Looking for a chilled drive on a shoestring? We list the cheapest automatic cars available in South Africa. 

Sit back, relax and let the car do the work! Automatic cars have much to offer, especially if you live and travel within the confines of the city. Not only are automatic cars easier to drive but they also take the stress out of changing gears continuously, particularly if you crawl through traffic jams on a regular basis. Advances in transmission technology have also led to improvements in fuel efficiency, to the point where some automatic cars are actually more efficient than their manual siblings.

To make your life easier, we have created a list of the cheapest automatic cars currently on sale in South Africa, all of which are currently priced under R200k.

Please note that the BAIC D20 has not been tested by Cars.co.za and we are therefore can’t include it in this list or recommend it.

Pricing is accurate as of September 2021.

Cheapest Automatic Cars in SA for Under R200k

Suzuki S-Presso GL+ Automatic / S-Edition – From R168 900

Since its local arrival in early 2020, the Suzuki S-Presso is now a common sight on our roads. Buyers looking for an automatic S-Presso can choose between the GL+ (R168 900) or the range-topping S-Edition (R177 900).  Under the bonnet you will find a naturally-aspirated, 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre petrol engine offering 50 kW and 90 Nm and comes mated with a 5-speed automated manual transmission. In terms of fuel efficiency, The S-Presso is hard to beat with a claimed figure of 4.9 L/100km.

Key features: 

• Safety: Driver and passenger airbag, ABS with EBD
• Interior: 7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and USB support
• Space: Load bay measures 239 litres (claimed)
• Service and warranty: The S-Presso is sold with a 2-year/30 000km service plan and a 5-year/200 000 km warranty.
• Estimated monthly payment: R3 230 over 60 months with 10% deposit and 10% interest

Suzuki dealerships regularly offer specials. View new car specials here!

Verdict: The quirky Suzuki S-Presso offers a charming mix of standard features and practicality. Due to its low kerb weight, its feels nippy and agile to drive but owners at higher altitude are likely to experience a significant reduction in performance when fully loaded with passengers and luggage. Note that overtaking will also require some forward planning to execute safely. Suzuki is also well-known for its reliability and generally delivers excellent after-sales service. The notable 5-year/200 000 km warranty should also give buyers some added peace of mind.

Buy a new or used Suzuki S-Presso on Cars.co.za

Renault Kwid 1.0 Expression Automatic / Dynamique / Climber – From R172 900

Renault introduced a revamped Kwid to market in 2019 and buyers now have the choice between 3 automatic Kwid derivatives all under R200k. The Kwid automatic is offered in either Expression (R172 900), Dynamique (R182 900) and Climber (R193 900) guise. The Kwid is powered by the familiar 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre petrol engine that offers 50 kW and 91 Nm of torque and is equipped with an Automated Manual Transmission (AMT). Renault claims that the AMT version is more fuel-efficient than the manual with a claimed consumption figure of 4.4 L/100 km, making it the most fuel-efficient (claimed) car on this list.

Key features 

• Safety: Driver and passenger airbag, ABS
• Interior: 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and USB support
• Space: Boot space measures 279 litres
• Service and warranty: 5-year/150 000km warranty
• Estimated monthly payment: R3 306 over 60 months with 10% deposit and 10% interest

Renault dealerships regularly offer specials. View new car specials here!

Verdict: We previously tested the Kwid automatic and found its AMT to be lurchy and too compromised. To drive the Kwid AMT smoothly takes as much concentration as it would in a manual car, so why bother? Furthermore, the integral hill-hold function of a normal (torque-converter-type) automatic is also missing in the Kwid, so when pulling away on upward slopes you have to use the handbrake or brakes to avoid rolling back (again, similar to driving a manual car).

Buy a new or used Renault Kwid on Cars.co.za

Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GL Automatic – From R185 900

Suzuki is underrated by buyers – not owners – but the Hamamatsu-based firm is good at making cars that are easy to live with every day and affordable to maintain. The Celerio has a lot going for it and the 1.0 GL was the Budget Car champion in the 2016/17 iteration Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – powered by WesBank and it’s available as an automatic. Powering the Celerio is a 3-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine that develops 50 kW and 90 Nm of torque. The front wheels are driven through a 5-speed automatic ‘box and Suzuki claims an impressive fuel consumption figure of 4.6 L/100km.

Key features

• Safety: 2 airbags, ABS.
• Interior: Air conditioning, mounted steering wheel controls, multi-information display, Bluetooth, CD player, USB/Aux ports and electric windows.
• Space: Load capacity at 235 litres, expanding to 1 034 litres with the rear seats folded flat.
• Service and warranty: 5-year/200 000 km warranty and 2-year/30 000km service plan.
• Estimated monthly payment: R3 555 over 60 months with 10% deposit and 10% interest

Suzuki dealerships regularly offer specials. View new car specials here!

Verdict: For a basic city runabout, the Suzuki Celerio offers good value at this price point, even though it’s the oldest car on this list. It drives reasonably well and is easy to live with on a daily basis, once you’ve gotten used to the characteristics of the automated manual transmission. It’s also a relatively spacious vehicle. Again, Suzuki’s 5-year/200 000km warranty might just be the clincher…

Search for a new / used Suzuki Celerio on Cars.co.za

Hyundai Atos 1.1 Motion Automatic – From 189 900

It’s almost been 2 years since Hyundai reintroduced the Atos nameplate in South Africa as a standalone manual derivative. which was followed by the Atos Cargo earlier this year. Many consumers, however, prefer the convenience of an automatic transmission and as such, the Atos can now be had with a 5-speed Automatic Manual Transmission (AMT).

The engine under the bonnet is the familiar 1.1-litre, 4-cylinder unit mustering outputs of 50 kW and 99 Nm. The AMT-equipped Atos carries a claimed fuel consumption figure of 5.9 L/100km which will appeal to buyers who are looking to save money at the pumps.

Key features: 

• Safety: 2 airbags, ABS with EBD
• Interior: 7-inch touchscreen infotainment, air conditioning, mounted steering wheel controls, multi-information display, Bluetooth, USB/Aux ports and electric windows.
• Space: Load capacity at 235 litres
• Service and warranty: 5-year/150 000 km vehicle warranty, 7-year/200 000 drivetrain warranty and 1-year/15 000km service plan.
• Estimated monthly payment: R3 631 over 60 months with 10% deposit and 10% interest

Hyundai dealerships regularly offer specials: View new car specials here!

Verdict: The Hyundai Atos represents decent value for money and is backed by a strong brand reputation while also offering good levels of refinement in this segment. Hyundai’s comprehensive warranty will also add further peace of mind.

Search for a new / used Hyundai Atos on Cars.co.za

Toyota Agya 1.0 Automatic – From R196 400

Toyota’s Agya budget car came to market late in 2020 and it’s been fairly well-received by local buyers. It employs a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder engine with 49 kW and 89 Nm and is paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Fuel consumption is claimed at 4.9 L/100km.

Key features: 

• Safety: 2 airbags, ABS with EBD
• Interior: No radio/infotainment system, air conditioning, multi-information display, electric windows.
• Space: Load capacity at 260 litres
• Service and warranty: 3-year/100 000 km vehicle warranty, 2-services/20 000km service plan.
• Estimated monthly payment: R3 756 over 60 months with 10% deposit and 10% interest

Toyota dealerships regularly offer specials: View new car specials here!

Verdict: At this price point, it’s disappointing that the Agya does not offer basic connectivity features such as a touchscreen, USB and Bluetooth (you have to opt for the Agya with radio at R200 200). From a drivability perspective, the Agya feels more stable than some of its rivals and its engine performance is on par with what you would expect from its diminutive outputs. For what it is, some buyers might regard this Agya to be too pricey and depending on your budget, that might just be the case.