The new Tata Punch has touched down in South Africa, introducing higher levels of tech as well as a new turbocharged petrol engine. Here’s pricing and specifications.
Pricing starts starts from R224 900.
New turbo engine makes 88 kW and 170 Nm.
Three trim levels.
The Tata Punch has been given a substantial makeover. The fresher look comprises a revised front end with LED headlights, new-look grille and at the rear, plus there’s a light bar which stretches across the back. Tata says there are new wheel designs as well as a contrasting roof and roof rails which give it a rugged look.
There are two engines on offer, with a 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol 3-cylinder engine powering two of the three derivatives. It makes 65 kW and 115 Nm, and is paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The flagship model has a turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine, making 88 kW and 115 Nm, and it too features a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Trim Levels
Every Tata Punch comes with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, six airbags and a 5-star NCAP safety rating.
Pure+
90-degree doors
LED headlamps
Touchscreen infotainment
Reverse camera
Cruise control
Stability control
Tyre pressure sensors
8-inch (20.32 cm) display
4-speaker audio
Adventure (in addition to Pure+)
360-degree camera
Automatic climate control
Push button start
Automatic headlights
Automatic rain-sensing wipers
Cooled glovebox
Accomplished+ S (in addition to Adventure)
Larger 26.03 cm infotainment
Larger 17.78 cm digital cluster
Keyless entry
LED daytime running lights
Climate control
Auto-dimming mirror
Voice-assisted sunroof
Hill decent control
4-speaker + 4 tweeter audio
Wireless phone charger
Rear adjustable headrests
How much does the Tata Punch cost in South Africa?
The Tata Punch is sold with a five-year/125 000 km warranty and a two-year/30 000 km service plan.
What engine powers the Tata Punch in South Africa?
The Tata Punch is powered by a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder Revotron petrol engine producing 65 kW of power and 115 Nm of torque. It is offered with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or an automated manual transmission (AMT) driving the front wheels. Higher-spec turbo variants are also introduced delivering enhanced performance.
How much does the Tata Punch cost in South Africa?
Pricing for the Tata Punch compact crossover in South Africa starts from approximately R224,900 for the entry model, with mid-tier Adventure models around R244,900 to R249,900, reaching up to approximately R319,900 for the top-spec Creative+ automatic.
What is the ground clearance and boot space of the Tata Punch?
The Tata Punch offers a generous ground clearance of up to 193 mm, making it well-suited for rough roads and urban obstacles. Behind the 5-seater cabin, it features a practical luggage boot capacity of 366 litres.
What is the claimed fuel consumption of the Tata Punch?
The Tata Punch has a claimed combined fuel consumption rating ranging between 5.3 L/100 km and 5.6 L/100 km depending on transmission choice. Combined with its 37-litre fuel tank, it delivers an estimated driving range of roughly 660 km to 700 km.
What warranty and service plan come standard with the Tata Punch in SA?
Distributed locally via the Motus dealer network, the new Tata Punch comes backed standard by a 5-year / 125,000 km manufacturer warranty alongside a 3-year / 45,000 km service plan.
Toyota Corolla Cross XS 1.8 vs HEV – Is the hybrid worth it?
The Toyota Corolla Cross is one of South Africa’s most popular family cars, especially in XS trim. But is the HEV version worth the extra money over the normal petrol? We did the maths to help you choose the right variant for your needs.
Chinese hybrids may have brought more technology, features and affordability to the South African market, but Toyota can legitimately claim to have helped local buyers embrace hybrids.
The Corolla Cross was the model that brought meaningful monthly sales volumes to the hybrid market. Since its introduction in late 2021, it has consistently ranked among South Africa’s best-selling hybrids. Built on the proven Corolla platform, its non-plug-in hybrid (HEV) configuration has found wide appeal among local buyers.
With fuel prices putting pressure on household budgets, the HEV version of Toyota’s popular compact crossover should appeal more than ever. But how much petrol does it save? And does the premium over the standard 1.8-litre version really make sense?
The Corolla Cross value equation
A South African family favourite, but does the HEV version really make sense?
If you really know cars, you know that the lower mid-tier trim often offers the best value. In the Corolla Cross range, that’s the XS grade: R458 400 for the standard 1.8-litre petrol version and R501 100 for the HEV.
The XS grade features dual-zone climate control, LED headlamps, rear parking sensors, a reverse camera and a leather-trimmed cabin. That covers the family-car essentials, but the infotainment is less impressive.
The Corolla Cross XS supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through a 10.1-inch touchscreen. It is adequate, but its graphics, haptics, brightness and processing speed are not class-leading. Similarly priced Chinese rivals have set a much higher standard for infotainment in this segment.
Toyota’s 1.8 Atkinson cycle engine is remarkably understressed.
Both Corolla Cross XS versions use a 1.8-litre engine. Although they share a similar block and many components, their engines work quite differently.
The standard XS has a naturally aspirated 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 103 kW and 172 Nm. Those aren’t impressive but its simplicity makes it terrifically durable. There is no turbocharger, which is a disadvantage for inland drivers: naturally aspirated engines lose considerable power at altitude.
The HEV’s petrol engine produces 72 kW and 142 Nm – about 30% less peak power than the standard engine. Its Atkinson-cycle configuration uses different valve timing to prioritise efficiency over outright power. To make up for that reduced performance, Toyota pairs the engine with a 53 kW electric motor and a 1.3 kWh battery. The hybrid system’s combined output is 90 kW; the engine and motor’s peak outputs cannot simply be added together. Crucially for inland buyers, the HEV suffers less altitude-induced power loss than the standard petrol version.
Fuel-consumption comparison
Hybrid fuel savings are real but they come with a big ‘upfront’ cost.
The powertrains are different, but what does that mean for your petrol budget?
The standard 1.8-litre Corolla Cross has a claimed fuel consumption of 6.8 L/100 km. With a 47-litre tank, that gives it a theoretical range of about 691 km. The HEV’s claimed consumption is just 4.3 L/100 km. Despite its smaller 36-litre tank, its theoretical range is 837 km. These figures are based on claimed consumption, not guaranteed real-world results.
Driving range matters to South Africans. Family holidays often involve much longer drives than those undertaken in Europe or Japan, so the distance between fuel stops counts.
On those claimed figures, the HEV uses about 37% less petrol, but its tank is about 23% smaller. That narrows its road-trip range advantage, even though it costs less to fuel over the same distance.
Recouping the HEV price premium through monthly fuel savings will take a long time.
You cannot unsee the difference: the HEV uses roughly a third less petrol on the claimed figures. That is a meaningful saving at the pumps. But saving on fuel is not the same as saving money overall.
The HEV costs R42 700 more than the petrol XS. How far must you drive before its fuel savings cover that premium? The answer depends on the petrol price and the consumption you actually achieve.
To break even on the purchase-price premium, you need to cover enough kilometres for those fuel savings to add up to R42 700. If you plan to keep a Corolla Cross HEV for many years, well beyond its warranty and service plan, the long-term fuel-saving maths becomes more compelling. This is a fuel-only comparison, though, not a full ownership-cost calculation.
But if you are under budget pressure and do not expect to cover high mileages, the cheaper petrol XS may make more sense. The HEV saves at the pumps; whether it saves you money overall depends on how far you drive and how long you keep it.
How to pass your K53 driving test 1st time: costs, booking & yard tips
From commuting to work to heading out on a weekend road trip, a driver’s licence is your ticket to freedom. But first, you have to pass the K53 driving test – and no one wants to do that twice. Here’s your must-know cheat sheet.
You’re legally an adult, with new freedoms such as the right to vote and, for work or play, the chance to get your car licence. The latter comes with a catch: you’ll have to pass your driving test first. Plenty of practice helps, but so does knowing what to expect and which mistakes could send you home empty-handed.
Your pre-test preparation is about more than perfecting your parallel parking. Get the paperwork and vehicle requirements sorted, too.
Your learner’s licence must be valid, and both it and your test booking must cover the vehicle you’ll use. Code B (still commonly called Code 8) covers light motor vehicles with a gross vehicle mass of no more than 3 500 kg. Code C1 (Code 10) covers heavier vehicles up to 16 000 kg. Don’t arrive with a vehicle that falls outside the category you’re permitted to drive.
You’ll need a DL1 application form, your identity document and proof of residential address. Ask your testing centre whether it requires certified copies and how recent your proof of address must be.
You’ll also need an eye test, either at the testing centre or through a qualified optometrist who can complete the required form. Take identical black-and-white ID photographs, too – confirm the number with your centre before having them taken, rather than waiting until you’ve passed.
How to book your K53 driving test: a step-by-step guide
To book your driving test, check the process at your chosen driving licence testing centre (DLTC). Online bookings are available via the NaTIS website where the service is offered; elsewhere, you may need to book in person. Gauteng applicants should use the online service.
Next comes payment. Follow the deadline on your booking confirmation: reserving a slot doesn’t mean you can leave payment until test day.
Check which payment methods your centre accepts before you go. If cash is an option, it may save you a wasted trip when the card-payment system is offline.
Take your ID, valid learner’s licence, proof of address and any other documents your centre requests when you confirm and pay for the booking.
Keep your booking receipt safe – it’s your admission ticket to the test, with confirmation of the date and time. Bring it along with your learner’s licence on the day.
Need to change or cancel your appointment? Contact your DLTC as soon as possible to check the procedure and whether any fees are refundable. Don’t assume a missed appointment will be refunded.
The yard test comes first. For a light motor vehicle, it includes the pre-trip inspection, parallel parking, alley docking, a 3-point turn and the dreaded incline start. You have 20 minutes of stopwatch time to complete the inspection and manoeuvres, with a maximum allowance of 50 penalty points. Exceed either limit, or commit an immediate-fail error, and your test ends there.
During the pre-trip inspection, you’ll demonstrate that the vehicle is safe to drive. Work through the exterior and interior checks you’ve practised with your instructor, including the tyres, lights, indicators, licence disc, seatbelts and handbrake.
Make the checks visible and explain what you’re checking. For example, inspect the tyre tread and wheel nuts rather than simply reciting that they’re fine.
Check beneath the vehicle for signs of leaks. Don’t turn the inspection into a full service: follow the prescribed K53 checks you’ve learnt.
Ditto the cockpit. Get into the driver’s seat and talk the examiner through your checks and adjustments: seat, mirrors, seatbelt, handbrake and gear lever. Make sure there are no loose objects in the footwell.
Check the controls and equipment as required, including the lights, wipers and hooter. Make each check clear to the examiner.
A deliberate walkaround, with clear checks and commentary, beats a standing recital. Missed checks can add penalty points; an unroadworthy vehicle could send you to the cooldrink dispenser early.
Then it’s time for the manoeuvres. Practise parallel parking, alley docking, the 3-point turn and the incline start until you can perform them calmly – with the required observations and signals, not just neat steering.
The K53 road test: avoid common instant fails & critical mistakes
Pass the yard test and you’ll head onto public roads. The road test lasts between 20 and 45 minutes and assesses your vehicle control, observations and response to real traffic. Not every mistake means an instant fail, but don’t treat the penalty-point allowance as permission to be careless. Serious errors across the yard and road tests include:
Rolling backwards during the incline start.
Mounting a kerb or striking a boundary marker during a yard manoeuvre.
Disobeying traffic signs, signals or road markings.
Driving dangerously or causing a collision.
Missing a blind-spot check or signal can attract penalties; if your actions create danger, the consequences can be more serious. Master the K53 observation and signalling sequence for each manoeuvre rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all routine.
In a manual car, get comfortable with the gearbox and clutch, too: choose the right gear and avoid coasting, stalling or riding the clutch. The aim is safe, controlled driving – not merely keeping the examiner’s pen still.
Driving test reference & cost summary
Stage/expense
Indicative cost range
Payable to
Required documents
Timelines & deadlines
Test booking fee
R135–R250
DLTC/eNaTIS
ID, valid learner’s licence, proof of address, DL1 and photos as required
Pay by the deadline on your booking confirmation
Licence issuing fee
R140–R250
DLTC counter
ID, proof of passing and photos as required by the centre
Pay after passing to obtain your temporary licence while awaiting the card
Optometrist eye test
R0–R150
Private optometrist
ID and the required eye-test form
Confirm the centre’s requirements for accepting an optometrist’s result
Professional lessons
R200–R400 per hour
Driving school
Valid learner’s licence
Agree a practice plan with your instructor; readiness matters more than a fixed number of hours
Test-day vehicle hire
R600–R1 200
Driving school
Booking agreement with the driving school
Confirm whether the quote includes a warm-up drive and transport to the DLTC
These ranges are indicative budgeting estimates, not verified current tariffs. Confirm official fees with your DLTC and get quotes for lessons, eye tests and vehicle hire before you book.
MG Motor South Africa has confirmed plans to enter the local bakkie market with contenders badged as the U7 and U9, while also eyeing the ladder-frame SUV space…
MG U7 and U9 to step into SA’s bakkie market
U7 appears closely related to LDV T60 Max
U9 seemingly a twin to SAIC’s LDV Terron 9
MG TS ladder-frame SUV also planned for SA
MG Motor South Africa has announced that it plans to enter Mzansi’s cut-throat bakkie market with a pair of contenders badged as the U7 and the U9 – and that it intends to offer a 7-seater body-on-frame SUV as well.
As a reminder, MG was founded over 100 years ago in the United Kingdom as “Morris Garages”. However, today it’s run by Chinese group SAIC Motor, a state-owned manufacturer that is also responsible for the Maxus and LDV marques. For the record, MG Motor SA forms part of SAIC South Africa, which is a subsidiary of SAIC Motor.
The MG U9 appears closely related to the LDV Terron 9.
The MG brand returned to South Africa late in 2024 after an 8-year pause, with the current line-up comprising only passenger vehicles (in the form of the MG3 hatchback, the fully electric Cyberster roadster and the ZS, ZS Pro and HS crossovers – with several more cars planned).
Now, however, MG Motor SA has confirmed that it intends to enter the local light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment. While the company stopped short of announcing precise launch dates, we believe it plans to launch its first bakkies at some point in the opening half of 2027.
We expect the MG U7 to share much with the LDV T60 Max.
From what we can tell, the MG U7 – a badge that is seemingly not (yet) in use in any other markets – will be closely related to the updated LDV T60 Max (as opposed to the T60 already on offer in SA) that will soon launch in Australia. MG Motor SA says the U7 will be offered locally with a choice of 2.0- and 2.5-litre turbodiesel engines.
For the record, the new Aussie-spec T60 Max – which measures 5 378 mm from front to back in double-cab guise – features a 2.5-litre oil-burner generating 163 kW and 520 Nm, peak outputs that are delivered via an 8-speed (ZF-sourced) automatic transmission.
A look inside the Aussie-spec MG U9.
Meanwhile, the MG U9 appears to be a close relation of the LDV Terron 9 that is already available here in South Africa. As a reminder, that model employs the same 2.5-litre turbodiesel powertrain detailed above, with the SA-spec version making 164 kW. The 5 500 mm-long U9 is already on sale in Australia, where its 2.5-litre oil-burner offers 160 kW.
In addition, MG Motor SA says it intends to launch a new body-on-frame SUV, which looks set to wear the “TS” badge (another nameplate that’s ostensibly not yet used overseas). This model – which we suspect will share much with the LDV D90 – is expected to offer 7 seats, along with turbodiesel and “potentially petrol” engines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is MG Motor launching bakkies in South Africa?
A: Yes, MG Motor South Africa has confirmed plans to enter the local light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment with two bakkies badged as the U7 and U9, expected to arrive in the first half of 2027.
Q: What engines and underpinnings will power the MG U7 and U9 bakkies?
A: The MG U7 (related to the updated LDV T60 Max) will offer 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre turbodiesel engines in SA. The larger 5.5-metre MG U9 (a twin to the LDV Terron 9) uses a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine producing around 160 kW and 520 Nm, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Q: Is MG also planning a body-on-frame 7-seater SUV for South Africa?
A: Yes, MG Motor SA intends to introduce a 7-seater ladder-frame SUV wearing the “TS” badge (expected to share much with the LDV D90), offered with turbodiesel and potentially petrol engine options.
Basecamp loading? Ford SA boss hints at Bronco ‘surprise’
The head of Ford in South Africa says the brand “might have a surprise” up its sleeve, leading us to speculate that the Bronco Basecamp could be on the cards for Mzansi…
Ladder-frame Bronco still forbidden fruit
Ford’s local president hints at “surprise”
Could Basecamp SUV be planned for SA?
While the head of Ford in South Africa has suggested the ladder-frame Bronco is still off the table for the local market, he added the Blue Oval brand “might have a surprise” up its sleeve. Does that mean the unibody Bronco Basecamp is firming for Mzansi?
Neale Hill, President of Ford Motor Company Africa, made the comments during a wide-ranging interview in Cars.co.za’s custom-built podcast booth at Naamsa’s SA Auto Week 2026 event in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal earlier in October.
The Bronco Basecamp is built in China.
As a reminder, after a 25-year pause, Ford revived the Bronco nameplate in 2020, though the 6th-generation version is still built exclusively in left-hand-drive form at the Dearborn-based automaker’s Michigan facility. That’s despite persistent rumours of right-hand-drive production being lined up for the retro-styled SUV.
We asked Hill whether the U725-series Bronco – which is interestingly based on the same T6 platform as the body-on-frame Ranger bakkie that’s built at the brand’s Silverton facility in Gauteng, right here in South Africa – was any closer to becoming available locally.
Right-hand-drive production of the Bronco Basecamp has been confirmed.
“I get asked this question all the time: ‘Where’s F-150 and where’s Bronco?’. When you’re selling 800 000 F-Series [units] in the US on an annual basis, why would you build 5 000 right-hand-drive F-150s for markets like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa?” Hill asked.
“So, that’s the challenge that we have both for the Bronco and for the F-150. But we might have a surprise up our sleeve – we’ll keep you posted,” he added, without going into further detail.
The Bronco Basecamp is built by JMC, Ford’s joint-venture partner in China.
What might that surprise be? Well, as recently as September 2026, Ford confirmed that the Bronco Basecamp – a unibody 5-seater model manufactured in China by Ford’s joint-venture partner, Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) – would be introduced to fellow right-hand-drive market Australia in the second half of 2027.
We know the Bronco Basecamp is produced at JMC’s Nanchang facility, the same plant that supplies the current Territory to South Africa. In addition, it’s worth noting Ford already holds the local trademark rights to both the “Bronco” and “Basecamp” badges, with the registration of the latter having taken place in May 2022. So, the door certainly looks open for a local introduction.
Ford says the Basecamp’s interior “converts into a sleeping space” thanks to an optional inflatable mattress.
Measuring 5 025 mm from bumper to bumper, the Chinese-market Bronco Basecamp is some 85 mm longer than the ladder-frame Everest. It’s currently produced in both fully electric guise and range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) form, with the latter powertrain locked in for Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the Ford Bronco Basecamp coming to South Africa?
A: While Ford Motor Company Southern Africa has not officially confirmed the Bronco Basecamp, President Neale Hill hinted at a potential “surprise”, and the local registration of both “Bronco” and “Basecamp” trademarks paves the way for a possible local arrival.
Q: How does the Ford Bronco Basecamp differ from the traditional US-built Bronco?
A: Unlike the body-on-frame, US-built Bronco, the Bronco Basecamp is a unibody crossover manufactured in China by Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC).
Q: What are the powertrain specifications of the Ford Bronco Basecamp?
A: In China, the Bronco Basecamp REEV pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol generator with dual electric motors and a battery pack, delivering up to 310 kW of total system output.
The Mazda CX-60 3.3D AWD received a subtle update in 2025, addressing concerns around the stiff ride quality. With that sorted, we ponder whether this is a great alternative to the desirable yet pricey Germans.
We like: Mega diesel engine in terms of performance and efficiency; CX-60 has always offered a hands-on engaging drive, but the ride is now improved; cabin quality.
We don’t like: The Mazda badge isn’t quite premium enough for R1.1m; ride still errs on the firmer side, less second-row legroom than you might expect.
The premium, mid-size SUV market in South Africa has long been dominated by traditional German heavyweights. As consumer dynamics shift and local buyers increasingly weigh value against brand prestige, Mazda has taken a refreshingly bold engineering approach with its flagship CX-60. Instead of following the downsizing trend, the Japanese manufacturer introduced a large-capacity turbodiesel engine to its family SUV.
Addressing criticism of the vehicle’s initial ride calibration, Mazda rolled out a comprehensive update for the CX-60 in 2025. The suspension revisions focused heavily on reworking the damping rates and rear shock absorbers to smooth out the firm, jittery ride quality that plagued early models over sharp tarmac imperfections. Alongside a recalibrated steering knuckle for improved high-speed stability and a quieter overall drive, do these rolling updates ensure the refreshed model delivers the composure and ride refinement expected from a modern luxury SUV? We spent some quality time behind the wheel of the top-tier derivative to find out.
Visually, the Mazda CX-60 adopts a clean, sophisticated design language that sits comfortably alongside its more premium European rivals. The long bonnet houses a substantial inline-six engine, giving the vehicle a classic rear-wheel-drive silhouette, complemented by elegant chrome accents, sharp LED lighting and striking alloy wheels on this high-spec Takumi derivative.
Inside, the cabin delivers a high standard of craftsmanship. Soft-touch materials, intricate stitching and interesting textures create a luxurious ambience. Rather than following the industry trend of burying all controls within a touchscreen, Mazda retains a driver-focused layout featuring a physical climate control panel and a rotary controller on the centre console to navigate the infotainment system safely while on the move.
Packaging is generous upfront, although rear legroom is slightly compromised by the longitudinal engine layout forcing the cabin rearwards. The luggage compartment offers a practical shape with useful split-folding rear seats and a standard electric tailgate.
The headline act of this model is its 3.3-litre inline-six turbocharged diesel engine, paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Called e-Skyactiv D, it delivers a robust 180 kW and 550 Nm of torque to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. It’s a lovely engine: effortlessly muscular, and it even sounds good.
On the open road, the straight-six diesel is impressively refined, too, and it offers immense low-down torque for effortless overtaking.
Efficiency is equally noteworthy; thanks to advanced mild-hybrid assistance and coasting functionality, highway fuel consumption easily drops below 6.0 litres/100 km, making long-distance cruising exceptionally economical.
Ride, Handling & Comfort
Thanks to the chassis changes Mazda made last year, the CX-60 feels better balanced and more stable, and the all-wheel-drive system provides sure-footed traction across varied weather conditions.
Cabin insulation is improved, too, effectively suppressing wind, tyre, and mechanical noise. While the suspension tuning still leans toward a firm, athletic setup to manage body control through corners, it’s undoubtedly more composed.
Price & After-sales support
Mazda SA likes to keep it simple: the warranty, service plan and roadside assistance are all valid for 5 years/unlimited km.
The Mazda CX-60 Takumi diesel offers a compelling alternative in the premium SUV landscape. By pairing a smooth, powerful inline-six diesel engine with high-end cabin appointments and aggressive pricing relative to its German rivals, it presents an appealing luxury proposition for discerning motorists. What’s more, the changes Mazda wrought last year have made the CX-60 a more rounded and refined offering.
However, we do wonder whether a R1.1m Mazda will continue to attract those buyers enticed by a premium Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz badge, or even the prospect of spending less and opting for a well-specified Chinese alternative. The CX-60 certainly finds itself in a challenging space, as accomplished as it may be…
Red Friday on Cars.co.za: Best car deals all November
Move over, Black Friday: discover car specials and deals running all month long. New deals up every Red Friday.
Black Friday car deals usually come and go in a single day, which is a tough ask when you are buying something as significant as a vehicle. This November, Cars.co.za is doing things differently with Red Friday. Instead of limiting your search to a high-stress 24-hour window, we are featuring top car deals across South Africa for the entire month. Whether you are searching for special offers on family SUVs, fuel-efficient hatchbacks, or rugged double-cab bakkies, you will find discounted car specials throughout November, with extra visibility and highlighted Friday deals turned up every week.
An example of a Red Friday listing.
How Red Friday works
Red Friday is our unique take on Black Friday car deals, presented in our signature colours. Participating dealers across the country are highlighting their best-priced vehicles with a dedicated Red Friday tag. A listing qualifies for the tag when our automated pricing tools rate it as a Good Deal or Great Deal, or when the dealer has dropped the price by more than 5%. This ensures that, when you browse car specials during Red Friday, you are looking at vehicles priced competitively against the current market. Plus, with new inventory added daily, buyers can negotiate financing and trade-ins with confidence and peace of mind. New deals land every Red Friday.
Key dates
6 November
13 November
20 November
27 November
Red Friday dates and how to shop
Browse the deals page: Visit the dedicated Red Friday section on Cars.co.za to view tagged car deals filtered by budget.
Look for the tag: The Red Friday tag appears on qualifying listings across the website throughout the month.
Save your favourites: Tap the heart icon on any vehicle listing to add it to your wish list, then check back every Friday for updates. Friday feeling, sorted.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Red Friday?
A: Red Friday is Cars.co.za’s month-long campaign throughout November, offering buyers access to top car deals and car specials with special tags and increased visibility every Friday.
Q: How do cars qualify for a Red Friday tag?
A: Vehicles qualify when rated as a Good Deal or Great Deal by our pricing tools, or when the selling dealer has reduced the price by more than 5%.
Q: When does Red Friday run?
A: Red Friday runs from 1 to 30 November 2026 on Cars.co.za. Key Friday feature days are 6, 13, 20, and 27 November.
Q: Can I trade in my vehicle during Red Friday?
A: Yes! Participating dealerships accept trade-ins, allowing you to use your current car’s value toward qualifying Red Friday deals for even greater savings.
New Haval H10 firming for South Africa
GWM has quietly registered the new Haval H10’s design in South Africa, leading us to believe this large unibody SUV could be on the cards for the local market…
Haval H10 design registered in Mzansi
Unibody SUV to slot in above new H7?
Larger than ladder-frame Tank 500
China-spec PHEV generates 440 kW
Will the new Haval H10 come to South Africa? Well, while GWM SA has yet to officially confirm this large unibody SUV for the local market, we’ve unearthed new information that suggests the H10 – which features in-vogue boxy exterior styling – may well be on the cards for Mzansi.
Yes, Cars.co.za can confirm that GWM’s Baoding head office in China applied to register the new H10’s exterior design with South Africa’s patent authorities on 24 March 2026, with an official registration being granted on 5 October 2026.
GWM has registered the Haval H10 design in Mzansi.
In August this year, Conrad Groenewald, Chief Operating Officer of GWM South Africa, told us the brand was planning as many as 14 product launches over the following 18 months. And we’d speculate there’s a strong chance the H10 will be among that group, slotting in at the summit of GWM’s local Haval line-up (above the new H7) and potentially doing battle with the imminent BYD Ti 7.
Revealed earlier this year, the Haval H10 is currently available in China in two forms: a 5-seater version measuring 5 138 mm long and a 6-seater (3-row) iteration stretching 5 299 mm from front to back (with a wheelbase of 3 000 mm in each case). That means even the 5-seater H10 is some 60 mm longer than the ladder-frame Tank 500.
In China, the H10 features a PHEV powertrain.
In its domestic market, the H10 is offered with GWM’s Hi4-branded plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain that in this case comprises a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, a pair of electric motors (one on each axle), a 4-speed dedicated hybrid transmission and a 42.8 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack.
According to GWM, the H10’s plug-in arrangement boasts peak system figures as lofty as 440 kW and 722 Nm, translating to a claimed 0-100 kph sprint time of 4.9 seconds. With a listed all-electric range of 232 km (using the CLTC standard), the H10 PHEV’s total claimed range comes in at over 1 400 km.
Both 5- and 6-seater versions are available in China.
Despite the Haval H10 featuring a unibody configuration – rather than a more robust body-on-frame construction – GWM says 7 “all-terrain” driving modes are included, along with a dedicated crawl mode and an electronically controlled mechanical rear differential. The company lists a ground clearance of 220 mm, along with approach and departure angles of 24 and 30 degrees, respectively (the latter specifically for the 5-seater version).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the new Haval H10 coming to South Africa?
A: While GWM South Africa has not yet officially confirmed the Haval H10 for local release, Cars.co.za reports that the company applied to register the SUV’s exterior design in Mzansi in March 2026, with official patent approval granted in October 2026.
Q: What are the size specifications and seating layouts of the Haval H10?
A: Built on a 3 000 mm wheelbase, the unibody Haval H10 comes in 5-seater (5 138 mm long) and 6-seater 3-row (5 299 mm long) configurations, making even the 5-seater variant 60 mm longer than the ladder-frame Tank 500.
Q: What powertrain and performance specs does the Haval H10 feature?
A: In China, the H10 utilises GWM’s Hi4 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain—combining a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with dual electric motors and a 42.8 kWh LFP battery — delivering a combined 440 kW and 722 Nm, a 0–100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds and over 1 400 km of total claimed range.
Rio replacement? Kia SA boss hints at new hatchback
Kia South Africa’s CEO has hinted at the possibility of the introduction of a new hatchback that he describes as “very much like” the since-departed Rio…
Kia SA “could bring in” new hatchback
Rio hatch discontinued in SA in Q1 2024
New model might be sourced from China
The head of Kia South Africa has revealed to Cars.co.za there’s a possibility the brand’s local distributor will bring in a new hatchback – positioned above the diminutive Picanto – that he describes as being “very much like” the discontinued Rio.
As a reminder, the Rio was phased out in Mzansi back in early 2024, with this B-segment model’s successor not produced in right-hand-drive form. But fresh comments from Paul Turnbull, Chief Executive Officer of Kia South Africa, suggest a replacement of sorts may well be on the cards.
The B-segment Rio exited SA in 2024.
Considering the Pegas sedan is imported into South Africa from China, we asked Turnbull whether there was an opportunity for the Motus-distributed brand to source more models from the world’s 2nd-most populous nation.
“We’re getting very involved with Korea’s [Kia Corporation] head office – we actually had the vice-president in South Africa visiting,” Turnbull said during a wide-ranging interview in Cars.co.za’s custom-built podcast booth at Naamsa’s SA Auto Week 2026 event in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal earlier in October.
The Pegas is currently the only model Kia SA imports from China.
“So, we bring Pegas from China. Yes, it’s a big rental player and does well for us all the time. Out of China, they’ve got EV2, EV5 and EV6 that we possibly could look at. But the EV2 they haven’t specced [in] right-hand drive [yet] as it’s mostly left-hand drive at the moment.
“There’s a new hatch that they’re looking to offer to us, that we could bring in. So, like the Rio – not called the Rio – but very much like the Kia Rio was. So, we’re trying to get as much out of China and India – that’s where we seem to get the costings right or the FOB [Freight on Board] right. But we bring only the Pegas from China at the moment; that’s the only one currently,” he told us.
Overseas, the Rio nameplate has been replaced by the K3.
Since Turnbull didn’t name the hatchback, it’s entirely possible the “Rio-like” model in question has yet to be officially rolled out overseas. Still, it’s worth noting the BL7-series Kia K3 has effectively served as the Rio’s global replacement since late in 2023, with the 5-door hatch version measuring 4 295 mm from front to back (some 230 mm longer than the Rio).
However, that model is still seemingly produced exclusively in left-hand-drive form in Mexico and Uzbekistan, with the factory in the latter country building only the sedan version. Similarly, the K3 that is currently manufactured and sold in China comes in sedan form only.
The Mexico-built K3 hatch is some 230 mm longer than the Rio.
Meanwhile, the current-generation K4 – itself serving as a replacement for the C-segment Cerato that exited the local market back in 2018 – is already produced in right-hand-drive guise and is available in markets like Australia. However, that 5-door hatch is considerably larger and more upmarket than the Rio.
Interestingly, at its 2026 CEO Investor Day in April, the South Korean automaker announced plans to offer European markets a fully electric “B-segment hatchback”, a model that rumours suggest will wear the “EV1” badge.
Kia registered the “K3” trademark locally in 2023.
For the record, Kia registered the “EV1” and “K3” trademarks in South Africa in November 2022 and November 2023, respectively, while its application to protect the “K4” badge was accepted as recently as September 2026, with registration still pending. Meanwhile, the South Korean brand secured the Rio name way back in 2006, rights it still holds today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Kia introducing a replacement for the discontinued Rio hatchback in South Africa?
A: Kia South Africa CEO Paul Turnbull suggested to Cars.co.za that the brand could be evaluating a new B-segment hatchback that is “very much like” the discontinued Rio.
Q: Why was the Kia Rio discontinued in South Africa?
A: The Kia Rio was phased out of the South African market in early 2024 because its global replacement model was not manufactured in right-hand drive.
Q: Which Kia models are potential candidates for this new Rio-like hatchback?
A: Potential candidates include a right-hand-drive version of the new K3 hatchback or an unrevealed compact hatch designed for emerging markets, with Kia SA focusing on sourcing from China or India to maintain competitive pricing.
GT40s, Grand Prix heroes and la dolce vita: Goodwood turns back the clock
Three GT40s rekindled one of motorsport’s most disputed finishes, but Ford’s famous triumph was only the opening act. From Brabham and Maserati milestones to swarms of Vespas, hard-fought racing and spirited auction bidding, the Goodwood Revival brought six decades of motoring history vividly back to life.
One of the most famous – indeed infamous – finishes in the history of motorsport was re-enacted at this year’s Goodwood Revival when the trio of 1966 Le Mans-winning Ford GT40s were re-united on track.
Assembled as a tribute to mark 60 years since the spectacular 1-2-3-win that broke Ferrari’s six-year victory run at the famous Circuit de la Sarthe in what was regarded as the ultimate snub to Enzo Ferrari, the cars took part in a daily parade at the annual three-day celebration of motor racing over the third weekend in September.
The Le Mans-winning trio of Ford GT40s.
The 1966 win was controversial after Ford’s decision to choreograph the 1-2-3-finish saw race leader Ken Miles (who had slowed down at Ford’s insistence) and co-driver Denny Hulme relegated to second place as their GT40 had technically started ahead of race winners Chris Amon and Bruce McLaren (who they crossed the line with for a planned ‘tie’), so covering less distance (by 20 feet!) during the 24-hour fixture.
The GT40s’ appearance marked the first time all three cars were again together on a track since that fateful race that inspired the 2019 film Ford v Ferrari. Fittingly, the sports car racers were piloted by various Le Mans winners at Goodwood Motor Circuit in Chichester, including Derek Bell, Tom Kristensen and Emanuele Pirro.
Brabham and Maserati take a bow at the Goodwood Revival
Track display of 35 racing cars from Sir Jack Brabham’s career.
And the famous Ford triumph wasn’t the only 60th anniversary to be celebrated: Goodwood marked six decades of Aussie racer Sir Jack Brabham’s third F1 World Championship with a track display of 35 cars from his racing career. The win saw Brabham become the only driver ever to take the coveted title in a car bearing his name and the Brabham-Repco BT20 he drove late in the ’66 season was one of the cars to take part, along with a 1962 Brabham-Ford BT2 which was bought new and raced by South African hotshoe Bob Olthoff.
The anniversaries continued with a line-up of magnificent Maserati sports cars and single seaters to honour the centenary of the famous Trident badge’s entry into motorsport and its first major international win when Alfieri Maserati won his class in a Tipo 26 in the 1926 Targa Florio. Two later examples were part of the 30-strong Celebrazione Maserati daily parade that also included other Maserati icons, including a trio of Maserati 250Fs and several A6GCS sports racers.
Two wheels, seven riders and la dolce vita
Three-hundred Vespas marked 80 years since the launch of the famous scooter brand.
But that wasn’t the only Italian take on the weekend: Goodwood also opened the circuit each morning with a track parade of around 300 pre-1967 Vespas to mark 80 years since the launch of the famous scooter which went on to give millions of Italians enormous freedom in Italy’s post-war years after it was launched by Piaggio back in 1946. A highlight of the celebration were the Vespa Acrobats who thrilled the crowd with a performance involving seven riders on one scooter!
A display team perform during the Vespa track opening parade on day one of Goodwood Revival.
Adding to the atmosphere was La Dolce Vita, a celebration of Italian life that featured actors in the role of typical street scene characters, including fresh produce saleswomen, a mob boss and members of the polizia!
Yesterday’s icons meet tomorrow’s cars
Alpine Berlinette.
Of course, the static displays also involved cars old and new, with the ever popular Earls Court Motor Show. Visitors could see ‘cars of the future’ alongside models from the past. A standout for this year was the central display of Alpine vehicles which charted the French sports car maker’s history from a classic ex-works 1971 Berlinette rally car to the chic A290 Lacoste Rallye and A390 Array, finished by Trevor Jackson as an ‘art car’.
The Alpine A390 ‘art car’.
BMW also put on an impressive step-back-in-time display of original Neue Klasse saloons set against a backdrop of design sketches and ideas. It was fronted with the famous Bavarian carmaker’s latest i3 model, the second in its latest Neue Klasse product offering.
BMW 1500, part of the Neue Klasse display.
Not to be outdone was JLR. It fielded its impressive (think 460 kW and 750 Nm) 4.4-litre, twin-turbo Defender Dakar, a road-legal evolution of the mighty Dakar Rally-class winning D7X-R. It was parked up alongside one of two surviving Series 1 Land Rovers that took part in the Oxford & Cambridge trans-Africa expedition in 1954.
Cortinas, Cobras and an E-type showdown
But, as ever, Goodwood also had plenty of action out on the track with a 15-strong race schedule that honoured the circuit’s heyday from 1948 to ’66 during which it hosted multiple sports car, saloon as well as Grands Prix.
Jenson Button.
First up was part one of the St Mary’s Trophy on the Friday. This event delivered an epic battle between Frank Stippler in an Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA and F1 champion Jenson Button in a Ford-Lotus Cortina Mk1 on the opening lap. After Button was forced off the tarmac, Romain Dumas’ mighty Ford Galaxie took the lead and would go on to take the laurels as overall winner after the second part of the race on the Sunday.
Young racers compete in the Settrington Cup on day three of Goodwood Revival.
The saloon antics were followed by the The Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy featuring a grid of Jaguar E-types, Aston Martin DB4 GTs and Ferrari 250 SWBs, while the Lavant Cup was back on the schedule to relive the epic duels of 1950s Ferrari and Maserati sports car races.
But it was the Revival’s Blue Riband race – the popular Royal Automobile Club (RAC) TT Celebration – that provided the most thrills late on the Sunday when the ‘heavy metal’ took to the grid. And it turned out to be a Jaguar fest, with Button behind the wheel of his own E-type and facing off another fellow World Champion, Jacques Villeneuve, also piloting an E-type. The two-driver contest was ultimately won by André Lotterer and Lukas Halusa in a Low Drag E-type, the pair beating off pole sitters Tom Ingram and Jack Tetley in a Shelby Cobra, despite a three-second penalty for a false start.
Under the hammer: Big prices, little cars
Off the track, there was plenty of competition at the Bonhams auction that fielded some stellar results, including R7.7 million for a 1936 Aston Martin 2-Litre Speed Model Competition two-seater that entered the 1948 Spa 24 Hours and was once owned by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason in the late 1970s.
A general view of racing on day two of Goodwood Revival
Also commanding serious hammer action – but considerably more modern – was a 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM (the first chassis, built as a test car). It made R5.5 million despite having limited racing pedigree.
Also impressive – for a regular road car– was the R6.9 million paid for a 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS, while a rare 1976 Suzuki Fronte Coupé and even rarer 1965 Toyota Publica 700 DX Saloon made R177 100 and R106 200, respectively. The little air-cooled Japanese runabouts were part of a micro car collection and proof that, despite its period setting, the Goodwood Revival continues to be a broad church for petrolheads.
