2013 Volkswagen Kombi

Volkswagen Kombi

The Volkswagen Kombi sits in a sweet spot for South Africans who need to move people, not just things. Taxi owners, airport shuttle drivers, big families—everyone knows the Kombi badge, and you can see why. It’s not just a HiAce alternative; it’s the one you’d actually want to drive every day, especially with that DSG gearbox making Joburg gridlock a bit more bearable. Engine choices range from the wallet-friendly 2.3-litre petrol to a solid line-up of 2.0 TDI diesels, with the 146kW BiTDI offering a proper shove when fully loaded. Only four used Kombis are listed right now, priced anywhere from R249,900 to R749,900. On paper at least, that spread means the spec you pick is everything—R454,900 is the median, but you’ll feel the difference between a no-frills 2.3 and the top BiTDI. Mileage is high—149,729 km on average—but that’s no surprise. Kombis live hard lives, pounding out mileage on the R21, or hauling families to Durban for the holidays. The BiTDI SWB Trendline Plus DSG at R629,900 and the 4Motion DSG at R749,900 aren’t cheap, but they do bring all-weather confidence that a HiAce can’t offer, especially when the N1 gets slick in Gauteng winter. The cheapest option, that 2.3 petrol at R249,900, is older and basic, but if you pack smart and need to stretch every rand, it’s a Kombi all the same. South Africans keep coming back for that car-like ride and the familiarity of physical controls—no fiddly touch sliders, just honest buttons. In this class, nothing else quite nails the everyday drive like the Kombi.