With the April 2026 fuel price hike, we’ve rounded up the eight most fuel-efficient vehicles you can buy for under R300k in South Africa, all claiming 5.0 L/100 km or better. See the full list below…
Having already looked at the most fuel-efficient hatchbacks and compact SUVs available in SA in 2026, this time we focus on eight models with claimed fuel consumption of 5.0 L/100 km or less and a price under R300 000. Note that the figures here are manufacturer claims and may not match CAR magazine’s real-world tests.
8. Suzuki Ignis 1.2 GLX AMT – R293 900
Available with either a five-speed manual or AMT (automated manual transmission) with the same number of gears, the Suzuki Ignis runs a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 61 kW and 113 N.m. The AMT-equipped version is claimed to return 4.9 L/100 km.
7. Suzuki Dzire – from R229 900
Powered by the same 60 kW/112 N.m 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine as the new Swift, and with the same transmission options, Suzuki’s Dzire budget sedan claims 4.4 L/100 km in the manual and 4.5 L/100 km in the CVT.
6. Suzuki Swift – from R227 900
Our 2026 Top 12 Best Buys winner in the Budget car segment, the fourth-generation Suzuki Swift gets a new 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine delivering 60 kW and 112 N.m. It’s offered with a five-speed manual or a CVT. The manual version returns 4.4 L/100 km and the CVT about 4.6 L/100 km. The Swift is also one of the most fuel-efficient cars CAR magazine tested in 2025.
5. Tata Tiago – from R189 900
Priced from R189 900, the Tiago uses a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine producing 63 kW and 113 N.m. It can be ordered with either a five-speed manual or an AMT with the same number of gears. Tata claims the Tiago returns 5.0 L/100 km.
4. Suzuki Celerio – from R188 900
Although it shares the same 49 kW/89 N.m 1.0-litre engine as the S-Presso (which starts lower), the Celerio is a touch more frugal. With a five-speed AMT, it’s claimed to return 4.2 L/100 km; the manual variant is rated at 4.4 L/100 km.
3. Toyota Vitz – R180 600
Based on the Suzuki Celerio, the Toyota Vitz uses the same 1.0-litre 49 kW/89 N.m engine. It matches its Suzuki cousin’s claimed consumption of 4.2 L/100 km for the AMT and 4.4 L/100 km for the manual.
2. Suzuki S-Presso – R178 900
The S-Presso runs a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine delivering 49 kW and 89 N.m. Suzuki claims 4.4 L/100 km with the five-speed manual and 4.6 L/100 km with the AMT.
1. Renault Kwid – from R178 799
Topping the affordable passenger cars list, the Kwid starts from R178 799. It uses a 1.0-litre three-pot producing 50 kW and 91 N.m, available with either a five-speed manual or an AMT with the same number of cogs. Renault claims the Kwid returns 4.9 L/100 km.
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