Household budgets are tight and buying an affordable and fuel-efficient car is first prize in the current economic climate. The compact SUV segment is currently one of the most popular segments in South Africa and with high fuel prices, new car buyers will be wise to shop with fuel efficiency in mind. Here are the most fuel-efficient compact SUVs in South Africa you can buy right now for under R350k.
Are you looking for the most fuel-efficient compact SUVs to buy in South Africa?
Fuel efficiency is an important factor to consider when buying a car as fuel consumption will have a direct impact on your household budget and cost of living.
It’s no secret that compact SUVs are hugely popular in South Africa and this is evidenced in the boom of new products that have come to market in recent years. The compact SUV spans across a wide price range but if you’re a budget-sensitive buyer looking for the most fuel-efficient compact SUVs on sale, what are your options?
In an effort to balance affordability and fuel efficiency, we are looking at compact SUVs with the best fuel consumption that come in at under R350 000!
Note that this list is determined according to claimed manufacturer fuel consumption figures. In the real world, consumption will vary depending on factors such as driving style, load, road conditions and so forth, so consider this a guideline.
Prices are accurate as of November 2024.
Most Fuel-Efficient Compact SUVs in South Africa under R350 000
1. Renault Kiger Turbo Intens / Zen – 5.0 L/100km
The turbocharged Renault Kiger Zen and Kiger Intens are the most fuel-efficient in the Kiger range with a claimed fuel consumption figure of 5.0 L/100km.
The 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine develops 74 kW and 160 Nm and is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.
Pricing for the Renault Kiger starts from R249 999.
Read our review of the Renault Kiger
See specification and pricing for the Renault Kiger
Buy a used Renault Kiger on Cars.co.za
2. Opel Crossland 1.2 – 5.1 L/100km
Opel’s Crossland is equipped with Opel’s naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engine and is particularly frugal (5.1 L/100km) and offers 60 kW and 118 Nm of torque and comes paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.
Pricing for the Opel Crossland starts from R359 900.
See specification and pricing for the Opel Crossland
Buy a used Opel Crossland on Cars.co.za
3. Nissan Magnite Turbo Acenta / Visia – 5.2 L/100km
The Nissan Magnite is a quirky offering in this segment and if you opt for the 5-speed manual derivatives you are likely to see the best fuel consumption returns with Nissan claiming 5.2 L/100km.
The updated Magnite arrived recently
The Magnite is powered by a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that offers 74 kW and 160 Nm and there’s also a naturally-aspirated 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine available with 52 kW and 96 Nm which is also paired with either a 5-speed manual or AMT.
Pricing for the Nissan Magnite starts from R246 200.
Read our review of the Nissan Magnite
See specification and pricing for the Nissan Magnite
Buy a used Nissan Magnite on Cars.co.za
4. Mahindra 3XO 1.2T – 5.3 L/100km
Mahindra recently launched the new 3XO compact SUV in South Africa and the newcomer is already proving to be quite popular. What’s not to like? The Mahindra 3XO is also a finalist in the 2025 #CarsAwards!
The 3XO is powered by a turbocharged 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 82 kW and 200 Nm to the front wheels via either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The manual derivatives are more fuel efficient (5.3 L/100km) than the automatic derivatives (5.6 L/100km).
The Mahindra 3XO is priced from R254 999.
See specification and pricing details for the Mahindra 3XO
Buy a used Mahindra 3XO on Cars.co.za
5. Suzuki Fronx GL / GLX manual – 5.5 L/100km
The new Suzuki Fronx is one of Suzuki’s most popular cars. The Fronx 5-speed manual derivatives boast 5.5 L/100km and a 1.5-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol engine offers 77 kW and 138 Nm of torque.
Also see: What to Buy: Suzuki Fronx vs Chery Tiggo 4 Pro vs Nissan Magnite
Pricing for the Fronx starts from R298 900.
See specification and pricing for the Suzuki Fronx
Buy a used Suzuki Fronx on Cars.co.za
6. Renault Triber – 5.5 L/100km
The Renault Triber offers seating for 7 and is equipped with Renault’s proven 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder engine, which produces 52 kW and 96 Nm of torque is paired with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT. All Triber derivatives claim 5.5 L/100km!
Pricing for the Renault Triber starts from R228 999.
See specifications for the Renault Triber
Buy a used Renault Triber on Cars.co.za
7. Citroen C3 1.2 Feel / Max – 5.6 L/100km
The new Citroen C3, the current World Urban Car Award title holder, came to market in May 2023. It’s powered by a 3-cylinder, 1.2-litre petrol engine with 61 kW and 115 Nm of torque and exclusively mated with a 5-speed manual transmission. The Citroen C3 claims a frugal 5.6 L/100km.
The new Citroen C3 is priced from R242 900.
See specification and pricing for the Citroen C3
Buy a used Citroen C3 on Cars.co.za
8. Toyota Starlet Cross – 5.6 L/100km
The Toyota Starlet Cross is Toyota’s version of the Suzuki Fronx as part of the Toyota-Suzuki product share agreement.
The Starlet Cross employs the same 1.5-litre petrol engine that delivers 77 kW and 138 Nm of torque. the 5-speed manual derivatives are the most frugal with Toyota claiming 5.6 L/100km while the automatic derivatives claim 5.8 L/100km.
Pricing for the Toyota Starlet Cross starts from R299 900.
See specification and pricing details for the Toyota Starlet Cross
