If you are looking for a vehicle that can do more than just take you from point A to B, but also be able to transverse a dirt road, cross deserts or simply manoeuvre around South Africa’s worst potholes,here is a top 5 list of the most popular bakkies in South Africa.
1. Toyota Hilux
The Toyota Hilux bakkie has been a South African favourite ever since it was introduced back in 1969 and has undergone quite a few facelifts over the years as well as topping the monthly industry new vehicle sales countless times.
The Toyota Hilux is available in three body styles including the Single Cab, Xtra Cab and Double Cab. A wide variety of engine options are available and prices range from R186 700 to R475 900, depending on the model.
The Toyota Hilux also offers a myriad of styling cues developed to enhance the vehicles modern design, emphasise its tough underpinnings and keep the vehicle truly appealing.
2. Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger is offered in three body styles namely Double, Super and Regular and is available with the choice of two Duratorq TDCi engines and either as a 4X2 or a 4X4.
In 2012, the bakkie picked up the 2013 International Pick-Up Award, where it was praised for its engine line-up, payload capacity, towing capacity, safety and performance both on and off the road. Last year the model also gained two new single cab derivatives powered by Fords 3.2-litre diesel, which you can get from R315 200.
3. Isuzu KB
Down at number three is the tough-as-nails Isuzu KB. Both the single and double cab bakkies remain a popular choice for local buyers, as the vehicle sold 1 260 units in December 2013.
With a towing capacity of more than 3000 kg and engine performance of 380Nm, the latest Isuzu KB model is said to handle anything a South African driver can throw at it including traversing a dirt road to the most remote customers factory depot, climbing the Sani Pass into Lesotho or launching a boat into the Vaal River. Read a review of the Isuzu KB here.
Prices for the bakkie range from R229 300 for a single cab to R309 100 for a double cab.
4. Nissan NP200
The Nissan NP200 is an affordable and reliable bakkie that is available in three trim levels namely Base, Mid and High. It offers good basic spec, strong build quality and a spacious 800L load bay, coupled with a revised/improved warranty of six years/150 000km as opposed to the original three year/100 000km. The 1.6-litre base version is priced at R123 800 while the 1.6-litre High model retails for R175 800. Read our review of the Nissan NP200 here.
5. Chevrolet Utility
Much further down the pecking order is Chevrolets prize fighter, the Utility, which sold relatively well throughout 2013. Not only is it one of the top sellers in the LCV segment, but its also Chevrolets best-selling vehicle in South Africa.
The Chevrolet Utility is available in three well-equipped models offering both petrol and diesel options. Prices range from R119 900 for the Utility Base model to R142 700 for the Utility Club and R166 500 for the higher spec Utility Sport model. Read our review of the Chevrolet Utility here.
Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Review
Subaru’s Legacy is regarded as the black sheep of the family and is often overshadowed by its other products like the Forester and WRX. When offered to drive this relatively little known model, David Taylor jumped at the chance.
The Subaru Legacy is the Japanese brand’s attempt at taking on the executive sedan market while retaining those Subaru traits of powerful turbo motor, symmetrical all-wheel drive and great practicality. All those factors sound like a great recipe on paper and the Legacy delivers in most aspects.
Legacy looks and engine
Starting with the looks, my test unit was an evil black which gave it some road presence. It’s not a small car and you feel quite regal from behind the wheel. Some big alloy wheels and twin exhausts give subtle clues about the performance. It’s still a Subaru underneath that businessman’s suit.
There’s an engine sourced from the WRX sports sedan, which should give you some indication of the performance. For the record, the 2.5-litre turbocharged flat-four motor pushes out 195 kW and 350 Nm, so there is some grunt underfoot. Power is driven to all four wheels through a five-speed automatic gearbox.
Driving modes
It all sounds very good, but when it came to the driving I was a little disappointed. Perhaps I was expecting a Subaru WRX in a suit, but in reality the Legacy is more a cruiser than an out-and-out performer. Gear changes are uneventful and at low speeds there’s a slight CVT drone.
However this is rectified by putting the vehicle in #Sport and using the steering wheel-mounted paddles. The car is transformed into a much more hands-on vehicle and it’s a shame the majority of Subaru Legacy owners will never actually try this out for themselves.
There are three driving modes and you can switch between them using the buttons on the steering wheel. There’s Intelligent, Sport and #Sport. Intelligent powers down the engine slightly and is best used if you’re focusing on the fuel economy. Sport tightens things and makes the engine a little more responsive. Finally the #Sport unleashes all the power from the Subaru Legacy engine. You can clearly see the difference between the three thanks to little torque graph readouts on the dashboard.
Ride and refinement
It’s not a bad ride either. With a focus on refinement and comfort, the Legacy loses some of the fabled Subaru precision. Make no mistake though, the Legacy still offers high levels of grip – a comforting feature during a particularly heavy Johannesburg afternoon thunderstorm. While most cars had slowed to a crawl due to the volume of water on the roads, you can be thankful the Legacy will not lose traction. Look, the laws of physics still apply so don’t drive at high speed into a puddle of water.
With #Sport engaged and driving with the paddles, the Legacy GT feels quite brisk but I feel a manual gearbox would unleash even more performance. Given the fact that the car isn’t geared at being a performance-orientated machine, it’s impressive when you demand power from it. I also noted the Legacy was particularly fond of unleaded petrol, with the fuel economy reading almost 12l/100km.
Interior practicality
One brilliant selling point of the Subaru Legacy is its interior practicality. The rear legroom is simply brilliant and Subaru itself says the Legacy has the longest wheelbase in its class. This means the cabin is suitable for four tall adults and while the interior is impressive, the boot is even more so. You could easily fit two golf bags in there and still have room for a few tog bags. The interior does show some hint of performance with some splashes of carbon fiber.
Loaded with specification
It’s clear Subaru has gone for the minimalist approach inside the cabin of the Legacy. Don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s not well equipped because if there’s something Subaru does right, its vehicle specification. The Legacy is marketed as a luxury vehicle and has the majority of the luxury features one would expect when paying close on R500 000.
Leather seats with electronic adjustment and memory function, keyless entry and start, automatic dual zone climate control, cruise control, auto wipers, auto xenon headlamps, USB/Mp3 connectivity, reverse camera, Bluetooth, powerful sound system and a whole host of safety features are fitted as standard to the Subaru Legacy.
Subaru Legacy conclusion
The Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT will never be a best seller in South Africa. At this end of the market, your money will most likely head to a German brand. That said, you can’t help but feel the Legacy does the basics right and that’s about it. It lacks the prestige which its rivals offer in abundance and when you’re behind the wheel, it doesn’t feel like a R500 000 motor vehicle.
If you’re a Subaru fan, then rather get a Subaru Outback which offers higher ground clearance, better economy thanks to an award-winning diesel engine, and more practicality for R10 000 less.
Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT price in South Africa
The Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT retails for R479 000. Price includes a 3 year / 100 000 km warranty. Also includes 3 year / 75 000 km service plan.
Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT specifications
Engine
2.5 litre turbocharged flat four
Power
195 kW @ 5 600rpm
Torque
350 Nm @ 3 600rpm
Transmission
5-speed automatic
Wheels
18-inch
0-100km/h (Claimed)
6.1 seconds (claimed)
Fuel economy
11.5l/100km (claimed on the combined cycle)
We like:
· Still a Subaru. Still grips and handles well.
. Great rear legroom and boot size
. Deceptively quick
We dont like:
· Thirsty
. Executive sedans aren’t Subaru’s specialty
. This segment is run by the Germans
Earlier this month, Fiat announced it would be acquiring the remaining shares of Chrysler owned by the VEBA, and now the brand has said the deal has been completed, making the U.S. unit a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Italian carmaker.
Acquisition of Chrysler
According to one report, on 20 January 2009, Fiat S.p.A. and Chrysler LLC announced their intention to form a global alliance.
Under the terms of the agreement, Fiat would take a 20% stake in Chrysler and gain access to its North American distribution network in exchange for providing Chrysler with technology and platforms to build smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles in the US and providing reciprocal access to Fiat’s global distribution network
Now coming nearly five years after an alliance was struck, the acquisition gives Fiat the remaining 41.46% of Chrysler they previously didn’t own. Making Chrysler a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fiat.
Neither company has given an official statement about the merger, however Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has previously mentioned that in the life of every major organization and its people, there are defining moments that go down in the history books.
“The unified ownership structure will now allow us to fully execute our vision of creating a global automaker that is truly unique in terms of mix of experience, perspective and know-how, a solid and open organization that will ensure all employees a challenging and rewarding environment.
Fiat and Chrysler together make the world’s seventh biggest auto group and the name of the merged company and the choice of location for its headquarters are due to be announced at a board meeting later this month.
Essentially the purchasing of Chrysler by Fiat opens the American market to the Italians. It’s no secret the Fiat group (Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lancia) want to make inroads into the United States. They have a flagship product in the Alfa Romeo 4C (pictured here) and will be a great test to see if the Americans are keen on stylish Italian motor vehicles.
IIHS Small Car Crash Results Shocker
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced the car crash results of its 2014 sub-compact segment. These small vehicles have been rated as the worst performing group of any evaluated so far.
Chevrolet Spark comes out top for 2014
Only the Chevrolet Spark achieved an acceptable rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) small overlap front crash test out of 11 tested small cars.
The small overlap test replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or utility pipe. In the test, 25% of a vehicles front end on the drivers side strikes a rigid barrier at 64 km/h.
According to the report, the test is more difficult that the head on-on crashes conducted by the government or the longstanding IIHS moderate lap test because most of the vehicles front-end crush zone is bypassed. Which makes it hard for the vehicle to manage crash energy, and as a result causing the occupant compartment to collapse.
Small, lightweight vehicles have an inherent safety disadvantage. Thats why its even more important to choose one with the best occupant protection, IIHS senior vice president for vehicle research Joe Nolan said in a statement.
Unfortunately, as a group, mini-cars arent performing as well as other vehicle categories in the small overlap crash.
Even with the Top Safety Pick designation, the Spark still only managed to score an acceptable rating. It lost points in the small overlap crash test, an area that proved to be even more shattering for the rest of the segment.
2014 IIHS Small Car Crash Results
*click image to view in full
Honda Fit/Jazz, Fiat 500 perform poorly
The two worst performers are the Honda Jazz/Fit and the Fiat 500, said the IIHS in a statement. In both cases, intruding structure seriously compromised the drivers space, and the steering column was pushed back toward the driver.
The dummys head barely touched the Fits airbag before sliding off and hitting the instrument panel. The Fiat 500?s door tore off, increasingly the likelihood of passenger ejection.
Every sub-compact model tested returned a marginal or poor rating in the structure category, which is the most fundamental element of occupant crash protection. If the structure is compromised during a crash, airbags can be knocked out of position.
All the vehicles except the Spark and the Mazda 2 also earned low ratings for restraints and kinematics. Seven of the 11 were downgraded for allowing too much occupant forward motion during the crash. In those cases, the seatbelt either failed to react soon enough or the dummys head missed or slid off the airbag. Side curtain airbag protection in eight of the tested vehicles proved to be insufficient during the small overlap test.
None of the cars were given the Top Safety Pick Plus rating because the IIHS now requires frontal crash prevention systems for its highest safety award – an increasingly common safety feature that can prevent or mitigate some kinds of frontal crashes.
IIHS was founded in 1959 by three major insurance associations representing 80 percent of the U.S. auto insurance market. It’s an independent and non-profit organisation which focuses on road safety.
What does this mean for you as a consumer? Check carefully when it comes to safety features and specification. Cars can be replaced, human beings not so much.
IIHS Minicar crash test video
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Review
The perennially popular Toyota Prado is back and brand spanking new for 2014. It has been my first experience of the model, and having driven its rivals, and cars from within its stable, I was excited to fetch a small stepladder and climb aboard.
It looks good. Big, bold, intimidating, with strong shoulders. My test unit was liquid bronze shiny brown to you and me and with that giant grill up front, it looked like a boulder with teeth. An angry boulder. With shiny teeth.
2014 Toyota Prado interior and features
The interior is dominated by a massive central stack of aircon vents, a touch screen, aircon control and then a giant knob. And I mean giant. Its like a microwave timer built for The Hulk. More on this later.
The leather is plush, even the doors on this model are leather lined (standard in the VX). But there are little plastic buttons everywhere, for all sorts of things, borrowed from various models in the Lexus and Toyota range.
That said, it is exceptionally well kitted. Electric seats, heated and cooled, electric steering wheel, SatNav, an impressive sound system, touch screen interface, and a centre screen between the two dials with all the trip and consumption figures youd wish to know. I dont know if the execution is as finessed as rivals like the Land Rover Discovery 4, but it is certainly matched for equipment.
Rear-seat party piece
All the seats fold completely flat in the Prado to offer a massive load space, but youd be forgiven for thinking there isnt a third row of seats. However, at the touch of a button, two independent seats rise electrically out of the boot, folding cleverly into position to offer decent seating for children and Danny De Vito.
Toyota has been clever about this too, the buttons to control the seats are positioned in the boot, as well as on the interior of the rear wheel arch so that you can control them from either behind or either side of the car. If I was an 8 year old, I would never get tired of this feature. In fact, Im 28 and I still grinned like a kid every time I showed someone how they work.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado drive and handling
Turn the key and the hearty quadcam 4.0-litre V6 gently growls to life. Fitted to an automatic 5-speed box, 202 kW and 381 Nm are available, and the Prado can certainly get its hurry on. It drives in Eco mode by default, requiring barely a flex of your big toe to cruise around town. This is very nice. It has a claimed fuel consumption of 11.5 litres/100km. My test unit was averaging 15.5 litres/100km, however that was almost exclusively urban driving. There’s also a 3.0 litre 4-pot turbo diesel, with 120kW and 400 Nm and improved fuel economy available.
But if youre late for a flight or a cattle sale, then putting your foot down results in acceleration that is slightly disconcerting in a car this size.
Offroad capability of the 2014 Toyota Prado
Toyota is very proud of its offroad heritage and the Prado has been fitted with just about every modern assistance system you could care to think of. The transmission is matched to a full-time four-wheel drive system with a lockable Torsen centre differential and two-speed transfer case.
VX versions additionally feature a rear differential lock and CRAWL control – Toyota’s low-speed off-road cruise-control system. Whats particularly impressive here is all the 4×4 controls are either simple dials or switches no iron-age levers here. However, there is a good old-fashioned manual handbrake.
Offroad systems on the new Prado
Similar to its key rival, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado also features adjustable-height air-suspension, as well as KDSS, Toyotas Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System. This debuted in 2009 but is now fully electronic, helping keep the car stable during cornering by ensuring smoother weight transfer.
And you can feel it. There are two settings, Comfort and Sport. In Comfort, the car feels very much like sitting on one of those gym balls. I found it hilarious, but it is very, very good at dealing with road imperfections. It gives the ride an incredibly refined feel. At a flick of a switch, the system will run in Sport mode, which I preferred. It sharpens up the handling significantly, making the car feel more agile and nimble, and less like a jumping castle I once organised for a friends 21st birthday.
That giant Hulk Knob I mentioned earlier is standard on VX models. It controls the Multi-Terrain Select which is an automated terrain response system, now with an added fifth mode to help negotiate a combination rocks and dirt, which has been added to the previous rock, loose rock, mud and sand, and moguls (middelmannetjie) modes.
The system works by regulating engine output and breaking input, and regulates wheel spin by utilising Multi-Terrain ABS, to help scramble over just about everything planet Earth can throw at you.
Cruiser Conclusion
Toyota has brought the Prado right up to date with this generation, and I cant think of a feature it doesnt have. While the interior is not was well executed as the Land Rover Discovery, its key rival in almost every aspect, this is a lot of car for your money. I have a feeling the new looks, particular up front are more Pilates Studio chic rather than Gravel Road couture, which might alienate fans of the model. But the Prado remains a handsome Japanese alternative that looks good getting dirty or sparkling in a wine estates parking lot.
I hesitate to compare the Prado to anything else as most of the German SUVs are decidedly more road-biased than this and the Disco. While the Disco edges the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado slightly for on-road manners, I think Id be more willing to take the Prado to the middle of nowhere.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado pricing in South Africa
The range starts at R642 000 for the base diesel. The model reviewed here was the top of the range petrol V6 VX spec, which retails at R738 200.
2014 Toyota Prado 4.0 V6 VX specifications
Engine
4.0 litre naturally aspirated petrol V6
Power
202 kW @ 5600rpm
Torque
381 Nm @ 4400rpm
Transmission
5-speed automatic
0-100km/h (Claimed)
9.2 seconds (claimed)
Fuel economy
11.5l/100km (claimed on the combined cycle)
As tested
15.5l/100km (majority urban driving)
Co2 emissions
266g/km
Fuel capacity
87 litres (main), 63 litres (reserve)
Approach angle
32 degrees
Departure angle
24 degrees
Towing capacity
2500kg (braked) 750kg (unbraked)
We like:
. Extensive features list
. Easy to operate 4×4 tech and mechanicals
. Extensive offroad assistance systems
. Clever 7-seat seating arrangement
We dislike
. Plasticky feel to some of the switchgear
. Engine note at high revs
. Blingy chrome front grille
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado photo gallery
New Datsun Concept Car To Be Unveiled In Delhi
Datsun has announced plans to introduce a new concept car at the Delhi Auto Expo.
New Datsun Concept Car marks another milestone
The company has released a teaser image and very few details but said the concept was “created to appeal to the new generation of young and optimistic people.”
The sketch reveals the futuristic design of the car. The front gets the same honey-comb grille which is found in the company’s global models, while the side profile and rear styling take on a more modern look.
Datsun went on to say the concept is “distinctive and stylish” and will be a “step forward in terms of product allure in the segment.”
Datsun will also showcase the GO and GO+ as well as two accessorized versions of the GO. The brand confirmed the GO will be the first of many models launched in South Africa which can be expected sometime this year.
The return of the Datsun brand follows a decision made in 2010 to re-introduce the brand as part of the companys ambitious Nissan Power 88 mid-term plan to achieve 8% of the global market share and operating profit by 2016.
The Delhi Auto Expo kicks off on February 5th, more details on the Datsun Concept Car will be released then. Cars South Africa will be attending the Delhi Auto Expo and will be bringing you exclusive coverage from the show.
Honda Civic i-DTEC Review
In the face of constant and loud messaging about going green and hybrids, Honda’s Civic i-DTEC quietly steps up to the plate and delivers. David Taylor spent a week with one and didn’t run out of fuel.
Honda engines are renowned for bulletproof strength and being rather eager in the way they zip around the rev counter. Many will recall the days when Civic Vtecs ruled the streets and with their screaming B-series, were more than a match for most sports cars. They were known for being able to redline at around the 9 000rpm mark and were infamous for a distinct lack of torque.
This Honda Civic i-DTEC is completely opposite to all of that. It has loads of torque and all of it can be found at the bottom of the rev range. It’s a turbocharged engine and it runs on diesel. It’s also become one of my favourite engines. What is the world coming to?
Honda Civic i-DTEC engine and outputs
Powering the Honda Civic i-DTEC is a 1.6-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder. Power output is rated at 88 kW, while torque comes in at 300 Nm. Power is driven to the front wheels through one of those typically excellent and slick Honda gearboxes. The result is no racer, but rather a modest performer. Its strength lies in the overtaking department, where all 300 Nm can be called upon to hurl the car from 80km/h to 120km/h without any real effort. As far as diesel engines go, this one suffers from very little turbo lag and is quite responsive. If you feel there’s no power, there’s nothing stopping you from dropping down a gear…
Supreme fuel economy
The magic really happens when you drive this car ultra sensibly. Leave it in Eco mode, change gear at the right points and you’re rewarded with superb fuel efficiency. How does 5l/100km grab you? What if I told you I wasn’t really trying? To be honest, if I’d really tried and wasn’t in a rush for meetings during my test period, I would think 4.5l/100km is easily achievable.
As far as looks go, I think the Honda Civic hatchback is one of the more interesting vehicles in its class. I look at similar hatches in comparison, and I feel for owners who take delivery and have to point out which is their new car in a sea of visual mediocrity. Given the test car’s vibrant red paint and aggressive alloy wheels, you’d be fooled into thinking this was a Honda Civic Type R. It’s an exciting design, but it does have its drawbacks which I’ll point out to you.
Cleverly designed cabin
Inside the Civic’s cabin, you’re greeted with a myriad of oddly-placed buttons and to be honest, it’s initially a confusing and unconventional layout. The quirky rear design may look unique, but it does restrict rearward visibility slightly. The cabin and boot feel rather spacious and only after some digging did I realise why. Firstly, there’s no full-size spare wheel and the resultant space-saver wheel takes very little space, and secondly the fuel tank is nowhere near the boot. It can be found under the front seats, which is a clever touch.
Fully kitted in terms of features
The Honda Civic i-DTEC comes in Executive trim, meaning you get a wad of standard features fitted at no-cost. It’s a well-equipped car and for your money, you’re getting a quality radio with subwoofer, iPod connectivity, USB port, leather trim, heated seats, dual auto air conditioner, multi-function steering wheel, cruise control and a reverse camera. You get a feeling that the cabin and the car as a whole has been well assembled, and won’t fall apart or rattle in a few years.
Honda handling and ride
Despite my motoring hack peers crying out at the Honda’s apparently primitive torsion beam suspension, I found the Civic’s ride and handling to be borderline sporty. Perhaps this was a combination of suspension along with low-profile rubber fitted to the alloy wheels, but I found the car to be hands on and enjoyable to drive. Be it cruising or late-for-a-meeting tearing through traffic, the Civic never really feels out of place. For a commuting and sensible car, you’ll be hard-pressed to beat the Honda Civic.
Honda Civic conclusion
We reach the part of the article where I decide whether a car is worthy of your hard-earned Rands. I think the Honda Civic, particularly in i-DTEC guise is worth investigating if you’re in the market. The fact that it’s quicker to 100km/h and more fuel efficient than some green flag-waving hybrids pleases me immensely.
It’s comfortable, attractive and offers an abundance of standard specification. While the engine itself may not be the most refined and you’ll hear that distinct diesel chug-chug noise, you can’t help but ignore it when you see the trip computer readout. There’s no pretentiousness and no attempts at being an eco champion here. This Honda is simply the result of clever technology and engineering working effortlessly together.
Honda Civic i-DTEC price in South Africa
The Honda Civic i-DTEC retails for R324 500. Price includes a 3 year warranty or 100 000 km. Also includes 5 year / 90 000 km service plan, with 15 000 km service intervals.
We like:
· Quirky looks
. Terrific fuel economy
. Great specification
. Spacious cabin
Rumours are that Mercedes-Benz plans to resurrect the Maybach nameplate for a range-topping S-Class long-wheelbase model.
Maybach History
The Maybach brand was founded in 1909 by Wilhelm Maybach. Due to poor sales and heavy impact of the 2008 financial crisis, Daimler announced in November 2011 that Maybach will cease to be a brand by 2013 and manufactured the last Maybach vehicle in December 2012.
However despite all of that, the brand has become a staple of popular culture, with its name being synonymous with American rapper Rick Ross whos made Maybach Music Group the name of his record label. And almost all of his albums have a song named after the car.
Not much is known about the upcoming model but it will apparently feature unique styling elements along with ultra-luxury equipment to set it apart from the standard high-end S-Class model. Its expected to debut later this year for the 2014 model year. We wouldn’t be surprised to see a new model shown off at Geneva Motor Show in March.
Its also said that Mercedes-Maybach may be turned into a sub-brand for ultra-luxurious Mercedes models, just as Mercedes AMG is a sub-brand for the automakers high-performance models. The potential Maybach return is not surprising when you consider how well Rolls Royce and Bentley high-end luxury models have been selling.
Lexus ES Review
Do you enjoy being comfortable? Are you a fan of peace and quiet? I have a car for you. Its called the Lexus ES and it might just be the most refreshing car Ive driven in a long time. I never thought Id describe something as ‘refreshingly comfortable’, but here it is.
On first impressions, the exterior is unassuming at best, plain at worst, but its understated looks are part of its charm. However its looks were never meant to be the party piece; its the interior and quite incredible levels of standard features that really shine here.
Lexus ES interior features
Climbing aboard, it becomes immediately clear what the makers of this car have prioritised. The front seats are quite possibly the most cosseting pieces of furniture Ive ever encountered in a vehicle. The hand stitched leather is plush, the cushioning almost over the top. Its built for the American market, sure, but maybe the Americans are right about some things.
The front seats are almost dangerous; after 5 minutes I wanted to take a nap. In fact, many of my passengers did.
The dash is a bit overdesigned for my liking, with bold horizontal surfaces and rather large buttons for just about everything. But it is well kitted. A large screen dominates the fascia which is controlled with a device mounted next to the gear selector that is similar to a computer mouse, but much cleverer. The mouse has actuators which make it physically jump beneath your fingers, while highlighting the available options on the screen. Its a little spooky at first, but once youre used to it, operating the infotainment is a breeze.
The rest of the interior reminded me very much of our formal lounge that we werent allowed into as kids. Very plush carpets, very soft leather and an odd pot plant in the corner. Except without the potplant.
Lexus ES: Drive and handling
The thing is, these days it seems every car maker is obsessed with being sporty. Sedans are often marketed on their ability to tear up the Autobahn or attack twisty mountain passes. And dont get me wrong, I like cars with a bit of an edge. But I like being relaxed almost as much and its difficult to find a car that is as obsessed with comfort as it is with going around corners.
Its a large car this, it feels like it might be straddling two segments, somewhere between an E Class Merc and the bigger S Class. Interior space is generous, but the front seating area is cleverly designed to feel cosy so you dont feel lost. And because its front wheel drive, a rarity in this segment, the rear seating is not intruded upon by the drivetrain, meaning extra hip and leg room. The rear seating can be described as vast; if you have small children you might want to fit them with a tracker or something similar.
The cars drivetrain is a big clue to how this model has been conceptualised. A big front-wheel drive saloon was never going to win any dynamic awards, but I get the feeling Lexus dont mind at all. This is a car designed to soak up mile after mile, wafting over long distances like some sort of mobile spa.
A soothing commuter
This car wont appeal to everybody, but if you face a long commute every day, or a frustrating bumper to bumper grind to work, the big ES is a soothing alternative to many of the established players. To be frank, driving in cities is not fun. Commuting is not fun. Its a chore. And you might as well be comfy while doing chores. Driving the ES is like wearing fluffy slippers while mowing the lawn.
Engines and power specs for the Lexus ES
There are only two derivatives available, the ES250 and ES300h. The 250 runs a 2.5 litre, 135kw petrol motor, offering 235Nm. On the face of it, those arent incredible figures for what is quite a big car, but in practice the car is not sluggish. Overtaking manoeuvres can be pulled off confidently as the 6-speed autobox confidently kicks down a few gears to make the best of the available shove.
Lexus ES Safety and standard specs
Typically of Lexus, safety levels are high and there are loads of options as standard. Featuring 10 airbags, blind spot monitoring, a full infotainment system with SATNAV, electric heated seats, automatic rear blind and a decidedly luxurious interior, you certainly feel like youll be getting your moneys worth. In fact, it makes many other manufacturers look very Scroogish indeed with their options lists.
That said, the drivetrain is rather dated and dynamically at least, the Lexus ES does lag behind rivals that might even pre-date it. But again, this is a car designed in a bid to attract buyers who are more interested in inner peace than forced induction.
Lexus ES Summary
Keenly priced against a host of rivals, the ES is positioned in price terms against smaller cars in the segment below. If you are in the market for a car like a Mercedes C-Class, you could spend similar money here and park a much larger, much more luxurious and highly specced car on your driveway.
Prices start at R435 900 for the ES250 and the hybrid comes in at R515 000. While I havent sampled the hybrid, it runs a similar system (albeit with a bigger petrol motor) seen in the Lexus CT200h, which I found smooth and seemless. Fuel consumption for the hybrid is claimed at 5.5 litres/100km impressive for a car this size.
Lexus ES250 price in South Africa
The Lexus ES250 retails for R435 900. Price includes a 4 year warranty or 100 000km. Also includes 4 year service plan
We like:
· Soothing ride quality
. Vast interior space
. Incredible list of standard features
We dont like:
· Not for enthusiastic drivers
. Plain Jane looks
. Limited choice of engines
The BMW M235i embodies the driving dynamics signaled by its modified, aerodynamically optimised body design achieved with hallmark M precision.
Engine with M Performance TwinPower Turbo
The M235i has a 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo inline-six that delivers 240 kW of power and 450 Nm of torque. It enables the car to run from 0-100 in five seconds (4.8 seconds with the optional eight-speed automatic) and hit a limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The engine is mated to a standard six-speed manual gearbox and an optional eight-speed Sports automatic complete with Launch Control.
The Coupe records average fuel consumption of 8.1-litres/100 km and CO2 emissions of 1 gram per kilometre.
If the eight-speed Sports automatic gearbox is specified, these figures improve to 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres and 176 g/km respectively.
Sports car design features
The interior benefits from sports seats for the driver and front passenger, an M leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons, a BMW Individual roof liner in Anthracite, and Aluminium Hexagon trim with accent strips in matt Estoril Blue or high-gloss black.
Theres also leather trim for the gearshift lever / selector lever and handbrake lever gaiter, an M driver’s footrest, a special instrument cluster with digital model designation together with red dials and numbers for the speedometer and rev counter, as well as variable use of colour for the interior lighting and blue detailing for the car key.
The door sill strips with aluminium inserts bear “M235i” lettering and a specially “tuned” interior design.
Coming to the exterior, the performance car is fitted with large air intakes, with flaps adapted from racing car design, 18-inch light-alloy wheels, BMW Individual High-gloss Shadow Line trim, exterior mirror caps in Ferric Grey, striking contoured side skirts and a rear apron finished in Dark Shadow metallic paintwork.
Customers can also opt for the 19-inch BMW M Performance forged light-alloy wheels available from the original BMW accessories range.
The all-new 2014 BMW M235i is also expected to arrive in South Africa around February-March. Can’t afford the 2014 BMW M235i? You can equip your standard BMW 2-Series with an M performance power kit.
