In the automotive landscape of South Africa, the year 2023 has brought an array of new and exciting cars. However, on the flip side, the country bid farewell to several beloved models that have been discontinued, mostly from the more affordable segment of the market.
In the first half of 2023, a total of nine cars were discontinued, leaving enthusiasts and buyers with a mix of emotions. Among the most prominent losses were the Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Toyota Urban Cruiser, both entry-level crossovers that enjoyed immense popularity, consistently selling thousands of units every month. While there are still a few Suzuki Vitara Brezza units available, the model is on its way to being delisted, leaving uncertainty about how long the remaining stock will last.
Both the Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Toyota Urban Cruiser have been replaced with newer models – the Suzuki Grand Vitara and the new Toyota Urban Cruiser. However, these 2023 models come with noticeable price increases, moving from the R200,000 to the R300,000 price bracket.
Hyundai also bid farewell to its Atos hatchback, paving the way for the Grand i10 as the brand’s new entry-level vehicle. Similarly, Toyota’s Agya was retired to make room for the new Vitz.
Mahindra’s KUV100 was also discontinued, making the XUV300 crossover the brand’s most affordable entry. Subaru’s XV, on the other hand, was replaced by the Crosstrek, which saw a considerable price increase compared to the old model.
Among the discontinued models, the Toyota FJ Cruiser stood out as the most expensive vehicle without a replacement. Renowned for its unique features, including dual fuel tanks, a 4.0-litre V8 engine, and rear-hinged doors, the FJ Cruiser was a distinct proposition in Toyota’s lineup.
In recent announcements, Ford and Kia confirmed that the EcoSport and Rio models have been discontinued, although they are still available for purchase at the time of writing. Kia cited that the Rio would no longer be produced for right-hand drive markets. Meanwhile, Ford decided to retire the long-running EcoSport after a decade on the market. Both the EcoSport and Rio will eventually cease to be sold in South Africa once the existing stock runs out.
Here is the list of the discontinued cars along with their starting prices when new:
1. Ford EcoSport – Starting price: R311,400
2. Hyundai Atos – Starting price: R199,900
3. Kia Rio – Starting price: R311,400
4. Mahindra KUV100 – Starting price: R172,999
5. Subaru XV – Starting price: R464,000
6. Suzuki Vitara Brezza – Starting price: R262,900
7. Toyota Agya – Starting price: R200,000
8. Toyota FJ Cruiser – Starting price: R797,100
9. Toyota Urban Cruiser – Starting price: R283,200
As the first half of 2023 comes to a close, South Africans bid farewell to these discontinued cars, reminiscing about the memories and experiences they shared with these iconic models. However, with the arrival of newer and more advanced vehicles, there is still plenty to look forward to in the dynamic world of South African automotive markets.
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