The Appeal of Small Urban Cars for South African Living
City life in South Africa is fast on its feet and often bumper-to-bumper. If you have ever crawled your way through Marlboro Drive in Sandton on a Monday morning or circled for parking on Kloof Street in Cape Town, you know that your car needs to do more than just move.
It needs to keep up with rising fuel costs and relentless traffic and require little maintenance.
Below, we highlight some of our top picks of compact models you will find at DigiCars – each designed to handle the city without breaking a sweat.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI
The iconic VW Golf is one of the most well-loved cars on the hatchback market in South Africa. The latest models on the market come equipped with a 2.0L TSI petrol engine with a notable 8.6L/100km fuel economy rate. With 180 kW of power that takes you from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.4 seconds, it packs a punch on city streets. The DSG (Direct-Shift Gearbox) transmission allows you to easily switch between gears while keeping your fuel consumption low.
Coupled with features like the digital cockpit pro, travel assist, multi-function steering wheel and I.Q. light system on the latest models, the Golf GTI is one of the ultimate contenders to tackle busy streets.
The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro
The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro has become a firm favourite on our roads since its arrival in late 2021. This city-sized SUV comes in six variants with manual and CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) gearbox options. Each is equipped with a 1.5L petrol engine and an average 6.8L/100km fuel consumption rate. You can expect intuitive features like its audio/voice control, rear view camera and electric parking brake to get you through traffic on the latest models.
The Nissan Magnite
SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) bring size and power to every drive, with the Nissan Magnite being no exception. The latest line carries 6 variants, fitted with a 3-cylinder petrol engine and an average 5.9L/100km fuel consumption rate – which is impressively low for an SUV. With innovative features ranging from smart keyless entry to ambient lighting, vehicle dynamics control, and a reverse camera, it proves to be more than just functional. The Magnite is flexible and economical enough for peak traffic and cityscapes all in one.
The Hyundai i20
One of the most affordable options on the market at the moment remains the Hyundai i20. It comes in four variants in the latest offering, with manual, automatic and DCT (Dual-Clutch Transmission) gearboxes to choose from. It boasts a notable average fuel consumption of 5.9L per 100km across the range. With smartphone compatibility, electric fold-up side mirrors, and rear parking assistance, it’s the perfect combination of design, value, and features.
Compact cars are becoming the go-to choice for South African drivers, ideal for first-time buyers and city slickers. Add on the cabin comforts and reasonable luggage capacity featured in each, and you will see that these cars are made for all your everyday driving needs.
Nifty in handling and economical on your wallet, our range of urban cars are the perfect practical purchase this July. Visit DigiCars and test drive your next set of wheels today.
