Three Hot Hatch Options for Luxury Car Rental in Cape Town

Hatchbacks are often the ideal choice for car hire in South Africa. They’re compact, fuel-efficient, and practical, especially for city holidays in Cape Town, Johannesburg, or Durban. However, that doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice style, power, or comfort – so why not consider luxury car rental on your next trip to Cape Town?

At Drive South Africa, we specialise in all types of car hire in South Africa, including luxury cars. We’ve put together a list of our three favourite luxury hatchbacks you can hire for your next adventure. Read on to learn more about them.

Volkswagen Polo GTI: Locally Produced Luxury Car Rental in Cape Town

The sporty rear of the Volkswagen Polo GTI, which is exclusively built in South AfricaThe Volkswagen Polo is a staple of South African car culture. In fact, it’s the most popular passenger car in the country thanks to a satisfying blend of build quality, performance, and comfort.

The Polo TSI is already an excellent car, but that didn’t stop Volkswagen from taking it to the next level. The latest Polo GTI is the flagship model of the range, upping the standard both in terms of luxury and performance. This makes it the quintessential “hot hatch” – and a great option for car hire in South Africa.

Along with its big sibling, the Golf GTI, it’s known locally as the “vrrpha”, referencing the unmistakable exhaust sound it makes when shifting through gears. Not only does it sound the part, but it’s fast, too – this pocket rocket can go from 0 – 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds.

Inside, you’ll find that familiar VW solidity and neat touches that remind you that you’re not in a standard Polo. We’re talking “Art Velour” Titanium black seat finishes, a full digital cockpit, and two-zone climate control.

MINI Cooper Convertible: Drop The Top on Your Summer Holiday

A MINI Cooper Convertible speeds through a mountain pass

There’s nothing quite like dropping the top on a summer holiday. Imaging cruising along the Camps Bay beachfront in a sporty convertible, watching the sun go down over the Atlantic Ocean. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

The MINI might not be so mini anymore, but it’s still one of the best luxury hatchbacks you can buy. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s certainly quirky. The latest MINI Cooper Convertible features an electric soft top roof that opens in just 18 seconds, making it the perfect luxury car rental option for Cape Town summers.

It’s powered by a 100 kW 1.5 litre petrol engine, and because it’s so compact, the car is surprisingly nippy. It also comes in a Cooper S option that can rocket to 100 km/h in just over seven seconds. Despite being a two-door hatchback, the MINI’s rear seats can fold flat, giving you more than enough luggage space for your Cape Town escapade. In fact, it boasts the largest interior in its class.

BMW M135i xDrive: Performance Luxury Car Rental in Cape Town

The BMW M135i finished with sporty red brake calipers

Cape Town has some of the best roads in South Africa, both in terms of scenery and road quality. It would be a massive shame to let that go to waste…

Enter: the BMW M135i xDrive, an aggressive merger of compact design and raw power. It’s BMW’s flagship hatchback and follows in the footsteps of legendary predecessors like the 1 Series M Coupé and 1 Series M140i. However, thanks to its xDrive all-wheel drive system, it’s an entirely different proposition.

The turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 225 kW of power. That translates to a 0-100 km/h time of just 4.8 seconds, putting rivals like the Volkswagen GTI to shame. Driving is made simple with an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission and it sounds incredible, too, so you’ll fit right into Cape Town’s diverse car scene. 

Twin tailpipes and a pronounced rear spoiler add a touch of aggressiveness to the back end, while the front is adorned with the iconic BMW kidney grille. Sure, you’ll miss out on a retractable roof, but BMW promises that the M135i is the best vehicle in its class in terms of agility and cornering.

So, if you’re planning to spend your Cape Town holiday winding along its spectacular coastal roads, consider the BMW M135i xDrive for luxury car rental in Cape Town.

Luxury Car Rental in Cape Town

The front right IQ.LIGHT headlight of the latest Volkswagen Polo GTI

Whether you’re looking for wind in your hair, breathtaking speed, or local luxury, Drive South Africa has a wide range of luxury car rental options in Cape Town. The Volkswagen Polo GTI, MINI Cooper Convertible, and BMW M135i xDrive are just three examples of the luxury hatchbacks we offer.

For our full range of luxury car rental options in Cape Town, simply use our intuitive car rental search tool.

Image credits: Volkswagen South Africa, BMW Group South Africa