Isuzu has revived the X-Rider nameplate for the D-Max, with the limited-edition model now available Down Under. It seems only a matter of time before such a variant is offered in South Africa…
The X-Rider badge has been applied to the latest-generation Isuzu D-Max for the first time, with the subtly tweaked model debuting in Australia in special-edition form.
Billed as the “ultimate all-rounder”, the new D-Max X-Rider double cab offered in that market comes equipped with a black sports bar, a revised grille and 17-inch alloy wheels bearing a gloss-black finish with red accents. The same dark hue has been applied to the exterior handles, side mirrors and side steps, while the tailgate gains an “X” badge.
The Australian-spec model furthermore ships standard with a soft tonneau cover (featuring elasticised bungy looping) as well as automatic bi-LED headlamps with daytime running lights. A trio of exterior colours is on offer, including Basalt Black Mica, Mineral White and Granite Grey Mica. Inside, you’ll find what Isuzu describes as “high-quality” cloth seats.
Down Under, the X-Rider is available exclusively with Isuzu’s 3.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which delivers 140 kW and 450 Nm to all 4 wheels courtesy of a 6-speed automatic transmission. A rear differential lock and underbody protection are furthermore included.
Will we see the new D-Max X-Rider in South Africa?
Note the subtle “X” badge at the rear.
So, will this new X-Rider be offered in South Africa? Well, despite the fact the Australian market sources its D-Max units from Thailand while South Africa manufactures its own at Isuzu’s Struandale factory in the Eastern Cape, it seems highly likely the X-Rider nameplate will also return to the local line-up.
Why? Well, it’s a badge that has enjoyed tremendous success in South Africa, having first made an appearance here in July 2016 as a “special value model” offered on the KB in extended and double-cab form. By April 2017, the dual-cab version of the X-Rider had become a permanent fixture in the line-up, such was its popularity. The special-edition X-Rider Black followed in May 2018.
A new version of the X-Rider Black – based on the facelifted bakkie that had by then switched to the D-Max badge – launched late in 2019, before 3 more X-Rider Limited Edition derivatives followed at the end of 2021, effectively seeing off the RT-generation model.
We’ve asked Isuzu Motors SA if the new X-Rider is destined for the local market and will update this story once we hear back…
UPDATE: Though Isuzu Motors South Africa says it was “involved” in the development of this new model for Australia, the latest X-Rider “has not been confirmed for SA”…
A fresh report has seemingly revealed when Ford plans to start production of a fully electric Ranger bakkie, right down to the month…
Though Ford has yet to officially confirm plans to launch a fully electric version of the new Ranger (saying only it has “future-proofed” the platform), such a move seems virtually inevitable. Now, a report out of North America claims a battery-powered Ranger bakkie will go into production before the end of the decade.
According to Ford Authority, the folks over at AutoForecast Solutions – a Pennsylvania-based company that describes itself as the “premier provider of global automotive forecasting databases” – say the Blue Oval brand will commence production of a fully electric Ranger in August 2029.
The report suggests the battery-powered bakkie will be built at Ford’s facility in Tennessee, which will also reportedly produce a fully electric Bronco as well as the next-generation F-150 Lightning.
Considering the new Ranger has only recently gone into production (and the fact light-commercial vehicles tend to have lengthy lifecycles), it’s worth noting an electric Ranger would likely be sold alongside standard versions of the bakkie powered by internal combustion engines.
Ford already builds an electric pick-up truck in the form of the F-150 Lightning.
Interestingly, earlier reports have suggested a partially electrified iteration of the bakkie – so, with either a straight hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain – is also on the cards. A hybridised Ranger would surely launch before the fully electric model, possibly as early as 2025.
Of course, the Ford Authority report focuses on the United States, so it’s unclear whether the Dearborn-based firm’s Silverton facility here in South Africa would also be in line to build either hybrid or fully electric Ranger models. Bearing in mind Europe (the continent driving the global automotive landscape’s electrification through increasingly strict emissions regulations) is a top export market for Ford’s locally produced bakkie, we’d speculate the chances are pretty strong.
Since the new Amarok is built (by Ford in South Africa as part of a global alliance) on the same platform as the Ranger, hybrid and electric versions of the Wolfsburg-based brand’s bakkie are surely also on the way…
Malaysian brand Proton has confirmed that 1000 units of its vehicles have been imported into SA so far, with confirmation that the Saga sedan will be joining the local line up.
After just two months of retail operations, Proton says that its X50 and X70 SUV range have proven popular. So far, 1000 units of both models have reached our shores, and the family will soon be joined by a 3rd model in 2023.
We’ve had a taste of both the X50 and X70, and have been satisfied with what they bring to the market. As far as sales are concerned, well we can’t confirm numbers, but its interesting to note that a fair few of the smaller X50 have been snapped up by the rental market.
“The quick take up of our vehicles in South Africa is proof of the appeal of both Proton as a brand, and of our model range to car buyers there. We have a strong working relationship with CMH Group, and they have initiated many on-ground activities to give a taste of our current range to as many South Africans as possible,” said Steven Xu, Director of International Sales, Proton.
The Proton Saga will touch down, bringing an affordable sedan to market. At this stage, there are no indications of price, but given the likes of the Kia Pegas, Honda Amaze and Volkswagen Polo, we’re expecting it to come in around the R275 000 mark.
In Malaysia, the Proton Saga is available with a 1.3-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine developing 70 kW and 120 Nm, with the option of either a manual gearbox or automatic transmission.
Fullback Reboot? Fiat to Rebadge Peugeot Landtrek
Fiat has plans to market a rebadged version of the Peugeot Landtrek, though it’s not yet clear whether the bakkie will be available outside of Brazil…
Remember the Fiat Fullback? Well, the Italian firm looks poised to re-enter the 1-tonne bakkie market, though this time with a rebadged version of the Peugeot Landtrek under the Stellantis family banner.
Initially, at least, Fiat’s upcoming pick-up will be limited to the Brazilian market, where the Turin-based company dominates the compact bakkie segments with its Strada and Toro. But there’s also a possibility the as-yet-unnamed model will be rolled out to other countries down the line.
The since-discontinued Fiat Fullback was build on Mitsubishi’s Triton platform.
As a reminder, the Fullback was based on the Mitsubishi Triton and touched down in South Africa in 2016. Though an entirely competent vehicle thanks to its underpinnings, the Fullback struggled for sales, with production coming to an end in early 2020. It remained on the market in South Africa until early in 2021, before Fiat SA’s stock officially ran dry.
Judging by the single teaser image released by Fiat’s Brazilian division, the Fullback’s replacement – which is scheduled to hit that market only in the 2nd half of 2023 – will be little more than a rebadged Landtrek. Of course, the Landtrek is closely related to the Kaicene F70, which is built by Chinese brand Changan.
The Peugeot Landtrek remains a fairly uncommon sight on SA roads.
The Landtrek launched in South Africa towards the end of 2021, with just a pair of derivatives (4×2 and 4×4) available locally. Both employ a 1.9-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which generates 110 kW and 350 Nm, peak outputs that are delivered via a 6-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder petrol unit is also offered in some other markets.
Over the past 6 months, Peugeot SA has sold 236 examples of its Landtrek locally, which translates to a monthly average of just 39 units. Indeed, the Landtrek has yet to crack the list of South Africa’s top 10 best-selling bakkies, failing to trouble mid-tier sellers such as the Nissan Navara, Mahindra Pik Up and GWM P-Series, never mind segment leaders such as the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max.
Question is, would a Fiat-badged version fare any better?
Chinese giant, GWM will be launching its Tank brand locally in early 2023 and its arrival is likely to ruffle a few feathers and fling mud at the more established offroad brands such as Ford and Toyota. Here’s what you can expect!
A decade ago, GWM was very much a fringe player in South Africa with the budget-orientated Steed bakkie range being the firm’s bread-and-butter model. But GWM’s wishy-washy era ended in 2017, when its SUV brand, Haval, was launched locally and Haval has since firmly established itself as a major rival to traditionally popular SUV brands such as Volkswagen, Toyota, Kia and Hyundai.
Then, late in 2020, GWM took square aim at the highly competitive leisure double-cab bakkie segment with the arrival of the P-Series which has also been a huge success thanks to its loaded standard features list and hard-to-ignore value offering. GWM was back in the game!
GWM Tank and Ora for SA in 2023
Tank will take on established offroad brands such as Ford and Toyota.
Now, with 2023 looming large, GWM is preparing to unleash the next phase of its product offensive on the South African market with the introduction of not one, but 2 new car brands.
The first new brand to come from GWM is Tank, an offroad vehicle brand that means serious business, not only in South Africa but across the globe.
Tank’s goal is simple. As clearly stated, by 2025 GWM Tank aims to sell no less than 500 000 vehicles worldwide to ultimately become the world’s top off-road SUV brand in terms of market share. That’s an ambitious goal.
South Africans generally love exploring the outdoors and Mzansi is therefore regarded as a key market for any offroad brand.
However, Tank will be entering a highly competitive market where offroad juggernauts such as Toyota and Ford dominate the market. Will Tank succeed? We will soon find out!
What GWM Tank Products are coming to South Africa?
The Tank 300 is expected to reach South Africa early in 2023.
Local buyers can expect to see the Tank 300 introduced in South Africa early in 2023.
Specification for South Africa has yet to be confirmed but in China, the Tank 300 is sold in 3 different trims to appeal to different buyers including the standard Tank 300, Tank 300 City with emphasis on urban appeal and the more hardcore Tank 300 Border which is kitted for the serious offroad enthusiast.
The Tank 300 is a medium-sized body-on-frame SUV that measures 4 760 mm in length, 1 930 mm wide and stands 1 903 mm tall with a generous wheelbase of 2 750 mm.
The Tank 300 stands wider and taller than a Toyota Fortuner.
To put those dimensions into perspective, the Tank 300 is just 35 mm shorter in length than a Toyota Fortuner but it stands wider and taller while also having a longer wheelbase compared to the Fortuner. Standard ground clearance for the Tank 300 is 224 mm with a wading depth of 700 mm while the offroad-biased Tank 300 offers 249mm ground clearance and 900 mm wading depth.
All iterations of the Tank 300 are powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine offering 167 kW and 389 Nm of torque and come mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard.
The Tank 300 will offer offroad capability to fight its tough rivals.
As far as offroad capability is concerned the Tank 300 is unlikely to disappoint with its new generation all-terrain control system that offers no less than 9 driving modes. Furthermore, depending on the specification, the Tank 300 can be equipped with up to 3 locking differentials (front, centre, rear) and is able to execute a close-quarter “Tank Turn” while a creeping function is also offered for steady offroad progress in difficult terrain.
As standard, the Tank 300 offers an approach angle of 33 degrees, breakover angle of 23.1 degrees and a departure angle of 34 degrees. The Tank 300 rides on 17-inch wheels.
What’s the interior of the Tank 300 like?
The Tank 300’s cabin is loaded with technology.
If you’re thinking that the Tank 300 is a budget offroader, you are very wrong. The interior of the Tank 300 is lavishly equipped with comfort and luxury features. Leather upholstery is standard with an 8-way adjustable driver’s seat and note the large integrated 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment system as well as the aviation-style transmission lever. Very smart, indeed…
In terms of driver assistance technology, the Tank 300 is loaded with useful features such as a 360-degree camera, 3D navigation, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, lane centering keeping, intelligent speed assistance, traffic jam assist, intelligent cruise assist, fatigue monitor, tyre pressure monitoring, hill hold control, hill descent control and front and rear parking sensors, to name but a few…
It remains to be seen what specifications will be offered in South Africa.
The larger and more luxurious Tank 500 is also a possibility for introduction in South Africa.
Following the introduction of the Tank 300 in South Africa, there’s also the possibility that the larger Tank 500 will also be offered locally to take on offering such as the new Ford Everest and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and the new Land Rover Defender.
The 7-seater Tank 500 is a large, luxurious SUV that’s powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine that offers 260 kW and 500 Nm and comes paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Pricing of Tank products will be critical to the success of the brand on local soil. If you consider Haval’s strategy of offering highly specified products at competitive prices then you can expect Tank to adopt the same strategy.
We will keep you updated as official information regarding the introduction of Tank in South Africa becomes available.
From what we can gather, Tank looks to be a legitimate alternative to mainstream brands such as Toyota and Ford and it will be interesting to see how South Africans will respond to a new Chinese offroad brand in a market that is not only conservative but also brand sensitive. A few interesting conversations will be had around the braai, that’s for sure!
Are you looking forward to the introduction of Tank in South Africa?
The year is drawing to a close; it’s a spirited – and stressful – time for motorists. Now, more than ever, you need to keep a level head, because the risk of causing an accident increases tenfold when you drive while in an overly emotional – or tired – state.
PARTNERED CONTENT
Driving is dangerous and risky despite how experienced we are at it – being a safe driver requires dutiful concentration and a level head. According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute in the United States, motorists increase the risk of being involved in a road accident significantly “when they get behind the ‘wheel (of their vehicles) while observably angry, sad, crying, or emotionally agitated”.
The dangers of emotional driving
Emotional driving impairs our driving skills and puts us at greater risk of a car crash. Strong emotions influence our cognitive processes and decision-making abilities almost as much as drugs and alcohol.
Experiencing overwhelming emotions while driving may lead to serious distraction and can cause you to make life-threatening mistakes that you would normally never do, for example:
Speeding through a construction site
Side-swiping or rear-ending another vehicle
Missing a stop sign
Driving through a red light
Drifting off the road or into another lane
Forgetting to use your mirrors in a parking lot
Not noticing a pedestrian in your vehicle’s path
Only feeling a little emotional? Negative driving experiences, such as being cut off by another driver can easily trigger more intense emotions, such as intense anger, which may trigger a road rage incident. Suffice it to say sudden mood changes could prompt you to react in an abnormal or excessive ways.
5 common states that affect your driving capability
Of course, road rage is not the only thing people feel while driving that impairs their driving capabilities. Here are 5 common emotions (or states) that reveal how mood affects driving behaviour:
Tiredness
Everyone knows the dangers of getting behind the ‘wheel while tired. Your reaction times decrease and you’re much less aware of your surroundings.
Feeling exhausted can also put you in a bad mood and make you respond with impatience or frustration. That contributes to risky decision-making and ignoring common traffic rules.
Fear
When you feel afraid, sometimes you behave overcautiously. Driving too slowly or reservedly can be as dangerous as driving too aggressively.
Stress
We live hectic lives and our attention often gets pulled in many directions at once. Stress influences your driving behaviour – instead of focusing on the road, anxiety takes over, impacting your reaction time and making you drive with less care and concern for other road users.
Anger
This is one of the most common emotions associated with distracted driving. Road rage is all too common on our roads. This heightened anger leads to even poorer decision-making and increased aggression. Research has shown that aggressive driving contributes to 66% of all traffic deaths.
Excitement
Positive emotions can affect driving behaviour just as much as negative emotions. Imagine you’re very excited to reach a destination, such as when you’re driving to the airport or an event. This may increase the likelihood that you’ll exceed the speed limit or jump a red light in your haste to get there quickly.
Even feelings of love and happiness can affect your driving by drifting you off into fantasy (daydreams) and diverting your attention from your environment and the actions of other road users.
Tips for controlling your emotions while driving
If you let intense emotions or moods overwhelm you while you’re behind the ‘wheel, it can only put you, your passengers and other road users, including pedestrians, in harm’s way. That’s why you should learn how to recognise and self-regulate your emotions to help you drive safely, no matter what you’re feeling.
Take a Deep Breath
It sounds like a cliché, but it works. If you feel a strong emotion coming on, try taking slow, deep breaths and counting from 1 to 10. You’ll see how quickly you’ll begin to relax if you focus on your breath.
Reframe your thoughts
Our emotions often originate from a specific thought that creates a feeling. If you start to think extremely negative (or even positive) thoughts that affect your emotions – well, just think about something else. You can completely change the subject in your mind. For example, instead of focusing on the mistake you made at work, you can think about a success from the past or an exciting future event.
Choose your audio
Research proves music works to relieve mental stress, elevate your mood, and improve your quality of life. The next time you start to feel overwhelmed by emotion while driving, try turning on calming music to help soothe your stress.
Alternatively, listening to the news or talk radio could agitate or upset you unnecessarily. Switching to a light audiobook or a calming playlist instead will help put you in a better mood.
Factor in delays
Do you feel uncontrollably frustrated or angry when you get stuck in traffic or face an unexpected delay?
Giving yourself a little cushion of time (leaving your destination earlier than you need to) will save you a lot of stress.
On your regular drive to work, try beating the morning rush by getting to work early and leaving in time to miss the afternoon traffic.
Find a good sleep schedule
When you feel rested, it’s much easier to stay alert while driving. Sleep also increases your ability to deal with being in a bad mood and the onset of sudden strong emotions. This means you’re less likely to take risks or react slowly while driving.
Stop and wait it out
Not sure that you can do anything to change how you feel at that moment?
When you’re emotional, it’s difficult to stay level-headed and think clearly, but driving off in a negative state is never a good thing. If nothing else, don’t start your car until you have calmed yourself down.
If you’re driving and find yourself in a deeply emotional state, find a safe place to pull over, gather your thoughts, and wait until you’re calm(er) before you set off again (remember the breathing exercise).
Conclusion
Moods and emotions play important roles in how we perceive (and interact with) the world. Therefore, it can only benefit you, as a driver, to pay attention to, and learn how to regulate, feelings and emotions.
Although you can learn to control your moods, it’s impossible to predict the feelings and behaviours of others. That’s why it’s vital to have a great comprehensive car insurance policy. Get a car insurance quote today; Budget Insurance’s team is always ready to help, give them a call: 086 1600 120.
Renault Mégane RS 300 Ultimé: Farewell Edition Coming to SA
Renault will say goodbye to the Mégane RS hot hatch with a special Ultimé edition. Though it’s not yet been officially revealed, we do know it’s coming to South Africa…
After nearly 20 years, the Renault Mégane RS will be put out to pasture in 2023 as the French firm further shifts its focus to electric vehicles. As a farewell to the hot hatch (and indeed the Renault Sport name as a whole), the Boulogne-Billancourt-based automaker is set to launch a final edition dubbed the Mégane RS 300 Ultimé.
Though the brand’s global headquarters have yet to officially confirm the existence of the RS 300 Ultimé, Renault South Africa has let slip the special model is scheduled to touch down on local soil at some point in 2023. Its approval for the South African market is interesting considering the RS 300 Trophy was discontinued here as long ago as the 3rd quarter of 2021 (just 7 units were available to SA buyers).
So, what do we know about the Mégane RS 300 Ultimé so far? Well, there’s little doubt this will be the last Mégane RS, since the French word “ultimé” translates directly to “ultimate” or “final”. Indeed, the entire Renault Sport division will soon be rebranded under the Alpine banner, meaning this will likely be Renault’s final RS-badged model, too.
A leaked image gives us an early look at the Ultimé’s body graphics.
In addition, leaked details (including the low-res image above) in the French media suggest the special version will be based on the Trophy derivative and thus feature the stiffer Cup chassis. It will also gain black badges, a gloss-black blade (as part of the distinctive front-bumper design), a black rear diffuser, 19-inch Fuji Light alloy wheels and a special numbered plaque in the cabin. The most obvious update will come in the form of bold black decals on the hot hatch’s bonnet and roof, and along its flanks, contrasting with the signature Sirius Yellow paintwork.
What about some extra oomph? Well, it’s not entirely clear whether Renault will tweak the Trophy’s 221 kW turbocharged 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, but early rumours suggest the standard powertrain will remain in place. From what we can tell, the front-driven Mégane RS 300 Ultimé – which was originally expected to wear the “Heritage” rather than Ultimé nameplate – will be offered exclusively in 6-speed dual-clutch form, rather than with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
We’ll keep our eyes and ears open in the coming weeks and months as official information comes to light. Right now, it’s difficult to say how many examples of the Mégane RS 300 Ultimé will come to South Africa (and indeed how much each one will cost) next year, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the local market receives a single-digit allocation.
We have put together a comprehensive list of the best used car buys, taking into consideration fuel economy, ownership satisfaction and more.
South Africa’s leading automotive platform Cars.co.za has announced its inaugural Best Used Car Buys. It’s based on the test team’s vast experience with cars, SUVs and bakkies in the new- and used-vehicle markets, as well as model and pricing data collected on an ongoing basis.
“We prefer to position this as a Buyer’s Guide rather than an awards programme,” explains Consumer Experience Manager, Hannes Oosthuizen, “because there are so many variables at play when it comes to choosing a used vehicle. Given the current economic climate, we have placed emphasis on value for money, durability, good after-sales service and fuel efficiency.”
“We are in the fortunate position to have a lot of data from our previous Cars.co.za Consumer Awards programme that is still very valid, but of course, there are nuances that need to be considered when looking at the marketplace with a ‘used-car lens’,” he says.
“For example, a solid product that wasn’t priced quite right when new, or which, for whatever reason, didn’t garner many sales in the new-car market, may subsequently have suffered significant depreciation. In light of that, it may make a lot more sense as a used-car buy.
“The opposite of that is when an award-winning vehicle goes on to be in high demand in the used-car market. When the asking prices of such a model become too inflated compared with other models in its segment, it becomes less appealing as a used-car buy,” Oosthuizen adds.
“In these tough economic times, where household budgets are tight, careful consideration should be given to which car you buy, and it is our hope that this Buyer’s Guide, which will be updated annually, will become a solid starting point for people on their car-purchasing journey.”
Compact Hatch: Honda Fit 1.5 Comfort (also consider VW Polo 1.0 TSI Highline, Peugeot 208 1.2T Allure)
Premium Hatch: BMW 118i (also consider Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI/35 TFSI, VW Golf 1.4 TSI Comfortline)
Compact Family Car: Kia Seltos 1.6 EX (also consider Suzuki Vitara 1.6 GLX, Opel Crossland X 1.2 Cosmo)
Family Car: Mazda CX-5 2.0 Active (also consider Toyota RAV4 2.0 GX Auto, Kia Sportage 2.0 Ignite+)
Premium Sedan: BMW 320i (also consider Mercedes-Benz C180, Audi A4 1.4 TFSI)
Performance Car: Ford Fiesta ST (also consider Suzuki Swift Sport)
Double-Cab: Ford Ranger 2.2 TDCI XLT (also consider Isuzu KB/D-Max 250 HO X-Rider)
Best Buys Under R400 000
Premium Hatch: BMW 120i (also consider Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI/35 TFSI, VW Golf GTI)
Compact Family Car: Kia Seltos 1.5D EX+ (also consider Toyota Corolla Cross XS, Peugeot 2008 1.2T Active Auto)
Family Car: Mazda CX-5 2.0 Dynamic (also consider Toyota RAV4 2.0 GX Auto, VW Tiguan 1.4 TSI Comfortline Auto)
Performance Car: Mini JCW (also consider Renault Megane IV RS, Audi TT 2.0 TFSI)
Double-Cab: Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 Raider 4×4 (also consider Ford Ranger 2.2 TDCI XLT Auto, Isuzu KB300 D-Teq LX)
Executive SUV/Crossover: Volvo XC60 D4 Momentum (also consider BMW X1 sDrive20d, Audi Q3 2.0 TDI)
04/11/2020 – #CarsAwards (Photo by Roarke Bouffe / Cars.co.za)
Best Buys Under R500 000
Premium Hatch: BMW 118i M Sport (also consider Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI/35 TFSI Auto, Mercedes-Benz A200)
Compact Family Car: Kia Seltos 1.4T GT-Line (also consider Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 XS Hybrid, Hyundai Grand Creta 2.0 Elite)
Family Car: Mazda CX-5 2.0 Individual Auto (also consider Toyota RAV4 2.0 VX Auto, VW Tiguan Allspace 2.0 TSI Highline 4Motion)
Sports Car: Jaguar F-Type 3.0 V6 Coupe (also consider Mazda MX-5, Ford Mustang 5.0 GT)
Hot Hatch: Ford Focus RS (also consider Hyundai i30N, Renault Megane IV RS)
Double-Cab: Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 Raider 4×4 (also consider Ford Ranger 2.0D XLT Auto, Isuzu D-Max 300 LX 4×4)
Executive SUV/Crossover: BMW X3 xDrive20d (also consider Audi Q5 2.0 TDI / 40 TDI, Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.0i4 D HSE)
Adventure SUV: Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 4×4 Auto (also consider Ford Everest 3.2 LTD Auto, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4D 4×4)
Luxury Sedan: Lexus ES 250 EX (also consider Volvo S90 D5 Inscription, Mercedes-Benz E220d Avantgarde)
Factors Considered
To give some structure and to reflect buying “hot-spots” in the market, the Cars.co.za team applied the following guidelines and methodology in determining the 2022/23 Cars.co.za Used Cars Buyer’s Guide.
Only vehicles seven years and younger were considered.
Only vehicles with less than 100 000 km on the odometer were considered.
Brands that previously performed consistently well in the Cars.co.za Ownership Satisfaction Survey were given preference.
At the time of determining the list, stock of the particular model would have to be available on Cars.co.za within the above-mentioned parameters.
Fuel consumption was a very important factor.
“We hope that this Buyer’s Guide will, at the very least, point consumers in the right direction. Personal brand and design preferences will of course always play a role in the decision-making process and, for that reason, we’ve also listed alternatives to consider,” explains Oosthuizen.
“It is also important to note that the usual rules when shopping for a used car remain as applicable to our selected vehicles, as to any other models on the market. Buy from recognised, established dealerships with a proven reputation, make sure the vehicle’s service history is complete, and always undertake a test drive to avoid any nasty surprises,” he concludes.
VW’s Pending ‘Made-in-SA’ Mystery Model: What We Know So Far…
Though Volkswagen SA has confirmed it hopes to start building a 3rd model in Kariega, there’s an air of mystery surrounding the newcomer. Here’s what we know so far…
At the start of November 2022, Volkswagen South Africa announced plans to build a 3rd product – alongside the Polo hatchback and the Polo Vivo – at its Kariega plant in the Eastern Cape. Martina Biene, Volkswagen Group SA chairperson and managing director, said the mystery model would feature an “SUV-ish” body style, before adding it was not yet in production anywhere in the world.
That, in turn, means the vehicle in question has yet to be revealed, so its identity remains unknown. So, what do we know so far? Well, let’s attempt to answer a few key questions in order to shed a little more light on the topic.
In which segment will the newcomer likely compete?
The Taigun concept from a decade ago…
Biene also revealed the mystery model would be “very much shaped for the A0 segment, and for South Africa and Africa”, furthermore confirming it would be built on the VW Group’s ubiquitous MQB-A0 platform. That leads us to believe the vehicle will take the shape of a budget-friendly crossover positioned below the T-Cross, Taigo, T-Roc, Tiguan and Touareg.
If that indeed turns out to be the case, the as-yet-unrevealed crossover would find itself competing against a raft of sub-4-metre, Indian-built baby SUVs, such as the Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Mahindra XUV300 (as well as whatever replaces Toyota’s Urban Cruiser, plus the Ford EcoSport, though the latter seems unlikely to still be around at that stage).
Interestingly, the Wolfsburg-based automaker had concrete intentions of building a small, Up-based crossover way back in 2012, when it revealed the Taigun concept, before showing off a “near-production” version 2 years later. However, that project was eventually shelved (though the Taigun badge has since been applied to Indian-built crossover closely related to the T-Cross), with the larger T-Cross instead going into production.
What might Volkswagen’s mystery crossover be called?
Any new crossover from VW would likely wear a badge starting with “T”.
It seems highly probable any new addition to VW’s already extensive crossover range in the relatively near future would follow the brand’s current naming convention for such models. That, of course, means it would start with a “T”.
To speculate any further, we’d have to look at the badges the German automaker has applied to trademark in recent times. Perhaps the most likely candidate is “T-Sport”, a nameplate that VW filed to register in a handful of new regions as recently as March 2022.
Interestingly, the T-Sport moniker was also part of a 2019 trademark registration process, along with “T-Go” and “T-Coupé” (though the latter two seem less probable, from where we’re standing). Then there’s the “T-Track” designation that was widely expected to debut on the still-born production version of the Taigun concept.
Another recently trademarked option is “T-Space”, though we’re not convinced such a name would make sense on what will surely be the most compact VW crossover yet.
When can we expect production of the new model to start?
The mystery model is set to join (rather than replace) the Polo and Polo Vivo on the Kariega production line.
This is perhaps the trickiest question to answer, since technically production of the new model has not been locked in for Kariega and the vehicle has yet to be revealed. But considering it takes time – and a significant investment – for a new model (even one built on a common platform) to be added to an assembly line, we’d speculate a potential start of production is still some way off.
Indeed, reports out of India suggest the VW Group will start building a new sub-4-metre, Škoda-badged crossover in that country only at the start of 2025. As a reminder, Škoda was handed global responsibility for the MQB-A0 platform in October 2021, when it was also given the task to develop new “entry-level” Volkswagen and Škoda models for “regions with high growth potential”, including India, Russia and Africa.
It certainly wouldn’t be a stretch to speculate the VW-badged version of that upcoming model is the very vehicle the German firm’s local division is keen to add to its Kariega production line…
After a few teasers, the Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB Zagato has been revealed. Sadly, there’s just one being made for an exclusive collector.
The Italian styling house Zagato has revealed this one-off creation. Essentially, its a two-door sportscar based on the Alfa Romeo Giulia, but with a shortened wheelbase, engine from the GTAm and a manual transmission.
Sadly, there’s going to be just one of these and its a one-off creation designed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first collaboration between Zagato coachbuilders and Alfa Romeo. This vehicle is headed to a German collector who has an extensive collection featuring many Alfa Romeos as well as Zagato Aston Martins.
Using a manual-equipped Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio as a donor car, Zagato got to work and shortened the wheelbase and upgrading parts to GTAm spec. The 2.9-litre biturbo V6 cranks out 397 kW and power goes to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox. It may share many parts from the Giulia (and headlights from the Tonale SUV), but the bodywork is brand-new and designed in-house.
The front is bold and aggressive, with plenty of carbon fibre and large intakes. There’s a large Alfa Romeo logo in the grille and twin central exhausts round off the unique design. Inside, there’s the dashboard straight from the Giulia, but there are some unique touches like the carbon-fibre door detailing and carbon-fibre bucket seats.
Given the design and the fact that there’s just one, we reckon that Zagato will be approached to make a few more. A price wasn’t disclosed, but if any other unique one-off creations from European coachbuilders are anything to go by, we wouldn’t be surprised if it cost around €500 000.
