We have all experienced the negative financial fallout from the national lockdown period in 2020. So, every bit of saving counts. This especially applies to your monthly fuel bill, seeing as though we will be back on the road to work after the lockdown. Also, if you are thinking of buying a new car, prices may rise steeply after the lockdown, so consider purchasing one now
With this in mind, let’s take a peek at a list of the top 10 most fuel-efficient cars available in South Africa. Because most people at the moment can’t afford to buy expensive cars, only fuel-efficient cars with prices under R300,000 are shown, as of May 2020. Bear in mind that fuel consumption figures stated here are those of manufacturers and that these figures, in reality, may vary depending on a variety of conditions. Let’s see who made the top 10 list in 2020 according to some car experts.
1. 3.7L/100 km – Fiat Tipo 1.3 Multijet Easy – Price: R287,936
The market entry of the Fiat Tipo hatchback and sedan was in 2017. This 1.3L turbodiesel sedan derivative is strikingly fuel-efficient with a claimed consumption of 3.7L/100 km. The engine’s output is 70 kW power, and 200 Nm torque, making the car a zippy performer. Unfortunately, only the Tipo sedan has this engine.
2. 3.8L/100km – Fiat 500 – Price: R219,900 to 272,900
This petite 500 is a real hit for Fiat in South Africa and comes as either a convertible or hard-top. The engine provides 63 kW power and 145 Nm torque. It’s a TwinAir turbo-petrol engine with strikingly efficient fuel consumption of 3.8L/100 km (for automatic derivatives). The Fiat 500 comes as the trim levels Star and Rockstar. There is a choice between an automatic or 5-speed transmission. The price of R272,900 is for the Fiat 500C Rockstar automatic.
3. 4.2L/100km – Fiat Panda 0.9 TwinAir Easy/Lounge – Price: R205,452 to R271,452
The Fiat Panda re-entered the South African market in 2017. The 2-cylinder 0.9L turbo-petrol engine installed in the Easy and Lounge derivatives generates 63 kW power and 145 Nm torque. It is a front-wheel-drive via a 5-speed manual transmission. The claimed fuel consumption stands at 4.2L per 100 km. If you are keen to go off-road, the Panda 4×4 and 4x Cross derivatives are available, but it will cost you extra fuel at 4.9L/100km respectively. The different price ranges are Fiat Panda (Easy, R205,452); (Lounge, R220,452); (Panda 4×4, R251,452); (Panda 4×4 Cross, R271,452).
4. 4.3L/100km – Toyota Aygo – Price: R182,000
If you need a city car running on fumes, the Toyota Aygo is the one for you. It has a fuel consumption of 4.3L/100 km. A 3-cylinder 1.0L petrol engine delivers 53 kW power and 93 Nm torque via a 5-speed manual transmission.
5. 4.3 L/100 km – Ford Fiesta 1.0T Trend – Price: R296,200
The entry-level Fiesta 1.0T has a fuel consumption of 4.3L/100 km and is propelled by a 3-cylinder 1.0L turbo-petrol engine generating 74 kW power and 170Nm torque.
6. 4.3 L/100km – Peugeot 108 Active – Price: R189,500
This budget car arrived in 2019 and has a 3-cylinder 1.0L petrol engine generating 53 kW power and 93 Nm torque via a 5-speed manual transmission. The fuel consumption is 4.3L/100 km.
7. 4.3 L/100 km – Peugeot 208 1.2 Active – Price: R256,500
With a claimed fuel consumption of 4.3L/100 km, this car has a naturally aspirated petrol engine, delivering 60 kW power and 118 Nm torque via a 5-speed manual transmission.
8. 4.3 L/100 km – Mahindra KUV100 Nxt 1.2 D75 K6+/K8 – Price: R219,999
The Indian manufacturer claims fuel consumption of 4.3L/100 km for the K6+ and the K8 guise. The 3-cylinder 1.2L petrol engine generates 61 kW power and 115 Nm torque via a 5-speed manual gearbox.
9. 4.4 L/100 km – Renault Kwid Automatic- Price: R160,900
The front-wheel-drive, automatic Kwid consumes fuel at 4.4L/100km, using a 3-cylinder 1.0L petrol engine, producing 50 kW power and 91 Nm torque. This is accomplished via a 5-speed automated manual (AMT) transmission.
10. 4.5 L/100km – Volkswagen Polo 1.0TSI Trendline/Comfortline Hatch – Price: R262,800
This compact hatchback is popular in South Africa. The Polo Trendline has a turbocharged 1.0L engine with fuel consumption of 4.5L/100 km. The engine generates 70 kW of power and 175Nm of torque via a 5-speed manual transmission.
Are you looking to buy a new car? By now, you may have a good idea regarding the vehicle that may be the one for you. Not only will you save on fuel, but also on car insurance with Prime South Africa, which offers unique benefits such as fixed premiums* and reduce to zero excess*.
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