Shopping for an affordable car, but don’t want a traditional hatchback? There may be plenty of competition in the Budget Crossover segment, but in the 2025 CarsAwards, the Toyota Urban Cruiser defeated its many rivals with a combined score of 74.2%.
South African new-vehicle buyers now prefer crossovers over hatchbacks, sedans and MPVs. This category represents the entry point to SUV-inspired vehicles with a modicum of raised ride height.
Besides having additional body cladding and ground clearance (“kerb-hopping capability”), the Best Budget Crossover of the 2024/25 Cars.co.za Awards, sponsored by Absa (2025 CarsAwards) offers the best combination of practicality, spaciousness, safety, technology, fuel efficiency and flexibility.
The Budget Crossover category
The Budget Crossover category of the 2025 CarsAwards was guided by eligibility factors and pillars of success.
Eligibility factors for this category included a list price between R300 000 and R400 000 at the time of semi-finalist voting, ABS, electronic stability control (ESC), a minimum of 4 airbags, aircon and a service plan.
Pillars of success for this category included engine flexibility, fuel economy, space and practicality, comfort and safety.
WINNER:
Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 XR Auto
The Suzuki Grand Vitara won this segment of the 2023/24 CarsAwards, which was then known as the Entry-Level Crossover category. In 2024/25, however, the Suzuki’s Toyota-badged Urban Cruiser cousin emerged victorious because of its size (it’s larger than the other finalists) and a good spread of features.
Watch Ash Oldfield compare the Toyota Urban Cruiser with its Suzuki Grand Vitara cousin:
Powered by Suzuki’s trusty 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 77 kW, the Toyota Urban Cruiser is also efficient, with a claimed average fuel consumption figure of 6.1 L/100 km.
It is backed with a 3-year/100 000 km warranty (a bit lacklustre compared with some rivals) and also has a service plan that covers you for 4 scheduled services.
View the Price & Specs of the Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 XR Auto
Read a Launch Review of the Toyota Urban Cruiser
Find a Toyota Urban Cruiser for sale on Cars.co.za
RUNNERS UP:
Kia Sonet 1.5 LX Auto
Kia’s recently-refreshed Sonet, which achieved a combined score of 73.2%, is a stylish, somewhat more premium offering in this category, as indicated by its higher list price. It is, however, a well-executed compact crossover with stylish looks inside and out, and a well-considered standard specification.
Watch Ciro De Siena’s video review of a pre-facelift 2022 Kia Sonet 1.0T EX+
Powered by an 85 kW 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine, the Kia is the most powerful of the 3 finalists here, but there is a slight price to pay at the pumps – a claimed average consumption of 6.2 L/100 km.
It comes standard with an impressive 5-year/unlimited km warranty and a 3-year/45 000 km service plan.
View the Price & Specifications of the Kia Sonet 1.5 LX auto
Read a review of the Kia Sonet
Find a Kia Sonet for sale on Cars.co.za
Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GLX Auto
A great example of how preferences are changing in the new-vehicle market, the Fronx is essentially a more fashionable “crossover” variant of the popular Baleno light hatchback. Suzuki has been clever in its design, however. This is not merely a raised Baleno – it looks entirely different, even SUV-coupe-ish.
Watch Ciro De Siena’s video review of the Suzuki Fronx:
The highly popular, well-priced, and decently-specced Fronx achieved a combined score of 71.9% in the 2025 CarsAwards. As is the case with the Toyota Urban Cruiser, the Fronx is also powered by a 77-kW 1.5-litre petrol Suzuki engine. Fuel consumption is excellent, with a claimed efficiency of 5.7 L/100 km.
Like most Suzukis, it carries a 5-year/200 000 km warranty and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan.
View the Price & Specs of the Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GLX auto
Read a Review of the Suzuki Fronx
Find a Suzuki Fronx for sale on Cars.co.za
More about the 2025 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) will be announced on 27 February 2025.
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