The all-electric G-Class is on its way to South Africa and pricing has been confirmed. Here’s your first look at the Mercedes-Benz G 580.
Interestingly Mercedes-Benz ditched its electric badging for the BEV G-Class, with the EQG name staying on the concept. Officially, this is the Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology, yes that is quite the mouthful.
So, what do you get for your R4.6 million? The great news is that the electric G-Class will still be a formidable offroader, riding on a ladder-frame setup with a selectable low-range gearbox.
Powering the G 580 are four individually controlled motors near the wheels. A total output of 432 kW and 1 164 Nm is claimed and thanks to torque vectoring, there are virtual differential locks.
Range is up to 473 km based on the WLTP cycle, thanks to a 116 kWh battery which has been integrated into the ladder frame chassis for a low centre gravity and Mercedes-Benz claims it is water and dirt proof thanks to a torsion-resistant casing and carbon underbody protection. An energy consumption figure of around 29 kWh/100 km is claimed – which is heavy, yes, but not unexpected due to the 3-ton weight and un-aerodynamic shape.
Inside, the electric G-Class features synthesised engine sounds, which won’t be as cool as the AMG’s V8, but interesting nevertheless. The rest of the cabin features a layout and updates that are near identical to the current facelifted G-Class range. Niceties include the latest iteration of MBUX infotainment system and a massive 31.2 cm screen which has integrated driver and media info.
How much does the electric G-Class cost in South Africa?
The below price is for the Launch Edition and includes VAT as well as a service & maintenance plan.
Though it has exited Mzansi’s new-vehicle market, the Kia Rio remains a compelling option as a used buy. Let’s examine the pros and cons of the 4th-gen hatchback…
In the opening quarter of 2024, the 4th-gen Kia Rio quietly left South Africa’s new-vehicle market, bringing down the curtain on this nameplate’s 23-year local run. Around a year earlier, the South Korean firm’s local distributor had confirmed to Cars.co.za the Rio would be “phased out” since its successor would not be produced in right-hand-drive guise.
Unlike the 3rd iteration – see our Kia Rio (2011-2017) Buyer’s Guide – the YB-series Rio was available only in 5-door hatchback guise in Mzansi (no sedan body style was offered). Known as the Pride in its home market and the K2 in China, the SA-spec Rio was sourced from Kia’s Sohari plant in South Korea.
The 4th-gen Kia Rio was revealed in 2016.
As one of the Seoul-based brand’s most recognised nameplates, the Rio was a steady seller in Mzansi, even if it couldn’t come close to matching the sales figures of the segment’s most popular offering, the Kariega-built Volkswagen Polo hatch. See also:VW Polo hatchback (2010-2017) Buyer’s Guide
Local registrations dipped from 3 907 units in 2021 to 3 511 units the following year, before declining further to 1 977 units in 2023 (and settling on around 100 units in 2024, with stock finally depleted).
Interestingly, the once-bustling compact-hatch segment lost a couple of other big names shortly before the axe fell on the Rio; the Ford Fiesta and Nissan Micra were both discontinued locally in 2022.
Kia Rio (YB) model line-up in South Africa
The Rio touched down in Mzansi in mid-2017.
In September 2016, Kia released the first official images of the YB-series Rio ahead of the model’s premiere at the 2016 Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris. Again penned by Peter Schreyer, but with input from the brand’s design centres in Germany and California, the Rio hatchback gained 15 mm in length (to 4 065 mm) and 5 mm in width (to 1 725 mm), while its wheelbase increased by 10 mm to 2 580 mm.
In June 2017, the 4th-gen Rio touched down in South Africa, with Kia claiming pricing was “virtually unchanged from the outgoing model”. At launch, the local line-up comprised 7 front-wheel-drive derivatives and offered the choice of a pair of naturally aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engines, 3 transmission options and 4 trim levels.
Kia Rio 1.2 LS 5MT (62 kW/120 Nm)
Kia Rio 1.4 LX 6MT (74 kW/135 Nm)
Kia Rio 1.4 LX 4AT (74 kW/135 Nm)
Kia Rio 1.4 EX 6MT (74 kW/135 Nm)
Kia Rio 1.4 EX 4AT (74 kW/135 Nm)
Kia Rio 1.4 TEC 6MT (74 kW/135 Nm)
Kia Rio 1.4 TEC 4AT (74 kW/135 Nm)
Interestingly, though these 1.2- and 1.4-litre engines were effectively carried over from the 3rd-gen Rio, they were “revised” to offer slightly less peak power (down from 65 kW and 79 kW, respectively). Load-bay capacity increased by 37 litres to a generous 325 litres, while a full-size spare wheel came standard.
Luggage capacity increased 37 units to 325 litres, compared with that of the 3rd-gen hatch.
Just 3 months after the launch, Kia Motors SA announced a “voluntary safety recall” of about 1 266 examples of the Rio to “inspect the operation of the rear-door child locks”. On certain models, the child-locking function may have been “inoperative due to the actuator cable length being out of spec”.
In the final month of 2018, Kia ditched the antiquated 4-speed automatic transmission (available with the 1.4-litre motor) – it was replaced by a 6-speed (likewise torque-converter) self-shifting gearbox. Such-equipped variants were thus 3-tenths of a second quicker from zero to 100 kph (at a claimed 12.9 seconds), with (for what it’s worth) the stated maximum speed increasing from 166- to 175 kph.
The facelifted Rio arrived in SA late in 2020.
Towards the end of 2020, the facelifted Kia Rio made local landfall, arriving with subtly refreshed exterior styling, more standard equipment and seemingly again-tweaked engines (with the 1.2- and 1.4-litre units each dropping a kilowatt to 61 kW and 73 kW, respectively). The GT-Line version shown overseas unfortunately didn’t make it to local dealerships.
Kia Rio 1.2 LS 5MT (61 kW/120 Nm)
Kia Rio 1.4 LS 6MT (73 kW/135 Nm)
Kia Rio 1.4 LS 6AT (73 kW/135 Nm)
Kia Rio 1.4 LX 6MT (73 kW/135 Nm)
Kia Rio 1.4 LX 6AT (73 kW/135 Nm)
Kia Rio 1.4 EX 6MT (73 kW/135 Nm)
Kia Rio 1.4 EX 6AT (73 kW/135 Nm)
Kia Rio 1.4 TEC 6MT (73 kW/135 Nm)
Kia Rio 1.4 TEC 6AT (73 kW/135 Nm)
While the 4 trim levels were retained, Kia Motors SA expanded the range to 9 derivatives by making the 1.4-litre engine (in either manual or auto form) available in entry-level LS guise. All variants upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen, while Perennial Grey and Sporty Blue were added to the exterior paint colour palette. Note, however, that the 1.2 LS downgraded to a 2-year/60 000 km service plan at this point.
What are the strengths of the YB-series Kia Rio?
The pre-facelift Rio LS was specced to attract fleet buyers.
Plenty of standard features: At launch, most derivatives came generously equipped, though it’s worth noting the pre-facelift 1.2 LS was pitched squarely at fleet buyers, which meant it made do with items such as steel wheels and a decidedly basic audio system. The LX grade boasted automatic headlamps, front foglamps, LED daytime running lights, 15-inch alloy wheels, a centre console armrest, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, an upgraded instrument cluster and extra speakers (a total of 6).
Next came the EX trim grade, which included projector headlights and LED rear combination lamps, along with a 7-inch touchscreen system (compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), a reverse-view camera and rear parking sensors. Finally, the TEC trim level was set apart by 17-inch rims, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, an electro-chromatic rearview mirror, alloy pedals and leather trim.
A look at the pre-facelift TEC derivative’s cabin.
At the facelift, all variants upgraded to the aforementioned 8-inch touchscreen, while LS variants gained a 6-speaker audio setup and 15-inch alloys. Interestingly, the LX grade lost LED DRLs at this point, while the EX traded up to 17-inch alloys and the TEC gained auto aircon (climate control).
While the cabin featured plenty of plastic, it felt solidly put together with suitably tight shut lines. Rear passenger space was about class average (with aft occupants benefitting from access to a dedicated USB charging point), while the 60:40-split rear bench folded down flat to free up generous utility space. All derivatives came with tilt-and-telescopic adjustment for the steering column.
Both engine options were well-proven in the preceding model.
Well-proven engines: When the YB-series Rio was introduced in Mzansi, Kia Motors SA said it had opted to stick with the atmospheric 1.2- and 1.4-litre petrol engines (rather than go the forced-induction route) because the powerplants had “proven themselves over the past 5 years” and remained “very popular” with local buyers. For the record, both powerplants used so-called lifetime timing chains rather than belts. Properly maintained, these engines should provide several years of reliable service.
Unlimited-kilometre warranty: In South Africa, the 4th-gen Rio was sold with Kia’s 5-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty (along with roadside assistance for the same period). As such, late model-year examples on the used market would still enjoy appreciable warranty coverage, regardless of mileage.
What are the weaknesses of the YB-series Kia Rio?
The pre-facelift Rio wasn’t available with stability control.
No ESC in pre-facelift range: While the SA-spec version of the pre-facelift Rio shipped standard with dual front airbags, ABS and ISOfix child-seat anchors (along with side- and curtain airbags in the range-topping TEC derivative), it was regrettably missing any form of electronic stability control (ESC).
Still, that shortcoming was largely addressed at the mid-cycle update in December 2020, when both ESC and hill-start assist were added to all grades bar the entry-level LS.
Overly firm ride on 17-inch wheels: With its forebear criticised for a lack of dynamic sparkle, the 4th-gen Rio featured a revised spring-and-damper set-up to ostensibly deliver “more enjoyable, engaging handling characteristics”.
However, in variants fitted with 17-inch alloys and 205/45 R17 tyres (the TEC and the facelifted EX), this manifested as an overly firm, and sometimes fidgety, low-speed ride. Derivatives with 15-inch wheels, wrapped in plumper 185/65 R15 rubber, had a palpably more comfortable on-road demeanour.
Models on 17-inch alloys featured a firm ride.
Lack of low-down grunt: As was the case with its predecessor, the 4th-gen Rio scored potential reliability points for its relatively fuss-free atmospheric engines, but the resulting fly in the ointment was a distinct lack of low-down torque compared with competitor products powered by turbocharged powerplants. In short, both mills felt comparatively lifeless in the bottom part of the rev range.
The 1.2-litre motor’s meagre maximum torque (120 Nm) arrived only at 4 000 rpm, while the 1.4-litre unit made its peak figure (135 Nm) at an even loftier 4 200 rpm. Though a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine (offered in conjunction with 7-speed dual-clutch auto ‘box) was available in some overseas markets – and reportedly under consideration for South Africa – it didn’t ever make local landfall.
How much is a used Kia Rio in South Africa?
A sunroof was optional on the TEC grade.
As a reminder, all derivatives came with a 5-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan – bar the facelifted 1.2 LS, which dropped to a 2-year/60 000 km service plan. The only options were metallic paint and a sunroof, with the latter exclusive to the TEC derivatives.
Of the used 4th-gen Kia Rio models listed on Cars.co.za at the time of writing, around 60% featured the 1.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine. The manual gearbox was comfortably the most prevalent transmission with about 79%, while the base LS grade accounted for nearly half of all listings.
Below R200 000: The cheapest YB-series Kia Rio we discovered was a 2021 1.4 LS listed for just R99 900, though the seller declared that it had been involved in an accident. Still, we found several more units priced below R150 000, mostly from the opening 2 model years. The sub-R200 000 space also played host to later model-year examples, chiefly in LS guise.
From R200 000 to R250 000: Like the pricing bracket above, this space contained almost a 3rd of all 4th-gen Rio listings. Around half of the variants listed were facelifted examples, while their indicated mileages were, on average, well below 100 000 km.
R250 000 to R300 000: Once more, approximately 30% of listed examples were positioned between these pricing bookends, with the majority from the final 3 model years. Most showed under 50 000 km on their respective odometers, though the base LS grade interestingly still dominated.
R300 000 and up: A mere 6% of listed variants were priced above R300 000. All were facelifted examples, with the transmission split between manual and auto almost even. The most expensive unit we unearthed was a 2022 Rio 1.4 TEC 6AT with 32 000 km on the clock, priced at R359 995.
Which Kia Rio derivative should I buy?
The pre-facelift versions of the EX, LX, LS and TEC (left to right).
In terms of engines, we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the larger-capacity 1.4-litre unit – which furthermore benefitted from an extra cog in manual form, making highway driving a decidedly more refined affair – over the comparatively breathless 1.2-litre mill. If you require a self-shifting transmission, opt for the 6-speed automatic cog-swapper introduced late in 2018 rather than the earlier 4-speed ‘box.
What about trim levels? Well, though it’s seemingly the most prevalent grade on the used market, we’d suggest steering clear of the entry-level LS specification and instead focusing your search on the better-equipped LX (or even the EX and TEC).
Note the larger touchscreen in this facelifted Rio’s cabin.
Of course, should ride comfort be high on your list of priorities, note that the range-topping TEC and the facelifted EX might not be your best choices owing to these derivatives’ 17-inch wheels and relatively low-profile tyres. In such a case, we’d thus again recommend the LX, which ran on plumper rubber. Unfortunately, however, keep in mind only the TEC came with the full complement of 6 airbags.
Finally, look for a facelifted model, considering the YB-series Rio’s mid-cycle update added items such as a larger touchscreen and electronic stability control (the latter for all except the LS derivatives).
Is the YB-series Rio a smart used purchase?
The 4th-gen Rio faced several big names in the B-segment.
What alternatives do you have in this space? Well, the heavy hitters in the B-segment at the time were the 6th-gen Volkswagen Polo hatch, the 7th-gen Ford Fiesta, the Renault Clio V and, of course, both the IB- and BI3-series versions of the Rio’s Hyundai i20 cousin.
Somewhat less popular rivals (though still worthy of your consideration) include the seemingly evergreen 3rd-gen Mazda2, the P2JO-series Opel Corsa and the K14-series Nissan Micra, along with late model-year examples of the 3rd-gen Honda Jazz (and early versions of the Fit that replaced it). After something a little more left-field? Well, there’s also the Peugeot 208 and Citroen C3.
In Mzansi, the Rio badge is sadly no more.
Of course, most of the models mentioned above were available with downsized turbocharged engines, while the YB-series Kia Rio stuck with simple atmospheric motors in South Africa. Still, the resulting lack of low-down punch is arguably offset by a greater potential for long-term mechanical reliability.
Add neat exterior styling, an ergonomically sound cabin and commendable levels of hatchback practicality and you can see why we feel it’s a shame this nameplate has been discontinued in South Africa (and indeed all other right-hand-drive markets). Thankfully, however, there are still plenty of examples available on the used market today.
SA’s favourites in 2024: 10 best-selling cars & crossovers
A trio of South Africa’s 10 best-selling cars and crossovers for 2024 achieved double-digit year-on-year growth. Here are Mzansi’s favourites in the passenger-vehicle space…
In 2024, South Africa’s new-vehicle market fell 3.0% year on year to 515 712 units. That said, the new passenger-vehicle segment experienced marginal year-on-year growth of 1.1% to finish on 351 302 units. So, which cars and crossovers were ultimately Mzansi’s favourites in 2024? We’ve done the maths to identify the 10 best-selling models.
Rather fascinatingly, every vehicle that placed on the list of SA’s 10 best-selling cars and crossovers in 2023 again achieved that feat in 2024 – though there were some positional changes. That means the list again comprises 4 models produced right here in South Africa, along with another 4 imported from India and the remaining 2 shipped over from China.
As many as 3 nameplates (all imported) in the top 10 enjoyed double-digit year-on-year growth, while a further 3 (interestingly, all inside the top 4) suffered a fall in sales compared with the preceding reporting period. Let’s take a closer look at the figures and which of SA’s favourites placed where…
Podium unchanged as Polo Vivo wins again
Yes, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo (which was facelifed in August 2024) retained its long-held title of South Africa’s best-selling passenger car in 2024, finishing the year on a heady 25 913 units – or a monthly average as high as 2 159 units. The Kariega-built hatchback’s year-on-year growth of 8.4% is all the more impressive considering it came off the back of a 14.6% increase in 2023.
Though sales of the Toyota Corolla Cross slid 3.2% year on year to 21 861 units, the Prospecton-made crossover retained 2nd position in 2024, ending 4 052 units off the pace (for the record, the gap in 2023 was just 1 312 units). Similarly, sales of the Suzuki Swift were down 1.3% year on year to 15 768 units (thanks in part to the switchover to a new generation), but the Indian-manufactured hatchback still comfortably retained 3rd place.
Grand i10 records strongest growth in top 10
The Indian-built Toyota Starlet – which was again beaten to the title of SA’s most popular imported vehicle by the Swift – held onto 4th place despite local registrations falling 10.1% year on year to 14 129 units. For the record, the Baleno – the Suzuki model on which the Starlet is based – finished 2024 in 13th place on 7 311 units.
Meanwhile, the Hyundai Grand i10 – which benefitted from a mid-year price cut – climbed 3 rankings to 5th place, registering the strongest growth in the top 10. In the end, sales of the Indian-made budget model (which is offered locally in both hatchback and sedan form) surged 38.2% year on year to 13 583 units. Note this figure excludes the 756 Cargo-badged panel-van units Hyundai also registered in the light-commercial vehicle space.
Tiggo 4 Pro climbs as Polo hatchback slips
The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro was again the highest-ranked Chinese vehicle, moving up a position to grab 6th place in 2024. Sales of the small crossover grew an impressive 25.8% year on year to 12 646 units (this after soaring a whopping 117.5% in 2023). The increasingly popular Tiggo 4 Pro cracked 4 figures as many as 7 times in 2024, a feat it failed to achieve even once in the preceding 12 months.
The year 2024 was somewhat of a mixed bag for the Volkswagen Polo hatchback, with sales increasing 4.3% year on year to 12 253 units but the Kariega-manufactured model still slipping 2 spots to end in a comparatively lowly 7th. As a reminder, the Polo hatch was SA’s 2nd best-selling passenger vehicle (behind only the Vivo) as recently as 2021, though tumbled from the podium in 2022.
Magnite sneaks into 5 figures (and past Jolion)
While sales of the Toyota Fortuner increased 2.7% year on year to 10 666 units, the locally built adventure SUV ended up dropping 2 rankings to finish in 8th. That said, the Fortuner easily remained Mzansi’s top-selling ladder-frame SUV, with its nearest rival being the Ford Everest way down in 30th on 3 109 units.
Meanwhile, the Nissan Magnite breached the 5-figure mark to climb a spot to 9th, with local registrations of this Indian-built crossover – which was facelifted in October 2024 – surging 17.2% year on year to 10 059 units. With the NP200 no more, the Magnite accounted for a whopping 45.1% of Nissan SA’s volume in 2024. Finally, the Haval Jolion fell a place to 10th position, despite sales growing 7.1% year on year to 9 213 units.
Which models were bubbling under in 2024, falling just outside the top 10? Well, the Kia Sonet (7 425 units) was the best of the rest, placing 11th and followed closely by a trio of Suzuki models: the Fronx (7 355 units), Baleno (7 311 units) and Ertiga (7 198 units). The Celerio-based Toyota Vitz, meanwhile, took 15th position with 6 927 registrations.
South Africa’s 10 best-selling passenger vehicles in 2024
We sample what is arguably one of the most exciting modern-classic Aston Martins: the 2009-2018 V12 Vantage – equipped with a manual transmission, no less!
Aston Martin is well-known for its gorgeous sportscars. We immediately associate the Gaydon-based brand with James Bond, as well as a strong racing pedigree. So, desirability is certainly strong. It can be argued, however, that most of the marque’s offerings fall more in the grand tourer category than being thrilling, engaging driver’s cars (excluding the likes of the super-exclusive Valour and Valkyrie, of course).
There are exceptions, though. If you’re looking for a fairly modern Aston Martin sportscar that is both good to look at and thrilling to drive, then the V12 Vantage, introduced in 2009, must rank at, or near, the top of the list. Besides… when last did you experience a V12 mated with a 6-speed manual gearbox?
The Details
Being the V12, this model is equipped with numerous model-specific addenda. Notice, for example, the carbon-fibre louvred bonnet, which is not just for show – it allows excess engine heat to dissipate.
You have to appreciate the 10-spoke alloy wheels and the small front splitter, to name a few other eye-catching details. It is not “over-the-top”, however, this car is still immediately recognisable as a Vantage.
The doors swing open (slightly upward) to reveal a cabin still in a near-pristine condition. When we took this car for a drive, it had less than 10 000 km on its odometer; unsurprisingly, the sportscar’s leather trim and the tastefully applied Alcantara inserts were in great condition.
When you’re ensconced behind the tiller, you are greeted by an anti-clockwise analogue rev counter and the clockwise speedometer behind a thick-rimmed (and Alcantara-trimmed) steering wheel. To your left is the most notable feature in the cabin, the stubby – and rather shiny – metal-capped gear lever.
This ornament gives you access to the car’s party piece: a 6-speed manual gearbox – not an automated manual, but a true stick-shift. Next, slot the crystal glass key fob into the dashboard. Press it and the 6.0-litre V12 engine erupts with a (very welcoming) deep burble from the pair of exhaust pipes at the back.
Specifications
Model: Aston Martin Vantage V12
Engine: 6.0-litre, 12-cylinder (V12), petrol
Power: 380 kW at 6 500 rpm
Torque: 570 Nm at 5 750 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual, AWD
Weight: 1 680 kg
0-100 kph: 4.34 sec (as tested by CAR magazine)
Top speed: 305 kph (claimed)
Behind the ‘wheel
Whether you’re parking the car or trundling through town at low speeds, the V12 Vantage feels relatively compact. At no time does it feel like a big, cumbersome GT, even if the expansive bonnet is pronounced.
In the bottom half of the rev range (at, say, 2 000 or 3 000 rpm), you can lean on the sizeable V12 motor’s torque, but the engine truly comes alive from there on out. If you push the revs past 6 000 rpm, the Aston feels like a true sports car in every way, accompanied by a magnificent soundtrack.
As I head towards Kalk Bay along Boyes Drive, I revel in the V12 Vantage’s ample performance and can’t help but smile at the visceral driving experience that this British machine delivers. With 380 kW and 570 Nm of torque on tap, you quickly run out of road to experience all the performance that it has to offer.
Make no mistake: the V12 Vantage is a fast car. Its claimed 0-100 kph time is 3.9 sec (with a top speed of 305 kph), but you’ll need time to familiarise yourself with the car, so you can learn how to best launch it.
The steering wheel provides enough feedback, while the carbon-ceramic brakes work perfectly to brush off speed – and in a hurry, which may often be the case. The faster you drive the V12 Vantage, the more compact the car begins to feel. The ride quality is firm, but thankfully not crashy whatsoever.
You can also count on the car’s grip, which is immense, but should the situation allow – and you’re sufficiently skilled behind the wheel – you can get the back end to break away with ease (such fun!), even if the front tyres are 255/35 ZR19 in size and, at the rear, a more substantial 295/30 ZR19.
If you haven’t driven a hardcore manual sportscar for a while, the Aston’s clutch action might seem a trifle heavy, but after a few minutes, you forget about it and are simply absorbed in the experience.
Summary
This Aston Martin V12 Vantage has a split personality. I can imagine how one could spend a good few hours behind the ‘wheel while covering vast distances in relative comfort. At the same time, it’s a dyed-in-the-wool sportscar that invariably offers an exhilarating experience, even on a dash to the shops.
Seeing as it’s a modern classic, don’t forget to pack your CDs from a decade ago if you need musical accompaniment in the car, but for most enthusiasts, I suspect the sonorous V12 will more than suffice.
Trading at more than double the price of a manual Vantage V8 from the same era, a V8 Vantage in great condition might still be a better buy – a bargain, even. However, if you want the ultimate non-S Vantage variant – a driver’s car that will beguile and engage you – it is hard to fault the V12 Vantage manual.
Apart from those gorgeous looks, the combination of the performance and the practicality of being able to take on a road trip (with some luggage accommodated in the boot), makes it a great proposition as a weekend toy and grand tourer. Relative rarity should ensure values remain strong in the long term, too.
This car was sourced and sold by MotoVillage, located in Tokai, Cape Town.
The facelifted Toyota Corolla Cross will soon launch in South Africa. Here’s a look at pricing for the updated locally built crossover, which gains fresh exterior styling and more kit…
Almost a year ago, the facelifted Toyota Corolla Cross was revealed in Thailand. Now, ahead of this updated locally built crossover’s official market launch in South Africa, we can confirm pricing.
As a reminder, the Prospecton-produced Corolla Cross was Mzansi’s 2nd best-selling passenger vehicle in 2024 (behind only the likewise locally made Volkswagen Polo Vivo), with nearly 22 000 units registered around the country last year.
The revised front end of the Corolla Cross, featuring a distinctive grille.
The facelifted portfolio again comprises 7 derivatives, including 4 grades – Xi, XS, XR and GR Sport (or GR-S, for short). As before, the line-up kicks off with the Corolla Cross 1.8 Xi, with this entry-level derivative now priced at R414 800 (up R6 400 compared with the pre-facelift version). The naturally aspirated 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine remains, sending an unchanged 103 kW and 172 Nm to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Next comes the Corolla Cross 1.8 XS at R452 200, followed by the Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XS at R494 400 (both increases of R8 300). The latter variant’s powertrain likewise carries over unchanged, with this hybrid set-up offering a combined system output of 90 kW (plus 142 Nm from the petrol motor).
The Corolla Cross 1.8 XR now comes in at R501 500, while the Corolla Cross 1.8 GR Sport is pegged at R518 200, the Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XR at R545 200 and the flagship Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid GR Sport at R561 700. Interestingly, these 4 derivatives are each up a more significant R18 000 compared with the pre-facelift versions.
So, what’s new with the facelift? Well, though the exterior styling of the GR-Sport appears largely unchanged, the other variants all score a revised front end, led by a redesigned grille with a body-coloured finish and honeycomb pattern. There are also new LED headlamps (with sequential indicators for XR and GR-S variants) and fresh paint colours, including the striking Desert Gold hue pictured here.
All derivatives now feature an electric handbrake.
Further updates include an electric tailgate (complete with a below-bumper kick sensor for handsfree operation), a new 12.3-inch digital multi-information display and a panoramic-view monitor for XR and GR-S derivatives, along with the adoption of an electric handbrake across the range.
The Xi derivative now features rear parking sensors, with the mid-spec XS trim upgrading to front sensors in addition to its existing rear items. Both XS and XR variants come with leather upholstery available in either a Terra Rosa or Black colour scheme.
What does the facelifted Toyota Corolla Cross cost in SA?
Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Xi – R414 800
Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 XS – R452 200
Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XS – R494 400
Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 XR – R501 500
Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 GR Sport – R518 200
Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XR – R545 200
Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid GR Sport – R561 700
The prices above include Toyota’s 3-year/100 000 km vehicle warranty and a 6-service/90 000 km service plan (with intervals of 15 000 km).
The Top 10 finalists in the running for the prestigious World Car of the Year title have been announced, along with the Top 5 in the 6 individual categories.
Now in its 21st year, the World Car Awards has been the world’s top motoring awards programme for the past 12 years (source: AITASTIC’s 2024 report, which analysed the WCA’s media reach in 47 markets) and the 2025 World Car Awards winners will be announced at the New York Auto Show on 16 April 2025.
A jury of 96 distinguished international automotive journalists from 30 countries selected the finalists based on their evaluation of each eligible vehicle as part of their professional work. Cars.co.za’s Head of SentiMETAL & Special Projects, Hannes Oosthuizen is South Africa’s longest-serving juror.
“With cars such as the locally-manufactured BMW X3, the recently-launched Ford Mustang, Mini Cooper, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Prado and Volkswagen Tiguan all in the running, this year’s World Car Awards are particularly relevant to our market,” said Oosthuizen. “Furthermore, several of these finalists are also in the running in the 2024/25 Cars.co.za Awards – sponsored by Absa,” he added.
Top 10 finalists: World Car of the Year
The trophy that car brands want most is the overall World Car of the Year title. The following 10 vehicles are competing for this prestigious trophy – the initial list consisted of no fewer than 52 contenders.
Furthermore, all vehicles competing in the 5 categories above are eligible for the 2025 World Car Design of the Year award.
A design panel comprising 5 highly respected world design experts was asked to 1st review each candidate and establish a short list of recommendations for the jurors’ final vote. The design experts were in alphabetical order: Anja Bracht (Germany – Pforzheim University), Gert Hildebrand (Germany – Owner Hildebrand-Design), Tom Matano (USA – Academy of Art University, Former Head of Design – Mazda), Victor Nacif (USA – Chief Creative Officer, Brojure.com and Design instructor, New School of Architecture and Design) and Shiro Nakamura (Japan – CEO, Shiro Nakamura Design Associates Inc.)
The 5 finalists chosen by the design panel for the jurors’ vote in February are:
Toyota LC79 cracks top 5! SA’s best-selling bakkies in December 2024
Toyota’s Land Cruiser 79 climbed into the top half of the list of South Africa’s 10 best-selling bakkies in December 2024. Here are the sales figures for the final month of the year…
In December 2024, South Africa’s new-vehicle market improved 2.5% year on year to 41 273 units. While the passenger-vehicle segment was yet again the driver of this overall industry growth, sales in the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) space slid 10.3% year on year to 9 136 units.
So, what happened on the list of Mzansi’s best- and worst-selling bakkies in December 2024? Well, the Toyota Hilux ended the year right where it started – at the very top of the list. In 2024’s final month, Toyota registered as many as 2 926 units of the Prospecton-built bakkie around SA, representing an 8.3% increase over November 2024‘s effort.
Toyota’s Hilux enjoyed an 8.3% month on month increase in sales.
Meanwhile, local sales of the Ford Ranger dipped 14.4% month on month to 1 924 units in December, meaning the Silverton-manufactured contender found itself more than 1 000 units off the pace in 2nd place. However, the Isuzu D-Max’s month-on-month decline was even more marked, with sales of the Struandale-made model – which nevertheless retained 3rd position – falling a considerable 38.4% to 1 086 units in December 2024.
Though local registrations of the KwaZulu-Natal-assembled Mahindra Pik Up plummeted 44.2% month on month to 390 units, the Indian brand’s bakkie still managed to retain 4th place. However, the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 (352 units) range – which recently welcomed a manual-gearbox version of the 2.8-litre GD-6 powertrain – was hot on its heels, moving up 2 places to crack the top 5 in December.
The Ford-built Volkswagen Amarok (315 units) remained in 6th spot last month, while the Rosslyn-produced Nissan Navara (300 units) slid 2 rankings to finish in 7th. Despite a slow-down in sales compared with November, the GWM P-Series (which will soon gain a facelift, with the standard models adopting the “P300” badge) managed to keep hold of 8th place, with 169 units registered.
Interestingly, the Chinese-made Peugeot Landtrek breached 3 figures for only the 3rd time this year, with its December tally of 126 units representing its 2nd-best effort of 2024 and proving enough for it to return to the top 10 and snaffle 9th. As a reminder, Stellantis SA plans to commence local assembly of this bakkie from completely knocked-down kits at a new facility in Gqeberha towards the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026.
Mitsubishi’s new Triton retained 10th place in the final month of 2024.
Finally, the Mitsubishi Triton – which moved into a new generation locally in November 2024 – closed out the table with 65 units, retaining 10th place. Though this figure represented a decrease compared with the 82 examples sold in the preceding month, it was indeed enough to keep the Japanese contender inside the top 10.
Best of the rest in December 2024: bakkies outside top 10
The GWM Steed was knocked out of the top 10 in December 2024.
What about the bakkies that didn’t crack the top 10 in December 2024? Well, the JAC T-Series – the Chinese firm unfortunately reported only a combined figure for its T6, T8 and T9 line-ups, so we technically can’t rank these individual nameplates in the top 10 – managed 86 units.
Meanwhile, the GWM Steed – which had placed 9th in November – finished on 52 units, while the Mahindra Bolero ended the month on 19 units. Next came the Jeep Gladiator (8 units), a facelifted version of which is expected to launch locally at some point in 2025, with the since-discontinued Nissan NP200 (production ceased at Rosslyn back in March 2024) bringing up the rear on just 3 units.
2025 will be a big year for Jaecoo, as it looks to expand its product line-up and dealer network. For now, the brand offers only the J7, which makes a strong 1st impression, but does it stand up to closer scrutiny? Read our extended review of the 1.6T Glacier!
A standard Cars.co.za review is thorough (we conduct it over a 7- to 14-day period), but if we hope to discover a model’s granular details, talents and quirks, an extended test over the December holiday period is the ideal opportunity to form a more in-depth understanding and appreciation of a vehicle.
For the 2024/2025 period, this author got behind the ‘wheel of a Jaecoo J7, tested here in the mid-spec Glacier trim grade. Jaecoo is a new Chinese brand that began operating in South Africa in 2024 and, in case you didn’t know, the brand forms part of the Chery Group‘s O&J division, along with Omoda.
Fundamentally, all the Chery Group vehicles make use of common platforms and share powertrains, but have different exterior designs, cabin layouts, and market positionings.
Many onlookers said the J7 had Range Rover design cues. We expected it: the Chery Group builds JLR products in China.
The Jaecoo J7 is the brand’s only model (for now) and priced from R549 900 (January 2025), with new arrivals like the compact J5, the boxy, all-electric J6 and J8 7-seater earmarked for South Africa in 2025.
The R500k-R600k family car segment is awash with excellent offerings. However, when you look at the technical data, you will see the Jaecoo J7 is a little smaller than traditional medium SUVs, so you can rule out the Toyota RAV4, VW Tiguan, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5 as possible rivals.
As like-for-like rivals, which are very similarly sized to this striking Chinese newcomer that purposely resembles a luxury British car brand’s SUV, we’ve singled out the Kia Seltos and Volkswagen T-Roc.
It’s not a road trip until you stop at an obscure padstal for biltong!
Things To Like about the Jaecoo J7
An abundance of standard features
The J7 1.6T Glacier is one of those vehicles where it is simply easier to list the features that are missing – otherwise, we’d fill this entire page and take up far too much of your time detailing each and every item.
A heated steering wheel, privacy glass and all-wheel drive are the only items left off – they’re reserved for the 1.6T Inferno AWD flagship variant, which costs a notable R80k more than the 1.6T Glacier.
Wireless Android Auto works well on the massive portrait-oriented infotainment screen.
Highlights (features we used extensively) include the ventilation function for the front seats (they can also be heated) – it was very welcome on hot summer days, integrated dashcam, head-up display, 360-degree parking camera, wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, Sony audio system, 14.8-inch portrait touchscreen, and 50W wireless charging (which is genuinely effective, not all cars’ inductive pads are).
Most car wireless charging pads have outputs ranging from 5 to 10W. This is 50W!
Eager performance
Under the bonnet is a 145 kW/290 Nm 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine mated with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Those peak outputs suggest the J7 should be brisk in a straight line, but seeing as the test unit arrived with very few kilometres on its odo, we delayed the 0-100-kph test a while.
The front end of the Jaecoo J7 is distinctive, it looks bigger than it is!
But once the odometer nudged past 2 000 km, we hooked up our test gear for 1st first acceleration run of 2025. The 1.6T Glacier bucked its name by zipping to 100 kph from a standstill in a spirited 8.04 sec; Jaecoo doesn’t state an acceleration time for the J7, but it feels punchy for a not-so-small crossover.
Three drive modes are available: Sport, Eco and Normal.
Like in other Chinese brands’ models, the throttle calibration isn’t perfect – we found the J7’s powertrain tended to respond to gentle (to firmer) accelerator pedal inputs with nothing, nothing again, and then all of the torque at once (often accompanied by a chirp from the front tyres), but we solved that by driving exclusively in Eco (the other drive modes are Normal and Sport), which is smoother and more relaxed.
Usually, you’d knock a transmission lever to the side to access the manual override mode, but not here.
The transmission, which shifts smoothly and exactly when you expect it to, is excellent. Granted, there are no ‘shift paddles on the ‘wheel and the manual override function is unconventional because you use the standard shift movement from Park-Reverse-Neutral-Drive to change up/down, which is quite novel.
Safety Features
Considering the 1.6T Glacier’s price point, it’s fitted with a staggering (but impressive) level of safety equipment. In Glacier trim, the Jeacoo J7 comes fitted with 8 airbags (including a driver’s knee bag and 1 positioned between the seats), autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-departure warning/prevention, rear cross-traffic alert/assist, and much more.
We also discovered a pair of interesting features. First, the blind-spot assist works in conjunction with the rear passenger doors when the Jaecoo is standing still. If a vehicle is approaching, a subtle warning light will flash to alert passengers that it is unsafe to exit the vehicle. Second, when you’re sitting in traffic and not paying attention, the 1.6T Glacier will beep to let you know the car in front of you has moved. Clever!
Dislikes?
Iffy electronics
Because an increasing number of new-car buyers are more concerned with new vehicles’ packaging than their mechanical configurations, most car manufacturers now endow their products with a bristling assortment of high-tech features… but getting them to work together seamlessly is no easy task.
Software specialists often talk about UX (user experience, including intuitiveness, efficiency, utility and so on) and it’s a bit frightening to think about how much computing power new cars have. But even if cars have become increasingly connected, bugs/glitches commonly occur – especially on new models.
In our case, a week before the J7 was due to be collected, its blind-spot detection system stopped working. A quick reset (turning the car off and on again) didn’t resolve the problem. We drove to the office and a few hours later, when we returned to the car to drive home, the glitch had vanished. It was weird, but such issues are becoming common – another car in our December fleet had a similar problem.
When Integrated Cruise Control is active, the road markings turn blue. The red dots are the driver monitoring system
Integrated Cruise Control is Jaecoo’s propriety name for its assisted-driving program, which utilises adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist to perform semi-autonomous driving. You have to keep your hands on the wheel – if you don’t, the car will detect a lack of resistance on the rim and sound an alert.
The system works adequately, but there were a few times when the integrated cruise control actuated overly harsh steering inputs and applied automatic braking force VERY late, so some fine-tuning or polishing is required. For what it’s worth, if you crave this sort of tech, then look to Volvo’s Pilot Assist.
Located atop the steering column is a small rectangular sensor, which tracks your eye moment. If you’re not paying attention to the road in front of you, an alert will sound. It quickly becomes overbearing – and intrusive. It CAN be switched off, yes, but it will reactivate itself once you restart the vehicle.
Clumsy ergonomics
There’s no shortage of safety features in the J7 – very impressive!
Yes, the sizeable portrait-orientated touchscreen boasts excellent graphics and visibility (day and night, in all types of weather), but it does seem as if Jaecoo has impeded the user-friendliness of the J7’s infotainment system by integrating, no, jam-packing way too much functionality into it.
Here’s an example of digital clunkiness: if you want to change the cabin temperature while Android Auto is running, you have to exit that application, push the home screen button, open the climate control menu (to make the adjustment), then push the home button, before you can open Android Auto again.
There are very few buttons in the Jaecoo J7, there are (pretty much) all you get.
All that faff, just to change the cabin temperature? A simple climate control shortcut button would solve that, but to be fair, so would more familiarisation: there is a discreet AC on/off button located adjacent to the drive-mode selector, which will call up the climate menu. The rest of the screen’s ergonomics are quite un-car-like – they incorporate a smartphone- or tablet-esque user flow with swipes and flicks.
If you swipe downwards from the top of the screen, you get access to the menu shown above, from which you can deactivate the start-stop system – it took us 10 days to find that setting! You’ll notice that you can also adjust the screen brightness and volume with sliders, much like a smartphone/tablet. Great for the younger generation, but it’s likely to be a steep and intimidating learning curve for older buyers.
Mediocre fuel economy
Even when we utilised the most conservative drive mode (Eco) frequently and adopted a measured driving style while travelling long distances with the 1.6T Glacier, we couldn’t get the test unit to consume less than 7.9 L/100 km (Jaecoo claims 7 L/100 km and we travelled about 2 500 km). In our opinion, when compared with similarly-sized rivals, the J7 is relatively thirsty. We expect that if you drive with a care-free attitude in Normal or Sport mode, the average consumption will nudge – or eclipse – 9 L/100 km.
We achieved 7.9 L/100 km in Eco mode in combined driving conditions.
The Jaecoo J7 range will gain a plug-in hybrid version in 2025, which should address any fuel economy concerns. It’s likely to be the priciest derivative (due to its more sophisticated powertrain), but tests in China have claimed an average consumption of 3.3 L/100 km, as well as a pure electric range of 125 km.
Prices include a 5-year/70 000 km service plan and a 5-year/150 000 km mechanical warranty, as well as an “additional engine warranty valid for 10 years/1 000 000 km,” Omoda & Jaecoo South Africa says.
Summary
Visiting one of our favourite wine farms on a particularly scorching hot day near Citrusdal.
Jaecoo (and parent company Chery) is well aware that it has no legacy (and therefore, little brand cachet) in South Africa and is in the early stages of building a reputation in the local automotive market.
Buying a new car isn’t a cheap exercise – there are precious few bargains out there – and convincing potential customers to look past legacy brands to choose something brand new – and unproven – is a tough ask. Yet, when you look around on our roads, the uptake of new Chinese brands’ cars is high!
First impressions count for a lot. The keen pricing, extensive after-sales support, abundance of standard equipment, impressive infotainment screen and punchy driving performance outweigh the drawbacks.
Happily, these issues can, and should, be resolved with running updates and given the Chery Group’s rapid pace of manufacturing, short lifecycles and vast parts bin, we won’t have to wait long. The devil is in the details: better English grammar and syntax in the menus will also bolster the brand’s credibility.
Overall, despite its quirks, we enjoyed getting to know Jaecoo’s J7 and can understand why it is selling as strongly as it is (soon there will be more Jaecoos to choose from, which will also benefit the model). It offers ample space for families, plenty of performance and more gadgets than you’re ever likely to need.
Chery climbs! SA’s new-vehicle sales for December 2024
December 2024 represented the SA new-vehicle market’s 3rd consecutive month of year-on-year growth. Here’s your overview, including Mzansi’s best-selling automakers…
South Africa’s new-vehicle market recorded its 3rd consecutive year-on-year increase in monthly sales, with local registrations in December 2024 growing 2.5% to 41 273 units. As expected, however, the year’s final month – which is traditionally a relatively low-volume sales period – was down markedly (some 15%, in fact) compared with November’s high of 48 585 units.
Ultimately, despite the uptick experienced in the final quarter, Mzansi’s new-vehicle sales for 2024 overall fell 3.0% year on year to 515 712 units. In addition, for the first time since 2020, the country’s new-vehicle exports declined, falling 22.8% year on year to 308 830 units (after dropping 4.3% year on year to 25 931 units in December).
Naamsa says 88.4% of the total reported industry figure of 41 273 units in December 2024 represented dealer sales, while 8.1% were sales to the vehicle-rental industry, 2.1% to government and 1.4% to industry corporate fleets.
Yet again, the new passenger-vehicle market proved the driver of the industry’s year-on-year growth in December, gaining 8.2% to 29 775 units (10.9% of which came courtesy of the rental channel). The new light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment, however, slipped 10.3% year on year to 9 136 units.
Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA), suggested a key contributor to the overall decline in LCV sales was “the pullback of SA Taxi Finance, which prompted other financial institutions to follow suit”.
“This led to a sharp decline in taxi sales, which fell from well over 1 000 units per month to just a few hundred since March. Despite this, other LCV segments showed growth, partially offsetting the impact,” Cohen pointed out.
He futhermore noted that sales figures for December and January often “lacked clarity” due to variations in reporting cut-off dates. “To gain a more accurate understanding of end-of-year trends, it is generally better to combine the figures for both months and calculate an average,” Cohen explained.
That said, the NADA executive described December’s performance as a “disappointing conclusion to a year in which we had hoped for growth. However, the last 3 months showed positive momentum, with overall sales improving each time, led by passenger car sales”.
New-vehicle sales summary for December 2024
Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 41 273 units increased by 2.5% (1 011 units) compared to December 2023.
New passenger-vehicle sales of 29 775 units increased by 8.2% (2 246 units) compared to December 2023.
New light-commercial vehicle sales of 9 136 units decreased by 10.3% (1 052 units) compared to December 2023.
Export sales of 25 931 units decreased by 4.3% (1 158 units) compared to December 2023.
10 best-selling automakers in SA in December 2024
Toyota stayed firmly on top in the final month of the year, registering 11 422 units (including Lexus and Hino sales) across the country in December. That represented the 9th time the Japanese giant cracked 5 figures in 2024, a feat no other automaker managed even once. The Volkswagen Group (4 832 units, including Audi sales) retained 2nd place last month, with Suzuki (4 514 units) just 318 registrations behind in 3rd.
Hyundai (2 826 units) climbed a ranking to 4th, pushing Ford (2 607 units) down a place to 5th. Meanwhile, Chery (1 867 units), GWM (1 686 units) and Kia (1 496 units) each moved up a position to 6th, 7th and 8th, respectively, thanks to Isuzu’s (1 364 units) slide down to 9th. Finally, Renault (1 105 units) again closed out the table.
For the record, December represented the 2nd time this year that Chinese firm Chery ranked 6th overall after having first achieved this position in April (when it registered its best month of 2024 with 2 009 sales).
Indian automaker Mahindra (1 054 units) again found itself just outside the top 10, ahead of the BMW Group (990 units) in 12th and Nissan (807 units) all the way down in 13th. Omoda & Jaecoo (655 units) retained 14th, finishing ahead of Stellantis (554 units), with Mercedes-Benz again failing to crack the top 15.
1. Toyota – 11 422 units
2. Volkswagen Group – 4 832 units
3. Suzuki – 4 514 units
4. Hyundai – 2 826 units
5. Ford – 2 607 units
6. Chery – 1 867 units
7. GWM – 1 686 units
8. Kia – 1 496 units
9. Isuzu – 1 364 units
10. Renault – 1 105 units
Sales outlook in South Africa for 2025
According to Naamsa, the “confluence of positive economic indicators and the resilience of the volume passenger-car segment during the last quarter of 2024 suggests a potential rebound for the new vehicle market in 2025”.
“The South African Reserve Bank’s 2 interest-rate cuts towards year-end, the first in 4 years, coupled with easing inflation, has created a more favourable economic environment,” says Naamsa, adding that “lower fuel prices have bolstered consumer confidence and disposable income” (with petrol prices “at the lowest point they have been in nearly 3 years in 2024”).
“Further interest-rate cuts in 2025 would support vehicle affordability across all the various segments. The domestic outlook for 2025 is expected to improve, driven by a revival in business and consumer sentiment stemming from improvements in the country’s key economic indicators,” says the industry representative body, stating that “with an improved GDP growth rate of around 1.5% projected for 2025, the new-vehicle market would likely improve by single digits compared to the level of 2024”.
NADA’s Cohen, meanwhile, agrees that “annual vehicle sales in South Africa typically align with the country’s GDP, and this was again the case in 2024”. Still, he suggests “meaningful growth is unlikely until the overall economy is revived, and we transition into a growth phase for our GDP”.
“The coming year will be intriguing, with local industry wage negotiations and changes in the US administration adding to the complexities. Managing consumer demand amid rising cost pressures remains challenging for our retail dealers. Consumers are increasingly opting for smaller, more affordable vehicles or high-quality pre-owned models to navigate economic constraints, which, in turn, places pressure on retailers’ bottom lines,” Cohen points out.
He adds that stabilising inflation, potential further reductions in interest rates and easing energy constraints might offer some relief for both consumers and businesses. However, global factors such as volatile oil prices, geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts remain “potential disruptors” to the sector in the months ahead.
Cohen furthermore remarks that dealerships offering flexible financing options and aligning inventory with affordability trends will maintain a competitive edge. “We are also seeing some OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] adjusting pricing to counter more affordable Chinese alternatives, and I expect this trend to continue into 2025,” he concludes.
BMW iX1 vs Mini Countryman SE vs Volvo EX30 Comparison – #CarsAwards Electric Car Finalists
If you’re wanting to change to the electric car lifestyle, we have three finalists to choose from: the defending champion BMW iX1, the Mini Countryman SE and the Volvo EX30. Here’s a detailed look at all three.
The 2025 Cars.co.za Awards, sponsored by Absa, are in full swing! 39 finalists have been selected and thoroughly tested by our 20 judges. Represented in 13 categories across a wide spectrum of pricing and segments, the Cars.co.za Awards are by far the most comprehensive car awards in South Africa.
In this video, motoring journalist David Taylor, one of our judges, takes on the Electric Car Category to decide his winner, ahead of the official announcement in February 2025.
If you’re wanting to change to the electric car lifestyle, we have three finalists to choose from: the defending champion BMW iX1, the Mini Countryman SE and the Volvo EX30. In this video, Dave looks at the performance and efficiency, the pricing, interior features and practicality, before sharing his choice for segment honours.
