Keen on a crossover or SUV, but prefer diesel to petrol power? We’ve rounded up South Africa’s 5 most affordable turbodiesel crossovers and SUVs…
The dominant fuel in South Africa’s broader crossover and SUV segment – particularly towards the lower end of the market – is petrol. But what’s on offer for those who prefer oil-burning engines? Well, we’ve sorted through the listings to find out. Here are SA’s 5 most affordable turbodiesel crossovers and SUVs (pricing correct in May 2026).
A quick note: since the lines between “crossover” and “SUV” have become increasingly blurred (and there’s thus plenty of debate around the precise definitions of these terms), for the purposes of this exercise, we’ve opted to include models that fall into either category.
So, while 2 of the models below feature ladder-frame platforms, the remaining 3 are unibody vehicles. Moreover, we’ve not included the new Kia Carens (which starts at R399 995) here as we class it as an MPV rather than a crossover.
1. Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z4 – R489 999
The base Z4 derivative in Mahindra’s Scorpio-N line-up currently serves as SA’s most affordable turbodiesel SUV. This 7-seater variant employs a 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine that delivers 129 kW and 400 Nm to the rear wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Indian brand claims a fuel-consumption figure of 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
2. Kia Seltos 1.5 CRDi LX – R521 995
Though a new-generation Seltos is on the way, Kia South Africa still offers the outgoing model with the option of an oil-burning motor. The most affordable oil-burning version is the LX, which uses an 85 kW/250 Nm 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel mill to drive the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic cog-swapper. The listed fuel economy comes in at 5.2 L/100 km.
- Warranty: 5-year/unlimited km
- Service plan: 4-year/60 000 km
- Find a Kia Seltos on Cars.co.za
3. Tata Harrier 2.0TD Pure+ – R549 900
The entry-level derivative in Tata’s 3-strong Harrier line-up takes 3rd place on this list, offering peak outputs of 125 kW and 350 Nm courtesy of a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel motor. With a 6-speed automatic transmission (and front-wheel drive) shipping standard, the Indian brand claims a combined fuel figure of 6.6 L/100 km.
- Warranty: 5-year/125 000 km
- Service plan: 5-year/75 000 km
- Find a Tata Harrier on Cars.co.za
4. Hyundai Alcazar 1.5D Executive – R599 900
While the base version of Hyundai’s 7-seater Alcazar (which replaced the Grand Creta) uses petrol power, the mid- and top-spec variants feature the same 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine (85 kW and 250 Nm) and 6-speed automatic gearbox employed by the Seltos. Interestingly, Hyundai claims a slightly higher fuel consumption at 5.9 L/100 km.
- Warranty: 5-year/150 000 km (vehicle)/7-year/200 000 km (drivetrain)
- Service plan: 3-year/45 000 km
- Find a Hyundai Alcazar on Cars.co.za
5. GWM Tank 300 2.4T Luxury – R649 900
GWM’s Tank 300 is the only model on the list of SA’s 5 most affordable turbodiesel crossovers and SUVs that isn’t imported from India (but instead shipped over from China). It cracks the top 5 in rear-wheel-drive guise. As a reminder, this body-on-frame SUV’s 2.4-litre turbodiesel motor offers 135 kW and 480 Nm through a 9-speed automatic transmission, with a listed fuel consumption of 7.7 L/100 km.
- Warranty: 7-year/200 000 km
- Service plan: 7-year/75 000 km
- Find a GWM Tank 300 on Cars.co.za
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is currently the most affordable turbodiesel SUV or crossover in South Africa?
A: The Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z4 serves as the most affordable turbodiesel SUV in the country, priced at R489 999. This 7-seater model features a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine producing 129 kW and 400 Nm of torque, driving the rear wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Q: Which other models round out the top three most affordable diesel options?
A: Following the Mahindra Scorpio-N, the second most affordable oil-burner is the Kia Seltos 1.5CRDi LX at R521 995. The third spot is held by the Tata Harrier 2.0TD Pure+, which is priced at R549 900 and offers a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine with a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
Q: Are any Chinese-manufactured models included in SA’s top five most affordable diesel SUVs?
A: Yes, the GWM Tank 300 2.4T Luxury claims the fifth spot at R649 900 and is the only vehicle on the list imported from China rather than India. In rear-wheel-drive guise, this body-on-frame SUV features a 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine delivering 135 kW and 480 Nm through a 9-speed automatic transmission.
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