2023 Kia Pegas

Kia Pegas

Kia’s Pegas isn’t the first name that springs to mind if you’re after a compact sedan, but for buyers who want a proper boot and a Korean badge without climbing into Polo or Starlet money, it’s an option that deserves a closer look. Sitting in the same sub-R300k pool as Toyota’s Starlet sedan, the Volkswagen Polo sedan, and Hyundai’s Aura, the Pegas brings a 1.4-litre petrol engine paired with either a manual or automatic gearbox. Yet, blink and you’ll miss it on local classifieds—just three used cars listed, all between R218,000 and R269,900. That thin supply says more about Kia’s half-hearted launch strategy in South Africa than the Pegas’s global popularity. Two of those are the 1.4 LX manual, both hovering just above the R218k mark, so you’re looking at a toss-up between nearly identical cars. The lone 1.4 EX auto sits at R269,900, and that’s the one you want if you pack smart and value convenience—Android Auto, a fuss-free interior, and Kia’s warranty for less than what some pay for a used Polo. Mileage isn’t exactly low—most have racked up around 64,500 km between 2022 and 2024—but at least you’re getting a solid chunk of car for the money. On paper at least, the EX auto makes sense for city dwellers who want backup from a big dealer network, though the handful of listings mean you’ll have to move quickly or wait patiently if you’re set on a Pegas.