Which small suv to buy?

[Ullrich]

Hi. I am interested in buying a small/medium suv. It should have the following: turbo engine, automatic gearbox (preferably not CVT) and it should be fuel efficient. My top choices thus far are 1) Renault Duster 1.5 EDC, 2) volkswagen T-cross DSG and 3) Ford ecosport titanium automatic.

My first choice in the Renault duster but I would like to find out if anyone has had bad experiences with them?

Which do you think is the best (other suggestions are also welcomed)? Budget is R350 000 (can be slightly more).

Thanks

 

[superskully]

Tiggo pro

 

[Hamster]

Second hand Peugeot 2008 - previous generation, new one is ugly

My father disowned me, but I loved that car.

EDIT: I owned a Kadjar EDC... test drive that gearbox first and be very honest with yourself if you like it. It may be better these days but a couple of years back that EDC was laggy (best I can describe it).

 

[airborne]

Duster. That turbo diesel is an epic engine. Merc has used it for years in their A and B class.
Don't touch the EcoSport IMO. Have heard some horror stories there.

They are very good and sip fuel.
How much is the Honda CR-V 1.5 Turbo?
That’s supposed to be a great vehicle but almost R500k if I remember correctly.
Op cvts are everywhere these days on small vehicles, once you get used to them they are great to drive, I wouldn’t rule them out.

 

[TheChamp]

They are very good and sip fuel.
How much is the Honda CR-V 1.5 Turbo?
That’s supposed to be a great vehicle but almost R500k if I remember correctly.
Op cvts are everywhere these days on small vehicles, once you get used to them they are great to drive, I wouldn’t rule them out.

Over R700k.

 

[JibbersCrabst]

Drove a kwid the other day, every time it changed gears I thought it was running out of petrol. Horrible.

 

[airborne]

Over R700k.

Thats pricey, no wonder you virtually don’t see any of the new model on the roads, it’s a nice looking vehicle and probably drives great.

Even the baseline 2.0 Na version is R586k

CR-V

The refined sixth-generation Honda CR-V embodies a premium spirit, inviting you to experience adventure with unparalleled luxury and safety.

www.honda.co.za

Edit. It’s actually not too far off the Nissan Xtrail, their baseline cvt model is R568:

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[airborne]

Drove a kwid the other day, every time it changed gears I thought it was running out of petrol. Horrible.

How small was the motor?
Anything NA below 1.5L and a cvt gearbox does do more of that disconcerting gear down that feels like a clutch is slipping. Bigger motors have sufficient torque so that issue largely is nullified and when you floor it they fly.

 

[Ecko_1]

Not gonna get a T Cross for the budget. They pricey and small. Just a Polo with high heels on

 

[FiestaST]

Arguably the best (all rounder) crossover/small SUV is the Sonet (by Kia, not Saab). Give that one a flutter man.



The Dustpan is my 2nd choice.



If you’re looking for maximum value then consider Chinese.

 

[airborne]

The Kia Sonet has a nice face, I was admiring one this afternoon. A slight tweak with a body kit would make those really look aggressive and not to pricey. What are the engines like?

Edit I see it’s a 1.5 vs 1.0 Turbo, mmm the 1L probably kicks arse but small turbo engines like that apparently don’t last or do they?
Maybe a Korean one will still run sweet at 400,000k, like their bulletproof NA engines.

 

[airborne]

Why’s the Toyota Corrola Cross not been mentioned yet?!

That thing is cheap for what it is because it’s locally made no import duties and it’s sick, but Toyota probably still has stock issues which means you might need to wait for months to get one.

Base Cvt model is R360k, just about cheaper than everyone else and Toyota yo!

Toyota Configurator

configure.toyota.co.za

 

[Ullrich]

Why’s the Toyota Corrola Cross not been mentioned yet?!

That thing is cheap for what it is because it’s locally made no import duties and it’s sick, but Toyota probably still has stock issues which means you might need to wait for months to get one.

Base Cvt model is R360k, just about cheaper than everyone else and Toyota yo!

Toyota Configurator

configure.toyota.co.za

I am not a fan of the corolla cross. Don’t like the looks of it and it doesn’t have a turbo engine.

 

[Ullrich]

Arguably the best (all rounder) crossover/small SUV is the Sonet (by Kia, not Saab). Give that one a flutter man.

View attachment 1401335

The Dustpan is my 2nd choice.

View attachment 1401337

If you’re looking for maximum value then consider Chinese.

View attachment 1401339View attachment 1401341

I was looking at the Sonet as well. But I would go for the 1L turbo. They are a bit pricey though. I am yet to test drive one. In some reviews, they mentioned that it is a bit heavier on fuel consumption compared to something like the duster and T-cross. Probably depends on how you drive.

 

[Ullrich]

Not gonna get a T Cross for the budget. They pricey and small. Just a Polo with high heels on

Volkswagen offers easy finance with which you can own a Volkswagen for a lower price per month and at the end of the term, you can trade it in for a newer model or you can choose to refinance the outstanding amount. So it is actually affordable. My issue with Volkswagen is that it is a highjack risk…

 

[Ullrich]

Second hand Peugeot 2008 - previous generation, new one is ugly

My father disowned me, but I loved that car.

EDIT: I owned a Kadjar EDC... test drive that gearbox first and be very honest with yourself if you like it. It may be better these days but a couple of years back that EDC was laggy (best I can describe it).

I actually like the new 2008 haha but it’s too expensive.

I took the duster EDC for a test drive and I was honestly impressed. The gear changes were smooth and it was quite responsive. So maybe they have improved it.

 

[bwana]

Volkswagen offers easy finance with which you can own a Volkswagen for a lower price per month and at the end of the term, you can trade it in for a newer model or you can choose to refinance the outstanding amount. So it is actually affordable. My issue with Volkswagen is that it is a highjack risk…

So a balloon payment... just about everyone offers those.

 

[Pax]

This had been asked over and over on this forum, and the correct answer has not changed: Duster! Yet, you are free to waste your money on anything else.

 

[Dylan_G]

Volkswagen offers easy finance with which you can own a Volkswagen for a lower price per month and at the end of the term, you can trade it in for a newer model or you can choose to refinance the outstanding amount. So it is actually affordable. My issue with Volkswagen is that it is a highjack risk…

"Affordable".

If you mean it lowers the monthly premium to become affordable, it also means OP could get pretty much whatever car they want using this method.

 

[lowriderza]

Driving an Ecosport myself and knowing a few other people who do, my advice is stay away from the Diesel models and be warned that the brakes are pretty crappy.