But there is a small group of, shall we say, decent little cars and bakkies that, while perhaps not always able to boast star qualities, are indeed stars in their own right, providing the average person with the ability to smell that new car smell and enjoy a perfectly good drive.
The following is a list (in alphabetical order) of cars under R110 000 (prices include VAT):
Chery QQ3 - from R69 000
Chery J1 1.3 TE - R109 900
Chevrolet Spark - from R79 050
Fiat Palio - from R92 600
Fiat Strada Working 1.4 - R107 400
Ford Bantam 1.3i - R101 950
GWM Florid - R109 990
Hyundai Atos - R91 900
Hyundai i10 1.1 GLS manual - R105 900
Kia Picanto - from R89 995
Nissan NP200 Base 1.6 8V - R104 900
Opel Corsa Utility 1.4i Base - R107 600
Renault Sandero 1.4 Authentique - R104 900
Suzuki Alto 1.0 GL - R104 900
Along with a wide range of funky colours, sporty body accessories and two nippy engines, the Spark offers reliable, economical driving at an affordable price.
The 35-litre fuel tank may seem small, but with a reported combined fuel consumption of just 5.2 and 5.6 litres per 100km for the 0.8 and 1.0-litre models respectively, you won’t often be visiting the filling stations.
Equipped with rear-window defogger, sound system and a number of useful storage areas and cup holder, the Spark also offers potentially life-saving side-impact door beams, child-seat anchorage, a centrally high mounted brake light and split collapsible rear seats.
In addition, the range-topping LS model provides power side mirrors and front windows, aircon, alloy wheels, plus driver airbag.
The Florid offers one of the most comprehensive packages available in South Africa at under R110 000. The attractive, economical little hatch provides aircon, remote central locking, CD/MP3 sound system, power steering with adjustable steering column and remote audio controls, electric windows and mirrors, mags and reverse radar.
Powered by a 1.5-litre fuel injected VVT engine, this practical hatchback offers a more than feisty drive with up to 77kW of power and a maximum 138Nm of torque at 4 200rpm, largely available across the range.
Safety having been factored in too, the Florid comes standard with dual front airbags, collapsible steering column, front electrical pre-tensioning safety belts, rear three-point safety belt, plus ABS and EBD.
Designed to excel around town, the Hyundai i10 is so much more than just nippy and economical. The standard five-speed 1.1-litre manual offers aircon, radio/CD/MP3 sound system, front electric windows, central locking and tinted windows, while safety features include front and rear crumple zones, side-impact beams, rear-window de-mister and front fog lights.
Deceptively spacious and comfortable inside, the stylish little i10’s tight turning circle, assisted by power steering, enables you to find parking just about anywhere, and look good doing so.
Considered one of the most economical cars available today, the Kia Picanto is also one of the cleanest with a CO2 rating of just 118g/km.
Offering enough cargo space for the shopping with seats up, the Picanto transforms into a practical load carrier when necessary, offering some 882 litres of storage room with the rear seats folded.
Features include alarm and remote with automatic locking, central locking, keyless entry, colour-coded bumpers and mirrors, rear-window de-mister, speakers and a collapsible steering shaft. The range-topping Striker model adds power steering with tilt adjustment, rear window washer and wiper, electric front windows, driver airbag, plus aircon.
If affordable practicality is what you’re after, look no further than the Opel Corsa Utility. Boasting 59 straight months as South Africa’s best selling light commercial vehicle, it seems the Corsa Utility is tried and tested, providing tens of thousands of people with hard-working, fast-paced, economical reliability.
The 1.4i Base model is no stranger to hard work, its 1690mm long loadbox capable of a 680kg payload, while an impressive ground clearance of 214mm means that few places are inaccessible to this popular work horse.
Proudly built in South Africa, the Renault Sandero was recently ranked top in the B-segment category as the most affordable vehicle in terms of service, repair and crash parts pricing, according the annual independent Kinsey Report for 2009.
A stylish, spacious and sturdy hatchback, the Sandero is designed to cope with the roads of South Africa, doing so competently.
Practicality comes in the form of a 320-litre cargo area, increasing to a voluminous 1 200 litres with the seats folded, while the Sandero 1.4 boasts good combined economy figures of just 7 litres/100km.
The 1.4 Authentique features include power steering, height adjustable driver’s seat, two front cup-holders, heated rear window with washer/wiper, high-mounted stop light, tinted windows, along with a driver airbag, collapsible steering and two front and rear three-point seat belts.
