The 2025 Hyundai Tucson facelift has been announced with just a handful of images and details. Here’s your first look.
The 4th-generation version of the Korean SUV has been given an update. What you see here is the 2025 Hyundai Tucson and while the changes are not immediately apparent, there’s been some work done.
That bold grille has been given a tweak, featuring an enhanced version of Hyundai’s Parametric Dynamics design language, along with new-look daytime running lights. There’s also a new bumper and skidplate and the car maker confirmed there’d be a revised rear as well as new wheel designs, which we’ll see later. Hyundai has also mentioned that there’ll be new exterior colours and new interior trim themes.
Climb inside and the 2025 Hyundai Tucson has an updated cabin with new switches as well as a panoramic curved display. This display comprises a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a 12.3-inch infotainment setup. This screen system has been spotted in other products, like the facelifted Kia Sorento and it makes sense to roll it out across both the Kia and Hyundai portfolio.
Other noteworthy changes include repositioning of the wireless smartphone charger and cupholders, and the gear selector has been relocated to the steering column.
We’re not expecting major changes or enhancements to the current lineup of engines, but we reckon that the European market powertrains will be slightly improved when it comes to emissions. Locally, we’re expecting the naturally-aspirated 2.0-engine and 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine to be carried over.
When will the 2025 Hyundai Tucson facelift some to South Africa?
Very little information has been announced at this point and right now all we have to go on is initial images of the exterior and cabin. We expect more details to emerge before the end of 2023 and we estimate the Korean SUV will be landing in SA showrooms by the end of 2024.
The first official images of the facelifted Kia Sorento have been released, with the SUV scoring fresh front-end styling and a new dashboard design…
UPDATE: We’ve updated this article with additional images from the US reveal of the 2024 Kia Sorento facelift.
Official images of the facelifted version of the 4th-generation Kia Sorento have been released in South Korea, with the SUV’s midcycle update including design updates inside and out.
Though the MQ4-generation Sorento launched in South Africa as recently as January 2022, the Korean firm has already handed the SUV a fairly significant facelift. Technical details – including those around potential powertrain changes – have yet to be released, but the images tell a story all on their own.
Styling up front has clearly been inspired by the likes of the fully electric EV9 (as was the case with the recently facelifted Picanto), with the updated Sorento switching to sleek vertically arranged headlamps, complete with eye-catching daytime running lights. The grille – which retains a 3-dimensional pattern – is larger and bolder than before, while the Kia logo has been moved to the leading edge of the bonnet.
Note the wider, curved screen and sleek air vents.
The lower section of the front bumper has likewise been revised, as has the front skid plate. From what we can tell, the taillamp shells appear mostly unchanged, though Kia does seem to have tweaked the lighting signature by implementing new graphics.
There’s also a wider rear skid plate as well as an altered lower rear bumper, while the “Sorento” lettering is no longer centred on the tailgate, instead being repositioned to the far left. Finally, the automaker has rolled out a fresh alloy-wheel design.
Inside, the Korean-spec and US-spec versions of the refreshed Sorento switch to a panoramic curved screen, which combines a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment display, which runs on a new operating system that allows for over-the-air updates. Below this screen, you’ll find redesigned air vents that stretch virtually all the way across the dashboard as well as a new touch panel for climate and audio controls.
Kia Motors South Africa has yet to announce when the facelifted Sorento is due to launch locally. As a reminder, the current range comprises 4 derivatives, each powered by a 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine delivering 148 kW and 440 Nm. Drive is directed to either the front axle or all 4 wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission as standard.
SA’s best-selling double-cab bakkies in October 2023
Hilux or Ranger? Which nameplate was the best seller in the double-cab bakkie segment in October 2023 and year to date? Well, the answer is different in each case…
Since Naamsa’s monthly sales figures unfortunately don’t include a breakdown of the 3 available bakkie body styles (the single-, extended- and double-cab shapes), we’ve asked our friends over at Lightstone Auto for help identifying SA’s best-selling 1-tonne double-cab bakkies for October – as well as for the year to date.
Before we scrutinise these figures, let’s take a step back and consider what the overall picture – that is, including all body styles – looks like so far in 2023. Based on Naamsa’s figures, the Toyota Hilux is leading the bakkie pack overall with 31 451 units, followed by the Ford Ranger (20 448 units) and the Isuzu D-Max (16 277 units).
SA’s top-selling double-cab bakkies in October 2023
The Isuzu D-Max (seen here in AT35 guise) placed 3rd in the double-cab sales race last month.
Right, now let’s break down the sales statistics by body style. According to Lightstone Auto’s figures, the Hilux was South Africa’s best-selling double-cab bakkie last month, with 1 528 units registered. Dual-cab derivatives thus represented 49% of the Prospecton-built stalwart’s overall tally of 3 110 units in October 2023.
It’s furthermore worth noting that the Hilux – which is, of course, SA’s most popular vehicle overall year to date and has been the top seller every year for the past decade – also reigned supreme in the 1-tonne single-cab bakkie segment (1 180 units) as well as in the extended-cab segment (400 units) last month.
In the double-cab race, the Silverton-produced Ranger thus had to settle for 2nd place in October, with 1 483 units sold (or 80% of its 1 853-unit total). For the record, the Blue Oval brand also moved 254 units in the extended-cab space (enough for 2nd, too) but just 116 units in the 1-tonne single-cab segment.
As you might have guessed, the Struandale-made D-Max again completed the double-cab podium, with 566 units sold (or nearly 39% of its 1 464-unit aggregate for October) in this part of the market. The D-Max also enjoyed 734 sales in the single-cab arena (grabbing 2nd place there) along with 164 sales in the extended-cab space.
SA’s top-selling double cabs YTD 2023 (end of October)
The Ford Ranger (pictured here in Wildtrak X form) is SA’s best-selling double cab, year to date.
What about the year-to-date double-cab bakkie sales race in South Africa? Well, despite the Hilux clearly winning October, Lightstone Auto’s fascinating dataset shows the Ranger remains ahead in the dual-cab space after the first 10 months of 2023, with 17 265 units registered around Mzansi.
The double-cab Hilux thus finds itself 1 801 units off the pace, with 15 464 examples sold in SA, year to date. The D-Max double cab, meanwhile, is in a distant 3rd place on 7 387 units.
Mahindra’s Pik Up is 3rd in the single-cab race, year to date.
And the single-cab space? Well, with 10 months of 2023 gone, the Hilux (11 427 units) has what is surely an unassailable lead in this segment, with the D-Max single cab (7 292 units) sitting in 2nd and the 2-door version of the KwaZulu-Natal-assembled Mahindra Pik Up (5 263 units) some way behind in 3rd. The Ranger single cab, meanwhile, finds itself on 1 262 registrations, year to date.
According to Lightstone Auto, sales of all other bakkies (over and above the Ranger, Hilux, D-Max and Pik Up) available in the double-cab body style total 12 457 units year to date, while the single-cab tally (again, excluding these 4 mentioned nameplates) sits on 8 377 units over the same reporting period.
What To Buy: New VW Polo GTI or These 5 Used Performance Cars?
In this latest instalment of our “What to Buy” series of buying advice articles, we cast our attention on used performance cars similarly priced to a new Volkswagen Polo GTI. Take a look at what’s on offer!
For car buyers seeking a car with a performance bent under R600k, options in the new car market are extremely limited. In fact, with new car prices at an all-time high, the Volkswagen Polo GTI (from R535 600) and perhaps the Suzuki Swift Sport (from R432 900) and Abarth 695 competizione 1.4T (R579 900) are the only new performance-biased cars available at under R600 000.
That’s a tough pill to swallow…
More so, if you tick every option Volkswagen offers for the Polo GTI, your bill will pass the R600k mark. Is it worth it? Many would argue that it’s not worth it at all and they might be right, especially if you consider used performance cars available on the used car market.
For the record, the VW Polo GTI is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that offers 147 kW and 340 Nm of torque. Volkswagen claims 6.7 seconds in the sprint from zero to 100kph.
So, if your budget for a performance car is no more than R600k, what performance car options are available to you in the used car market? Here are 5 used performance cars that you might want to consider.
5 Used Performance Cars For Sale for Under R600 000
1. BMW M4 Coupe (F82)
We Like: Indulgent soundtrack, brutal performance, cabin comfort and space, build quality
We Don’t Like: Slightly lacking in low-rev responsiveness, steering could offer more feel
The first generation F82 M4 Coupe is powered by BMW’s venerable 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder twin-turbocharged petrol engine that offers 317 kW and 550 Nm of torque. That’s more than double the power offered in the Polo GTI, for the same money! The M4 Coupe can be had with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Zero to 100kph is claimed in just 4.1 seconds!
You can’t deny the sheer power and brawn offered by previous generations of the Mercedes-AMG C63 in either sedan or coupe form. Many aficionados fondly remember Merc’s naturally-aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine found in the third-generation (W204) AMG C63 that delivers 336 kW and 600 Nm of torque and while there are a handful of them available on Cars.co.za, the fourth-generation (W205) AMG C63 with its twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine with 350 kW and 650 Nm on offer, while the C63 S versions up the ante with 375 kW on tap. Depending on what C63 you choose, zero to 100kph is completed in anywhere from 4.4 – 4.1 seconds.
If it’s sledgehammer performance you seek, the C63 AMG is for you.
The Ford Mustang is the world’s most popular sports car and its popularity in South Africa is evident in the sheer number of Mustangs seen all over Mzansi. Ford’s success with the Mustang means that buyers looking for a used Mustang have a lot of choice for under R600k.
The Mustang is powered by a 5.0-litre V8 engine with 306 kW and 530 Nm of torque available and is capable of sprinting from standstill to 100kph in 4.1 seconds. The Mustang can also be had with a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine with 233 kW and 430 Nm of torque. Coupe and convertible body styles are available.
The second-generation Porsche Cayman, produced between 2006 and 2008, is powered by a 3.4-litre flat-six petrol engine that produces 235 kW and 370 Nm of torque driving the rear wheels using either a 6-speed manual (preferable) or 5-speed automatic transmission. Zero to 100 kph is achieved in about 4.8 seconds from standstill.
For those keen on some British performance, finesse and gorgeous design, look to Aston Martin.
While there are few examples currently available, you can get your hands on a used Vantage for under R600k and it’s arguably the most stylish choice on this list. Style aside, the 2005-generation V8 Vantage doesn’t lack in the power department either and its 4.7-litre V8 delivers 321 kW and 490 Nm of torque and will sprint from zero to 100 kph in 4.5 seconds.
Nissan SA expands Magnite range with new AMT variants
Nissan South Africa has expanded its Magnite range to as many as 13 variants with the launch of 3 new AMT derivatives wearing the “EZ-Shift” badge…
The Indian-built Magnite is Nissan South Africa’s best-selling passenger vehicle year to date, with 6 973 units registered (by the end of October 2023). Now the Japanese firm’s local division has expanded its Magnite line-up by launched a trio of new automated manual transmission (AMT) variants.
Before now, cog-swapping duties in the local Magnite range were taken care of by either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). But now there’s also an AMT option (which Nissan brands “EZ-Shift”), growing the range to as many as 13 derivatives.
Note the new “EZ-Shift” badge on the tailgate.
While the so-called “X-Tronic” CVT is limited to the 74 kW turbocharged 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine (which offers 160 Nm when linked to a manual ‘box and 152 Nm in continuously variable form), the new AMT is offered exclusively in conjunction with the entry-level naturally aspirated 3-pot of the same displacement.
As with the manual versions, this atmospheric motor generates 53 kW and 96 Nm in AMT guise, offering a claimed combined fuel economy of 5.9 L/100 km and a top speed of 150 kph (figures identical to those of the 5-speed manual models).
The Magnite 1.0 Visia AMT is priced at R243 900, while the 1.0 Acenta AMT comes in at R263 900 and the 1.0 Acenta Plus AMT at R279 900. Check out full range pricing below.
For the record, the Visia grade does without alloy wheels (featuring steel wheels instead) and LED daytime running lights, while also ditching the touchscreen infotainment system (settling for a double-din radio), Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, the driver display, the start-stop button (instead relying on an ignition barrel), height adjustment for the driver’s seat and the 60:40 split function for the rear bench.
The turbocharged models stick with the option of a CVT.
Meanwhile, the Acenta grade gains the items mentioned above, and the Acenta Plus further adds features such as LED headlamps, a 2nd 12-volt power outlet (handily sited for rear passengers), leather trim for the steering wheel, cruise control and Nissan’s around-view monitor.
Bulletproof Cars in SA Video- Price and fitment cost, how they’re built and how they save lives
Ciro De Siena chats to Nicol Louw, Business Development Manager at SVI Engineering about bulletproofing and armoured vehicles.
Bulletproofing of vehicles is becoming a big business in SA. In this wide-ranging and fascinating discussion with seasoned vehicle engineer and now Business Development Manager at SVI Engineering, we learn all about this booming industry.
SVI Engineering is at the forefront of bulletproofing cars in South Africa, supplying armoured vehicles to the security and mining industry (mainly Toyota Hilux), as well as out-fitting civilian cars such as Toyota Fortuners and Land Cruisers, Ford Rangers and Everests, luxury Mercedes V-Class people carriers, Ford Ranger Raptors and even Mercedes G-Class/G-Wagons.
SVI Engineering has also made great strides into the OEM space, and in South Africa you can now buy a Ford Ranger or Mercedes V-Class from any dealer and tick the box to have it armoured, and still retain the full manufacturer warranty and service plan, and you can even add the armouring cost to your vehicle finance deal. And on top of all this SVI also proudly builds full spec military vehicles in SA for sale across the world.
SVI Max 9 – We review the 8-ton military grade truck
Proton X90 Video Review: New Family SUV set to worry the Chinese cars?
Jacob Moshokoa gets behind the wheel of the new Proton X90 SUV for a comprehensive review.
The Proton X90 is the latest product available from the Malaysian brand Proton. It has already launched the X50, X70 and Saga but this X90 looks to be its best local offering yet. It offers 7 seats or, in the Flagship model Jacob tests here, 6 seats with 2 Captain’s chairs in the second row.
Jacob reviews the X90 on what it’s like to drive, what features it has and the quality of the cabin. He tests out every row of seats and what sort of boot space the X90 has with the seats up, and down. What sort of engine does the X90 have and what are the running costs of a Proton X90? Jacob delves into those details and delivers a verdict on how he expects the family SUV to perform on the local market.
The facelifted Golf 8 will be shown in 2024 and with it comes the flagship R derivative. Our photographers spotted the updated model testing at the Nurburgring.
Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien. We have paid for these photos and at the photographer’s request, have watermarked them.
It’s no secret that the Volkswagen Golf 8 range is being updated for 2024. We’ve already seen the front-wheel drive GTI tearing around the famous Nurburgring race track and now its the chance of the updated Golf 8 R.
The Mk 8.5 is likely to be the last internal combustion-powered Golf as Volkswagen has said the Golf 9 will be an electric car. We hope that Volkswagen has saved the best for last. Visually, the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R’s changes are subtle, but you can spot the slimmer headlights at the front and revised front bumper. Some strategically-placed tape has covered the new-look taillights.
As mentioned before, the biggest change for this update is the all-new infotainment system and larger, repositioned touchscreen. The new system should address the electronic gremlins that presented themselves as well as provide an improved user experience. We believe the steering wheel controls will be replaced by traditional buttons, as opposed to the hit-and-miss touch capacitive units.
We’re not expecting any major changes to the car’s powertrain for this update and as a reminder, the Golf R is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder with 235 kw and 400 Nm. The vehicle is sold exclusively in all-wheel-drive configuration and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. We suspect there might be a final special edition 2025 Volkswagen Golf R to sign off the petrol-powered era, but that’ll likely only appear towards the end of the product lifecycle, around 2028.
We predict the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R will arrive in South Africa towards the end of 2024.
Mpho Mahlangu: What’s it like to be a #CarsAwards Judge?
Meet Mpho Mahlangu, one of 20 #CarsAwards judges who recently put 39 finalists through their paces at Gerotek Test Facility in Gauteng! We asked Mpho a few questions to find out what he thinks of the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards.
The Cars.co.za Consumer Awards is now in its 7th iteration and with South Africa’s most comprehensive and authoritative motoring awards programme reaching its zenith, we saw no less than 20 judges descending on the Gerotek Testing Facility in Gauteng to put all 39 finalists through their paces.
More than this, all 39 finalists also went on public display at the Mall Of Africa in Midrand this weekend to give the public the opportunity to see the cars in the metal and to engage with the judges.
Earlier this year, a pool of 65 semi-finalist vehicles in 13 categories were chosen by Cars.co.za’s respected, highly knowledgable and experienced editorial team. The team put all the semi-finalists through a rigorous scoring process based on “Filters of Eligibility” and “Pillars of Success” to arrive at 39 finalists represented in 13 categories (3 vehicles per category).
The scores from all 20 judges represent 50% of the final result while the remaining 50% is determined by the Cars.co.za Ownership Satisfaction Survey that includes feedback from thousands of vehicle owners, based on their experiences of their vehicles and the service they receive (less than four years old and serviced through franchised outlets).
The winners in each category as well as the coveted Brand Of The Year Award will be announced in early 2024.
Mpho Mahlangu: What’s it like to be a #CarsAwards Judge?
We asked #CarsAwards judge, Mpho Mahlangu, a few questions to learn more about what he thought about the testing process for the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards. Here’s what he had to say!
1. Introduce yourself and briefly tell us what you do for a living.
My name is Mpho Mahlangu and I’m a published motoring reviewer and content producer.
2. How many #CarsAwards have you judged and what does it mean to you to be chosen as a judge?
This is my first #CarsAwards that I’m judging and I feel extremely honoured to be part of this prestigious awards programme. This is something that I’ve been working hard towards for over three years and to finally be chosen as a judge is a huge moment for me!
3. What #CarsAwards categories did you judge?
I judged Compact Hatchback, Premium Crossover and Adventure SUV categories.
4. You’ve just returned from extensive testing at Gerotek, how was it? Briefly tell us about your experience!
Testing really was an amazing experience. I’ve been to Gerotek before, however, I’ve never been able to put multiple vehicles through their paces, let alone several vehicles in the same category, back-to-back in that manner. The experience of it all is quite eye-opening in fact.
5. The #CarsAwards is regarded as the most respected motoring awards programme in South Africa. In your opinion, what makes the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards unique?
I found the most unique aspect of the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards to be the ability to put all the vehicles through testing which replicate what actual consumers would experience with their potential purchases. From the skidpan, to the suspension track, the various tracks within Gerotek give great insight into how a vehicle fairs on different aspects compared to its rivals.
6. What test obstacles at Gerotek did you find to be the most illuminating in terms of testing the finalists and why?
The skidpan, suspension track and dynamic handling track were the most illuminating for me as they simulated most real-life scenarios that customers and owners of vehicles experience on a day-to-day basis.
7. Out of all the cars you tested, what car stood out the most for you and why?
I’m torn between the BMW X1 and Ford Everest as the cars which stood out for me. I say this because they both offer next-generation levels of technology and refinement in their respective categories, making them both quite the obvious choices in both categories.
8. What cars do you think will win in each category (share your predictions with us) and importantly what car brand do you think will win the Brand Of The Year Award and why?
Brand of the Year – BMW – I chose BMW because they have the most vehicles as finalists.
9. If you attended the Cars.co.za #CarsAwards Roadshow at Mall Of Africa, tell us what you enjoyed most about the experience!
I really enjoyed the #CarsAwards Roadshow because it was quite special to be able to interact with different people who were really interested in purchasing a new vehicle, so we were able to assist them in their choices, along with just pure enthusiasts who enjoyed getting up close and personal with the various vehicles. I don’t think there is any other awards programme that has actually taken finalist cars to the consumers with all judges present. It was quite a unique experience!
10. Give us 3 words that capture the essence of the 2023/24 #CarsAwards.
New Subaru Forester revealed (but SA will have to wait)
The 6th-gen Subaru Forester has been revealed, billed as an “all-new” model but carrying over several components. South African buyers face a bit of a wait, though…
The new Subaru Forester has been unveiled at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show. Though the Japanese automaker describes the 6th-generation version of its SUV as “all-new”, it appears to ride on a modestly updated platform, while also retaining the outgoing model’s powertrain.
So, when will we see this latest Forester on Mzansi roads? Well, Subaru Southern Africa has confirmed to Cars.co.za that it plans to launch the new model “as soon as it becomes available for our market”, though adds the “approximate timing” of such a launch would likely fall only in the 1st quarter of 2025.
The new Forester is slightly longer than the outgoing model.
What can we expect when it does eventually arrive? Although all details revealed thus far pertain to the North American market, we do know the new Forester benefits from an exterior redesign, complete with a revised grille that merges into the LED headlamps. Round back, the updated taillamps are now connected by a trim strip, while the rear screen is steeper than before (ostensibly freeing up a little more cargo space).
The new Forester again rides on the Subaru Global Platform, though the Shibuya-based firm says these underpinnings have been “enhanced with 10% stiffer torsional rigidity”. The company claims an inner-frame construction with “stronger welding” and “additional structural adhesive” contribute to greater body rigidity. The Forester also adopts a version of the WRX’s dual-pinion electronic power steering rack, which Subaru says provides a “more direct and natural steering feel” and “greater responsiveness”.
The familiar 2.5-litre petrol engine is carried over to the new model.
The wheelbase is unchanged at 2 670 mm (as is the height at 1 730 mm), though the newcomer’s overall length has increased slightly from 4 625 mm to 4 655 mm. In US-spec guise, the new Forester retains the 5th-gen model’s naturally aspirated 2.5-litre flat-4 engine, which in South Africa generates peak outputs of 136 kW and 239 Nm (our market also receives a 115 kW/196 Nm 2.0-litre unit). Drive is again delivered to all 4 wheels via Subaru’s Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT), though the automaker claims the latter is “smoother and quieter” than before.
Inside, the updated cabin scores a “more supportive front-seat design” along with a revised climate-control system (now able to focus on occupied seats rather than the entire cabin), the latest portrait-oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen system (though likely only for top-spec models) and “textured trim pieces intelligently designed to avoid visible damage from daily use”. There’s also the latest version of Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist technology, along with a new kick sensor-activated hands-free powered tailgate.
Some derivatives of the new Forester gain Subaru’s latest 11.6-inch touchscreen system.
As a reminder, the outgoing Forester range – which last received an update as recently as early 2022 – currently comprises 3 derivatives in South Africa, priced from R669 000 to R749 000. Year to date (at the end of October 2023), the nameplate is Subaru SA’s best seller, with 273 units registered over the opening 10 months of the year (some way ahead of the 2nd-placed – but since supplanted by the Crosstrek – XV on 120 units).
