The outgoing Agya hatchback which was once the cheapest Toyota (in South Africa) has been dethroned by the new Toyota Vitz, which is now Toyota’s most economical vehicle on sale in the South African market. Based on the Suzuki Celerio, the Vitz was badge-engineered as a result of a partnership between Toyota and Suzuki.
Toyota already sells Starlet (rebadged Suzuki Baleno), Urban Cruiser (rebadged Suzuki Vitara Brezza), and Rumion (rebadged Suzuki Ertiga) in South Africa, all of these are borrowed from Maruti Suzuki and are shipped from India.
Under the hood, the Vitz will use the same K10C naturally aspirated 1.0L three-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 66 hp and 89 Nm paired to a 5-speed manual or an AMT gearbox making it mechanically identical to the Maruti Suzuki Celerio.
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With the base model starting at ZAR 189,900, the Vitz is the least expensive Toyota on the market. In comparison, the Agya was priced at ZAR 206,000 for the manual and ZAR 222,100 for the automatic. Because of this, the low-priced Vitz is an alluring choice for buyers on a tight budget who want a reliable and inexpensive Toyota option.
Suzuki Celerio-bases Toyota Vitz in South Africa
Equipped with features like air conditioning, electric power steering, central locking, and a touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, the Vitz is likewise well-equipped. Alloy wheels, fog lamps, and a rearview camera are among the extra equipment found on higher-spec Xr vehicles. The Vitz and Agya have comparable performance and fuel economy because of their shared engine and transmission options. However, the Vitz has a pricing advantage, making it a more affordable choice for those on a tight budget.
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With its competitive pricing, comparable performance, and well-equipped features, the new Toyota Vitz is expected to become a popular choice among budget-conscious customers in South Africa and might become even more popular than the outgoing Agya.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
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