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Most Powerful New Cars in South Africa for Under R1 Million
Gero Lilleike
21 Feb 2024
BMW 1 SeriesBMW 2 SeriesAudiBMWHonda CivicToyota CorollaMini CountrymanVolvo EX30Volkswagen GolfHondaRenault MeganeMiniRenaultAudi S3ToyotaVolkswagenVolvoPrestige ＆ ClassicBuyingElectricHatchbackSedanSports CarShare:
This list is for all the power-hungry new car buyers out there! What are the most powerful new cars you can buy for under R1 million in South Africa today? Take a look!
If you’re looking to buy the most powerful new cars on the market for under R1 million, what are your options?
Recently, we’ve heard many people complaining about excessively high new car prices in South Africa. No car segment has been spared and current new car pricing starts at R174 900 for the Suzuki S-Presso which is currently one of the cheapest new cars you can buy right now.
Recent price shock examples include the new Ford Puma compact crossover which is currently priced from R569 900 as well the new Honda CR-V family car which has breached the R1-million mark with a price of R1 039 900 in top-spec Exclusive guise.
Needless to say, new cars are very, very expensive but what are the most powerful new cars you can buy in South Africa for under R1 million? Let’s take a look!
Pricing is accurate as of February 2024.
Most Powerful New Cars in SA for Under R1-million
1. Volvo EX30 – 315 kW
Of all the most powerful new cars you can buy with a clip, the new Volvo EX30 electric compact SUV is by far the most powerful new car you can buy for under R1-million in South Africa.
The EX30 is offered with either a single or twin electric motor setup. The EX30 Single Motor produces 200 kW and 343 Nm of torque with a 54 kWh battery and a claimed range of 343 km while the EX30 Twin Motor produces 315 kW and 543 NM of torque and is paired with a 69 kWh battery that offers an estimated range of 460 km.
The EX30 is no slouch either and Volvo claims 5.3 seconds in the zero to 100 kph sprint for the EX30 Single Motor while the EX30 Twin Motor all-wheel-drive claims 3.4 seconds!
Pricing for the Volvo EX30 starts from R775 900 for the EX30 Core Single Motor and goes up to R995 900 for the range-topping EX30 Ultra Twin Motor Performance.
Also see: GWM Ora 03 vs Volvo EX30: What Should You Buy?
Buy a new Volvo EX30 on Cars.co.za
Buy a used Volvo EX30 on Cars.co.za
2. Volkswagen Golf R / Honda Civic Type R – 235 kW
The Volkswagen Golf R arrived in South Africa in 2023 after a lengthy launch delay and with a power output of 235 kW and 400 Nm of torque developed from its 2.0litre turbocharged petrol engine, the Golf R packs a punch, but so does its starting price of R945 100 before options. Volkswagen claims a zero to 100kph sprint time of 4.8 seconds.
Buy a new Volkswagen Golf R on Cars.co.za
Buy a used Volkswagen Golf R on Cars.co.za
Taking the fight to the Golf R is the Honda Civic Type R, a current finalist in the Performance Car category of the 2023/24 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards. It too produces 235 kW and 420 Nm of torque but unlike the Golf R, is offered with a 6-speed manual transmission. Honda claims Zero to 100 kph in 5.5 seconds.
The Honda Civic Type R is priced from R999 900.
Buy a new Honda Civic Type R on Cars.co.za
Buy a used Honda Civic Type R on Cars.co.za
3. BMW M135i xDrive / Mini Countryman / Clubman – 225 kW
The BMW M135i xDrive is priced from R951 385 and is powered by a 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine that offers 225 kW and 450 Nm of torque. Using an 8-speed automatic transmission, the M135i xDrive is claimed to accelerate from zero to 100 kph in 4.8 seconds.
Buy a new BMW M135i xDrive on Cars.co.za
Buy a used BMW M135i xDrive on Cars.co.za
This same engine is used in the BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe priced from R980 840 and claims 4.9 seconds in the sprint from zero to 100 kph.
Buy a new BMW M235i Gran Coupe on Cars.co.za
Buy a used BMW M235i Gran Coupe on Cars.co.za
The Mini Countryman JCW and Clubman JCW are also powered by the same BMW-sourced 225 kW / 450 Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine. This engine has since been uprated to produce 233 kW and is now found in the new BMW X2 M35i xDrive.
The Mini Countryman JCW is priced from R918 644.
Buy a new Mini Countryman on Cars.co.za
Buy a used Mini Countryman JCW on Cars.co.za
In the case of the Countryman JCW, Mini claims 5.1 seconds from zero to 100 kph while the Clubman JCW is marginally faster with a claimed time of 4.9 seconds.
The Mini Clubman JCW is priced from R862 144.
Buy a new Mini Clubman JCW on Cars.co.za
Buy a used Mini Clubman JCW on Cars.co.za
4. Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy / Toyota GR Corolla – 221 kW
The Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy is the last hoorah for Renault’s front-wheel drive hot hatchback and it’s currently priced from R949 900. The Megane RS 300 Trophy gets its motivation from a 1.8-litre turbopetrol engine that develops 221 kW and 420 Nm of torque and makes use of a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Renault claims 5.7 seconds in the sprint from zero to 100 kph.
Buy a new Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy on Cars.co.za
Buy a used Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy on Cars.co.za
The Toyota GR Corolla is the Japanese firm’s stab at an engaging and dynamic hot hatchback and they’ve mostly nailed it. It employs the same 1.6-litre, 3-cylinder engine found in the excellent GR Yaris (198 kW) with outputs of 221 kW and 370 Nm of torque. In terms of acceleration, Toyota claims 5.2 seconds in the sprint to 100 kph.
The GR Corolla is priced from R849 400 for the GR Corolla GR-Four-Core and R911 400 for the GR Corolla GR-Four-Circuit.
Buy a new Toyota GR Corolla on Cars.co.za
Buy a used Toyota GR Corolla on Cars.co.za
5. Audi S3 – 213 kW
Audi cracks this list with the S3 sedan and Sportback offering 213 kW and 400 Nm of torque from a 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine. Both variants claim 4.9 seconds in the zero to 100 kph sprint. The S3 Sportback is priced from R928 800 while the S3 sedan is priced from R943 800.
