Rant about how many entry/mid level hatchbacks don't have 6 airbags + ESC.

[NR7]

When I say entry level, I don't mean Kwid/Datsun Go or any of those thin metal coffins, I mean the usual cars people mention when talking about relatively affordable hatchbacks.

For example, these are all popular hatches from renowned manufacturers and even with the top spec automatic derivative for each model below they still only have 2 airbags with/without ESC :
VW Polo Vivo 1.4 Comfortline Auto - R266.1k for 2 airbags and no ESC
Toyota Starlet 1.4 XR Auto - R282.5k for 2 airbags and no ESC
Toyota Yaris 1.5 XS Auto - R314.4k for 2 airbags and it has ESC
Hyundai i20 1.4 Fluid Auto - R330.5k for 2 airbags and no ESC

I mean come on, ESC has been mandatory in new cars in Canada, the US, and the European Union since 2011, 2012, and 2014, respectively.
And it is crucial when you have to swerve for freaking wheelbarrows and delaminated truck tyres in the middle of a South African highway (particularly for new drivers), but for some reason it isn't standard for many hatchbacks nor are 6 airbags even when NCAP tests show the huge benefits of side and curtain airbags.

The list of decent auto hatchbacks with 6 airbags and ESC in the sub R350k bracket are :
Mazda 1.5 Dynamic Auto - R317.6k for 6 airbags and it has ESC
VW Polo 1.0TSI Comfortline Auto - R339.6k for 6 airbags and it has ESC
Ford Fiesta 1.0T Trend Auto - R344.1k for 6 airbags and ESC

For slightly higher than R350k the list also includes :
Suzuki Swift Sport Auto - R356.9k for 6 airbags and it has ESC (and a lovely little 103kw/230nm 1.4 Turbo engine)
Kia Rio 1.4 Tec Auto - R361.9k for 6 airbags and it has ESC (but a slightly underpowered 73kw/135nm engine).



But damn, the SA market is a bit disappointing in this entry/mid hatchback segment - the prices increase R20-25k every year and even more if a new model comes out but in some models the safety isn't even on par with first world hatchbacks from 7 years ago.
/end rant

 

[Creag]

How many of these have the current number of airbags because it is being flogged in an African market?

 

[6spdmanual]

Therefore, buy used/demo and have all the stuff at a better price.

 

[FiestaST]

The new Vitara Brezza has no ESC/ESP on any derivative.

 

[UrBaN963]

My Opel Corsa has 6 and cost R240k brand new. Also has ESC, EBD.

 

[TheChamp]

Blame the masses who keeps on buying the overpriced mediocrity.

 

[azbob]

How are a Yaris and i20 over R300k?

 

[NR7]

My Opel Corsa has 6 and cost R240k brand new. Also has ESC, EBD.

Yeah but it's Opel

The new Corsa is R289.9k for 5 speed manual only though. I also think people are scared with all the uncertainty of whether they stay or go.
I recall them being hurt with GM pulling out in 2017 and they have now been merged into the Peugeot Citroën operation in SA which isn't much better since Citroen also pulled out in 2017 and have only got back recently so there's no guarantee of long term stability like Toyota/VW/Hyundai/KIA/Suzuki.

 

[UrBaN963]

Yeah but it's Opel

The new Corsa is R289.9k for 5 speed manual only though. I also think people are scared with all the uncertainty of whether they stay or go.
I recall them being hurt with GM pulling out in 2017 and they have now been merged into the Peugeot Citroën operation in SA which isn't much better since Citroen also pulled out in 2017 and have only got back recently so there's no guarantee of long term stability like Toyota/VW/Hyundai/KIA/Suzuki.

Yea but that’s a car that’s literally either not yet actually available, or if it is, has only been so for a month or so.

I know it’s an Opel and people have opinions about them, but for R240k I got:

6 airbags
6-way sound which is actually pretty decent
Carplay
Android auto
Bluetooth
ABS, EBD, ESC, TC,
navigation,
electric everything,
height adjustable seats,
tinted windows,
smash and grab,
park distance sensors front and rear,
reverse camera,
and a pretty comfortable ride.

I’ll take it at the price.

 

[NR7]

Toyota Starlet 1.4 XR Auto - R282.5k for 2 airbags and no ESC

Okay I made a mistake on this one.
That XR model actually has 6 airbags and ESC ! And the Suzuki Baleno has the same for a similar price.

Nice to see there are some decent budget options.

 

[TheChamp]

Yea but that’s a car that’s literally either not yet actually available, or if it is, has only been so for a month or so.

I know it’s an Opel and people have opinions about them, but for R240k I got:

6 airbags
6-way sound which is actually pretty decent
Carplay
Android auto
Bluetooth
ABS, EBS, ESC, TC,
navigation,
electric everything,
height adjustable seats,
tinted windows,
smash and grab,
park distance sensors front and rear,
reverse camera,
and a pretty comfortable ride.

I’ll take it at the price.

The have decided to up the price and lower the power on the new one, no more turbocharged engine but a good, old fashioned 1.2l NA aspirated with 55kW.

 

[UrBaN963]

The have decided to up the price and lower the power on the new one, no more turbocharged engine but a good, old fashioned 1.2l NA aspirated with 55kW.

Yea that’s a pity. The sport will have 110kw according to the salesman, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

 

[Meister-Man]

I'd love to put all the blame on the auto manufacturers, however the consumers play a big role.
Lots of South Africans at a set budget would rather have reduced safety and rather have a fancier infotainment system and dual climate control..

 

[HavocXphere]

The priority for SA market is affordability, not keeping up with 1st world standards.

Unless it's legislated or the average spending power increases dramatically it'll always lag far behind.

i.e. The bet is that by using a 1/3 as many airbags they gain more potential customers on the $$$ than they lose that are upset by subpar safety (i.e. you). There are a lot of poor people in SA so each rand shaved off is potentially a lot of customers

 

[NR7]

Yea but that’s a car that’s literally either not yet actually available, or if it is, has only been so for a month or so.

I know it’s an Opel and people have opinions about them, but for R240k I got:

6 airbags
6-way sound which is actually pretty decent
Carplay
Android auto
Bluetooth
ABS, EBD, ESC, TC,
navigation,
electric everything,
height adjustable seats,
tinted windows,
smash and grab,
park distance sensors front and rear,
reverse camera,
and a pretty comfortable ride.

I’ll take it at the price.

There's some even cheaper. A 2020 Opel Corsa 1.0T Enjoy 120Y Special Edition with under 18000km with 6 airbags, ESC, front/rear park sensors and reverse camera for only R180k from an Opel dealer and not some shady guy in JHB CBD.

Crazy good value.

 

[UrBaN963]

There's some even cheaper. A 2020 Opel Corsa 1.0T Enjoy 120Y Special Edition with under 18000km with 6 airbags, ESC, front/rear park sensors and reverse camera for only R180k from an Opel dealer and not some shady guy in JHB CBD.

Crazy good value.

That’s exactly my car, but I’m on about 10,000km.

Don’t mention resale value right now. You’ll make me cry.

 

[TheChamp]

I'd love to put all the blame on the auto manufacturers, however the consumers play a big role.
Lots of South Africans at a set budget would rather have reduced safety and rather have a fancier infotainment system and dual climate control..

I don't even think they consider that, many people discover what's in the car after they have bought it.

 

[FiestaST]

Yea but that’s a car that’s literally either not yet actually available, or if it is, has only been so for a month or so.

I know it’s an Opel and people have opinions about them, but for R240k I got:

6 airbags
6-way sound which is actually pretty decent
Carplay
Android auto
Bluetooth
ABS, EBD, ESC, TC,
navigation,
electric everything,
height adjustable seats,
tinted windows,
smash and grab,
park distance sensors front and rear,
reverse camera,
and a pretty comfortable ride.

I’ll take it at the price.

I assume the "low" infotainment screen doesn't bother/annoy you at all?

 

[UrBaN963]

I assume the "low" infotainment screen doesn't bother/annoy you at all?

You mean low as in low on the dash? Hasn't been an issue for me at all, but I'm 1.70m tall, might be an issue if you're taller I guess. Then again, I tend to watch the road when i drive so haven't had any problems with it.

 

[FiestaST]

You mean low as in low on the dash? Hasn't been an issue for me at all, but I'm 1.70m tall, might be an issue if you're taller I guess. Then again, I tend to watch the road when i drive so haven't had any problems with it.

Lol.

Correct, low Ito it's placement relative to all other rivals.