Hatchbacks have always been a popular choice among car buyers in South Africa, and the latest data from the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) highlighted the most popular models based on sales numbers for March 2023.
Hatchbacks are versatile vehicles that offer practicality, affordability, and excellent fuel efficiency, making them ideal for city driving and everyday use.
They are generally priced lower than other car types but offer similar features and performance. This makes them an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers who are looking for a reliable and efficient vehicle.
In addition to their affordability, hatchbacks are also well-suited for the country’s narrow and congested roads. With their compact size, they are easy to manoeuvre through traffic and park in tight spaces, making them a practical choice for urban dwellers.
Another factor contributing to the popularity of hatchbacks in South Africa is their fuel efficiency. With rising fuel prices, many consumers are looking for vehicles that offer good mileage and lower fuel consumption. Hatchbacks typically have smaller engines, which means they use less fuel than larger vehicles.
According to Naamsa’s data, the cheapest German-made model – the VW Polo Vivo – was the most-sold hatchback in March 2023, selling 2,016 units last month. This was followed by the Toyota Starlet in second and the Sukuzi Swift in third, selling 1,276 and 1,248 units, respectively.
The rest of the top 10 best-selling hatchbacks included: the VW Polo (4th), Hyundai Grand i10 (5th), Toyota Corolla Quest (6th), Hyundai i20 (7th), Sukuzi Baleno (8th), Toyota Rumion (9th), and the Suzuki Ertiga (10th).
However, those looking for the most fuel-efficient hatchback can consider the Sukuzi S-Presso, boasting a fuel consumption of 4.6 litres per 100 kilometres.
Other fuel-efficient options include the Renault Kwid and the Suzuki Swift, both with a fuel consumption of 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres.
However, if you’re interested in a hatchback that has more power, then the best option on this list is the Toyota Corolla Quest which pushes out 103 kW of power and 173 Nm of torque.
An interesting comparison is also between the Toyota Starlet and the Suzuki Baleno, which were released in the same timeframe, are similarly priced, and have identical drivetrains.
The Baleno was the 8th best-selling hatch last month, compared to the Starlet’s position as number two, which could be the result of South Africa’s love for the Toyota badge.
The 12 best-selling hatchbacks in South Africa right now are listed below.
1. VW Polo Vivo – 2,016 units sold
- Starting price: R247,300
- Fuel consumption: 5.7 L/100km
2. Toyota Starlet – 1,276 units sold
- Starting price: R241,200
- Fuel consumption: 5.4 L/100km
3. Suzuki Swift – 1,248 units sold
- Starting price: R194,900
- Fuel consumption: 4.9 L/100km
4. VW Polo – 1,008 units sold
- Starting price: R332,400
- Fuel consumption: 5.3 L/100km
5. Hyundai Grand i10 – 957 units sold
- Starting price: R
- Fuel consumption: L/100km
6. Toyota Corolla Quest – 753 units sold
- Starting price: R316,600
- Fuel consumption: 7.0 L/100km
7. Hyundai i20 – 604 units sold
- Starting price: R311,900
- Fuel consumption: 5.9 L/100km
8. Suzuki Baleno – 581 units sold
- Starting price: R231,900
- Fuel consumption: 5.4 L/100km
9. Toyota Rumion – 534 units sold
- Starting price: R275,100
- Fuel consumption: 6.2 L/100km
10. Suzuki Ertiga – 491 units sold
- Starting price: R258,900
- Fuel consumption: 6.2 L/100km
11. Renault Kwid – 431 units sold
- Starting price: R180,999
- Fuel consumption: 4.9 L/100km
12. Suzuki S-Presso – 383 units sold
- Starting price: R165,900
- Fuel consumption: 4.6 L/100km
Read: The cars you can afford on the average salary in South Africa right now
