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.

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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.