its marginally lower list price, we can see that the Suzuki Celerio will be cheaper to run.