The most popular new cars in SA are purchased at the “affordable” end of the market, which is why “Budget Car” is such a vital awards category. In the 2025 CarsAwards, Suzuki’s Swift 1.2 GLX successfully defended its predecessor’s Best Budget Car title.
Does buying an affordable new car in 2025 mean that you have to compromise on safety, technology and quality? No, not necessarily. The winner of the Best Budget Car of the 2024/25 Cars.co.za Awards (CarsAwards), sponsored by Absa represents “as much new car as you can get for your money”.
Value for money, running costs and other “common sense” considerations were taken into account. Also, for the 2025 CarsAwards, the segment was not restricted to hatchbacks, as affordable crossovers (such as the Hyundai Exter and Mahindra XUV 3XO) have become immensely successful in the local market.
The Budget Car category
The 2025 CarsAwards Budget Car category was guided by both eligibility factors and pillars of success.
Eligibility factors for this category included a list price below R300 000. What’s more, eligible vehicles had to have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), dual front (or more) airbags and a service plan.
Pillars of success for this category included fuel economy, value for money, practicality and brand strength (service network backup).
THE WINNER:
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX
The Swift is Suzuki’s most popular model in the new-vehicle market and a multiple #CarsAwards category winner. And, following the recent launch of the new-gen Swift, the Hamamatsu-based brand has taken the trophy in the Budget Car category for the 6th time out of 8 iterations of the #CarsAwards.
The previous-gen Suzuki Swift (also a 1.2 GLX) won the Entry-level Hatch trophy for a 2nd consecutive time in 2023/24. All in all, a Swift variant has won a #CarsAwards category 5 times.
Watch a video in which Jacob Moshokoa compares the old and new Suzuki Swift:
The Swift 1.2 GLX is powered by a 60 kW/112 Nm 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine. Both fun to drive and frugal, the Swift has a claimed average consumption figure of 4.4 L/100 km.
With a good spread of standard comfort and safety features, as well as an impressive 5-year/200 000 km warranty from a brand that has built a solid reputation for excellent after-sales service, it is no wonder the new Swift has set the sales charts on fire; it won its category with a combined score of 73.3%.
View the Price & Specs of the Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX
Find a Suzuki Swift for sale on Cars.co.za
RUNNERS UP:
Hyundai Exter 1.2 Executive
Another all-new contender for 2024/25 was Hyundai’s highly compact budget offering, the Exter. With its SUV-inspired looks, the Exter is well-positioned to cash in on consumers’ preference for crossovers.
The Exter, which achieved a combined score of 71.2%, is powered by a 61 kW/114 Nm 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine. Hyundai claims an average fuel consumption figure of 5.7 L/100 km.
Watch Jacob Moshokoa’s video review of the Hyundai Exter:
As is the case with pricier Hyundais, the Exter also boasts a confidence-inspiring 5-year/150 000 km vehicle warranty, with a 7-year/200 000 km warranty applicable to the drivetrain. A 3-year/45 000 km service plan is also included in the purchase price.
View the Price & Specs of the Hyundai Exter 1.2 Executive
Find a new/used Hyundai Exter listed for sale on Cars.co.za
Mahindra XUV 3XO 1.2T MX3
The rise of Mahindra continued with the arrival of the Indian brand’s first-ever #CarsAwards finalist, the reworked Mahindra XUV 3XO – a stylish compact crossover loaded with features and a more powerful engine than its same-price rivals. In the 2025 CarsAwards, it achieved a combined score of 69.2%.
Power comes from a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine (it’s the only boosted finalist) that delivers 82 kW and 200 Nm (notably higher outputs than those of its 2025 CarsAwards Budget car category rivals).
This gives it livelier performance than its rivals, but not with too much of a fuel efficiency penalty; the model’s claimed average consumption figure is 5.3 L/100 km.
Watch Jacob Moshokoa’s video review of the Mahindra 3XO:
It comes backed with a 5-year/150 000 km warranty and a 3-year/55 000 km service plan.
View the Price & Specs of the Mahindra 3XO 1.2T MX3
Find a Mahindra XUV 3XO for sale on Cars.co.za
More about the #CarsAwards
The winners of the 2024/25 Cars.co.za Awards, sponsored by Absa (as well as the recipient of the prestigious Brand of the Year title) was announced on 27 February 2025.
Follow the #CarsAwards on Cars.co.za, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
