Keen on a high-riding vehicle with 4 driven wheels? These are the 5 most affordable AWD SUVs on the market in South Africa right now…
While most relatively budget friendly SUVs and crossovers feature front-wheel drive, there are a few available that offer the option of all-wheel drive (AWD). We’ve rummaged around South Africa’s new-vehicle market to identify the 5 most affordable AWD SUVs (pricing correct as of February 2026).
For the record, the Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 Hybrid GLX AllGrip would previously have made this list, but the Japanese firm’s local division quietly axed this derivative late in 2025. Similarly, BAIC has seemingly discontinued the more affordable versions of its B40 Plus, leaving only the high-spec Honor Edition (which is too pricey to make this list).
While there’s some debate around the precise definitions of terms like “AWD”, “4×4” and “4-wheel drive”, for the purposes of this list, we’ve considered any SUV or crossover on the local new-vehicle market able to deliver drive to all 4 wheels. These, then, are SA’s 5 most affordable AWD SUVs.
1. Suzuki Jimny 1.5 GLX AllGrip 3-Door – R436 900
All 5 derivatives in Suzuki’s ladder-frame Jimny range ship standard with a pukka 4×4 system, including a low-range transfer case. The GLX version in 3-door guise (fitted with a 5-speed manual gearbox) is the most affordable option. As with all Jimny variants, a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine offers peak outputs of 75 kW and 130 Nm.
- Ground clearance: 210 mm
- Claimed consumption: 6.3 L/100 km
- Warranty: 5-year/200 000 km
- Service plan: 4-year/60 000 km
- Find a Suzuki Jimny on Cars.co.za
2. Renault Duster 1.2 TCe 130 MHEV Zen 4WD – R549 999
The flagship version of Renault’s 3rd-generation Duster draws its urge from a turbocharged 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol unit featuring a mild-hybrid system (the latter 48-volt arrangement comprises an integrated starter generator drawing from a 0.8 kWh battery pack). Driving all 4 wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox, this lightly electrified engine delivers maximum outputs of 96 kW and 230 Nm. Note Renault SA plans to switch from this European-sourced Duster to the new Indian-built version later in 2026.
- Ground clearance: 217 mm
- Claimed consumption: 5.7 L/100 km
- Warranty: 5-year/150 000 km
- Service plan: 3-year/45 000 km
- Find a Renault Duster on Cars.co.za
3. Haval H6 2.0T Luxury 4WD – R574 500
Like the Duster, GWM’s Haval H6 is a unibody vehicle that’s optionally available in 4WD form (in this case, in the so-called Luxury and Ultra Luxury grades). Thanks to a turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, this model boasts peak outputs of 170 kW and 380 Nm. A 9-speed dual-clutch transmission ships standard.
- Ground clearance: 170 mm (approximately)
- Claimed consumption: 8.3 L/100 km
- Warranty: 7-year/200 000 km
- Service plan: 7-year/75 000 km
- Find a Haval H6 on Cars.co.za
4. Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8 4XPlor – R587 999
Like the Jimny above, Mahindra’s Scorpio-N features a body-on-frame construction. Rear-driven variants sit at the foot of the range, but the Indian brand also offers various 4×4 derivatives. Interestingly, this is the only oil-burning model to make the list of SA’s 5 most affordable AWD SUVs (and the only 7-seater, too), employing a 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel unit delivering 129 kW and 400 Nm via a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
- Ground clearance: 187 mm
- Claimed consumption: 6.9 L/100 km
- Warranty: 5-year/150 000 km
- Service plan: 5-year/110 000 km
- Find a Mahindra Scorpio-N on Cars.co.za
5. Jetour T1 2.0T Xplora XWD – R594 900
While the base front-wheel-drive versions of Jetour’s unibody T1 feature a 1.5-litre petrol motor (making 125 kW and 270 Nm), the high-spec Xplora and Odyssey derivatives upgrade to a 180 kW/375 Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, which drives all 4 wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
- Ground clearance: 190 mm
- Claimed consumption: 9.0 L/100 km
- Warranty: 7-year/200 000 km (plus 10-year/1-million km engine cover)
- Service plan: 7-year/75 000 km
- Find a Jetour T1 on Cars.co.za
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Affordable AWD SUVs in SA (Feb 2026)
Q: Which of these SUVs is best for actual heavy-duty off-roading?
A: For serious trails, the Suzuki Jimny and Mahindra Scorpio-N are the top picks because they feature body-on-frame construction and a low-range transfer case. The Scorpio-N is particularly notable as the only ladder-frame diesel 7-seater available for under R600 000, making it the most capable “all-rounder” for families who travel deep into the bush.
Q: Why did the Suzuki Grand Vitara AllGrip disappear from this list?
A: Suzuki South Africa quietly discontinued the 1.5 Hybrid GLX AllGrip derivative late in 2025.
Q: Are there any affordable diesel AWD options left?
A: Yes, but only one makes the top 5. The Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8 4XPlor (R587 999) is the sole diesel representative in this price bracket. It is also the only vehicle on this list that offers 7 seats, making it the “bang-for-your-buck” choice for families needing off-road capability.
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