The all-new 2025 Mini Countryman has finally been revealed. With a variety of engines, a larger body and even more tech, this is the biggest and most advanced Mini yet.
This is the 3rd-generation Mini Countryman – codenamed U25 – and we’re in Munich, Germany for its unveiling. Having revealed the brand-new Mini Cooper on 1 September 2023, the Oxford-based brand then took the opportunity to show us the biggest model in its lineup.
The emphasis is on big; the new Countryman is just over 4.4 metres long and almost 2 metres wide. Mini says the new model is 13 cm longer than its predecessor, which bodes well for cabin space and load-bay capacity. We had the chance to sit inside and it feels deceptively spacious. A good start then, for the family-orientated Mini…
The Mini Countryman on display in Munich, where it was unveiled in electric guise.
Unlike the new Mini Cooper, which has brand-new architecture, the new Countryman makes do with an enhanced and updated version of the Group’s UKL platform. This modular setup also serves as the base for the current-generation BMW X1 and second-generation BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, which is not offered in South Africa. The 2025 Mini Countryman will be assembled at BMW Group’s factory in Leipzig.
It adopts a striking and futuristic look, and it feels a bit concept-ish. We also feel that it adopts some design elements from the polarising BMW XM; it just seems as if gilt edges are in fashion right now!
Gold embellishments are in season right now!
Powertrains on offer
Right now, Mini only showed us the electric version of the new Countryman. It’s understandable, as the brand will be electric only from 2030, so it wants to put its best foot forward. The good news is that 2030 is still 7 years away and internal combustion power (petrol and diesel) will still be available.
There’ll be two electric Countryman derivatives on offer: Countryman E and Countryman SE All4. The E is front-wheel driven and features a 150 kW/250Nm motor that drives the front wheels. The SE All4, in turn, produces 230 kW and 494 Nm of torque, with a pair of motors on duty to drive all four wheels.
Ranges of 462 km and 433 km are claimed for the E and SE All4 (WLTP cycle), and both make use of a 64.7 kWh battery pack. Performance figures put the new Countryman on the brisk side of things, with stated 0-100 kph times of 8.6 seconds and 5.6 seconds respectively. The new Countryman can accept up to 130 kW of DC fast charging.
2025 Mini Countryman Interior
The new infotainment system makes a favourable first impression.
Step inside and you’ll be greeted by an eye-catching dashboard that’s covered in textiles, as well as a central infotainment screen. Mini is known for its circular infotainment unit, but in this new model (and the new Mini Cooper), it just looks better integrated for a sleeker and cleaner look.
The new system runs BMW Group’s Operating System 9 and boasts a number of advancements such as the Hey Mini digital assistant, which is a cute animated dog, plus many colourful themes and modes. Also of interest is the transmission mode selector, which is built into the fascia to free up knee space.
The new transmission mode selector is integrated into the dashboard.
When is the 2025 Mini Countryman coming to South Africa?
Like the Mini Cooper, the larger Countryman will be arriving in South Africa in April 2024. Pricing, trim levels and engine lineup will be confirmed closer to the time.
South Africa’s new-vehicle sales slipped 3.1% year on year in August 2023. Here’s your comprehensive overview, including SA’s most popular brands, best-selling cars and plenty more…
In August 2023, South Africa’s new-vehicle industry registered a year-on-year decline of 3.1% to finish on 45 679 units, ending a 3-month growth streak. That said, this latest performance represented a 5.3% improvement over July 2023’s tally of 43 389 units.
Industry body Naamsa said this showing served to underline the “ongoing stressed business and consumer environment in the country, given that negative economic considerations still greatly outweigh positive ones”.
Out of the total reported industry sales, Naamsa said an estimated 83.8% represented sales via the dealership channel, while 12.2% were sales to the vehicle-rental industry, 2.8% to industry corporate fleets and 1.2% to government.
At 28 951 units, the new passenger-vehicle market registered a year-on-year drop of 6.7%, despite substantial support from the rental industry (which accounted for 16.2% of sales). Naamsa said this “weak performance” reflected the impact of “rising costs of living and lower disposable income on consumer sentiment and the ability to be active in the new-vehicle market”. Year to date, the passenger-vehicle market (231 112 units) was 3.0% down compared with the opening 8 months of 2022.
As has been the case for the past few months, the light-commercial vehicle segment was one of the few categories to show growth in August 2023, with registrations in this section of the market coming in at 13 652 units, or a marginal gain of 2.7% compared with the corresponding month in 2022. The year-to-date total here was 102 833 units, 19% up on the same reporting period last year.
The LCV segment again showed year-on-year growth in August.
Export sales recorded an encouraging increase of 33.5% year on year, to finish August 2023 on 41 462 units. Vehicle exports over the opening 8 months of the year were 12.4% ahead of the same term in 2022.
Lebo Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank, said new-vehicle sales “stumbled” in August, showing the first potential signs of strain amidst economic headwinds.
“Although August sales experienced their biggest decline in 21 months, this volume is still 5.2% ahead of July sales. In addition, August 2022 sales were amongst the best-performing sales months last year,” pointed out Gaoaketse. “August sales are not poor despite being 3.1% lower than a year ago. They are the 3rd-best performing sales month this year, as were August 2022 sales up to that point.”
Meanwhile, Brandon Cohen, National Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA), said it was clear the local industry could no longer withstand the pressure from increasing interest rates, fuel prices, vehicle costs and a significant decrease in household spending ability.
“The resilience of the South African retail motor industry in 2023 continues to astound us, but we knew there had to be a tipping point, and this is what happened in August,” Cohen said, adding that interest rates represented the “most significant obstacle” to vehicle sales right now.
“When we factor in new-car pricing and the negative impact of a weak rand, we witness a perfect storm of reduced affordability in a market with fewer and fewer cars available in various price brackets.”
New-vehicle sales summary for August 2023
Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 45 679 units decreased by 3.1% (1 476 units) compared to August 2022.
New passenger-vehicle sales of 28 951 units decreased by 6.7% (2 064 units) compared to August 2022.
New light-commercial vehicle sales of 13 652 units increased by 2.7% (363 units) compared to August 2022.
Export sales of 41 462 units increased by 33.5% (10 405 units) compared to August 2022.
10 best-selling automakers in South Africa in August 2023
No surprises at the top of the automaker rankings, with Toyota again way out in front. The Japanese giant added around 1 400 registrations to the previous month’s effort, finishing August 2023 on a heady 12 233 units (or a market share of 26.8%). With 5 972 units, the Volkswagen Group (including the Audi brand) was again 2nd, while Suzuki (4 332 units) completed the podium once more.
Meanwhile, Ford (2 724 units) climbed a place to finish the month in 4th position, forcing Hyundai (2 637 units) down to 5th. This is only the 2nd time this year the Blue Oval brand has placed 4th (the 1st instance coming in April 2023, when the Ranger outsold the Hilux), with the company having to settle for 5th or 6th on all other occasions in 2023.
Nissan (2 377 units) again had to be happy with 6th spot, while Isuzu (2 045 units) moved up a place to grab 7th. That saw Chinese automaker Haval (1 819 units) slip a ranking to 8th, while Renault held steady in 9th with 1 750 sales. Kia (1 550 units) returned to the table to grab the final spot.
That meant Chery – which broke into the top 10 in July at the expense of Kia – had to make do with 11th place in August 2023, though the Chinese firm finished a mere 52 units behind its South Korean foe. Indian automaker Mahindra was again 12th overall, finishing the month on 951 registrations.
1. Toyota – 12 233 units
2. Volkswagen Group – 5 972 units
3. Suzuki – 4 332 units
4. Ford – 2 724 units
5. Hyundai – 2 637 units
6. Nissan – 2 377 units
7. Isuzu – 2 045 units
8. Haval – 1 819 units
9. Renault – 1 750 units
10. Kia – 1 550 units
10 best-selling vehicles in South Africa in August 2023
Toyota’s Corolla Cross (seen here in hybrid guise) climbed to 4th in August.
Yes, South Africa’s best-selling vehicle was again the Prospecton-produced Toyota Hilux. In fact, in August 2023, the Japanese bakkie enjoyed as many as 3 309 registrations, the 4th time this year it has crossed the 3 000-unit barrier. The Kariega-built Volkswagen Polo Vivo remained in 2nd place (and was thus SA’s strongest-selling passenger car), ending the month on 2 452 units (974 of which represented sales to the rental industry).
The Silverton-manufactured Ford Ranger (2 367 units) wasn’t far behind in 3rd, driving a strong month for the Dearborn-based firm’s local division. Meanwhile, the locally built Toyota Corolla Cross climbed a spot to 4th, with its 2 130 registrations making it Mzansi’s best-selling crossover for August 2023. The Struandale-produced Isuzu D-Max likewise gained a place month on month, rounding out the top 5 with 1 632 units.
The Toyota Hi-Ace (1 581 units) moved up a position to 6th, with the Indian-sourced Toyota Starlet (1 372 units) also gaining a place to 7th – as well as securing the title of SA’s best-selling imported vehicle for August 2023. The Suzuki Swift (1 349 units) slipped 4 places to 8th, while the locally built Volkswagen Polo hatchback (1 153 units) and Rosslyn-manufactured Nissan NP200 (1 064 units) swapped positions and completed the top 10.
Top 9 vehicles exported from South Africa in August 2023
More than 11 000 units of the VW Polo hatchback were shipped from SA shores in August.
For the 4th consecutive month, the Volkswagen Polo hatchback topped the export charts, with a whopping 11 183 examples shipped off from the Kariega factory in August 2023. The Ford Ranger (7 166 units) and Toyota Hilux (6 863 units), meanwhile, held steady in 2nd and 3rd, respectively, again separated by only a couple of hundred units.
As we’ve come to expect, the Isuzu D-Max, Toyota Fortuner, Nissan Navara, Nissan NP200, Toyota Corolla Cross and Toyota Corolla Quest made up the export numbers. We should, of course, point out BMW and Mercedes-Benz again did not submit detailed figures, so it’s unclear exactly how many new X3 and C-Class sedan units were exported during the month (for the record, though, Naamsa’s estimates for August 2023 stood at 4 800 and 9 728 units, respectively).
1. Volkswagen Polo (hatch) – 11 183 units
2. Ford Ranger – 7 166 units
3. Toyota Hilux – 6 863 units
4. Isuzu D-Max – 655 units
5. Toyota Fortuner – 302 units
6. Toyota Corolla Cross – 245 units
7. Nissan Navara – 208 units
8. Nissan NP200 – 45 units
9. Toyota Corolla Quest – 4 units
Vehicle-sales outlook in SA for remainder of 2023
So, where to from here for South Africa’s new-vehicle market? Well, though Naamsa points to some positive news (including the recent pause on interest-rate hikes, an apparent reduction in daytime load-shedding and the fact inflation is now “firmly falling within the 3-6% target band”), it cautions that energy and logistical constraints “remain binding on the domestic economic growth outlook”, therefore “limiting economic activity and increasing costs”.
“Although the SA Reserve Bank has slightly increased its forecast for South Africa’s GDP growth from 0.3% to 0.4% for 2023, the medium-term outlook for business conditions in the new-vehicle market continues to reflect subdued demand for high-priced items such as vehicles, which correlates with a stagnating domestic economy,” explains the industry body.
In terms of exports, Naamsa points out the “longer-term global economic outlook remains clouded by risks to the inflation trajectory”, along with “ongoing geopolitical tensions and the effects of climate change”. However, it suggests prospects for vehicle-export growth for the balance of the year “remain optimistic on the back of new-model introductions by major exporters in the domestic market”.
WesBank’s Gaoaketse says the broader context of the latest sales performance does “provide some cause for concern”, but being a single month’s effort, it is “not indicative yet” of a trend. “New-vehicle sales have defied the odds in their slow recovery since the pandemic. Given the tough economic conditions, consumers have been under immense budget pressure since 2020. Consequently, 2 major trends impacted car-purchasing behaviour: the pre-owned market boomed in the face of affordability; or consumers held onto their cars for longer rather than upgrading.”
Within this context, Gaoaketse says sales continued to recover after the pandemic, more recently impacted by replacement cycles “finally becoming unavoidable” and the subsequent softening of the pre-owned market – by virtue of lower stock levels and a “lower appetite for inflated prices”.
NADA’s Cohen says if the trend of decreasing inflation continues, the country may have reached the peak of the interest-rate cycle, or “at least there might be no further increases”. Fuel-price increases linked to the rand, though, continue to be an “ongoing concern”. He points out downsizing remains a “significant factor in this current economy”, saying the luxury segment is “under considerable pressure”.
“I believe we need to be realistic. We must acknowledge that the current economic conditions are very challenging, although there is still demand, albeit under pressure. Fortunately, the financial institutions have not ceased funding as they did during the global financial crisis, and mobility remains essential for most South Africans. Therefore, there are generous special offers and other incentives in the market for consumers, while interest rates appear to be stable and unlikely to rise further,” concludes Cohen.
The new-gen 2025 Mini Cooper has just been unveiled in Munich, Germany. Here’s all you need to know about the newcomer, codenamed J01.
We’re live today from Munich, Germany as guests of Mini South Africa as the brand reveals the new-gen Mini Cooper. Spanning three generations in the modern era and let’s not forget the classic icon either, the Mini is a symbol for a fun, premium urban hatchback.
The clean and sleek new face
What’s Changed?
The design of the new-gen Mini Cooper has been given an overhaul, without radically changing the visual philosophy. It’s still unmistakably a Mini Cooper, which will please the purists. Keen-eyed spotters will notice many of the typical creases and kinks have been ironed out, presenting a smooth and refined look. The rear light design is quirky, but we think customers will get used to it over time.
The cabin gets a big makeover too, with the iconic central infotainment system adopting a minimalist frameless look. The level of detail and playfulness that has gone into the operating system is impressive. On top of your three normal driving modes, there are a further four that focus on personalisation.
“The new Mini Operating System 9 is characterized by simple, emotional touch operation that is specific to Mini. Together with the new cloud-based Mini Navigation for particularly precise and fast route calculation, high-speed connectivity, and optional 5G capability, the new Mini Cooper takes a giant leap into the digital world, thereby underlining the brand’s charismatic heritage,” said Stefanie Wurst, Head of Mini.
We had a chance to play with the new system and the clean user experience and vivid colours will win it many fans. We also liked how neat the circular screen looked and how it was integrated into the minimalist dashboard. The cabin trims are also worth mentioning as many elements are sourced from either recycled materials and sustainable options.
Engines and performance
As far as powertrains are concerned, the new-generation Mini Cooper will feature internal-combustion power as well as electrification. Right now, this reveal is all about the electric models with the petrol derivatives earmarked for debut in early 2024.
There are two electric models to start with and both are a huge leap forward for electrified Minis. As a reminder, the outgoing Mini SE could only muster around 185km of range in the real world. The all-new Mini Cooper E claims a 305 km range from a 40.7 kWh battery. Outputs of 135 kW and 290 Nm driving the front wheels is good for a 7.3 second sprint time to 100 kph.
Opt for the Cooper SE, and you get 160 kW and 330 Nm resulting in an even quicker 0-100 kph time of 6.7 seconds and a large battery of 54.2 kWh means a claimed range of 402 km. Charging rates of 75 kW and 95 kW are claimed respectively, meaning you’ll need around 30 minutes to get from 10 to 80%.
The new Mini SE is a collaboration between BMW Group and Great Wall Motors. This agreement was signed a few years back and is essentially an agreement to work together on compact electric vehicles. Known as Spotlight Automotive, the venture will see an array of vehicles using a common electric platform rolled out over the next few years. The new Mini Cooper will be assembled in China.
Old vs New
When is the new-gen Mini Cooper coming to South Africa?
According to a BMW Group representative, the all-new Mini Cooper’s retail operations for South Africa will commence in April 2024. Pricing and specifications for our market will be released closer to the time.
The VW Golf 8 R – the Wolfsburg-based brand’s flagship premium hatchback – went on sale earlier this year, but units have been in short supply. So how and when can you get one? Ciro De Siena chats with dealers – and VWSA – to get some answers.
It’s been widely reported – and frustratingly understood by fans of the brand – that Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) has had major supply issues with regard to distributing the 8th-generation Golf R.
After finally announcing a list price for the model in April 2023, we’ve had comments from our audience… and the talk on social media seems to suggest that Golf 8 R units are actually not available.
We asked VWSA for comment and contacted some of its franchised dealers and, while the short answer to this question is “yes”, the long answer is a bit more complicated…
According to the AA, the increases in the price of petrol in September 2023 will be the highest since July last year, while diesel prices will be hiked by a record level.
Commenting on unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), the Automobile Association (AA) said the price of petrol was expected to climb by between R1.59- (ULP93) and R1.65/litre (ULP95) on Wednesday 6 September, while the wholesale price of diesel could increase by a massive R2.85/litre.
In the middle of last month, Cars.co.za reported that petrol was likely to increase by R1.41/litre (ULP93) and R1.45/litre (ULP95) and diesel by R2.60- or R2.61/litre, but since then, the situation has worsened – because international oil prices continue to rise on the back of slow demand and decreased output.
Reuters reports that analysts expected that Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, would extend its voluntary output cut into October, keeping oil supply tight and prices high.
Predicted Fuel Prices for September 2023
“The price of a litre of ULP95 inland will rise from R22.83 to R24.48/l, while the price of ULP93 will increase from R22.43/l to R24.02/l. These prices are in line with those in August last year, but not at the record highs seen in July 2022,” the AA said.
“In the case of diesel, the hikes will push the suggested wholesale cost of this fuel from R20.21/l to R23.06/l – the highest it has been since December last year.
According to the CEF’s data, higher international oil prices are contributing between 80% and 88% to the expected increases with the weaker Rand/US Dollar exchange rate contributing the rest.
“While the Rand has weakened on average against the Greenback in August, it’s not a major contributor to the expected increases – that falls squarely on rising international oil prices,” says the AA.
Suffice it to say that the increases in the fuel prices – especially that of diesel – will have negative consequences for all consumers as higher input costs will be recovered through higher prices at the till.
“Motorists will certainly feel the pinch in terms of higher prices at the pumps, but consumers across the board can expect higher prices for all goods and services because of these hikes. In this environment, we reiterate our advice to motorists that they should keep their vehicles in good mechanical condition and their tyres inflated according to manufacturers’ specifications to ensure optimal fuel usage.
“Avoiding heavy traffic, not overloading the vehicle, and minimising driving where possible are other measures to decrease fuel consumption,” the AA concluded.
Isuzu E-Max, anyone? The Japanese company has seemingly confirmed plans to launch an electric bakkie as early as 2025. Here’s what we know so far…
Isuzu has confirmed it plans to launch an electric bakkie – which may well wear the E-Max badge – as early as 2025, according to a fresh report out of Australia.
The Japanese company told the folks over at Drive.com.au the battery-powered bakkie is due to launch in just 2 years from now, initially in Norway. Of course, electric cars dominate new-vehicle sales in that European country, which is known as the world leader in EV adoption.
The news follows an earlier report from Nikkei Asia claiming Isuzu planned to start building an electric bakkie – based on the popular D-Max – in Thailand, with an intention of launching it in that market (as well as in Norway) in 2025.
In Isuzu’s mid-term business plan 2024 progress report (which was released in May 2022), the automaker confirmed a battery-electric truck, bus and pick-up were “coming soon”. About a year later, the company revealed a fully electric version of its N Series light-duty truck, which went on display at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show.
According to the Drive.com.au report, it’s this model’s electric motor – which is capable of generating between 110 kW and 150 kW, and producing 370 Nm of torque, drawing its urge from a battery pack with a capacity of 60 to 100 kWh – that is likely to power the upcoming Isuzu E-Max (if that’s indeed what it ends up be called). The publication speculates a global reveal could take place in the 2nd half of 2024.
In addition, Isuzu’s Australian division told the publication it was developing “alternative powertrain options such as [hybrid-electric], [plug-in hybrid] and [hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles]”. Whether such powertrains will be available in the D-Max body remains to be seen.
For the record, while Isuzu’s Samut Prakan factory in Thailand is the main production facility for the RG-generation D-Max, the company also builds the bakkie in China and indeed in Struandale in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
If Isuzu does launch an electric version of its D-Max in 2025, it looks likely to beat the segment’s other strong-selling nameplates – including the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger – to market.
Meet the new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, a limited-run supercar offered with either a twin-turbo V6 petrol engine or a fully electric powertrain – and rumoured to be priced at about R40-million apiece…
The new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale has been unveiled, following a similar recipe to that used to create the legendary 1967 model of the same name. Just 33 units of the fresh custom-built 2-seater coupé will be produced – and all have already been sold, reportedly for as much as R40-million apiece.
“With the new 33 Stradale, we wanted to create something that lived up to our past, to serve the brand and to make the Alfisti fandom proud. Such a result could only have been achieved thanks to the expertise, hard work and passion of our team, with the support of management who have the clear ambition to contribute to writing chapters in the brand’s future, in full respect of its unique history. This is the brand’s first fuoriserie [custom-built] car since 1969, and I promise it won’t be the last,” said Jean-Philippe Imparato, CEO of the Alfa Romeo brand.
So, what powers the modern version of the 33 Stradale? Well, the Stellantis brand says the supercar can be specified with either a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine delivering over 460 kW or a fully electric powertrain generating in excess of 560 kW (the latter with an estimated WLTP range of 450 km).
The V6 petrol engine is longitudinally mounted in the centre and drives the rear wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (while also employing an electronic limited-slip differential). For this combustion-engined version, Alfa Romeo claims the 0-100 kph sprint is seen off in “under 3.0 seconds”, while the top speed comes in at 333 kph.
In order to keep weight down, the 33 Stradale employs a carbon-fibre monocoque and aluminium H-frame, along with butterfly doors (another nod to the original). In addition, the window frames are fashioned from carbon-fibre, while the rear window is made from polycarbonate. The Italian firm says the newcomer’s aerodynamic drag coefficient comes in at 0.375 at zero downforce.
The new 33 Stradale employs a double-arm suspension system with active shock absorbers along with a hydraulically activated front-axle lift system to make negotiating speed bumps and other road obstacles a little less daunting. Meanwhile, the brake-by-wire system incorporates Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes.
The aviation-inspired cockpit – which is filled with materials like aluminium, carbon fibre, leather and Alcantara – has been designed to “minimise” distractions, says the automaker, resulting in a “limited number of controls” on the centre console. The steering wheel is devoid of buttons while a 3-dimensional instrument cluster with a telescopic design is sited directly in front of the driver.
According to Alfa Romeo, no 2 units of the 33-strong production run will be the same thanks to variations in body colours, upholstery and fabrics, while customers were furthermore given the chance to develop “functional stylistic elements” – think air intakes, wheels and even the front shield – with the development team. Each unit comes with a special VIN (repeated on the central tunnel) that includes 8 digits chosen by the customer.
“The 33 Stradale project has come about as a result of the passion and dedication of a small team of designers and engineers at the Alfa Romeo Centro Stile. The design is inspired by Franco Scaglione’s masterpiece of 1967, with a bold look to the lines of future Alfa Romeo models,” said Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, Head of Alfa Romeo Design.
“The result is made possible by the expertise and the best tradition of Italian design. A true manifesto of essential beauty: a limited number of lines, sensual and at the same time powerful capable of arousing desire and strong emotions.”
Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera has been tasked with producing the new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.
5 Used SUVs To Buy For the Price of a VW Polo Vivo
Welcome to our new “What To Buy” car-buying advice series which intends to assist you in making the most considered car-buying decision. Should you buy a new Volkswagen Polo Vivo or is there more value to be had by considering used SUVs for sale on Cars.co.za? Answers and insights here…
Should you buy a new VW Polo Vivo or rather consider choosing from a range of quality used SUVs for sale on Cars.co.za? That is a good question! The decision to buy a car is an incredibly difficult one, perhaps more now than ever before. New car prices are soaring and the sheer amount of choice on the market can be quite confusing.
Apart from knowing what your budget is to buy a car, you will have to decide whether you will be splurging on a new car or dabbling in the used car market for your next ride. This decision is an important one and it’s one that can have a significant impact on your life.
This is the first article in our new “What To Buy” series of car-buying advice articles where we will help and guide you through the car-buying and decision-making process so that you can make an informed buying decision.
Please reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram if you require further buying advice and our experienced team will be happy to assist you.
Note that the information and suggestions in this article serve as a guide only as there are numerous variables that inform any given buying decision. We hope that you will find this information useful as you embark on your car-buying journey with Cars.co.za.
The New-Car Option
You’ve been working hard for the last 5 years, saved a bit of money and you’re tired of relying on public transport or a tired old jalopy to get around. A family member has convinced you to consider buying a new, tried-and-trusted Volkswagen Polo Vivo, which is, after all, one of South Africa’s most popular cars.
Your budget is between R250k-350k and you’ve saved up R20 000, which will serve as a deposit. While you like the idea of driving a new Volkswagen Polo Vivo, you’ve also spent countless hours browsing the Cars.co.za Mobile App and you’ve seen some used cars for sale that hold some promise.
You’re now asking yourself whether the decision to buy a new Volkswagen Polo Vivo will translate into money well spent or if you could get more value for money by considering a range of used SUVs in the used-car market…
The Polo Vivo comes with a 3-year/120 000 km warranty, but a service plan must be specified at extra cost. Bear in mind 1.4-litre Polo Vivos are aimed at the budget market and equipped accordingly; for instance, only 1.6 Highline and GT versions have app-mirroring infotainment systems and cruise control.
We like: Well-proven and much-in-demand city car, broad VW dealer network, reasonably economical to run and maintain
We don’t like: dual front airbags only, ESC only from 1.6 and up, service plan optional, 280-litre load bay
The temptation to drive away in a new car is strong, because you won’t need to live with any blemishes inflicted by previous owners/drivers, plus you could benefit from the full term of the vehicle’s warranty.
However, if you buy “out of the box”, you’ll bear the brunt of depreciation, because your vehicle will lose value the moment you drive it out of the dealership. According to an article published by the AA, the loss is about 9 to 11% (immediately) and 40% of the value of the vehicle after 12 months of ownership.
Also, the Polo Vivo is undeniably an accomplished budget car, but its practicality (for the purpose of transporting multiple passengers and their luggage) is rather limited. With the same budget, if you turn to the used-car market, you’ll find a significant variety of vehicle types and models to consider.
There are a wide range of quality used SUVs for sale on Cars.co.za and if you browse through the stock listed on Cars.co.za with the Used Car Search Tool, it’s apparent that you could get significantly “more car for your money” if you’re prepared to consider a used car.
But to make the comparison fairer on the new vehicle in question, we’ve only considered used SUVs in the R250-350k price range that are 1 to 3 years old and have clocked up less than 50 000 km so far. That way, buyers could still benefit from what remains of the shortlisted vehicles’ warranty and service plans.
With the above in mind, here are 5 used SUVs to consider for roughly the same price as a new Volkswagen Polo Vivo.
Which one of these used SUVs would you put your money on?
5 Used SUVs (R250k-R350k) with less than 50k on the clock
Toyota Corolla Cross
The locally-built Toyota Corolla Cross offers better practicality than the Polo Vivo (a claimed luggage capacity of 440 litres, for example) and is powered by a naturally aspirated 1.8-litre petrol engine that offers 103 kW and 172 Nm of torque and comes paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
We like: Respectable fuel economy returns, good ride quality, refinement
We don’t like: Conservative interior design, limited number of used examples under R350k (Aug 2023)
If size and style matter to you then the Mazda CX-5 represents great bang-for-buck! It goes without saying that the CX-5 is much bigger than a Polo Vivo, but it’s also more stylish with its modern exterior and minimalist, high-quality interior design. The Mazda CX-5 examples in this selection are powered by a 121 kW/213 Nm 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
We like: Stylish, good interior fit and finish, excellent on-road manners
We don’t like: Engine can be noisy when worked hard, leisurely overtaking acceleration
The Haval Jolion is a fairly new small crossover/compact family car model in the South African market and with Haval’s aggressive pricing, allied with the Jolion’s comprehensive standard equipment list, buyers will be hard-pressed to ignore this used-car value proposition, especially in Super Luxury guise.
The Jolion is powered by a 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine with 105 kW and 210 Nm and comes paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission.
We like: Lots of standard features, relatively spacious (compared with a budget car), value for money
We don’t like: Fuel consumption could be better, not as refined as it looks
The Renault Duster with a 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine not only offers rugged practicality, but is known to return excellent performance and fuel economy. This engine delivers 80 kW and 250 Nm of torque and can be had in combination with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The high popularity of the Duster (the 2nd-gen model was launched in SA in 2018) speaks for itself.
We don’t like: Ergonomic quirks (the infotainment screen is positioned low in the fascia), petrol-powered Duster’s performance is lacklustre compared with its diesel counterpart.
Slotting in above the popular Sonet in Kia’s SUV lineup, the Seltos offers an attractive blend of style and practicality. The turbodiesel-powered Seltos with its 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine produces 86 kW/250 Nm and returns good fuel economy coupled with punchy performance in conjunction with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.
A 90 kW/151 Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine and range-topping 1.4-litre turbopetrol engine (with 103 kW/242 Nm) are also available, the latter of which is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
We like: Good road manners, punchy performance and efficiency (diesel derivative), good value proposition
We don’t like: Petrol derivative is a bit thirsty, piano black trim attracts dirt (requires continuous cleaning)
With BMW celebrating its 50th anniversary in South Africa, the BMW Car Club Gauteng made sure that the BMW Concours d’Elegance 2023 was truly special.
Overall, the event saw 70 club members participate, with 21 cars vying for the impressive trophies across four categories. The BMW Car Club Gauteng has around 670 members and has been active since 1981, with the first Concours taking place in 1982.
For the BMW Concours d’Elegance 2023 there were 21 cars entered, ranging from a beautiful silver 1968 BMW 2000 CS to a relatively new 2012 E92-generation BMW M3 Competition. The four categories are; Show & Shine, d’Elegance, d’Etat and d’Honneurs Preserved.
Cars.co.za and SentiMETAL’s Hannes Oosthuizen was a judge this year. “It’s been an eye-opener for me,” Oosthuizen said. “As a first-time judge in this type of competition it’s quite something to witness the detail that goes into judging. We were peeling back rubbers to look for dust, and using earbuds to check in the most intricate of places!”
In a field alongside the participating vehicles visitors could stroll between some of the most important models in BMW’s illustrious history, including the M1, 333i, 2004 SA and even an achingly beautiful 1937 327, belonging to Clive Winterstein, which received a special “Judges’ Choice” Award.
The judging process is extremely thorough
Concours d’Elegance 2023 winners
Show & Shine: Dhiresh Dewnaryan (BMW E92 M3) d’Etat: Preenie Pillay (BMW E30 325is) d’Elegance: Ian Fisher (BMW E23 728i) d’Honneur Preserved: Ross Cornelson (BMW E46 330 Ci Cabriolet)
Why Toyota might not call its electrified Hilux a ‘hybrid’
A Toyota executive has explained why the Japanese brand is unlikely to slap a hybrid badge on the upcoming production version of its electrified Hilux bakkie…
When Toyota released the 1st official details of the upcoming mild-hybrid version of its Hilux bakkie back in June 2023, we noted the Japanese automaker seemingly made a point of avoiding the word “hybrid” in its official press material. Now an Australian executive has explained why.
As a reminder, Toyota’s widely used 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine is in line to gain 48-volt technology, though seemingly only in conjunction with the 6-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid arrangement will include a 48-volt battery, a “small” electric motor-generator and various “other components”.
Speaking to media Down Under, Sean Hanley, who holds the role of Toyota Australia Vice President for Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, suggested such a system didn’t quite fit the brand’s definition of the term “hybrid”.
“Most of you have called it a mild hybrid. We don’t – and there’s a reason we don’t,” Hanley said, according to Drive.com.au. “In the Toyota world, ‘hybrid’ refers to a system where the engine and the electric motor can both propel the vehicle either together or independently. That’s not the case with the electric motor for the 48-volt system,” he added.
Interestingly, Toyota Africa conduced a demo run of what it called the “Hilux MHEV” (mild-hybrid electric vehicle) concept during the 7th round of the World Rally Championship in Kenya earlier this year, even emblazoning the word “hybrid” along the bakkie’s flanks. So, it’s not quite clear whether this avoidance of the word “hybrid” will be applied outside of the Australian market, where the automaker recently trademarked the term “Toyota Kinetic Assist”.
So, what is the 48-volt system’s purpose, then? Well, Hanley said it was designed to “assist” the oil-burning engine in various ways.
“It can power the car’s steering, pumps and fans, and it supports the fuel-saving stop/start operation, keeping the electrics firing and handling the load of the climate control. The system recharges while you’re driving, recovering and storing kinetic energy from braking, and it facilitates smoother and quicker start and take off once the brake pedal is released,” he added.
We expect a lightly electrified version of the Hilux (alongside a Fortuner with the same powertrain) to hit the market in South Africa at some point in 2024, after Toyota SA Motors announced such plans in May 2023. Whether Toyota SA Motors will use a “hybrid” or “MHEV” badge remains to be seen.
