Which compact SUV/hatchback - R350k budget

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Praemon

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Looking for some suggestions for a new compact SUV or possibly hatchback around a max R350k budget. The Toyota Starlet XR manual seems to tick all the boxes, which are (in order of priority):
  • Fuel efficient - I'm mainly doing shorter, city driving
  • Safety - ideally should include side airbags and have good build/road handling
  • Decent sized boot and space for passengers
  • Good maintenace/service plan (so new or low mileage second hand)
  • Resell value
Is the Starlet decent, or what else should I consider?

Thanks!
 
Fuel efficiency in an SUV? Look at the Mahindra XUV3X0 and the MG ZS those are small SUVs that fit in your budget and decently sized, the mahindra will have slightly better fuel consumption
 
The Starlet is not a real Toyota.

It's an Indian rebranded Suzuki.

Haval Jolion would fit the budget...but I wouldn't buy the base model.
 
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro will save you a hundred k which will easily make up for the crappier fuel economy.

Tiggo Cross can maybe be had as a demo for the budget.

Kia Sonet could be an option, depending on what kind of size compromises you are willing to make.
 
ooof, The Starlet is a horrible car, Like really bad.

I would get a Chinese Omoda C5/Haval Jolion/ Hindra XuV300 before a Starlet or Baleno.

But get a Kia Sonet or Hyundai Venue 1.0T which is even better.
 
Lupus said:
Fuel efficiency in an SUV? Look at the Mahindra XUV3X0 and the MG ZS those are small SUVs that fit in your budget and decently sized, the mahindra will have slightly better fuel consumption
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Specs look decent, although it isn't a very good looking car 😅 - but worth considering.
SauRoNZA said:
The Starlet is not a real Toyota.

It's an Indian rebranded Suzuki.

Haval Jolion would fit the budget...but I wouldn't buy the base model.
Click to expand...

Ah okay. The Haval Jolion looks good, although it's not the most economical at 7.5L/100km. What would be the reason to not buy the base model?

SauRoNZA said:
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro will save you a hundred k which will easily make up for the crappier fuel economy.

Tiggo Cross can maybe be had as a demo for the budget.

Kia Sonet could be an option, depending on what kind of size compromises you are willing to make.
Click to expand...

Also a good shout. Just a bit wary considering they already bailed on SA once before.

capd said:
Used Audi Q3/Q5
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Unfortunately the mileage would be too high for my price range. I'd rather go smaller and newer.

SHL said:
Consider a demo/used Mazda CX5. Can get the 2021 model for around 400K.
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I see the CX3 is also a possibility, although the fuel economy is higher at 6.9L/100km.

epah said:
ooof, The Starlet is a horrible car, Like really bad.

I would get a Chinese Omoda C5/Haval Jolion/ Hindra XuV300 before a Starlet or Baleno.

But get a Kia Sonet or Hyundai Venue 1.0T which is even better.
Click to expand...

Will check them out. What makes the Starlet so bad to have (and considering the price)?
 
Praemon said:
Will check them out. What makes the Starlet so bad to have (and considering the price)?
Click to expand...
My week long experience with it.

Suzuki experience?

I got the Grand Vitara Hybrid AllGrip 6spd Auto. Yes I knew it would be low on power (very low). Coming from 150kW to 70 odd is a massive dip. But its a great little car and the deal was sweet. Getting used to dropping to 4th to go up a little hill :laugh:
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za
 
Praemon said:
Ah okay. The Haval Jolion looks good, although it's not the most economical at 7.5L/100km. What would be the reason to not buy the base model?
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7.5l/100 also isn’t bad though.

I just found the base model a bit bare bones. But you could likely have some room for movement looking at slightly demo models on the higher spec.

Where are you based?

Also a good shout. Just a bit wary considering they already bailed on SA once before.
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At this point I would be more worried about everything non-Chinese bailing.
 
Further to my suggestion above, here is a good example listing I found:

1751652238609.png

  • Fuel efficient - I'm mainly doing shorter, city driving - Found an example on Fuelly getting 6.7l/100km
  • Safety - ideally should include side airbags and have good build/road handling - 7 airbags plus a tried and tested chassis/platform
  • Decent sized boot and space for passengers - not the most spacious but should be sufficient (375l with seats up)
  • Good maintenace/service plan (so new or low mileage second hand) - This one has 179'000km and 30 months of warranty remaining
  • Resell value - this I am not too sure about, you would need to do research on the particular model you are interested in but overall they seem to retain fair value.
 
PhireSide said:
Further to my suggestion above, here is a good example listing I found:

View attachment 1832550

  • Fuel efficient - I'm mainly doing shorter, city driving - Found an example on Fuelly getting 6.7l/100km
  • Safety - ideally should include side airbags and have good build/road handling - 7 airbags plus a tried and tested chassis/platform
  • Decent sized boot and space for passengers - not the most spacious but should be sufficient (375l with seats up)
  • Good maintenace/service plan (so new or low mileage second hand) - This one has 179'000km and 30 months of warranty remaining
  • Resell value - this I am not too sure about, you would need to do research on the particular model you are interested in but overall they seem to retain fair value.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this. Would it not fall into the same category as the Starlet though since it seems to be another Suzuki/Toyota mashup from India?
 
I have a similar budget, looking to buy at the end of the year. Would love a secondhand Mazda CX-3 otherwise the Suzuki Fronx (hate the name) looks to be good value for money. I haven't really done much investigating yet, money still invested for now.

Have a Honda currently and would be happy to get them again, but nothing I like in my price range.

This was a useful video:
 
Praemon said:
Thanks for this. Would it not fall into the same category as the Starlet though since it seems to be another Suzuki/Toyota mashup from India?
Click to expand...
No, the Vitara wasn't design/built specifically for "poor" countries, the same model was sold it Europe etc.
 
Ϲhristopher said:
No, the Vitara wasn't design/built specifically for "poor" countries, the same model was sold it Europe etc.
Click to expand...
The same one built in India? It might be the same car but it makes a lot of difference where it was built and for which markets. India is not known for quality build or building cars for the European markets.

Most of the cars built there are for third work markets, that's why the quality is dodgy.
 
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