It’s new school vs old school as two rear-wheel drive, naturally-aspirated sportscars with manual gearboxes go head to head!
With over 20 years separating the new Toyota GR86 and the Honda S2000, we had to ask which one is faster?
It’s an awesome question, and it turns out the answer is just as awesome. Luckily we have an S2000 in the wider Cars.co.za car collection, and when the new Toyota GR86 came along, we thought we just had to pull off this race. And we are delighted to share it with you…here we go!
The new Volkswagen Amarok will be launched in South Africa in March 2023. Here’s how much you can expect to pay for the locally built double-cab bakkie.
It’s no secret that this brand-new Volkswagen Amarok is the result of a partnership with Ford. The Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa will be building the new Volkswagen Amarok at its facility in Silverton, Pretoria, where the new-generation German bakkie will share the production line with its Ranger cousin.
We’ve already had a taste of the new Ford Ranger and the potent 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6-powered Raptor, both of which have gone on sale in South Africa. Now it’s time for the Volkswagen Amarok, which will be hitting showrooms in March 2023. The first units will head to local dealerships from Monday 27 February 2023 for inspections/interactions, with sales/deliveries commencing on 18 March 2023.
What’s on offer?
Volkswagen South Afruica (VWSA) will be offering the new Volkswagen Amarok in both single- and double-cab body styles. There will be 6 trim levels: Amarok single cab, Amarok double cab, Life double cab, Style double cab, PanAmericana double cab and Aventura double cab.
As far as dimensions are concerned, the new Volkswagen Amarok double cab is 5.35 metres long, 1.91 metres wide, and features a wheelbase of 3.27 metres. The single cab has the same dimensions, but its load tray is 2.32 meters long, so as to accommodate a full-size Euro pallet.
Customers will be able to choose between wheel sizes ranging from 16-inch to 21-inch, but be mindful that these are derivative dependent.
Black 18-inch Amadora alloy wheels / 20-inch Bendigo alloy wheels
Electric roller cover
IQ Light LED headlights / LED tail lights
Side steps
Improved suspension
Styling bar
Roof rails
Underbody protection
Rear cross-traffic alert
Park Assist
Front Assist (Autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera system, evasive steering, blind-spot monitoring)
Harmon Kardon sound system
Discover media
Cricket leather seats
Aventura
PanAmericana spec, plus the following:
Chrome mirrors, door handles and side steps
21-inch Varberg alloy wheels
Body colour sports bar
Electric roller cover
Amarok Trim Levels and Features
Impressively, VWSA won’t offer the derivatives with optional extras, other than the colour choices: Clear White, Midnight Black, Bright, Blue, Light Grey, Dark Grey, Deep Red, Bright Beige and Mid Blue.
There will be a quartet of engines, all of which are turbodiesel. Customers will be able to choose from manual and automatic gearboxes. Higher-powered derivatives get a 10-speed automatic transmission.
2.0 TDI
110 kW
350 Nm
170 kph top speed
6.9 L/100 km
2.0 TDI
125 kW
405 Nm
180 kph top speed
6.9 L/100 km (4Motion 7.1 L/100 km)
2.0 BiTDI
154 kW
500 Nm
180 kph top speed
7.5 L/100 km
3.0 TDI V6
184 kW
600 Nm
180 kph top speed
8.4 L/100 km
How much will the 2023 Volkswagen Amarok cost in South Africa?
The new Volkswagen Amarok will be sold with a 4-year/120 000 km warranty, 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan with intervals every 15 000 km. Single Cab pricing will be confirmed in March 2023.
Double Cab
Amarok 2.0 TDI 110 kW 5-speed manual
R599 000
Amarok 2.0 TDI 125 kW 6-speed manual
R650 500
Amarok 2.0 TDI 125 kW 4MOTION 6-speed manual
R721 500
Amarok Life 2.0 TDI 125 kW 6-speed manual
R683 500
Amarok Life 2.0 TDI 125 kW 4MOTION 6-speed manual
R738 000
Amarok Life 2.0 TDI 125 kW 4MOTION 6-speed auto
R760 000
Amarok Life 2.0 BiTDI 154 kW 4MOTION 10-speed auto
R825 500
Amarok Style 2.0 BiTDI 154 kW 4MOTION 10-speed auto
The Hyundai Palisade has received a mild cosmetic update and specification upgrade. The Korean brand’s 7- or 8-seater Premium SUV appears to be keenly priced for its size and specification; we drove the 2023 model in the Western Cape this week.
What’s new on the Hyundai Palisade?
The front grille is now blacked out as opposed to the chrome version pre-facelift.
The Palisade was introduced on the local market in 2021 as a bit of an experiment to see if consumers would be willing to buy a Hyundai priced around the R1-million mark. In 2 years, 256 units of the Palisade have been sold, which appears to have been enough to warrant bringing the facelifted model to market.
The facelifted Hyundai Palisade incorporates minor cosmetic updates that make the SUV appear more hunkered-down, with a lower stance. The grille finish has changed from chrome, while the teardrop LED running light clusters have moved to the outsides of the bumper (with the “ice block” lamps inside of them). The revised side profile is distinguished by new 20-inch alloy wheels, while the rear remains virtually unchanged, save for the new positioning of the lower taillamps that are now integrated into the width of the rear bumper. Incidentally, the facelifted Palisade is also 15 mm longer than its predecessor.
Inside, the interior now features an updated and enlarged touchscreen infotainment system and a host of new safety features that are considered standard fare for a product at this end of the market. Hyundai does not offer any optional extras – the only choice you have is between the 7- or 8-seater version.
Same turbodiesel engine
The Palisade utilises the same turbodiesel unit as the pre-facelift model and its peak outputs are unchanged.
Our major complaint about the previous iteration of the Palisade was that for a large premium SUV, it needed a bit more punch, because its peak overtaking acceleration is rather leisurely. Unfortunately, this issue hasn’t been addressed for the facelifted version – the only engine in the line-up is the 142 kW/440 Nm 2.2-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel and I think that another 60 Nm would have made a big difference. In overseas markets, the Palisade comes with a 3.8-litre petrol V6, which would probably drink you out of house and home, but that motor delivers more of the performance you need to shift an SUV of this size.
The turbodiesel does an okay job of propelling the hefty Palisade and its 8-speed automatic transmission shifts near-seamlessly in the background. To be fair, the Hyundai’s powertrain enables the premium SUV to maintain the national speed limit with ease… it’s just the in-gear acceleration that feels a trifle gutless.
What’s the new Palisade interior like?
The 12-inch infotainment screen replaces the 8-inch version.
The larger (12-inch) infotainment touchscreen feels much more up-to-date than the pre-facelift model’s 8-inch unit and incorporates a few more modern features that make the Palisade’s user experience feel more upmarket. There’s a speaker feature that enables you to talk to the rear passengers via the audio system’s speakers (rather than shouting from the front). It also has a quiet mode that allows you to turn off the rear speakers (if, for example, the tots are asleep), while keeping the front speakers active.
As for its connectivity, Android Auto/Apple Carplay connectivity is available wirelessly, while the wireless phone charger has been upgraded from a 5W- to a 15W unit.
Thanks to some new safety features, the 2023 Palisade scored 5 stars in the Australian standard crash test programme (ANCAP), which tests right-hand-drive cars. The model is now specced with forward-collision avoidance, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and safe exiting (an alert goes off if you attempt to open the doors while traffic is closing in on the vehicle).
The 8-seater variant uses 2 benches that fold individually.
As for the seat layout, the Captain’s seating setup (on the 7-seater version) provides an upmarket feel with 2 individual 2nd-row seats and a runway between them to ease access to the rearmost row. All seats can be folded flat individually, so it offers a highly adaptable and, therefore, practical cabin layout.
Fit-and-finish seems very good (as it has been for several generations of Hyundai models), the cabin ergonomics are great and the sound insulation from outside elements is very good, even on dirt roads.
What’s the Hyundai Palisade like to drive?
Ride quality and NVH levels appear very good on the updated Palisade.
Aside from the slightly underwhelming performance of the 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, the Palisade’s driving experience is admirable; it rides particularly well for something that sits on 20-inch wheels.
We clocked up a couple of hundred km during the 2023 Palisade’s media launch event, and much of that route comprised driving on dirt roads. The Palisade is notably quiet inside and its suspension feels well-damped over gravel and washboard dirt roads. We took a few bigger knocks here and there, but nothing more than a slight suspension jolt was felt before normal service resumed. I was quite impressed with the Palisade’s “gravel travel” ability, considering that the SUV is more of a soft-roader than a “dirt dancer”.
All-wheel drive is standard, but remember the Palisade’s an SUV-styled people mover, so there’s no low range and the ground clearance is average (203 mm). A typical Palisade buyer is unlikely to venture into the wilderness with their vehicle often, but it will easily handle long stints on gravel roads/backtracks.
Hyundai Palisade price in SA
The updated Hyundai Palisade is sold with a 7-year/200 000 km warranty and a 7-year/105 000 km service plan.
Palisade R2.2 Elite 7-seater 8AT AWD
R1 099 900
Palisade R2.2 Elite 8-seater 8AT AWD
R1 099 900
Summary
The new Palisade appears to be well-priced in its segment.
The facelifted Hyundai Palisade addresses most of the areas in which its pre-facelift predecessor could be improved, but not all of them. The interior upgrade features more tech (such as the new infotainment screen and upgraded phone connectivity options), plus the active safety features have brought it in line with other premium SUVs and they’re all standard. The ride- and build quality appear to be excellent; in fact, the 2.2-litre turbodiesel motor remains the only real weak point in what is a really pleasing offering.
Those looking for an SUV with more off-road ability may view the new Ford Everest as a good alternative, but the Palisade, at its current price, represents a very good value-for-money road-biased option.
As February 2023 draws to a close, unaudited fuel price data is pointing to significant fuel price increases for March 2023.
As if Stage 6 load shedding isn’t enough, South Africans are in for yet another substantial fuel price increase in March 2023.
Unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) indicates that the price of 93ULP and 95 ULP petrol is expected to rise by between R1.22/litre and R1.27/l respectively while diesel prices are expected to increase by roughly 28 c/l and the price of illuminating paraffin is expected to increase by 16c/l. .
The AA commented, “In the case of petrol, the movement in international oil prices is contributing between 76 and 82 cents to the increases while the weaker average Rand to US Dollar exchange is adding about 46 cents to expected increases. In terms of the diesel price, the sole contributor to the expected increases is the weaker exchange rate,” notes the AA.
“The increases to the price of petrol are big and will have a negative impact on household budgets. A 50/l tank of fuel, for instance, will now cost R61 more to fill, or R244 if filled four times during the month, which is significant. The cumulative effect on personal finances will be a further reduction of disposable incomes which will be exacerbated by increases to goods and services which must recoup the higher fuel input costs.
“We again urge consumers to monitor their fuel usage carefully, and to budget according to the new fuel prices which come into effect next Wednesday. Ensuring vehicles are well maintained and in good mechanical condition, carefully planning routes, and avoiding heavy traffic, if possible, are some ways in which motorists can ensure better fuel consumption,” the AA concludes.
Fuel Price Forecast for March 2023 in South Africa
Fuel Type
Feb 23 Inland
Feb 23 Coast
March 23 (Projection) Inland
March 23 (Projection) Coast
Petrol Unleaded 93
R21.38
R20.73
R22.60
R21.95
Petrol Unleaded 95
R21.68
R21.03
R22.90
R22.25
Diesel 0.05% (wholesale)
R21.32
R20.67
R21.60
R21.95
Diesel 0.005% (wholesale)
R21.42
R20.78
R21.70
R21.06
Fuel price data courtesy of thedepartment of mineral resources and energy
Adios, Atos! Hyundai’s Cheapest New Car is Exiting South Africa
Yes, the Hyundai Atos is being discontinued… again. With production having ceased in India, the entry-level hatch is about to be put out to pasture in South Africa, too.
Hyundai Automotive South Africa has confirmed the Atos entry-level hatchback will soon be pulled from its range as local stock runs dry. The news comes 10 years after the nameplate was last discontinued in SA.
Production of the budget car ceased in India (where it was known as the Santro) in mid-2022, though Hyundai’s local distributor seemingly managed to secure enough stock to cover the 2nd half of last year as well as much of the opening quarter of 2023.
When asked by Cars.co.za about the future of the Atos in South Africa, a Hyundai representative confirmed there were about 400 units left in stock with a few days of February 2023 to go.
The latest version of the Hyundai Atos lasted just over 3 years on the local market.
Slotting in below the Grand i10, the Atos is Hyundai’s cheapest new car (while it’s still here), with the 4-strong local line-up (including a pair of Cargo-badged panel-van variants) running from R199 900 to R214 900. All derivatives employ a naturally aspirated 1.1-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine sending 50 kW and 99 Nm to the front wheels via either a 5-speed manual gearbox or an automated manual with the same number of cogs.
This AH2-generation Atos arrived in South Africa late in 2019 (days after the Indian-spec model scored 2 stars in its Global NCAP crash test, with its body shell rated as “unstable”), priced at R159 900 and backed up by a 7-year/200 000 km warranty and a 1-year service plan. In August 2021, the light-commercial Cargo variants joined the range, before the AMT derivative hit the market the following month.
The original Atoz (yes, with a “Z”, as in “A to Z”) launched locally around the turn of the millennium, before gaining a significant update and switching to the Atos badge in 2005. It was eventually pulled from the local market in 2013, after more than 45 000 units had been registered in South Africa.
How has the 2nd-generation model fared on the sales charts? Well, it’s clear stock is running low; some 220 units were sold locally in January 2023, down from 343 units in December 2022.
According to our calculations (based on official figures reported to Naamsa), as many as 7 419 units were registered in South Africa in 2022, translating to a healthy monthly average of 618 units. Last year, the best single month for the Atos was March, when 822 units were sold.
Once the final few hundred examples of the Atos have found owners, the Grand i10 1.0 Motion (currently priced at R214 900) will step into the role of Hyundai Automotive SA’s cheapest new car.
The flagship Hyundai Palisade SUV has been updated and gone on sale in South Africa. Here are some specifications and pricing for this large SUV.
Since its introduction back in 2021, the Hyundai Palisade has sold just 256 units, something which Hyundai South Africa hopes to change with the MY23 Palisade, which comes to market with fresher looks and even more convenience features.
There are some slight visual updates, with the main one being the bold grille that you’ll find on most modern Hyundai products, like the Venue and Tucson. The rear design has changed slightly, with a new-look twin exhaust and LED tail lamps. The vehicle now rides on 20-inch alloy wheels.
The updated model boasts additional features over the outgoing Palisade. The MY23 now has multi-collision brake, heated steering wheel, ventilated seats for the first and second row, 12.3-inch infotainment system, Infinity 12-speaker sound system, full parking camera + surround view, blind spot view, lane keep and follow assist, forward collision avoidance, a new 12.3-inch digital dashboard, adaptive cruise control and auto up/down window operation for all passengers.
Engine and Powertrain
Under the bonnet of the updated Hyundai Palisade is a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel 4-cylinder that produces 142 kW and 440 Nm. The gearbox on duty is an 8-speed automatic transmission, and power is sent to all four wheels.
Hyundai Palisade Features
There’s just one trim level for the Palisade MY23, called Elite. Customers can choose from one of five colours.
Standard specification was already generous, and as a reminder, it comes with LED headlamps, dual sunroof, fog lights front and rear, multi-function steering wheel that’s now heated, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12-speaker audio system from Infinity, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, tri-zone air conditioning, 2nd row heated and ventilated seats, wireless charging, USB ports for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd row, 10-way driver seat adjustment with memory function, rear window privacy blinds, smart power tailgate, surround view parking camera and the seats can be configured in many ways to accommodate passengers and cargo.
Hyundai has thrown in some offroad driving modes too and while there’s no low range, you can get Mud/Snow/Sand, as well as your usual drivetrain modes like Comfort/Eco/Sport.
As far as safety is concerned, the updated Palisade features things like semi-autnomous forward collision avoidance, blind spot collision avoidance, blind spot viewer on the dashboard, front and rear park distance, and 7 airbags. The vehicle scored a 5-star rating in the Australian ANCAP test.
How much does the Hyundai Palisade facelift cost in South Africa?
The updated Hyundai Palisade is sold with a 7-year / 200 000 km warranty and 7-year / 105 000 service plan.
Palisade R2.2 Elite 7-seater 8AT AWD R1 099 900
Palisade R2.2 Elite 8-seater 8AT AWD R1 099 900
New Mercedes-Benz E-Class ‘Superscreen’ Has Built-In Selfie Camera
Mercedes-Benz has revealed the interior of its next-gen E-Class, which will be offered with a new MBUX Superscreen complete with a built-in selfie camera and TikTok…
Mercedes-Benz is preparing to whip the wraps off its new W214-generation E-Class. But before we see the outside, the Stuttgart-based firm has given us our first official look at the cabin, which will be available with a new MBUX Superscreen featuring an integrated selfie camera and built-in apps such as TikTok and Angry Birds.
The German automaker promises the next-gen E-Class will provide its occupants with a “particularly immersive entertainment experience”. In addition, the company says the electronic architecture is “more software-driven and less hardware-driven” that previous iterations, which should allow for fuss-free updating of the various interior systems in the future.
Like the Hyperscreen arrangement in the likes of the S-Class and the EQS, the new E-Class dashboard is dominated by digital displays. If the optional front passenger screen is specified, the large glass surface of the MBUX Superscreen extends to the central display, too.
The main icons are now simpler in design and colour-coded to match smartphone tiles.
Mercedes says the front passenger has the option of enjoying video streaming “even when the driver at the wheel is looking over at them”. Won’t that distract the driver? Well, the company claims an “advanced camera-based visual shield function” reduces the display’s brightness and thus “reduces the risk of distraction for the driver”.
Interestingly, the new system will also allow the installation of 3rd-party apps. At launch, Mercedes says TikTok, Angry Birds, Webex, Zoom and Vivaldi will be available on the central display. In addition, the ZYNC entertainment portal will optionally offer video streaming, on-demand content, interactive experiences, local video programmes, sports, news, games and more on the central and passenger displays, via a single user interface.
The optional MBUX Superscreen will furthermore come with a selfie and video camera sited on top of the dashboard. Provided the vehicle is stationary, the driver will be able to participate in online video conferences or take “personal” photos and videos (for the record, Mercedes says it is “currently looking into” getting this technology approved in various markets). What about music? Well, there’s a new (optional) Active Ambient Lighting with Sound Visualisation arrangement, which produces a visual interpretation of any audio content played through the entertainment system.
Though an official reveal date has yet to be confirmed, we do know the new E-Class will hit Europe (in saloon form first) in the 3rd quarter of 2023. As a reminder, the E-Class and its predecessors together form the best-selling model series in the history of Mercedes-Benz.
In the penultimate episode of the Toyota GR Yaris Cup, we head to the iconic East London circuit and make a second visit to Killarney Raceway in Cape Town.
With a definitive lead in the championship, the people in charge make some small tweaks to the performance of the GR Yaris field in order to close the gaps between the drivers. Our racing driver Ash is hit with a power deficit but is he fast enough to make up for the lack of performance?
At his home track in Cape Town, Ash is determined to wrap up the first-ever GR Cup championship but it requires nothing less than a perfect weekend points haul. With the field getting ever closer and drivers looking to get their elbows out, can he get the job done?
Toyota, Suzuki, Daihatsu Sportscar Collab On The Cards
A fresh report from Japan suggests that Toyota, Daihatsu and Suzuki are working together on a mid-engined sportscar. Here’s some early details.
BestCarWeb.jp reckons the collaboration between the three brands of Daihatsu, Suzuki and Toyota will result in a mid-engined sportscar appearing in the next few years. Impressively, there’s a claim that it won’t be completely electric either, instead making do with a hybrid petrol setup.
How realistic is this claim? Well, Toyota’s current strategy in terms of performance and sporty-biased cars is quite comprehensive as almost every product in its line-up is offered with some form of GR/GR Sport tune. Then there are the thoroughbreds like the GR Supra, GR86, GR Yaris and GR Corolla.
Right now, we’d say that Toyota’s TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform is perhaps the most modern and versatile of all the scalable and modular platforms, underpinning everything from a tiny Yaris to a family-sized Land Cruiser 300 along with some Lexus models. Impressively, TNGA can support front-, rear- and all-wheel drive configurations, as well as hybrid and full electrification.
BestCarWeb reckons the TNGA platform will be used, with the front suspension of the Yaris being adopted. Interestingly, the report says the powertrain will come from Suzuki and that’ll be a 1.0-litre turbocharged K10C petrol three-cylinder.
This motor is commonly known as the Boosterjet and was available overseas in the Baleno and will be fitted to the Suzuki Fronx. Naturally, this engine will have mild-hybrid technology. Outputs of around 90 kW / 200 Nm are expected and while that may not seem like much, the sportscar will be compact, likely tipping the scales at 1 ton.
As far as styling and design goes, the original report suggests that it will be Daihatsu who will be penning the looks of the newcomer. Hopefully, it’ll look as exciting as the Toyota Sports EV concept.
Citroen C5 Aircross (2023) Review
The stylish and practical Citroen C5 Aircross has been updated and we recently put a 1.6T Shine derivative through its paces. It faces stiffer competition than ever, so do the French medium SUV’s charm and quirks give it an edge over conventional rivals?
There’s a new face and some updates to the Citroen C5 Aircross.
As professional motor journalists, we try our best to keep our biases in check, but we won’t lie: we like the Citroen C5 Aircross. When the French brand launched the medium SUV upon its return to the local market in 2019, Cars.co.za testers lauded the vehicle’s fresh styling, the abundance of space and tech, as well as its competitive asking price. In fact, back in 2021, the pre-facelift Citroen C5 Aircross went up against the Toyota RAV4 and the Mazda CX-5 in the Best Family Car category of #CarsAwards.
The C5 Aircross has received a facelift and upgrade for 2023. The changes are substantial – both inside and out – but sadly, some of the family car’s eye-catching design quirks have been omitted – it now looks more conventional. While the cabin gets a nip and a tuck, the vehicle’s unchanged, mechanically.
The new-vehicle market’s medium SUV segment is nothing short of a cutthroat environment in 2023 – frankly, it’d be easier to count the brands that don’t offer a family car priced around the R650 000 mark. As of February 2023, your best offerings are the Kia Sportage, a stylish and accomplished family SUV brimming with tech, and the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, which is light on fuel and features all-wheel drive.
The C5 Aircross’ tail-lamp clusters have been redesigned.
Styling is subjective, but we feel the facelifted C5 Aircross now looks a bit boring; it’s missing some of its predecessor’s visual appeal. In an era when car design seems rather safe and sadly, stagnant, Citroen’s styling cues should remain quirky and interesting. The previous car was arguably more eye-catching…
The new-look front end is characterised by a restyled bumper, -headlight clusters and -daytime running lights, while the rump features a revised tail-lamp arrangement. The most notable changes appear in the cabin: the conventional transmission lever has been replaced by a smarter, neater selector switch, which frees up space, plus drive modes have been introduced (Eco, Normal and Sport). On the pre-facelift car, there was a sport button only – it essentially forced the transmission to hold onto the gears a bit longer.
The transmission selector switch and bigger infotainment touchscreen are new.
From the driver’s seat, it’s apparent that Citroen has updated the fascia and infotainment setup with the slightly larger touchscreen repositioned for a better user experience. The fit-and-finish is generally okay, but there are some cheap-feeling materials that feel out of place in a vehicle that costs almost R700 000.
Cabin space is still exceptionally generous
Space and practicality remain major strengths of the C5 Aircross package. Thanks to a wheelbase that measures 2 730 mm, the Citroen has plenty of space for all occupants and second-best-in-class load capacity (it loses out to the Toyota RAV4). The seats look stylish (and are superbly comfortable), there’s an abundance of interior storage solutions (the central armrest is deep enough to take a pair of 2-litre bottles) and rear legroom is generous (even for adults). Rear occupants also get a USB charging point.
Ride and Handling
Meanwhile, the Citroen C5 Aircross continues to deliver a refined, comfortable driving experience.
The range-topping 1.6T Shine derivative’s 18-inch alloys look the part and they’re shod with 235/55 tyres that have adequate sidewall depth to help the suspension soak up road imperfections, which is just as well, seeing as many of our roads, not just the minor ones, are in a sorry state (with myriad potholes).
Citroen’s lounge-like seats are some of the best in the business.
The 1.6T Shine’s general ride quality favours occupant comfort, which is praiseworthy, considering that so many carmakers have tried to imbue their medium SUVs with a sporty bent – often at the expense of refinement. Citroen has done no such thing – the C5 Aircross rides pliantly and the cabin is well insulated from road-, wind- and engine noises; this model is one of the best in the segment, refinement-wise.
As before, the steering setup is lighter than average (it would benefit from more heft), but that lightness is a boon when you need to execute tight parking manoeuvres within the confines of a bustling city.
The Citroen C5 Aircross offers class-leading on-road refinement and a cossetting ride quality.
Citroen claims its family car has a ground clearance of 230 mm, which means there’s some breathing room if you do decide to venture off-tar or hop on a pavement, but there’s no all-wheel drive capability.
Performance and Efficiency
The 1.6T Shine is powered by the same 121 kW/240 Nm 4-cylinder turbopetrol motor as its predecessor, which remains mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Citroen claims a 0-100 kph time of 10.5 sec and, when we tested the SUV’s acceleration, our gear showed that that time was almost bang-on.
New drive modes and a new gear selector
Granted, 10.5 sec doesn’t sound brisk, but the C5 Aircross’ in-gear acceleration feels livelier than that. There are shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel, but, as before, the car’s transmission swaps cogs so slickly and efficiently that they seem a bit superfluous; we can’t say they’re a joy to use either…
A staple of Stellantis-group products, this engine-transmission combo is tried and trusted. Some of the Citroen’s rivals, such as the CX-5, have naturally aspirated (non-turbo) engines, which can feel sluggish in Gauteng’s thinner air. The C5 Aircross, however, is almost unaffected by altitude-related power loss.
The digital instrument cluster has easily legible graphics.
Citroen claims an average fuel consumption of 7.9 L/100 km for the C5 Aircross and, by the end of the test unit’s tenure in our fleet, the 1.6T Shine indicated a return of 8.0 L/100 km. That looks quite okay, but then we drove on the open road most of the time, so we assume that the French car’s consumption will increase with prolonged town driving, where it will be thirstier than its rivals. It has a 53-litre fuel tank.
Tech and Safety features
All C5 Aircross derivatives are well equipped; the 1.6T Shine comes with nice-to-haves such as LED daytime running lights, front fog lights, dual-zone climate control, cruise control with speed limiter, 6-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and 2 pairs of USB-A ports and 12V power outlets.
Apple Carplay/Android Auto is standard, but there’s no button to adjust the temperature.
Flagship Shine trim adds the following: powered tailgate, roof rails, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, keyless start, front/rear park distance control, reverse-view camera, 180-degree park assist, as well safety technologies such as active safety braking, collision detection alert and blind spot monitoring.
The top-spec has excellent driving assists
Frustratingly, our criticisms of the pre-facelift C5 Aircross have not been addressed with this new model. You are still unable to adjust the climate control unless you access a relevant menu on the touchscreen. There are no physical ventilation controls, so if you have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto running, you’ll have to exit these connectivity apps to adjust your cabin temperature… and then activate them again.
Price and After-sales Support
The Citroen C5 Aircross 1.6T Shine retails for R683 900, which includes a 5-year/100 000 km warranty as well as a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
Verdict
The Citroen C5 Aircross still exudes nonconformist appeal, but it’s a harder sell.
Has Citroen done enough with the updated C5 Aircross to stay competitive now that the medium SUV segment hosts new arrivals from several brands? We don’t think so, and the problem is two-fold: the package has not been improved in notable ways, plus the price of the vehicle has increased significantly.
Back in January 2021, the C5 Aircross retailed for R509 000 and now, merely 2 years later, there’s been more than a 25% increase in price, with very little other than a new face and updated trim to show for it.
It’s a pity, because the Citroen’s nice to drive, spacious and generously specced – in those respects, it is every bit good as the best models in the segment. Its predecessor was priced keenly, which was quite the sweetener, but that’s no longer the case; most of the C5 Aircross’ rivals offer superior value.
