Why the New Toyota Vitz Is South Africa’s Smartest Buy for Budget-Conscious Drivers

Toyota has recently rolled out an update to its Vitz range, giving South Africa’s most affordable new car even more value. As first reported by Cars.co.za, the entry-level Toyota Vitz 1.0 now officially retails for R178,800, a price cut of R11,100 from its previous sticker price.

While that’s the “official” price, Toyota had been running a promotion offering the base model for R169,900 since August 2023, according to IOL.
There’s good news for buyers eyeing the higher-spec models too. The Vitz 1.0 XR manual is now available for R209,900 (down R10,000), and the automated manual transmission (AMT) version comes in at R224,900, a whopping R15,000 saving. However, the previously offered ‘X-Cite’ variant has been dropped with this latest update.

Still South Africa’s Cheapest New Car

With its new pricing, the Vitz 1.0 remains South Africa’s most affordable new car, narrowly beating the Suzuki S-Presso 1.0 GL (R178,900) and even undercutting its close cousin, the Suzuki Celerio, by R10,100.

Bigger on Safety and Value

Toyota didn’t just lower the price—it also beefed up the specs. The base Vitz now includes six airbags (up from just two), thanks to the addition of side and curtain airbags. The service plan has also been extended from two years/30,000km to four years/60,000km, making the deal even sweeter.
These upgrades are in line with Maruti Suzuki’s broader commitment—now equipping all its India-built models, including the Vitz and Celerio, with six airbags as standard.

Features and Performance

Under the bonnet, the Vitz continues with its trusted 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, delivering 49kW and 89Nm, available in both 5-speed manual and automated manual transmission (AMT).

The base Toyota Vitz offers:

• Air conditioning
• Power steering
• Rear park distance control
• Six airbags
• VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)

The Toyota XR model adds:

• Touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• USB port
• Remote central locking
• Electric windows
• 15-inch alloy wheels

All Toyota Vitz models are backed by a three-year/100,000km warranty, giving South African motorists peace of mind at an unbeatable price point.

Final Thoughts

The Toyota Vitz continues to raise the bar in South Africa’s budget car segment. Already known as the country’s most affordable new vehicle, it now offers even more value with a longer service plan, enhanced safety features like six airbags and stability control, and a lower price tag across the range. 

These updates make it not just a smart financial choice, but also a safer and more practical option for everyday driving. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, student, or simply looking to downsize without losing out on reliability and comfort, the upgraded Vitz proves you don’t have to sacrifice quality for affordability.
 

Imagery sourced www.toyota.co.za/