Anyone in South Africa looking to take home the new Subaru Crosstrek will need to earn at least R65,000 per month, according to a calculation by TopAuto.
The crossover is available in two specifications, with prices starting at R579,000 for the base iL and R669,000 for the range-topping iS.
Subaru’s newcomer is powered by a 2.0-litre, petrol engine which generates a total of 115kW and 196Nm while consuming 7.2l/100km on an average fuel cycle.
This is transmitted to all four wheels via a CVT transmission, though a set of paddle shifters allows the users to operate it like an eight-speed manual.
The off-road-focused crossover has 220mm of ground clearance and also comes with an X-Mode terrain management system with hill-descent control and pre-configured profiles for Dirt, Snow, and Mud.
Standard equipment on the Crosstrek includes 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, a leather multifunction steering wheel, and an 11.6-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Additionally, both models come with a driver-assistance package which adds adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, driver alert monitoring, a speed limiter, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, and a reverse camera.
Those who opt for the higher-spec iS can also look forward to full-leather upholstery, electric front seats, a wireless phone charger, and larger 18-inch alloy rims.
Each model is sold with a 5-year/150,000km warranty and a 3-year/75,000km maintenance plan.
What you need to earn
We can use the following formula to calculate the monthly payments on the new Crosstrek.
- Car price – R579,000/R669,000
- Payment term – 60 terms (5 years)
- Interest – 11.75%
- Deposit – 0%
- Balloon – No balloon payment
- Extras – No optional extras
According to this, the Subaru will require a minimum payment of R12,902 per month for the iL, or up to R14,892 per month for the iS.
Financial experts then recommend that you do not spend more than 20% of your gross monthly salary on vehicle payments.
This means South Africans will need to earn anywhere from R64,510 per month to R74,460 per month to be able to “afford” the vehicle.
Note that this figure does not account for insurance, fuel, and maintenance, which all need to be factored into your budget.
Keyword: What you need to earn to afford the new Subaru Crosstrek