Best Hatchback to Buy in SA
The definition of a hatchback is a car body configuration with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to a cargo area. Hatchbacks may feature fold-down second row seating, where the interior can be reconfigured to prioritize passenger or cargo volume. Hatchbacks most commonly feature two-box design, and occasionally the three-box design.
Find The Best Hatchback In South Africa
How to find the best hatchback in South Africa?
To search for the “best hatchback cars South Africa” is an invitation into the many car-maker brands vying for your attention. And just by looking around you on the roads across South Africa, you can see there is no shortage of hatchback options for consideration. Travel anywhere and you’ll see VW Polo’s and the T-Cross, Kia Picanto’s and Rio’s, the Mazda 3, Toyota Prius, and even the Nissan Livina. The category has very practical, affordable and efficient entry— to mid-level options. Crank that up a notch and you get into the area of the VW Tiguan and Touareg, and the Audi A3 Sportback.
What is the best hatchback on the market?
To argue the “best hatchback to buy” point, you have to weigh up performance and functionality. Performance hatchbacks are a category unto their own. Think about the Golf GTI and BMW 1. These cars promise performance, handling, and safety. So to throw our own hat in the ring with the Subaru XV, let’s look at those things, exactly:
The Subaru XV comes in two options:
- Subaru XV 2.0i CVT
- Subaru XV 2.0i ES CVT
Performance
Both models are fitted with a 2.0-litre direct injection, 4-cylinder, BoxerⓇ petrol Engine with 115kW and maximum torque is 196Nm. The engine is mated to a lightweight LineartronicⓇ CVT transmission with a 7-speed manual mode that is operable via paddle shift behind the steering wheel. The XV’s top speed is 193km/h and CO2 emissions are 168g/km.
Handling
Technicians at Subaru have worked tirelessly to create Subaru core technology that performs far ahead of competitors in their class. Subaru Symmetrical All Wheel Drive System (SAWD) distributes power to all four wheels for better traction on wet and slippery roads.
The XV’s entire drive system from the BoxerⓇ engine to the rear differential is mounted in a straight symmetrical line delivering stability and balance. Built on the new Subaru Global platform ensures great increases in body rigidity through the use of high-tensile steel materials. The Subaru innovation team works tirelessly to create cars that offer features that are streets ahead of the competition.
Safety
Subaru’s award-winning EyeSightⓇ Driver Assistance system is standard in the XV. The cutting-edge technology monitors the road ahead, recognising potentially dangerous driving situations and assisting the driver to reduce the occurrence of forward collisions or completely avoid them. The system does this by detecting the presence of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and other potential hazards up to 110m in front of it.
While we support “soccer-mom cars” and those performance beasts that straddle both sides of the best hatchback in South Africa argument, we at Subaru have never enjoyed the idea that a car has to be only one thing (or the other). It can be both. It should be both. And it is with the Subaru XV. You get the full shebang when you consider that the interior is award-winning, boasting high-quality soft touch leather seats, a power sunroof and 60/40 split rear seats that fold flat for when you’re doing more of the school run chores and less of the performance cheers.
Are we biased? Sure. Will you be once you’ve located your nearest dealership and booked a test drive? We know the answer to that. Reach out to us on +27 11 608 0116 via email at info@subaru.co.za. Our skilled, car-loving team is ready and willing to turn talk into torque and show you just why we’re so passionate about all-things Subaru.