Veteran motoring journalist Calvin Fisher travelled to Sweden for an ice-driving experience of the VW Golf 8.5 R and the Wolfsburg-based brand‘s other 4Motion-equipped models. Suffice it to say, he spent most of his time going sideways…
The headline: “Golf 8.5 R on ice” doesn’t only refer to the fact that the new, more powerful iteration of the all-wheel-driven performance Golf won’t be making it to Mzansi because of our poor fuel quality.
No, I’m literally parked on ice – welcome to the frozen lakes of Arvidsjaur, Sweden. I’m here, just 110 km south of the Arctic Circle in the heart of Lapland, where it’s cold. And I mean really cold (-14°C). But, we were about to warm ourselves up, thanks to the line-up of machines Volkswagen had prepared for us.
Our hosts had assembled various cars for us to flick and dance with in this chilly environment. Sure, there were the likes of the new Tiguan and larger Tayron (due in SA in August/September 2025), the Passat Variant wagon, as well as a prototype for an AWD Golf 8.5 1.4TSI. Then there was a pair of EVs in the shape of the ID4 GTX, ID7 Tourer GTX and, of course, the latest Golf R – in hatch and estate guises.
As mentioned before, it’s the facelifted (8.5) R with 245 kW and 420 Nm of torque. In the dry, it’ll do 0-100 kph in 4.6 sec, but here, not so much. It has a 7-speed dual clutch auto, but we’ll struggle to see 4th.
This isn’t strictly a car review; instead, it’s a celebration of the culmination of over 4 decades of all wheel drive – almost completely conducted via the side windows. We’ll be going sideways – ad infinitum – and by way of 4Motion, Volkswagen’s clever means of keeping all 4 wheels turning, so that you can make it quickly – and safely – around any kind of corner. And even if the corner is made of 80-cm thick ice.
Because here on Lake Arvidsjaursjön, it is. They say it’s safe to land a plane or drive a bus on this ice, but that doesn’t make hearing the cracking noises any less terrifying. Despite my fears, it is indeed a stalwart location among the motor manufacturers keen on cold weather testing; the VW Driving Experience layout features about 40 configurations (each 1 is essentially a racetrack), with the longest 1 measuring 10 km.
I’m on what the locals call the Red Loop. It’s about 5 km long and a festival of chicanes that tighten and loosen randomly to keep you on your toes. The 1st few laps are chaos, with me frantically winding and unwinding lock upon lock of steering in an attempt to keep this Golf 8.5 R dancing from apex to apex.
Eventually, the process becomes rhythmic, even therapeutic, as you get comfortable with zero traction. Push past the discomfort of that initial frantic and squirrelly nature and you’ll encounter a level of zen that only rally drivers (or the most exuberant farmers in their bakkies) will experience on a gravel road.
You start to appreciate the linear power delivery of the “EA888 LK3 evo4” motor and how you can, with subtle inputs from the steering wheel, accelerator and, to a lesser extent, the brake pedal, make the Golf 8.5 R rotate at will, all to the tune of a rollicking turbocharged 4-pot soundtrack, of course.
This changes somewhat when you hop into “more demure” electric family SUVs such as the ID4– and ID.7 Tourer GTX. Suddenly, it occurs to you that like an electric light switch, their “throttle responses” are binary (on or off), which results in an all-in/all-out behaviour. Whereas previously you had modularity, now you have wanton floodgates, 560 Nm deep, ready to lurch you into a 180-degree spin.
But it isn’t the case. VW has done an enviable job of building modularity into its ID models’ “throttles” via a software update, which enables the EVs to skate like their internal-combustion-engined counterparts.
Whereas the all-paw setup of VW’s ICE models (such as the Golf 8.5 R) can be described as “hang-on” AWD systems (with the powered front axle dragging the rear wheels behind it), the all-electric ID models’ AWD configuration can be described as an add-on system that makes the rears help push the car along.
But only the Golf 8.5 R enjoys torque vectoring along its rear axle (via 2 clutches), which acts much like a limited slip differential to optimise grip and deliver long, predictable slides and broad grins. Like mine.
Volkswagen has been honing its all-wheel drive (4Motion) systems for decades now. The Wolfsburg-based brand toyed with the technology covertly as early as the T2 Kombi, evolving in it their Syncro-endowed models before ultimately going mainstream with the likes of the Touareg, Amarok and Golf R.
And while driving on a frozen lake is hardly relatable to a South African motorist, it demonstrates the lengths VW go to ensure 4Motion is more than a safety feature; it’s also a form of driver engagement. And you can take my word on the latter, as I leave the lake sweating, smiling, and very much engaged.
The facelifted Audi A3 has arrived in South Africa, again offered in Sportback and Sedan guise (though as part of a dramatically rationalised range). Here’s what they cost…
The facelifted Audi A3 Sportback and A3 Sedan have touched down in South Africa, with the Ingolstadt-based firm’s local division rationalising the local line-up to just 4 derivatives (initially, at least).
Of course, as it announced late in 2024, Audi South Africa plans to expand its updated A3 portfolio with the launch of “sportier derivatives” at some point later in 2025. But, for now, just a quartet of 35 TFSI variants make up the refreshed 8Y-series range.
So, while the pre-facelift line-up comprised as many as 12 derivatives (including base and mid-tier versions of the 35 TFSI as well as the 40 TFSI powertrain), the refreshed range is made up of high-spec 35 TFSI “S line” and “Black Edition” variants, in 5-door hatchback and 4-door sedan forms.
With the A3 Sportback 35 TFSI S line priced from R808 200, the range’s entry point rises by a considerable R126 100. The A3 Sportback 35 TFSI Black Edition costs R834 500. Meanwhile, the A3 Sedan 35 TFSI S line comes in from R823 200, with the A3 Sedan 35 TFSI Black Edition topping the range – for the time being, at least – at R849 500.
To refresh your memory, the 35 TFSI derivatives retain the Volkswagen Group’s familiar turbocharged 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine and 8-speed automatic transmission (rather than switching to a 1.5-litre petrol engine featuring mild-hybrid technology and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, as initially thought), generating unchanged peak outputs of 110 kW and 250 Nm.
The S line package includes 18-inch alloy wheels (wrapped in 225/40 R18 tyres), LED lights (with dynamic indicators), a “convenience” key, lane-departure warning, parking assist (with parking aid plus), a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting package plus, a sports steering wheel, sports seats, the Audi virtual cockpit and a Sonos 3D premium sound system.
Meanwhile, the Black Edition grade adds darkened trim for the grille, Audi rings and side-mirror caps, along with black 18-inch alloy wheels and privacy glass. Of course, the A3 range’s mid-cycle refresh also encompasses revised exterior and interior designs as well as various new cabin materials.
In 2024, Audi SA registered 596 units of the A3 Sportback, along with 390 examples of the A3 Sedan. As a reminder, this generation of A3 arrived in Mzansi back in July 2021.
How much does the facelifted Audi A3 cost in SA?
Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI S line – R808 200
Audi A3 Sedan 35 TFSI S line – R823 200
Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI Black Edition – R834 500
Audi A3 Sedan 35 TFSI Black Edition – R849 500
The prices above include Audi’s 1-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
Tunland cracks top 10! SA’s best-selling bakkies in February 2025
The Foton Tunland G7 has cracked the list of South Africa’s 10 best-selling bakkies for February 2025. Here’s a closer look at the sales figures…
In February 2025, South Africa’s total new-vehicle market increased 7.3% year on year to 47 978 units. Yet again, the local passenger-vehicle segment drove this overall industry growth, while sales in the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) space dropped 11.3% year on year to 11 802 units.
So, what happened on the list of Mzansi’s best- and worst-selling bakkies in February 2025? Well, there was no stopping the Toyota Hilux, with local registrations of the Prospecton-built stalwart increasing 4.9% month on month to 2 683 units. Toyota SA Motors says 1 120 units represented double-cab sales.
In February, Isuzu’s D-Max cut the gap to the Ford Ranger to 244 units.
Meanwhile, sales of the Ford Ranger grew 16.7% (compared to January 2025’s effort) to 2 168 units. This performance saw the Silverton-made contender retain the runner-up position in February, some 515 units off the pace set by the Hilux.
However, the Isuzu D-Max enjoyed a month-on-month sales surge of 36.2%, ending February 2025 on 1 924 units and therefore closing the gap to the Ranger to just 244 units. As many as 452 units – or a considerable 23.5% – of the Struandale-produced bakkie’s tally represented sales to South Africa’s government.
Not only were the podium positions unchanged in February 2025 but the next 5 places were unmoved, too. The KwaZulu-Natal-assembled Mahindra Pik Up (763 units) retained 4th place, while the imported Toyota Land Cruiser 79 (534 units) remained in 5th, again breaching the 500-unit mark.
That meant the Rosslyn-built Nissan Navara (412 units) held steady in 6th place, finishing ahead of the Ford-built Volkswagen Amarok (290 units) in 7th position. The GWM P-Series (232 units) range – which now also includes new P300 derivatives, each powered by the latest 2.4 turbodiesel engine – again finished in 8th.
The GWM P-Series range now includes new P300 2.4TD derivatives.
But there was a new entrant in February 2025. Yes, the Foton Tunland G7 grabbed 9th place (effectively booting the new Mitsubishi Triton out of the top 10), with 201 units registered last month. This is the first month Foton has reported sales figures to Naamsa since returning to the segment back in June 2024.
The GWM Steed took the final place in the top 10, ending the month on 125 registrations. Though that’s a relatively modest figure, it interestingly represents a whopping 68.9% improvement compared to this Chinese nameplate’s January 2025 tally.
Best of the rest in February 2025: bakkies outside top 10
After 3 straight months of top-10 finishes, the Mitsubishi Triton fell off the charts in February.
So, which bakkies didn’t crack the top 10 in February 2025? Well, the JAC T-Series – the Chinese firm unfortunately reported only a combined figure for its T6, T8 and T9 line-ups, so we technically can’t rank these individual nameplates in the top 10 – managed 138 units.
Next came the Peugeot Landtrek on 94 units, followed by the aforementioned Mitsubishi Triton and Mahindra Bolero, each ending February 2025 on just 46 units (for the record, the Triton enjoyed 3 straight months of top-10 finishes before being relegated in February). Finally, 11 units of the discontinued Nissan NP200 were registered in SA last month, along with 3 examples of the Jeep Gladiator.
Suzuki holds strong in 2nd! SA’s new-car sales in February 2025
February 2025 represented the SA new-vehicle market’s 5th consecutive month of year-on-year growth. Here’s your market overview, including a look at Mzansi’s best-selling automakers…
In February 2025, South Africa’s new-vehicle market registered its 5th straight month of year-on-year growth, with sales increasing 7.3% to 47 978 units. That latter figure furthermore represents a 3.4% improvement over January 2025’s effort.
Meanwhile, export sales fell 8.6% year on year to 34 656 units, leading Naamsa to describe February 2025 as “a defining month for South Africa’s new-vehicle market, reflecting both resilience in domestic sales and headwinds in the export segment”.
According to the industry representative body, 84.1% of last month’s total reported domestic industry figure represented dealer sales, while an estimated 11.1% were sales to the new-vehicle rental industry, 2.2% to industry corporate fleets and 2.5% to government.
Once again, it was Mzansi’s new passenger-vehicle market that drove overall growth in the industry, with sales in this space increasing a significant 17.0% year on year to 33 757 units (for the record, the rental channel accounted for 14.6% of that total). Meanwhile, domestic sales of new light-commercial vehicles slipped 11.3% year on year to 11 802 units.
Meanwhile, Lebo Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank, said February’s sales “gave even more reassurance [than January’s performance] that positive growth may be possible for the automotive industry this year”.
“Despite February being a short month, it was not a particularly short sales month, providing wherewithal for consumers to act on renewed confidence and easing affordability,” he explained.
Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA), added that passenger-vehicle buyers in South Africa were seemingly undeterred by “prevailing economic concerns”. He further pointed to the latest decrease in interest rates as well as “speculation over a potential VAT increase” as factors that may have “encouraged some buyers to expedite their purchases”.
“Another reason for the surge in new-car buying could have been that February is the end of a tax year for many companies and those who still have money in their budgets tend to buy before the end of this period,” Cohen suggested.
New-vehicle sales summary for February 2025
Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 47 978 units increased by 7.3% (3 229 units) compared to February 2024.
New passenger-vehicle sales of 33 757 units increased by 17.0% (4 900 units) compared to February 2024.
New light-commercial vehicle sales of 11 802 units decreased by 11.3% (1 504 units) compared to February 2024.
Export sales of 34 656 units decreased by 8.6% (4 861 units) compared to February 2024.
10 best-selling automakers in SA in February 2025
Nissan returned to the top 10 in February 2025.
Though Toyota SA Motors’ total (which includes the Lexus and Hino brands) for February 2025 slid 3.4% year on year to 11 743 units, the Japanese firm remained well ahead of the pack. As a reminder, Toyota boasted a 24.9% share of the total market in 2024, with nearly 130 000 new vehicles sold around the country last year.
Meanwhile, after leapfrogging Volkswagen Group Africa in January, Suzuki Auto SA managed to retain 2nd place in February 2025, finishing on a healthy 6 044 units (down 5.5%, month on month). That meant VW Group Africa (including Audi sales) again had to settle for 3rd position, with local registrations falling 7.5% month on month to 5 249 units.
Hyundai Automotive SA (3 074 units), however, reported month-on-month sales growth of 8.8% in February 2025, keeping the South Korean firm in 4th spot ahead of the likewise steady Ford (2 900 units) in 5th place. Interestingly, the Blue Oval brand enjoyed a 17.6% increase in local registrations compared with January.
That said, Isuzu Motors SA’s month-on-month improvement was even more marked, with local registrations of this brand up 32.6% to 2 298 units. That saw Isuzu climb 2 rankings to 6th, forcing the Chinese duo of Chery (1 924 units) and GWM (1 713 units) down to 7th and 8th, respectively.
Indian automaker Mahindra (1 610 units) remained in 9th place, putting in what we believe was its best-ever tally in South Africa, eclipsing its 1 463-unit effort in the prior month. Finally, Nissan (1 497 units) returned to the top 10 for the first time since September 2024 to snaffle the last spot on the table.
Therefore, there was no space in the top 10 for Kia (1 491 units) or Renault (1 466 units), with these Motus-imported brands settling in 11th and 12th, respectively. Next came BMW Group SA (with a Naamsa-estimated 1 256 units) in 13th, followed by Omoda & Jaecoo (772 units) in 14th and Stellantis (501 units) in 15th.
1. Toyota – 11 743 units
2. Suzuki – 6 044 units
3. Volkswagen Group – 5 249 units
4. Hyundai – 3 074 units
5. Ford – 2 900 units
6. Isuzu – 2 298 units
7. Chery – 1 924 units
8. GWM – 1 713 units
9. Mahindra – 1 610 units
10. Nissan – 1 497 units
Sales outlook in South Africa rest of 2025
So, what’s next for South Africa’s new-vehicle market? Well, Naamsa believes “inflationary risks remain a concern”, with the Nersa’s (National Energy Regulator of South Africa) 12.74% electricity tariff hike set for April “posing potential cost pressures for manufacturers”.
Furthermore, the industry representative body says the “unexpected postponement of the 2025 Budget [Speech] introduced short-term fiscal uncertainty, though consumer resilience, monetary support and sustained business confidence helped maintain a positive trajectory for overall vehicle sales”.
WesBank’s Gaoaketse echoes Naamsa’s concerns around short-term uncertainty in the wake of the postponed Budget Speech (and indeed the seemingly fleeting return of load-shedding in February), saying it may “stunt the swell of positivity in the market”. However, he says 3 consecutive interest-rate drops have provided relief.
“While further expected cuts would continue to address affordability and stimulate market activity, other inflationary increases, including electricity tariffs and fuel prices, persist and have many economists questioning the expected pace of interest-rate cuts, warning there may be fewer cuts throughout the year than previously envisioned,” says Gaoaketse, who adds affordability “could still trip up” the market’s early 2025 growth momentum.
Meanwhile, NADA’s Cohen says several economic disrupters remain at play in the South African market, including “concerns about the future of trade with the United States and an ongoing lack of confidence in the business sector”.
However, he adds that the sales charts feature a “growing presence” of manufacturers competing in the entry- and lower segments of the market, suggesting this section of the market is gaining yet more traction. This shift, says Cohen, shows that affordability will likely continue to play a key role in driving local sales.
New GWM Tank 300 2.4TD variants will soon launch in South Africa, lowering the range’s entry point by R26 050. Here’s what the turbodiesel derivatives will cost…
Two new GWM Tank 300 2.4TD derivatives are scheduled to launch in South Africa in March 2025, finally bringing turbodiesel power to this ladder-frame SUV range. And Cars.co.za can confirm local pricing for these highly anticipated oil-burners.
The imminent arrival of these 2 new turbodiesel derivatives will expand the Chinese firm’s Tank 300 portfolio – which currently includes only turbopetrol and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrains – to 6 variants. And, rather interestingly, the base 2.4TD variant will see the line-up’s entry price lowered by R26 050.
The Tank 300 2.4TD will be available in Super Luxury and Ultra Luxury grades.
As with the turbopetrol and HEV powertrains, the new turbodiesel motor will be offered in the familiar Super Luxury and Ultra Luxury grades. According to our information (since confirmed by GWM SA at its recent dealer awards event), the Tank 300 2.4TD Super Luxury 4×4 will be priced at R699 900, while the Tank 300 2.4TD Ultra Luxury 4×4 will come in at R739 900 (scroll to the bottom of this article to view full range pricing).
In the Tank 300, the new 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine (codenamed GW4D24) – which debuted locally in the P500 bakkie in August 2024 and has since been rolled out to the P300 line-up, too – generates peak outputs of 135 kW (at 3 600 r/min) and 480 Nm (at 2 500 r/min). Drive is delivered to all 4 corners via a 9-speed automatic transmission as standard.
The new 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine under the Tank 300’s bonnet.
The listed fuel-economy figure for the Tank 300 2.4TD powertrain comes in at 7.7 L/100 km, which compares favourably with the turbopetrol and HEV claims of 9.5 L/100 km and 8.4 L/100 km, respectively. Interestingly, the new diesel derivatives roll on all-terrain tyres (265/65 R17 for the Super Luxury and 265/60 R18 for the Ultra Luxury) rather than the “highway terrain” rubber used by the other variants.
It’s our understanding that the new Tank 300 2.4TD derivatives will come fitted with a 78-litre fuel tank, rather than the slightly larger 80-litre item used by the turbopetrol and HEV variants. In addition, we believe the oil-burning derivatives will boast a braked towing capacity of 3 000 kg, some 500 kg higher than its siblings.
The cabin of the Tank 300 in Ultra Luxury guise.
Back in October 2024, Desmond Els, Sales Director at GWM South Africa, confirmed to Cars.co.za that a turbodiesel engine would be added to the Tank 300 portfolio in the opening quarter of 2025. Els told us that since local buyers are “very pro diesel, we know we need to get to market as quickly as possible”.
To refresh your memory, 2 variants in the current range employ the firm’s turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, which sends 162 kW and 380 Nm to all 4 wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. Meanwhile, the hybrid powertrain used in the other 2 derivatives is based on a similarly sized 4-pot but churns out total system outputs of 255 kW and 648 Nm. The dual-powered variants switch to a 9-speed automatic transmission.
A turbodiesel option will broaden the local appeal of the Tank 300.
In 2024, GWM registered 526 units of the Tank 300 in South Africa (and a further 41 units in January 2025), reaching a monthly high of 62 sales in August last year. The addition of turbodiesel derivatives to the local line-up will surely see that figure surpassed before the end of 2025.
How much will the GWM Tank 300 2.4TD cost in SA?
GWM Tank 300 2.4TD Super Luxury 4×4 – R699 900
GWM Tank 300 2.0T Super Luxury 4×4 – R725 950
GWM Tank 300 2.4TD Ultra Luxury 4×4 – R739 900
GWM Tank 300 2.0T Ultra Luxury 4×4 – R775 950
GWM Tank 300 2.0T HEV Super Luxury 4×4 – R851 950
GWM Tank 300 2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4×4 – R925 000
We expect the turbodiesel version of the GWM Tank 300 to ship with the same 7-year/200 000 km warranty and 7-year/75 000 km service plan as the other derivatives in the range.
The 13 category winners and the recipient of the prestigious Brand of the Year title of the 2024/25 Cars.co.za Awards, sponsored by Absa (#CarsAwards) were announced at Waterfall City Park at Mall of Africa on 27 February 2025.
Highlights of the 2024/25 #CarsAwards, sponsored by Absa
Three apiece: BMW and Toyota notched up the most category wins (3 apiece) in the 2024/25 #CarsAwards. BMW has the 2nd most category wins in #CarsAwards history (15), followed by Toyota (14) and Suzuki (11). Volkswagen (21) still leads the #CarsAwards category trophies tally, but its advantage is narrowing.
Brand of the Year hat trick: By winning the most prestigious #CarsAwards title for a 3rd consecutive time, Toyota has a total of 5 Brand of the Year wins, followed by Suzuki (2) and Volkswagen (1). Apart from wins for the Urban Cruiser and Hilux, the Corolla Cross defended its Compact Family Car win, this time with the 1.8 Hybrid XR.
Budget Car King: Suzuki won the Budget Car category for the 6th time out of 8 iterations of the #CarsAwards with the Swift 1.2 GLX. The previous-gen model (also a 1.2 GLX) won the Entry-level Hatch trophy for a 2nd consecutive time in 2023/24. A Swift variant has won a #CarsAwards category 5 times.
Five in a row: Volkswagen won the #CarsAwards Compact Hatch category for the 5th straight time with a 1.0-litre turbopetrol Polo variant (the 1.0 TSI 85kW R-Line).
Comeback brands:Mini trebled its #CarsAwards trophy tally by finishing on top in the Premium Crossover and Electric Car categories with its Countryman S ALL4 and SE ALL4 respectively, marking the first time the Oxford-based brand has won a #CarsAwards category since 2017/18.
After winning the Premium SUV title in 2020/21, the Land Rover Defender climbed back onto the winners list in the Adventure SUV category of 2024/25. The 110 D350 X-Dynamic HSE also achieved the highest combined score of all finalists (81.1%).
Widest winning margin – Kia, which claimed its 1st #CarsAwards category win with the Sportage 1.6CRDi EX (Family Car) last year, successfully defended its title with the 1.6CRDi GT Line Plus variant. It beat its nearest rival (Volkswagen Tiguan) by 4.7%.
Narrowest winning margin – Apart from winning the Performance Car and Executive SUV categories, the BMW pinched the Premium SUV title with the X5 xDrive30d M Sport, which edged out the Lexus RX by only two hundredths of a per cent (0.02%).
Closest 3-way battle – The Compact Hatch category had the smallest gap between the 1st and 3rd places (0.1%), while Ultimate Double Cab, won by the Ford Ranger Raptor, had the biggest gap between the first- and third-placed finalists (11.4%).
About the 2024/25 CarsAwards, sponsored by Absa
The winners of the 8th iteration of the Cars.co.za Awards, sponsored for a 2nd consecutive year by Absa and endorsed by naamsa | The Automotive Business Council (of South Africa) – were revealed at a glamorous Cirque du Soleil-themed event that was attended by hundreds of guests. Comedian Nik Rabinowitz and radio personality (and #CarsAwards guest judge) Khutso Theledi hosted the evening.
The Cars.co.za (widely known as the #CarsAwards) was established in 2015 to be South Africa’s definitive automotive awards programme – it plays a pivotal role in the company’s mission to help consumers make the best-informed purchasing decisions.
Amazi Mwela, Managing Director of Cars.co.za.
“The Cars.co.za Awards brings together insights of the top motoring experts in the country combined with feedback from real people who drive these vehicles every day to help our users make the best choices for their budget and lifestyle,” says Amasi Mwela, Managing Director of Cars.co.za.
“With 50% of the final scores determined by brands’ ratings in the survey, a vehicle only really stands a very good chance of winning if it is a good product in the eyes of the judges and if its brand delivers solid after-sales service.”
The 2024/25 CarsAwards’ multi-faceted judging process
The Cars.co.za Awards, sponsored by Absa utilises a unique scoring system that involves extensive testing by a panel of 19 judges, inputs from vehicle owners (based on their sales-, service- and product experiences of vehicles less than four years old and serviced through franchised outlets), provided by data specialists Lightstone.
To ensure adequate representation and coverage by brand, Lightstone undertook targeted interviews using computer-aided interviewing. This involved sourcing contact information for recently purchased vehicles and calling thousands of South African car owners to complete the survey telephonically; this approach ensured each respondent was a bona-fide owner of the target vehicle, says Lightstone. It interviewed almost 5 000 car owners.
Cars.co.za’s extended editorial team chose the 39 finalist vehicles (3 per category) out of a list of 65 semi-finalists. A notable difference between #CarsAwards and other programmes is that all new vehicles available on the market are eligible. This means that a good product launched a few years ago is not automatically excluded.
The combined judging panel (including 15 respected guest judges from various fields of expertise) compiled the finalist vehicles’ scores after they evaluated the cars back-to-back during an intensive two-day test at the Gerotek facility in November 2024.
However, the judges’ scores for the 39 finalists only counted 50% of the final standings. The other 50% was based on rankings that the respective vehicle brands represented by the finalists achieved in the Cars.co.za Ownership Satisfaction Survey.
How 2024/25 CarsAwards Brand of the Year title was decided
As opposed to the category winners, the recipient of the #CarsAwards Brand of the Year title is determined solely by market data and the findings of the Cars.co.za Ownership Satisfaction Survey – how owners rated the dealer sales-, after-sales service- and product experience of their vehicles’ brands – and the percentages of purchase-price value the brands’ finalists retained after 3 years of ownership.
Riaan Esterhuysen, Senior Manager: Product PR & Gazoo Racing for Toyota South Africa Motors.
Toyota, which won the first #CarsAwards Brand of the Year title in 2015/16 and again in 2018/19, is now on a run of 3 consecutive victories. This year, Prospecton-based Toyota South Africa Motors top-scored with 77.2% to back up its Brand of the Year title wins in the 2020/21 and 2023/24 programmes.
But whereas it was a significant 9.2% ahead of the runner-up in 2023/24 (2-time Brand of the Year winner Suzuki), Toyota/Lexus finished only 0.6% ahead of Mini (76.6%), which had moved up 4 places in the past year to take 2nd spot. Isuzu, which improved by 5 places in 2024/25, finished 3rd with 75.3%.
“The Brand of the Year trophy is the ultimate accolade in the local automotive industry and represents validation from the people who matter most: car owners,” says Hannes Oosthuizen, the manager of the Cars.co.za Awards’ scoring process.
“By providing consistently superior after-sales support through the most extensive dealer network in the country, Toyota has put South African consumers first and – based on the feedback by thousands of vehicle owners – they appreciate that.”
Cars.co.za Showroom at Mall of Africa
Since the 2023/24 CarsAwards, the programme has incorporated a consumer experience element and, during the 3 days after the Awards gala, the 13 category winners and the other 2024/25 CarsAwards finalists will be on display at the Mall of Africa, which also hosted the 1st Awards Roadshow in 2023.
From 28 Feb to 2 March, the Cars.co.za Showroom is bringing the 39 best new cars in SA to @themallofafrica! You can see them, test drive them, and even buy one on the spot! 💰 Win awesome prizes! 🎤 Live entertainment Sorted! 🎢 Family-friendly activities for the whole squad! 🔑 Test drive the best cars on the market 😎 Get expert advice from #CarsAwards judges 💰 Absa will be there to help you with vehiclw finance 🚗 Buy YOUR new car! — Cars Awards 2025 is here! 🥳 39 Cars across 13 categories have been judged and thoroughly tested by our 20 judges so you can make the best decision when buying your car. The winners will be announced at the Cars.co.za Awards Gala Event this February and you can be a part of the Cars Awards Experience at the Mall of Africa from 28 Feb – 2 March 2025. Stay tuned to our socials as we get ready to crown the best 13 new cars available in South Africa. #CarsAwards2025#CarsAwards#carsawardsabsa#carssouthafrica#cartoks#carnews#absa#newcar#letsfindwhatmovesyou#whatmovesyou#Carssouthafrica#mallofafrica#Midrand#gauteng#johannesburg#joburg#southafricantiktok#showroom#carscoza#NewCarWhoDis
At the Cars.co.za Showroom, sponsored by Absa (located at Waterfall City Park), the motoring public will be able to inspect and experience the finalist vehicles and get test rides in some of Mzansi’s best new cars. They’ll be able to engage with Cars.co.za advisers, dealers’ sales representatives, and #CarsAwards judges.
Absa finance specialists will also be at the Cars.co.za Showroom to advise prospective car buyers, who could buy their new cars, or at least initiate purchases, at the event.
The Cars Showroom from 28 Feb – 02 March promises fun for the enitre family, with live entertainment, competitions and giveaways, the Absa Car-aoke bar and more.
It’s official: Tata to return to SA’s new passenger-car market
Indian brand Tata is poised to return to South Africa’s new passenger-vehicle segment some 6 years after quietly quitting the local market. Here’s what we know so far…
We’ve been waiting for confirmation for a few months and now it’s finally come through: the Tata brand will return to South Africa’s passenger-vehicle space later in 2025, some 6 years after it quietly exited the market.
As a reminder, though the Indian brand officially left Mzansi’s passenger-car and light commercial-vehicle segments at some point in the 2nd half of 2019, larger commercial vehicles from Tata (that is, buses and trucks) have remained on the local market courtesy of Tata International South Africa.
The Tata Punch looks likely to be one of the models offered in SA.
However, Motus – which distributes the Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi and Renault brands in SA – confirmed in its interim results presentation for the 6 months ended 31 December 2024 that it has “entered into a distribution agreement with Tata to be the exclusive importer of passenger vehicles into SA and certain neighbouring countries”.
According to Engineering News Online, Motus – which, back when it was trading as the AMH Group, was likewise responsible for distributing the Tata passenger brand in SA – plans to reintroduce the Indian marque to the local passenger-vehicle market at some point in the 2nd half of 2025.
The Nexon is another small crossover that could be on the cards for Mzansi.
Though it’s not yet confirmed exactly which Tata products will be offered in South Africa, Motus suggested in its presentation that the Indian brand was “well positioned to play in the entry-level to small and medium SUV segments”. Furthermore, the company told Engineering News Online it was in the process of homologating 4 models for the local market.
Looking at the vehicles available in India, a few contenders potentially fit the bill. For instance, the Punch and Nexon are both small crossovers, while the Curvv, Harrier and Safari represent larger options in this popular high-riding segment.
Will we see the Tata Curvv coupé-style crossover head to our market, too?
In its domestic market, Tata also sells the Tiago and Altroz hatchbacks, along with the Tigor sedan and a range of fully electric variants based on certain of the vehicles mentioned above. All of these nameplates would likely be unfamiliar to the average South African new-car buyer, who might instead remember badges such as Indica, Indigo and Bolt.
The Tiago hatchback in Tata’s most affordable model in India.
Of course, Tata is by no means the first brand to leave the country only to return after a few short years. MG, for instance, made a comeback to the local market at the end of 2024, while other examples from recent years include Proton, Citroën and, of course, Chinese automaker Chery.
Haval H6 facelift for SA: extra oomph for 2.0T variants
The Haval H6 facelift will include extra oomph for 2.0T derivatives when they launch in South Africa towards the middle of 2025. Here’s what we know about the new engine…
In October 2024, a GWM South Africa executive confirmed to Cars.co.za that the Haval H6 facelift had been locked in for Mzansi for 2025. Now, we have additional information on this refreshed crossover’s powertrain line-up, including the fact the 2.0T derivatives will boast extra oomph.
GWM South Africa revealed this information at its recent dealer awards event at the Sandton Convention Centre in Gauteng, where it also confirmed the upcoming launch of the 342 kW H6 GT PHEV, which will serve as the brand’s very first plug-in hybrid in SA.
A closer look at the H6 facelift’s revised front end.
But back to the facelifted H6, which we believe will hit the market towards the middle of 2025. According to the Chinese automaker’s local division, the mid-cycle update will include a shift to the brand’s latest turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, which generates peak outputs of 170 kW and 380 Nm.
For the record, that’s 20 kW and 60 Nm more than the outgoing 2.0T derivatives (150 kW and 320 Nm). Furthermore, we expect the facelifted model – which, like the current version, will be available in both front-wheel-drive and 4WD form – to switch from the old 7-speed dual-clutch transmission to a 9-speed item.
Pre-facelift on the left and refreshed model on the right.
From what we understand, the hybrid version of the facelifted H6 will inherit the outgoing range’s 1.5T HEV powertrain, thus delivering an unchanged 179 kW and 530 Nm (though 2 derivatives will be available, rather than 1). Of course, that means the refreshed H6 will employ exactly the same powertrains as the recently launched H7, a model to which it’s closely related.
Revealed in China as recently as April 2024, the updated H6 features a refreshed exterior design, including styling revisions for the grille and taillamps, plus interior updates such as a new centre-console, a revised steering-wheel design and a larger central infotainment touchscreen running the brand’s latest operating system.
This is the Chinese-spec cabin.
GWM SA says key features of the facelifted model include a 14.6-inch touchscreen, voice command, heated-and-ventilated seats, auto parking, a “transparent chassis mode” (presumably for the 4WD derivatives) and “L2 semi-autonomous driving”.
While detailed pricing for the facelifted Haval H6 is not yet available, GWM SA’s presentation at the Sandton event did list a price range of “R500 000 to R749 000“. As a reminder, the outgoing 5-strong H6 portfolio (including the HEV but excluding the petrol-powered GT) has pricing bookends of R492 050 and R679 950.
The H6 will again be offered in FWD and 4WD form.
To refresh your memory, the H6 launched in South Africa as long ago as June 2021, with the HEV joining the line-up in September 2022. In 2024, GWM reported 4 218 registrations of the H6 in South Africa (down from 5 674 units in 2023), translating to a monthly average of around 350 units. An additional 321 units were sold locally in January 2025.
We spent a few months reviewing the Ford Ranger SuperCab Wildtrak 4×4. In this video, Jacob Moshokoa shares his thoughts on the Blue Oval’s flagship “cab and a half” and David Taylor provides further insights to the bakkie below.
We received our Frozen White unit with 10 000 km on the clock. Keen-eyed readers will notice that it is the same Ford Ranger SuperCab variant we reviewed in March 2024. Back then, its odometer read 7 500 km and, after clocking up a further 3 000 km as a media test and marketing vehicle, it eventually landed back in our fleet for an extended review. While in our custody, its mileage ticked over to 26 000 km.
The majority of test units we receive have mileages of between 500 and 5 000 km – they’re still pretty new, expertly prepared for evaluation and stay in our fleet for 2 weeks – at the most, so if we evaluate a vehicle over a long period, we are afforded a chance to have a more real-world “ownership” experience.
So, what did we use the Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo SuperCab Wildtrak 4×4 for? Well, all those lovely tracking shots you may have seen in the videos on the Cars.co.za YouTube channel were filmed from the back of this very Ford Ranger. It wasn’t just about having a cameraman secured in the load bin either, all the camera gear needed to be stored safely too, and this is where a SuperCab comes into its own.
Filming tracking shots of the new Ferrari Purosangue from the Ranger.
Finally, as our test period and 2024 drew to a close, our video presenter Jacob Moshokoa (who recently relocated to the Western Cape), drove the SuperCab Wildtrak 4×4 upcountry (Gauteng) to fetch the last of his earthly possessions. There’s nothing like 2 800 km behind the ‘wheel to get to grips with a vehicle!
What we like about the Ford Ranger SuperCab?
Handsome styling & oodles of kerb presence
Chasing the last of the winter snow (Photo by Mpho Tsolele).
A Wildtrak-spec Ford Ranger makes quite a style statement. Design is subjective, of course, but our testers were unanimous: the Blue Oval’s bakkie, with its macho American truck looks, looks great. Huge wheels further ramp up kerb appeal and, if you truly want to turn heads, spec the Cyber Orange finish.
Those C-shaped LED DRLs are so distinctive that we suspect many vehicles pulled left to make way for “our” truck because they were spellbound by those lights. The goodness carries on in the cabin, which features eye-catching orange stitching on the transmission lever, steering wheel and dashboard covers.
A reminder that you’re in a liberally specced Ranger.
Eager performance
And, the Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo SuperCab Wildtrak 4×4 delivers commendable performance to match its muscular good looks. Under the Silverton-made bakkie’s bonnet sits a Struandale-built 2.0-litre 4-cylinder bi-turbo diesel engine that produces 154 kW/500 Nm and is mated with a 10-speed auto ‘box and a low-range transfer case. Four-wheel drive on demand is complemented by various drive modes.
While we didn’t do a performance test for this extended review, when we conducted the initial review of the Ranger (in 2024), it bolted to 100 kph in 9.58 sec, which is on par for most bakkies at this price point.
Note the bright orange Wildtrak stitching on the transmission lever.
Besides, the highlight of the SuperCab Wildtrak 4×4’s (on-road) driving experience is its ability to deliver strong overtaking urge; you don’t even need to dial up the Sport mode to access it. In general, we were satisfied with the powertrain – our only criticism is that the transmission seems to have too many ratios.
Look, we get why they’re there (for optimal efficiency); the idea is that the Ranger will maintain a high ratio even at low speed to help minimise the bakkie’s fuel consumption and, therefore, CO2 emissions.
Some of the off-road drive modes that the Ranger SuperCab Wildtrak 4×4 offers.
Sadly, too many ratios can complicate things. In our experience, the (usually smooth-shifting) ‘box tends to become flustered when you accelerate hard (after cruising in 10th gear) to overtake slower traffic, such as a truck travelling at 70 kph. Although the twin-turbo setup is designed to dial out turbo lag, the diesel engine’s peak torque is only available in a narrow band (from 1 750 to 2 000 rpm). To access that, the Ranger needs to shuffle through at least 3 or 4 gears, which is not the smoothest of processes.
To be fair, many automatic transmissions with multiple ratios suffer from this to an extent. Also, we don’t anticipate that many customers will encounter this unless they deliberately apply full throttle quite often.
Our fuel economy remained constant at 9.8 L/100 km.
Versatility and Capability
This Ranger is truly versatile, on- and off-road. With a ground clearance of 237 mm, off-road tyres, and 4×4 on demand, it’ll transition from highway cruiser to off-road specialist with a flick of your left wrist.
Turn left for the farm roads, turn right for sweeping tarmac.
The best thing about the SuperCab is that it offers much more space to store your belongings securely than a single cab (even at the cost of some load-bin space) and, compared with a double-cab (which has large rear windows), what you stash behind the front seats is better obscured from prying eyes.
The SuperCab features “suicide rear doors” with tinted privacy glass, which open to plenty of space for camera bags, lighting gear, tripods and let’s not forget about the Budget Insurance cooler boxes (that we use for boot-capacity tests and storing the video crew’s lunches) – they fitted into that nook with ease.
The opposite-opening rear doors obscure your possessions.
You have the option of using one of the storage bins (shown below, the other one houses the spare-wheel jack and associated tools), or you can simply place your cargo and possessions atop the bins.
Dislikes?
Software glitches
A modern motor vehicle’s electronic management system processes lines of code that are probably longer than its internal wiring loom and, despite over-the-air updates, glitches do occur now and again. There have been many occasions when we’ve tested a new model and seen a suspicious warning light or -message appear on its dashboard, only for it to disappear a few hours later (when the car restarts).
An electronic bug on the front sensor
In our Ranger SuperCab test unit, a “Front Camera malfunction” message popped up sporadically. The vehicle operated without any interruptions or issues, and eventually the message did disappear. We suspected that the front sensor was blocked by a bug splat or dirt, or that it was overheating (the error message often occurred in gridlock traffic). We wiped the sensor clean and thought the airflow at higher speeds would help with the temperature management, but the message came and went randomly.
Trim issues
To reiterate, when we conduct assessments of vehicles, they usually have very low kilometre readings and are practically “new”. With some real-world mileage under the belt, our Ford Ranger was used extensively and thoroughly, and we started to notice some wear and tear that affected functionality.
The rotary drive mode selector has started to stick and doesn’t move as freely.
Cosmetic wear on common touchpoints due to repeated use, such as scuff marks on door handles (for example) is quite understandable, but it’s concerning when vehicle functions are affected by marginal build quality. The test unit’s rotary drive-mode selector began sticking (it didn’t turn smoothly), which created the impression that it was fragile. It surprised us, because we didn’t use the dial all that often.
The same can be said of the auxiliary switches behind the Ranger’s sunglasses holder. We did not have accessories connected to them, but by the time the test unit returned to Ford, the switches had become jammed, which suggests a durability issue! The good news is that this generation of Ranger, which was launched in December 2022, is due for a facelift soon(ish). Hopefully, Ford will beef up those elements.
Worryingly, these auxiliary switches are now stuck in position…
Purchasing considerations
Why is the Ranger so popular? Because there’s a variant to suit every requirement! The sales figures tell a fascinating story: with 25 552 units leaving showrooms (the highest volume for this vehicle type since 2018) and a 24.3% market share, the Ranger was South Africa’s best-selling new double-cab in 2024.
However, the main reason for opting for an extended-cab bakkie goes beyond practicality, styling and price; unlike with a double cab, if you buy “a cab and a half” to serve a VAT-registered small business, for example, that company can claim back the value-added tax in the bakkie’s purchase price AND deduct at least a part (if not all) of the vehicle’s depreciation against income tax over a period (such as 3 years).
Is there a better-looking bakkie on sale in SA right now? We doubt it.
Whereas its double-cab sibling is also available with a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, the Ford Ranger SuperCab Wildtrak is only available with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder bi-turbodiesel engine. There are 7 paint finishes and a variety of optional extras available, some of which are well worth a look (February 2025 prices quoted).
The online configurator showcases goodies such as 20-inch aluminium wheels (R8 500), Pro Trailer Backup Assist (R2 700), Spare tyre lock (R1 300), and Cargo management system (R3 300). There’s a raft of accessories to choose from; a manual roller shutter (R30 748) was fitted to our unit, for example.
Price and After-sales support
The flagship Wildtrak 4×4 costs substantially more than lesser SuperCab variants.
The Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo SuperCab Wildtrak 4×4 retails for R841 500 (February 2025), which includes a 4-year/120 000 km warranty, 4-year/unlimited km roadside assistance and 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. The recommended service interval is 15 000 km or annually, whichever occurs first.
Customers can purchase service or maintenance plans up to 8 years or 165 000 km. The warranty can be extended up to 7 years or 200 000 km, while roadside assistance can be extended up to 2 years.
Verdict
Make no mistake, this has been one of our favourite long-term vehicles.
Yes, the Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo SuperCab Wildtrak 4×4 was a video crew support vehicle (which is to say “a humble workhorse”), but everyone who drove the bakkie was enamoured with its capabilities and oh-so-desirable image. It’s SuperCool! And, its practicality and well thought-out cabin were the real highlights; there is no new bakkie on sale today that has a cabin presence/ambience to rival that of the Ranger.
Android Auto integrates neatly into the vertical infotainment screen.
Climb inside, stab the start button and cue up your favourite music via Apple CarPlay/Android Auto; for when you are behind the ‘wheel of a Ranger, you feel ready to take on anything on SA’s embattled road network. Bakkies are integral to South African motoring life and so much more than utilitarian sources of transport – they embody the spirit of exploration and “forging your own way”. That’s why we love them.
SA’s most affordable plug-in hybrid? Haval H6 GT PHEV confirmed!
The Haval H6 GT PHEV is coming to SA and looks set to launch as the market’s most affordable plug-in hybrid. Here’s what we know about this 342 kW PHEV so far…
Yes, the rumours doing the rounds on social media were true: the 342 kW Haval H6 GT PHEV is indeed coming to South Africa and it looks poised to launch as the market’s most affordable plug-in hybrid.
GWM South Africa confirmed the H6 GT PHEV during its recent dealer awards event at the Sandton Convention Centre in Gauteng. Though it’s not clear exactly when this new derivative will hit the market, we suspect it will arrive around the same time as the facelifted H6 range towards the middle of 2025.
With an expected price tag of approximately R800 000, the Haval H6 GT PHEV will likely take the title of Mzansi’s most affordable plug-in hybrid. That role is currently occupied by the 225 kW Toyota RAV4 2.5 PHEV, which is priced at R980 000 (though we shared this figure as long ago as June 2024, Toyota SA Motors has not actively marketed the vehicle).
Launching as GWM South Africa’s very first PHEV, the all-paw newcomer will slot in above the purely petrol-powered 155 kW H6 GT 2.0T 4WD Super Luxury (R662 250), with which it shares its general styling (including that coupé-style sloping roofline). However, the PHEV derivative will boast considerably more oomph.
Combining a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine (110 kW/230 Nm) with as many as 3 electric motors (2 fore and 1 aft), the H6 GT PHEV’s total system outputs stand as high as 342 kW and 762 Nm. That’s enough, says GWM, for a 0-100 kph sprint in just 4.9 seconds.
The 35.4 kWh battery pack facilitates a claimed electric-only range of 180 km, pushing the swoopily styled crossover’s total claimed range to more than 1 000 km. The H6 GT PHEV’s maximum AC charging speed is believed to be 6.6 kW, while switching to DC fast charging raises that figure to 48 kW.
In South Africa, the Haval H6 GT PHEV is expected to ship standard with features such as a panoramic sunroof, heated-and-ventilated seats, an electrically operated tailgate, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and what GWM SA calls “L2 semi-autonomous driving”.
