Welcome to our new “What To Buy” car-buying advice series which intends to assist you in making the most considered car-buying decision. Should you buy a new Volkswagen Polo Vivo or is there more value to be had by considering used SUVs for sale on Cars.co.za? Answers and insights here…
Should you buy a new VW Polo Vivo or rather consider choosing from a range of quality used SUVs for sale on Cars.co.za? That is a good question! The decision to buy a car is an incredibly difficult one, perhaps more now than ever before. New car prices are soaring and the sheer amount of choice on the market can be quite confusing.
Apart from knowing what your budget is to buy a car, you will have to decide whether you will be splurging on a new car or dabbling in the used car market for your next ride. This decision is an important one and it’s one that can have a significant impact on your life.
This is the first article in our new “What To Buy” series of car-buying advice articles where we will help and guide you through the car-buying and decision-making process so that you can make an informed buying decision.
Please reach out to us on Twitter , Facebook or Instagram if you require further buying advice and our experienced team will be happy to assist you.
Note that the information and suggestions in this article serve as a guide only as there are numerous variables that inform any given buying decision. We hope that you will find this information useful as you embark on your car-buying journey with Cars.co.za.
The New-Car Option
You’ve been working hard for the last 5 years, saved a bit of money and you’re tired of relying on public transport or a tired old jalopy to get around. A family member has convinced you to consider buying a new, tried-and-trusted Volkswagen Polo Vivo, which is, after all, one of South Africa’s most popular cars .
Your budget is between R250k-350k and you’ve saved up R20 000, which will serve as a deposit. While you like the idea of driving a new Volkswagen Polo Vivo, you’ve also spent countless hours browsing the Cars.co.za Mobile App and you’ve seen some used cars for sale that hold some promise.
You’re now asking yourself whether the decision to buy a new Volkswagen Polo Vivo will translate into money well spent or if you could get more value for money by considering a range of used SUVs in the used-car market…
The current Volkswagen Polo Vivo is priced from R252 500 to R341 800 (August 2023) and is offered with a 1.4- or a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine, or alternatively, a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol motor, the latter of which is found in the recently-introduced, range-topping Polo Vivo GT derivative.
The Polo Vivo comes with a 3-year/120 000 km warranty, but a service plan must be specified at extra cost. Bear in mind 1.4-litre Polo Vivos are aimed at the budget market and equipped accordingly; for instance, only 1.6 Highline and GT versions have app-mirroring infotainment systems and cruise control.
We like : Well-proven and much-in-demand city car, broad VW dealer network, reasonably economical to run and maintain
We don’t like : dual front airbags only, ESC only from 1.6 and up, service plan optional, 280-litre load bay
Not sure what you can afford? Use our Car Affordability Calculator to see what you’re able to afford and use our Car Finance Calculator to work out your monthly instalments!
The Used-Car Alternatives: Used SUVs
The temptation to drive away in a new car is strong, because you won’t need to live with any blemishes inflicted by previous owners/drivers, plus you could benefit from the full term of the vehicle’s warranty.
However, if you buy “out of the box”, you’ll bear the brunt of depreciation , because your vehicle will lose value the moment you drive it out of the dealership. According to an article published by the AA , the loss is about 9 to 11% (immediately) and 40% of the value of the vehicle after 12 months of ownership.
Also, the Polo Vivo is undeniably an accomplished budget car, but its practicality (for the purpose of transporting multiple passengers and their luggage) is rather limited. With the same budget, if you turn to the used-car market, you’ll find a significant variety of vehicle types and models to consider.
There are a wide range of quality used SUVs for sale on Cars.co.za and if you browse through the stock listed on Cars.co.za with the Used Car Search Tool , it’s apparent that you could get significantly “more car for your money” if you’re prepared to consider a used car.
But to make the comparison fairer on the new vehicle in question, we’ve only considered used SUVs in the R250-350k price range that are 1 to 3 years old and have clocked up less than 50 000 km so far. That way, buyers could still benefit from what remains of the shortlisted vehicles’ warranty and service plans.
With the above in mind, here are 5 used SUVs to consider for roughly the same price as a new Volkswagen Polo Vivo.
Which one of these used SUVs would you put your money on?
Also see: New Cars or Used Cars: What Car Should You Buy?
5 Used SUVs (R250k-R350k) with less than 50k on the clock
Toyota Corolla Cross
The locally-built Toyota Corolla Cross offers better practicality than the Polo Vivo (a claimed luggage capacity of 440 litres, for example) and is powered by a naturally aspirated 1.8-litre petrol engine that offers 103 kW and 172 Nm of torque and comes paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
We like : Respectable fuel economy returns, good ride quality, refinement
We don’t like : Conservative interior design, limited number of used examples under R350k (Aug 2023)
Also See: Toyota Corolla Cross vs Haval Jolion – Which should you buy?
Buy a used Toyota Corolla Cross here!
Mazda CX-5
If size and style matter to you then the Mazda CX-5 represents great bang-for-buck! It goes without saying that the CX-5 is much bigger than a Polo Vivo, but it’s also more stylish with its modern exterior and minimalist, high-quality interior design. The Mazda CX-5 examples in this selection are powered by a 121 kW/213 Nm 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
We like : Stylish, good interior fit and finish, excellent on-road manners
We don’t like : Engine can be noisy when worked hard, leisurely overtaking acceleration
Haval Jolion
The Haval Jolion is a fairly new small crossover/compact family car model in the South African market and with Haval’s aggressive pricing, allied with the Jolion’s comprehensive standard equipment list, buyers will be hard-pressed to ignore this used-car value proposition, especially in Super Luxury guise.
The Jolion is powered by a 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine with 105 kW and 210 Nm and comes paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission.
We like : Lots of standard features, relatively spacious (compared with a budget car), value for money
We don’t like : Fuel consumption could be better, not as refined as it looks
Renault Duster
The Renault Duster with a 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine not only offers rugged practicality, but is known to return excellent performance and fuel economy. This engine delivers 80 kW and 250 Nm of torque and can be had in combination with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The high popularity of the Duster (the 2nd-gen model was launched in SA in 2018) speaks for itself.
Also see: Renault Duster (2013-2018) Buyer’s Guide
We like : Rugged, fuel-efficient, good value
We don’t like : Ergonomic quirks (the infotainment screen is positioned low in the fascia), petrol-powered Duster’s performance is lacklustre compared with its diesel counterpart.
Buy a used Renault Duster here!
Kia Seltos
Slotting in above the popular Sonet in Kia’s SUV lineup, the Seltos offers an attractive blend of style and practicality. The turbodiesel-powered Seltos with its 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine produces 86 kW/250 Nm and returns good fuel economy coupled with punchy performance in conjunction with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.
A 90 kW/151 Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine and range-topping 1.4-litre turbopetrol engine (with 103 kW/242 Nm) are also available, the latter of which is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
We like : Good road manners, punchy performance and efficiency (diesel derivative), good value proposition
We don’t like : Petrol derivative is a bit thirsty, piano black trim attracts dirt (requires continuous cleaning)
