The Avanza Equation: Is SA’s Favourite 7-Seater Still a Smart R100k Buy?

Look around any school gate or mall parking lot, and you’ll see themtall, boxy, and packed to the windows. The Toyota Avanza is the undisputed champion of moving South African families on a budget. But when that budget stretches to R100,000, a question arises: are you buying a proven solution, or are you defaulting to a habit? At this price, the Avanza isn’t the only option; it’s one choice in a field of increasingly attractive alternatives.

Your R100,000 gets you a well-kept, later-model Avanza, likely from around 2016-2018. It’s the version with slightly more power and updated styling. You’re buying the peak of the breed, not its tired twilight. But you’re also buying into a very specific, and some would say dated, set of compromises.

The Logic of Space: What You Gain

The Avanza’s argument is one of pure geometry. It is a masterclass in packaging. Three rows of seats materialise in a footprint barely larger than a hatchback’s. For a large family or anyone who regularly ferries extra passengers, this is magic. Its high roof and upright seating make it feel airy. The rear-wheel-drive, ladder-frame construction (shared with a bakkie) means it’s tough, can handle gravel roads confidently, and is simple for mechanics to repair.

The Reality of Refinement: What You Sacrifice

This is where newer rivals whisper in your ear. That rugged ladder frame transmits every ripple in the tar directly to your spine. The engine, whether the older 1.5-litre or the better 1.6-litre, works hard and sounds busy, especially with seven people aboard. At highway speeds, it feels exactly what it is: a small, lightweight box being pushed by a modest motor.

For similar money, you might find a Volkswagen Touran, Ford Grand C-MAX, or a higher-mileage Nissan Qashqai+2. These are car-based MPVs. They offer quieter, more comfortable rides, more car-like handling, and interiors that feel more designed than assembled. But you sacrifice the Avanza’s absolute, no-question-asked seating for seven and its off-tar toughness.

The Verdict: A Niche, Not a Default

The Avanza at R100k is no longer the automatic choice. It’s a specialist tool. You choose it if your non-negotiable priority is frequently carrying five or more people in total safety and reliability, and you’re willing to trade driving pleasure and comfort to get it. It’s for the large family that values capability over coddling.

If your seven-seater needs are occasional, or your daily drives are long and on tar, those car-based European or Japanese alternatives offer a compelling, more civilised argument. The Avanza’s throne is secure, but its kingdom has borders. Make sure your life fits neatly inside them.