Buying a car compared to Leasing a car

Whether to buy or lease your next car will very much depend on your needs and circumstances.

What is car leasing?

Leasing is effectively a long-term rental agreement with an institution offering the facility – usually a bank or car manufacturer offering in-house finance.

How leasing works

With leasing, you never obtain ownership of the car you drive – you “rent” it for an extended period of time. At the end of the period you hand the car back and walk away or, by signing a new agreement, get into a new car again. The leasing company still has an asset, albeit a used model, which still holds significant value. You have effectively financed its depreciation and interest costs for a period of time.

How a lease agreement is structured

A periodic lease agreement is signed with the service provider upfront, allowing you to calculate your monthly expenses. This service normally assumes comprehensive insurance and a full maintenance plan (and some wear and tear items like tyres, broken windshields etc). Conditions do apply, so make sure you understand upfront which costs the lease company is liable for. Some lease agreements put a limit on annual mileage.

When leasing works well

Depending on your lease agreement, the monthly payments on a car lease may be significantly less than those you would have incurred had you financed a loan on the same vehicle, especially true when interest rates are high. This is advantageous if you only plan on owning the vehicle for a short time. Effectively, it may cost less to lease a new car over a short period of time, than it would cost to buy the same car and trade it in.
Leasing is often a good option for people looking to consistently drive newer cars.

Downsides of leasing

A drawback to leasing is the audit process when returning a leased car. The lease agent will finely scrutinise the car to evaluate the damages done to the car. You’ll have to pay extra fees for anything not considered normal wear and tear and also if you have exceeded your allotted mileage, had it been part of your agreement.

When buying works well

From a long-term investment point of view, buying a car may be preferable, since you obtain ownership of a car at the end of the finance period. When a car is fully paid, you have an asset to use and enjoy indefinitely, sell for cash or trade in on a new car in lieu of a deposit. When interest rates are low, buying becomes a better option as the monthly costs are very similar to those of a leasing agreement. The only real differentiating factor is that at the end of your agreement period, buying leaves you with an asset and leasing does not.
Buying is a good option for people who plan to drive the same car for a lengthy period or when looking to buy a used car.

Downsides of buying

A downside of buying is that, unless your car comes with a service plan (often standard on many new cars today), you are liable for full maintenance costs together with insurance, fuels, and wear and tear items like tyres and licensing (most of which, except for fuel, are usually covered by a lease agreement).Another drawback is that you will be driving the same car for a long time, which invariably means it will be outdated at some point.

How to Test Drive a Car

If you are looking to buy a new car or a used car it’s important to test drive the car before considering buying it. Test driving a car gives you the opportunity to evaluate the drivability and comfort of the car, but more importantly it will help you decide if you should buy the car. This article offers advice on how to test drive a car.

Preparing for a Test Drive

Before arranging a test drive, take note of the following:

Research – Find out as much as you possibly can about the cars you are interested in test driving. This will give you a good idea of what to expect when you test drive the cars and will also help you decide if the cars live up to your expectations. Make a shortlist of cars you want to test drive.

Make Notes – List all the things you would like in your next car and take the list with you so that you can compare it with the car you are test driving. Examples include: Air conditioning, ABS brakes, power steering, navigation system, CD player etc. Also list all the things you dislike in a car.

Plan Multiple Test Drives – Try test drive as many different models as you possibly can on the same day. This will allow you to notice the differences between the models and help you decide what car is best for you.

*Tip: Aim to test drive a car for at least 30 minutes and take the car on various roads in suburbs and on highways. Always test drive a car in the day so that you can notice any defects.

Test Drive Inspection

Before you test drive the car, inspect the car. Here are some things to look for,

  • Look at the car and decide if you like the style of the car
  • Walk around the car and check that the seams between the body panels and doors are even and without irregularities
  • Check that the paint work is smooth and vibrant
  • Open all the doors and check that all the door handles and windows work properly
  • Open the boot and inspect the space available for luggage and anything else you might want to put in the car. Check that the spare wheel, wheel spanner and car jack are all in tact.
  • Sit in the driver’s seat and check seat adjustment, pedals and basic controls such as lights, indicators etc. Decide if you like how the controls are placed.
  • Decide if the seats are comfortable enough for you. Do the seats have multiple adjustments? Do you have enough headroom and legroom?
  • Check if you can adjust the steering wheel
  • Check the visibility from the driver’s seat. You should be able to see clearly in all directions. Check all the mirrors and blind spots.
  • Check that all instruments in the cabin are easy to reach and use and that they are all functioning properly
  • Check that the storage space in the cabin is sufficient for items such as CD wallets, keys etc
  • Sit in all the other seats and check for comfort, headroom and legroom. Check if there is sufficient storage available for backseat passengers. Check that all the safety belts work properly.
  • Open the bonnet and check if the battery, oil dipstick and fluid filler caps are easily accessible.

*Tip: Inspect the car as thoroughly as you possibly can.

The Test Drive

When test driving a car, it’s important to pay attention to detail while you drive. Here are some things to look out for,

  • Check how easy the car starts. Are there any strange sounds?
  • Listen to the engine. Is the engine running smoothly?
  • While driving, take note of the ride comfort. How smooth is the ride?
  • Check the gear transmission and make sure that all the gears change smoothly. How easy is it to change gears?
  • Check if the car’s acceleration is sufficient
  • Check that the car’s brakes are functioning properly and that there’s no noise while braking
  • Check the steering. How well does the steering wheel respond to movement? Are there any noises while turning the steering wheel?
  • Check the handling. How does the car perform around corners?
  • Check how quiet the car is. Can you hear the tyres on the road? Can you hear wind noise or any other noises, like rattling or squeaking?

*Tip: Take a friend or family member with you on the test drive. They can share their thoughts with you and point out factors that you may be overlooking.

When the test drive is over, take the time to reflect on all the things you liked about the car as well as all the things you disliked. Compare all the cars you have test driven and decide what car suits your needs best. If you are still unsure, you might want to arrange another test drive.

Summary

Test driving a car is a vital part of the car buying process. It’s important that you research the cars you are interested in and be thorough when you test drive a car. Don’t buy a car that doesn’t meet your standards or your needs.

Trading-in your car

When purchasing a car from a dealership, the buyer will often have the option to trade-in their current car. The dealership effectively offers the buyer a certain amount for the trade-in car against the cost of the car that is being purchased.

How trading in compares to selling your car privately

The advantages of trading-in

When trading in your car to a dealership the process of moving your car on is quicker and easier, as both the buying and selling transactions are concluded with the same car dealership. The time and stress associated with private sales is negated.

The disadvantage to trading in

Trade-in offers from dealerships are often considerably lower than the price which could be obtained through selling the vehicle privately.

How your trade-in vehicle will be assessed

The condition of the vehicle

An appraiser at your selected dealership will value your car based on its general physical condition, looking for signs of wear and tear or neglect, and how well-kept or clean the car is. Here, first impressions are vitally important that’s why investing in a proper valet beforehand to make it as clean and presentable as possible is always a good idea.

The make and model of the car

The appraiser will consider the popularity of your car’s make and model in the current market, the mileage based on the age of the car as well as body colour, standard features and optionally fitted extras. The dealer would be less likely to take on a model that will prove difficult to sell. Popular models will fetch higher average prices than undesirable models from obscure manufacturers with an unproven track record.

Service history and maintenance

A well-maintained car with a proven full service record (by the authorised agents) will count for a lot when determining the price for the trade-in. This is a vital marketing point for the dealer when they advertise the car to sell it on.

The pricing of the trade-in

Why you are offered less than market value’

The price you are offered will generally be quite a bit less than the actual value of the car as the dealer has to cover its overheads and make a profit when moving it on. Before doing so, the dealership will invest in a good clean-up, repair of any marks and scratches on the body, glass and wheels, attend to any mechanical issues, and probably service it in addition to adding new cosmetic items such as a fresh set of tyres. The dealership will want to make the car a presentable as possible to prospective buyers.

Trade vs. retail price

The price you are offered on your trade-in is known as the trade price; the price it is eventually sold for by the dealer is the retail price. Both of these are determined, within certain margins and as dictated by the criteria mentioned above condition, mileage, and popularity. These values are taken from the so-called Blue Book of car values as published locally by Mead & McGrouther. This guide is not generally available to the public, but used extensively by the used car industry and dealers. The retail price is the one you could have gotten had you sold privately.

Don’t be shy to shop around

Before you even go to the dealership, check on the internet for the going price of models similar to yours and be prepared to negotiate upwards the dealer will offer as little as it can reasonably get away with. Don’t hesitate to get more than one opinion shop around at other dealers.

What if I still owe money on the trade-in?

If you sell your car to the dealer outright, the dealer will settle any outstanding amounts first and pay you the balance, should there be any left. If you trade in your car on another, more expensive model at the same dealership, the dealership will treat the trade value of your car as part-payment on the new purchase. The same procedure will apply outstanding monies to third parties are settled first, the remained will be regarded as a deposit and you will be liable for the balance of the new purchase, either through finance or cash.

What is an HPI check?

One of the first things the dealer will do is to perform an HPI check to determine if there are any outstanding liens or monies owed on your car a lease or hire purchase agreement, or private loans registered at a bank. This will be done as a matter of course, regardless if you state that the car is paid for and there are no liens against it.

Summary

While you will generally get more money by selling your car privately than trading it in at a dealership, the peace of mind and simplicity of trading it in often out-weighs the hassle of trying to sell it privately.

Refinancing your car loan

What is car re-financing

Loans are not always negotiated on the best terms. Car re-financing enables you to pay off your current car loan with a new renegotiated loan. Your current car loan and title are transferred to a new lender and you will make your monthly car loan payments to this new lender.

Advantages of car refinancing

Refinancing your car loan can have some or all of the following benefits:

  • You may be able to get a lower interest rate on your car finance
  • You may be able to lower your monthly loan installments
  • You may be able to pay off the balance of your car loan quicker
  • You may be able to receive a slight break (up to 2 months) from paying your installments
  • If your current loan value is greater than your car’s actual value (called an upside-down loan), car refinancing can correct this

Ultimately, car refinancing can save you a lot of money, both in the short and long term. If you have high monthly installments, a high interest rate or an upside-down loan, car finance may be ideal for you.

Disadvantages of car refinancing

Car refinancing has a few minor drawbacks, but these are negligible in most cases where the financial benefits are right

  • If your current loan has been negotiated on good terms, car-refinancing may not be beneficial to you
  • There may be negative effects on your credit score in applying for finance again
  • There may be additional finance fees

Do I qualify for refinancing?

Before applying for car re-finance, make sure that you and your vehicle meet the following general requirements for South Africans. Failing to meet these requirements could result in you not being eligible for vehicle re-finance (please note that different re-finance institutions will have varying requirements):

  • The car has not been rebuilt or stolen/recovered.
  • The value of the car is R45 000 or more.
  • You have a valid South African driver’s licence.
  • You have a clear credit record.
  • You earn more than R6500 a month
  • You are a South African citizen.
  • The car is not older than 2001

Example of how car re-financing can benefit you

If you obtained car finance to purchase a car 36 months ago for R260,000 with the following statistics:

Finance contract balance: R 260,000
Interest Rate: Prime + 3%
Monthly installment (at start): R 5,999
Current monthly installment: R 6,699
Current settlement: R 96,000

By refinancing this loan on the settlement amount of R 96,000 the new installment figure could be as low as R2,650, resulting in a monthly saving of R4,049.

Summary

There are many scenarios where getting vehicle re-finance could benefit the applicant significantly. If you currently have a car loan, it is worthwhile to get an obligation free refinancing quote to see how you too can save money.
Click here to obtain a car finance or car refinance quote through our trusted finance parter.

Designated driver services in South Africa

Being the holiday season there is a lot to celebrate. Businesses are having end-of-year parties, students are celebrating the end of exams and almost everyone will be celebrating the New Year. There is a good chance that there will be some form of alcohol at these events and unfortunately there often seems to be a shortage of designated drivers.

While people don’t necessarily plan to drink and drive, it does happen and many road deaths are a result of drunk drivers. Car insurance companies may not cover drivers involved in accidents if they were drunk. If you are going to be drinking at a party or event this holiday season, we urge you to not drive. If you don’t have a friend or family member to act as your designated driver, then we recommend making use of one of the many companies offering a designated driver or taxi collection service. Below is a quick guide to driving services in South Africa, please bear in mind that the service offering may differ from company to company, so please read the fine print on their website and ensure that you understand how each company operates.

How do South African collection / drunk driving services work?

There has been a boom in collection services in South Africa over the past few years, many of whom have reinvented the traditional taxi model to suit South Africa’s unique demands. While the model may differ slightly from company to company, they generally operate as follows:

  • Most companies will require you to be registered with them before you can make use of the service (don’t wait until you need that drive home, plan ahead!).
  • Once you are registered you will be provided with a number to call should you require their service.
  • You can also pre-book a driver if you know you will be drinking at a particular event and need a lift home.

 

How do I get home if I have been drinking?

  • Some companies offer a door-to-door service, where you will be picked up from your home, driven to the party or event and then collected and driven home.
  • Other services may include a chauffeur, who will drive you home in your own car. These chauffeurs are either dropped off at your location, or arrive on a small bike which is loaded into the boot of your vehicle. Once you are safely home, the chauffeur will either get picked up or leave on their bike.

 

How does the pick-up service compare to a standard taxi or cab?

  • The main difference between a designated driver service and a cab is that your car is transported home with you.
  • With a traditional cab or taxi, you would need to make additional arrangements to have your car picked up from the venue that you were picked up from.
  • If you are a member of a designated driver service and have pre-booked your pick-up, you can rest assured that your lift will be there, where as a taxi or cab service will not always be as reliable.
  • Lastly, when using a designated-driver service, you get to ride home in the comfort and familiarity of your own car. Taxi’s and cabs are not always as clean and desirable as you might want.

 

How much does it cost to use a designated driving service?

  • Depending on the company, you may be charged a monthly rate for the service, or charged based on distance traveled etc.
  • Monthly membership rates can range from around R90 to R700 a month depending on the company and package chosen.
  • There are often additional rates depending on the travel distance (from around R8 to R12 per km driven).
  • Beware that there might be additional expenses if the driver is kept waiting etc.

 

Are these designated driving services available in my area?

  • Make sure you choose a company that operates in your area
  • Once you have chosen a company that operates in your area, check their coverage map and the maximum distance they are willing to drive, to ensure you can use the service

 

Free Take me Home Services

Certain banks in South Africa are now offering free take me home services depending on what type of account you have with them. Absa offers six Take Me Home services per annum for Gold Value Bundle or Spouse Value Bundle Account holders and eight Take Me Home services per annum for Platinum Value Bundle or Spouse Value Bundle Account holders. FNB also offers a similar service where Petro Cardholders have access to six free trips per annum. Standard Bank is offering all personal current account customers access to a concierge service to drive them home safely. Their Take Me Home service is available within a 30 km radius of city centres in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, George, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit, and Polokwane.

Who is offering this designated-driver service?

Here are a number of companies to choose from, as mentioned before though, be sure to check the fine-print and the terms and conditions of the contract/registration that you are entering. Please note that these companies are listed simply as a guide, Cars.co.za does not endorse any of them.

Uber (They have an App for iPhone, Android and Windows Phone)
Good Fellas
Outsurance Buddy-at-out
1 For the Road
Scooter Angels

The safest cars for 2013

When it comes to vehicle safety, every year the IIHS rates vehicles based on their performance in a moderate overlap frontal crash, small overlap frontal crash, side impact and rollover, plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. The cars are then rated with Good, Acceptable, Marginal or Poor in each of the crash tests, and in order for any car to be named as one of the Top Safety Picks, it must earn a Good rating in all four tests.

IIHS introduced the small overlap test in 2012 to further improve occupant protection in frontal crashes. Luxury/near luxury midsize cars were the first group of vehicles evaluated, followed by midsize moderately priced cars.

The first IIHS Top Safety Pick award was given to 2006 models and has tightened criteria twice since then. Good rear test results and availability of electronic stability control became a requirement starting with 2007 models, and a good roof strength rating became a deciding factor for the 2010 model year. Stability control is no longer a distinguishing criterion since the feature is standard under federal rules for 2012 and later models.

The IIHS named these vehicles as their Top Safety Picks for 2013

Small cars
Chevrolet Cruze Fiat 500 Ford Fiesta Ford Focus Honda Civic Honda CR-Z
Hyundai Elantra Kia Soul Lexus CT 200h Mazda 3 Mini Cooper Countryman Nissan Juke
Subaru BRZ Subaru Impreza Toyota Yaris Toyota Corolla Toyota Prius/c Volkswagen Golf
Midsize cars
Audi A4 BMW 3-Series Kia Optima Mercedes-Benz C-class Subaru Legacy Toyota Camry
Toyota Prius v Volkswagen Jetta Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagon Volkswagen Passat Volvo C30
Large cars
Audi A6 BMW 5-Series Lexus GS Mercedes-Benz E-class Volvo S80
Small SUV
Honda CR-V Hyundai Tucson Jeep Patriot Kia Sportage Mazda CX-5 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Subaru Forester Volkswagen Tiguan
Midsize SUV
BMW X3 Dodge Journey Hyundai Santa Fe Jeep Grand Cherokee Kia Sorento Lexus RX
Volvo XC60 Volvo XC90 Subaru Tribeca
Large SUV
Volkswagen Touareg

New Mercedes-Benz A-Class Review

I’ll start things off by saying the previous generation Mercedes-Benz A-class was a horrible vehicle. Despite its numerous shortcomings, it sold surprisingly well and next time you see one at a shopping centre parking lot, you’ll see why. It may have a poor drive, but there’s no denying it was an exceptionally practical vehicle which also happened to be easy to get into, thanks to its MPV shape. The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a different vehicle altogether.

However, the market has moved on and the Volkswagen Golf 7, Audi A3, BMW 1-Series and to some extent, the Volvo V40 rule the C-segment. Naturally Mercedes-Benz didn’t want to be left behind and created the all-new A-Class. Your eyes are not deceiving you. It’s a seriously smart-looking vehicle and totally radical when compared to its predecessor.

New Mercedes-Benz A-Class review by David Taylor

Eye-catching and refreshing new design

The new Mercedes-Benz A-class loses its ‘mommy wagon’ looks and now resembles a fun and sporty hatchback. In terms of design, the new A-class is a revolution and everywhere I went, heads turned. With its sporty wheels, daytime running lights and neatly proportioned exterior, one could easily assume I was in a performance hatchback, but this is just the baby of the range. I could easily go on and on about how great this car looks as it’s just so different from anything else in the Mercedes-Benz range.

Functional and classy interior

Once sitting in the driver’s seat, you’re greeted with the upmarket Mercedes-Benz dashboard. Even though I’m in the bottom of the range A180 BE, it still feels like you’re in a premium product. As with all German cars, there are multiple option boxes to be ticked. This particular A-class came with comfortable cloth sports seats. There are some sporty touches to the cabin such as the dials which look they’ve been taken straight from the SLS supercar as well as the blade-style trio of air vents in the middle of the dashboard.

All in all, the interior of the new Mercedes-Benz A-class is a great place to be as it feels surprisingly spacious. The glass panoramic roof helps exaggerate this feeling, while the boot has plenty of space for luggage. There’s no gear stick to be found where you’d expect, with the drive selector instead mounted to the steering wheel. There’s a screen mounted to the dashboard which looks like a tablet and that’s controlled by a dial selector mounted between the seats. The Mercedes-Benz COMAND infotainment system also includes a very smart satellite navigation device which is linked to the reverse camera and my iPod connected to the Harmon Kardon audio through USB. It also has safety features in abundance.

Small, efficient engine.

I was in the A180 Blue Efficiency, which is the baby of the range and it comes with a 1.6-litre turbo four cylinder engine. It has 90kW and 200Nm which is impressive considering the small size of the motor. There’s no shortage of speed and power which drives through the front wheels using Mercedes’ 7-speed twin-clutch gearbox. You can opt for a manual six-speed ‘box if autos aren’t your thing. I liked this gearbox as it made for gentle cruising with the added bonus of good fuel economy. Mercedes-Benz claims 5.4L/100km, but I couldn’t get lower than 6L/100km. There are paddles behind the steering wheel if you wish to be involved with the gear changes.

Ride and handling

Even though the A-class I evaluated was nowhere near considered a hot hatch, there were times when I put the car’s gearbox in sport mode and drove enthusiastically on twisty roads. It is good fun to drive and the chassis is firm and sporty. The vehicle rode on 16-inch tyres which offered a comfortable ride. I was most impressed with the car’s refinement especially on the open road. It’s good to see characteristics from the bigger Mercedes-Benz models filtering down to the new A-class.

New Mercedes-Benz A-Class – Conclusion

This is a fantastic offering from the German car manufacturer. For far too long many have said Mercedes-Benz make boring cars for old men and if there’s one car which will shatter that notion, it’s this new A-class. For the first time in ages, there’s a Mercedes vehicle which offers head-turning good looks, luxury interior finishes and is really affordable for the common man. When last did you lust over a non-AMG Mercedes?

Pricing starts from just R275 000, which is mind-blowingly cheap for what you’re getting. As always, when buying any German vehicle choose your options wisely. Don’t be disheartened by the options list though, you’re still getting a decent car which is well-kitted. If you wish to add extras, I recommend going for the COMAND package, Active Park assist, reverse camera and Media Interface.

New Mercedes-Benz A-Class – Price

Mercedes Benz A180 BE – From R275 257

The worst traffic jams in history

If you think you’ve got it bad when commuting to work, well, it could be worse. Forbes has compiled a list of the worst traffic jams dating back to 1969, and these are epic standstills where roadways turned into parking lots.

2012 TomTom South African congestion index

In 2012 TomTom released its congestion index for South Africa which revealed that Johannesburg drivers are the most frustrated behind the wheel due to a 37 minute addition to their daily commute during peak periods. Cape Town followed closely with an additional 34 minutes added to their journey, while Durban drivers on average spend an extra 15 minutes in traffic.

The Congestion Index captured data from vehicles throughout South Africa, which contains over five trillion measurements. The Congestion Index also evaluates congestion levels in cities at different times of the day and different days of the week. However, traffic in South Africa is not as bad as in the rest of the world.

Worst traffic jams in history

Here are some places listed as having the worst traffic in history:

  • In September 2005, with Hurricane Rita approaching, Houston residents were told to evacuate resulting in as many as 2.5 million of them packing evacuation routes, creating a massive 170 kilometre queue on Interstate 45. The congestion reportedly lasted for 48 hours, leaving motorists stranded for as long as 24 hours along the 483 kilometre route from Galveston to Dallas.
  • In Beijing, China, commuters were trapped in a 100 kilometre long traffic that lasted for 12 days.
  • In 1969, more than 500 000 attendees descending on Max Yasgur’s famous farm for the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival were stuck in traffic for three days at the New York Thruway.
  • A near record of 20.2 inches of snow fell in Chicago Illinois in February 2011, resulting in a 12 hour traffic standstill, with snow reaching as high as the cars’ windshields.
  • The ensuing record-holding backup on April 12, 1990 in East/West Germany was estimated at a whopping 18 million cars on a roadway that otherwise averages a half million vehicles a day.
  • Noted as the longest traffic jam in the annals of congestion, in February 1980 a combination of hoards of winter vacationers returning to Paris and inclement weather caused a massive tie-up that stretched 175 kilometres long. This happened in Lyon-Paris, France.

Currently, the spots with the worst traffic jams in the world are (in order from worst to not-as-worst) Brussels Belgium, Antwerp Belgium, Los Angeles USA, Milan Italy, London UK, Paris, Honolulu USA, Rotterdam Netherlands, Manchester UK and San Francisco USA.

WhatCar chooses their top SUV for 2013

Car of The Year Awards according to WhatCar revealed that the best SUVs and 4x4s of 2013 in the UK have gone main stream, with families being attracted by their elevated driving position, security in poor conditions and imperious road presence. The overall winner was the BMW X3, followed by the Mazda CX-5 and Land Rover Discovery.

What consumers are looking for when buying an SUV are things like space and comfort, with as much practicality as there is off-road ability, and fuel efficiency. Amongst other things the design style, luggage capacity, and size of the vehicle count.

The best selling SUVs in South Africa – April 2013

Toyota Fortuner – 852 units

Originally assembled in Thailand, the Fortuner is available in a number of engine options including a 2.7 L 2TR-FE and 4.0 L 1GR-FE V6 petrol with Variable Valve Timing and 2.5 L 2KD-FTV and 3.0 L 1KD-FTV turbocharged diesel models. It is also available in rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive. The seven seat model is priced at R357 000.

Volkswagen Tiguan – 538 units

The Tiguan debuted as a concept vehicle at the November 2006 Los Angeles International Auto Show and in production form at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. As with new Volkswagen vehicles, the latest version of the Tiguan was designed under their “design DNA” that emphasizes clear horizontal lines. The grille now comes with a double chrome louvres design as well as optional bi-xenon headlights. Pricing starts from R299 500.

Toyota RAV4 – 447 units

The RAV4 is the only compact SUV or crossover available from Toyota and was originally based on the corolla platform and was offered in two and four door versions. Toyota the fourth generation model boasting a more sophisticated and older exterior launched into the South African market in April. It is available in four models with a choice of three engines and two trim levels.

Chevrolet Trailblazer – 321 units

The Trailblazer nameplate was introduced in 1999. The models from the new Trailblazer range are offered with tumble-flat seven seats, a multi-function steering wheel, front fog lights, electric mirrors, and a USB port for the audio system. The model is also available in three engine options, two transmissions and two drivetrain configurations. Pricing starts from R371 300.

Volvo wins Global NCAP Innovation Award

Volvo Car Group’s pioneering work on pedestrian protection has been rewarded with the 2013 Global NCAP Innovation award.

At the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV) Conference in Seoul, South Korea, Prof. Lotta Jakobsson held a presentation about Volvo Cars’ achievements within pedestrian protection.

“The purpose of the world’s first airbag for pedestrians is to help protect these vulnerable road users in certain situations when they impact the bonnet and the area around the windscreen, where there may be a risk of serious head injuries,” said Lotta Jakobsson.

Volvo addressing a global challenge

A large percentage of traffic fatalities around the world involve pedestrians. The most serious head injuries involving pedestrians and cars are caused by the hard structure under the bonnet panel, the windscreen’s lower edge and the A-pillars.

In 2010, Volvo Cars counteracted the statistics by launching Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake, and in 2012 launched the Volvo V40 with the worlds first Pedestrian Airbag Technology.

The Pedestrian Detection system can avoid a collision with a pedestrian at speeds of up to 35 km/h if the driver does not respond in time. At higher speeds, the focus is on reducing the car’s speed as much as possible before the collision.

The Volvo V40 also achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating and won the Euro NCAP Best in Class in the Small Family class. The V40 further scored an all-time high in the pedestrian evaluation by attaining 88% of the total score.

“Several studies have documented that our collision-avoiding systems lead to significant accident reductions in real-life traffic. By continuously introducing new preventive and protective systems, we keep moving towards our aim that by 2020 no one should be injured or killed in a new Volvo,” concluded Jakobsson.