Only South Africans who earn at least R40,000 monthly can afford the cheapest 7-seater SUV

South Africans looking to drive home in the cheapest seven-seater SUV will need to earn a minimum of R40,000 or $2,215 per month to comfortably afford one on a finance plan, according to a recent calculation by TopAuto.

The entry-level model in this category is the Citroen C3 Aircross, which was introduced in July with a starting price of R344,900. However, the seven-seater variant, featuring an added row of two seats, is priced at R354,900. This makes it the most affordable seven-seater SUV currently available in the country.

The Citroen C3 Aircross boasts a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivering 81kW and 205Nm of power to the front wheels. It comes with a six-speed gearbox and offers an average fuel consumption of 6.3 litres per 100 km.

In terms of design, the Aircross is equipped with LED daytime running lights and 17-inch alloy wheels, with options for a two-tone roof in Cosmo Blue, Platinum Grey, or Polar White. Inside, the SUV features a leather multifunction steering wheel, front and rear USB ports, a 12V socket, a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster, manual air conditioning with rear vents, electrically adjustable side mirrors, a six-speaker stereo, and a 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety and convenience are well covered with two airbags, electronic stability control, hill assist, ABS, tyre-pressure monitoring, rear parking sensors, and a reverse camera. The Aircross also offers a spacious 511-litre boot when the additional seats are not in use.

The Citroen C3 Aircross comes with a 5-year/100,000 km warranty and a 4-year/60,000 km service plan.

To finance the Citroen C3 Aircross over 60 months with a 0% deposit and an 11.75% interest rate, monthly payments will be R7,724 for the standard model and R7,946 for the seven-seater variant. Financial experts advise that vehicle payments should not exceed 20% of one’s gross monthly salary.

Therefore, prospective buyers should earn between R38,620 and R39,730 per month to afford the Aircross, excluding additional costs such as insurance, fuel, and maintenance.

Read more on How new Legislation in South Africa favours Uber, Bolt drivers