2025 was a busy year for the automotive industry with seven new brands entering the country. Most of the brands were Chinese and we’ve learnt that these vehicles offer clean packages at affordable prices to the South African market. Price proposition has become a key factor for consumers and theMail & Guardiannarrowed down the top 13 vehicles in 2025 under R1 million (in no particular order).
The Suzuki Swift came in second place at the 2024 South African Car of the Year awards just behind the BMW X3. It looks good, has digital air-conditioning controls; front and rear electric windows; electrically adjustable and folding side mirrors; a height-adjustable driver’s seat; an alarm with central locking and rear parking sensors. It also feels extremely smooth on the road thanks to the Z12E 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 60kW of power and 112Nm of torque.
All the features mixed with an incredible drive and amazing fuel consumption means Suzuki hit it out the park with the Swift. It is no coincidence that it has become a top three best-seller in the country. The Suzuki Swift starts at R219 900 and the GL+ and GLX models are priced at R264 900 and R284 900.
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The Chery Tiggo 9 and Omoda C9, whether you take the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or internal combustion engine, is an incredible car. It’s like a Chinese GLS, or it certainly has that out of pocket luxury aura without really emptying your pocket. For a car under R1 million, you don’t expect to have things like heated and cooled seats for both the front and backseat passengers, massaging seats for the driver and passenger, rear-window blinds and reclining back seats.
It almost feels like too much for the value. The Omoda C9 is very similar but adds more style and pizazz to its interior and external design. It even adds a button to open doors just to be fancy.
The top of the range Tiggo 9 petrol variant employs a 2 litre turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 187kW of power and 390Nm of torque. The Omoda C9 uses the same engine and delivers 192kW of power and 400Nm of torque. The power that both PHEVs deliver is something else.
Electric motors coupled with a 1.5 litre turbocharged engine allows it to deliver around 450kW of power and 920Nm of torque. The best part about the PHEV is the range though. You can get up to 1 400km on a full tank and full charge.
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