Looking for a spacious, reasonably affordable hold-all for the family? Toyota’s locally-manufactured Corolla Cross is the 2024 Best Compact Family Car in the 2023/24 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, sponsored by Absa. However, the 2 runners-up in this category are also well worth considering…
With household budgets stretched to breaking point, a reasonably affordable family car needs to wear many hats. The 2024 Compact Family Car has to excel at being a compact urban runabout, a sufficiently spacious school-run vehicle and, on occasion, a source of transport for weekend getaways.
Practicality and spaciousness are important considerations, but so are safety, technology, fuel efficiency and load-carrying flexibility.
The Compact Family category
This category is guided by both eligibility factors and pillars of success.
Eligibility factors include a list price between R400 000 to R500 000 at the time of semi-finalist voting (September 1, 2023), an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC), a minimum of 4 airbags, split-folding rear seats, air conditioning and a service plan.
Pillars of success for this category include powertrain flexibility, fuel economy, space and practicality, design and quality appeal, comfort and safety.
Best Compact Family Car: CarsAwards WINNER
Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 XR
Toyota took its time to enter the small crossover market but now offers several models in that segment. The locally-assembled Corolla Cross is the crowning achievement in that line-up; by going the raised body route with the Corolla platform, the nameplate has captured a new audience. The Corolla Cross offers the best of Toyota: spaciousness and comfort, allied with excellent reliability, service and backup.
Read a review of the Toyota Corolla Cross
Find a Toyota Corolla Cross for sale on Cars.co.za
RUNNER-UP: Haval Jolion S Super Luxury
Haval has rapidly become one of the most popular brands in the South African new-vehicle market and the primary reason for the Chinese brand’s success is the Jolion, which ticks nearly all the boxes for a modern, connected, practical and resolved compact family car. At this price point, the Jolion comes with a long list of standard features, a cabin that feels upmarket, a 5-year warranty and a 5-year service plan.
Read a review of the Haval Jolion
Find a Haval Jolion for sale on Cars.co.za
RUNNER-UP: Renault Duster 1.5dCi Intens
The Renault Duster looks rugged and, fittingly, ready to take some of Mzansi’s less-than-well-maintained roads in its stride. It boasts commendable cabin space, a large load bay, and several in-car entertainment features. The ace in its deck is its turbodiesel motor, which offers excellent fuel economy to complement a pliant ride quality. What’s more, the raised ride height makes it quite capable of traversing gravel roads.
Read a review of the Renault Duster
Find a Renault Duster for sale on Cars.co.za
More about the #CarsAwards
The winners of the 2023/24 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, sponsored by Absa (as well as the recipient of the prestigious Brand of the Year title) were named on 29 February 2024.
Follow the #CarsAwards on Cars.co.za, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
