Hippo Staff Writer · Published 8 May 2025 · Updated 4 July 2026 · 3 min read

What car can you afford on South Africa’s average salary?

car buying and affordability

Mzansi’s road to financial freedom can sometimes feel like driving on a pothole-ridden street. You need to swerve, slow down, and brace for the bumps. And when it comes to buying a car, it’s not just about what you want, it’s about what you can afford (and what won’t cost you your sanity each month).

Let’s break down what car is realistically within reach for the average South African salary earner in 2025.

What Are South Africans Earning on Average?

Despite the economic woes, there’s some surprisingly positive movement in salaries. According to BusinessTech, South Africa’s average gross salary increased by 5.4% year-on-year in early 2025. The average salary now stands at R26,894 per month, or R322,728 annually.

After tax, you’re likely walking away with roughly R22,823 per month, depending on your tax bracket and deductions.

Not bad, but not new-Lambo money either.

How Much Should You Spend on Car Payments?

Let’s talk affordability. According to global advice from Autotrader, you shouldn’t spend more than 20% of your gross monthly income on car repayments. If you include insurance, service plan, and all the bits and bobs, then your total car-related costs shouldn’t exceed 20% of your salary.

Let’s say you’re earning the average monthly gross income of R26,894:

10% of salary: R2,689
15% of salary: R4,034
20% for total vehicle costs: R5,379

That gives us a ballpark figure of what you can afford per month. Want to crunch your own numbers? Use Cars.co.za’s Car Affordability Calculator to get real-time estimates based on your earnings.

What Car Can You Afford With the Average Income?

We’ve looked at the top 10 best-selling cars in South Africa at the end of 2024 (according to Cars.co.za), found their out-the-box retail prices, and compared them to monthly repayment estimates. Then we asked: does the repayment fall between 10–20% of the average salary?

Car Model	Estimated Retail Price	Estimated Monthly Payment	Affordable?
Toyota Hilux	R524,400	R11,134	❌ NO
VW Polo Vivo	R241,800	R5,111	✅ YES
Toyota Corolla Cross	R384,900	R8,122	❌ NO
Ford Ranger	R536,400	R11,334	❌ NO
Suzuki Swift	R205,000	R4,308	✅ YES
Isuzu D-Max	R479,000	R10,130	❌ NO
Toyota Hi-Ace	R621,100	R13,141	❌ NO
VW Polo	R219,200	R4,710	✅ YES
Nissan NP200	R241,800	R5,111	✅ YES
Toyota Starlet	R250,100	R5,312	❌ NO

*Average monthly repayments calculated using WesBank's Vehicle Finance Calculator on a 72-month term at 13% interest rate. Figures are for estimation purposes only and may vary depending on your credit profile, deposit and balloon payment.

Happy car buyer jumping with keys

Don’t Forget About Car Insurance

It’s easy to get caught up in the sticker price of a car, but car insurance is just as important. You don’t want to be paying off a car you can’t drive because it’s sitting smashed up with no cover.

Use Hippo’s car insurance comparison tool to get quotes from up to 12 car insurers in minutes. It’s free, fast, and could save you hundreds each month.

Compare Other Vehicle Costs With Hippo

A car isn’t just a once-off cost, it’s a long-term commitment. Luckily, we can help you compare more than just car insurance:

So, What’s the Verdict?

If you’re earning the average salary in South Africa or thereabouts, you’ll be able to afford the monthly repayments on a new VW Polo, VW Polo Vivo, Nissan NP200 or Suzuki Swift. And when it comes to secondhand vehicles, your options will broaden.

*Based on data from April 2025.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or medical advice.

2026-08-07

South African driver's licence renewal guide

The time has come for you to renew your driver's licence. You're probably already dreading dealing with the admin, the queues snaking out the door, and the looks of exasperation on the faces of disgruntled government employees. Our quick driver’s licence renewal guide will help you get it done in no time.

2026-07-17

Car modifications: Will they affect your Car Insurance?

South Africa has a thriving car modification culture. From lowered Golfs in Jozi, mobile boom boxes and kitted out and lifted bakkies in the Karoo, South Africans love standing out by “uniqueifying” their rides. Most of those modifications are perfectly legal. Some are not. And almost all of them have implications for your Car Insurance that your insurer expects you to know about.

2026-07-08

Comparing second-hand SUVs under R350K

So you want an SUV, but not a brand-new price tag. Smart move. A two-to-five-year-old SUV gives you most of the space, safety and kit of a new one, without that gut-punch of first-year depreciation that someone else has already absorbed for you.

2026-05-29

Essential Car Cover every South African needs

Essential car cover goes beyond standard car insurance. From comprehensive car insurance and vehicle tracking to service plans and tyre cover, understanding how different types of protection work together can help South African drivers avoid unexpected costs and stay covered on the road.