Hyundai Creta (2022) Launch Review

It’s been a little more than 18 months since the latest-generation Hyundai Creta was launched in South Africa, but the model’s already sporting a new look… That’s a particularly short passage of time between a market introduction and a facelift, even by the fast-paced Korean brand’s standards. We attended the local launch event of the facelifted Creta to get some answers.

What’s new with the Creta?

The facelifted Creta sports a new front grille similar to that of the Tucson.

Usually, a model will receive a major update or facelift about 3 or 4 years after its initial market launch. After that, the model will remain on sale for another 2 years before ultimately being replaced by an all-new product. That’s usually how the automotive product lifecycle works around the globe, give or take a year or two.

The Creta’s facelift is peculiar insofar as the model was only launched in August 2020, before landing in the Republic in November 2020. Less than 2 years in and already a facelift? It’s not like there was a major fault with the product and its recent sales figures could be considered quite reasonable… considering the current economic climate and the spectre of stock shortages.

The answer is relatively simple. Hyundai SA has decided to change its supplier of Creta units from the brand’s factory in India to Indonesia, where a massive new plant has just come online. The Indian plant was under pressure to meet export needs and a switch to the Indonesian plant would free up some much-needed stock for Hyundai SA and provide the importer with a Creta that incorporates the brand’s latest design language – at the front, anyway.

As you can see, the new-look Creta’s cascading grille matches that of the new Tucson and creates a stronger link with other products in the Hyundai family. The rear receives less noticeable treatment, with the Creta badge moving from the side to the middle of the tailgate. The rear high-level light bar that used to be located just above the Hyundai badge is also omitted from the updated model.

The major mechanical change is that the 1.4-litre turbopetrol and 1.5-litre turbodiesel engines are no longer available. That means just the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine remains. Hyundai SA has also added a Premium-spec IVT (automatic) model to the range, which was previously only available in Executive trim.

Read a review of the 1.5 Executive here

Any specification changes?

No more two-tone dash colouring options are available.

A few minor changes have occurred due to the change of factory. This happens as different factories may offer different options or certain specifications are just not available at that manufacturing facility.

On the Premium trim level, the new Creta does without forward-facing daytime running lights, but has gained LED tail-lights. What’s more, it comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, as opposed to the 16-inch items on the outgoing model. Strangely, the first shipment of Cretas from Indonesia cannot be fitted with a towbar, but Hyundai SA has said that this will be rectified later this year and that the customer take-up of the towbar option on the model has been negligible anyway.

The Executive derivative remains unchanged in terms of spec, except for the interior surfacing, which is now all-black, where it was two-tone (black and white) previously.

You can see the full specification of the updated Creta here

Pricing and after-sales

By dropping the more expensive derivatives from the lineup (the turbopetrol and -diesel), Hyundai is focusing its efforts on the area of the segment where most of the sales occur. With the explosion of the R250k-R400k small SUV segment in the last 18 months, Hyundai wants to offer buyers as many options as it can below the R500k mark…

Every Creta is sold with a 7-year/200 000 km warranty and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan.

Hyundai Creta 1.5 Premium Manual	R409 900
Hyundai Creta 1.5 Premium IVT	R429 900
Hyundai Creta 1.5 Executive IVT	R469 900

Summary

The Creta still offers decent value at the upper end of the small-SUV segment.

The Indonesia-sourced Creta appears to be of a similar quality (inside and out) to the current Indian-made model. It also allows Hyundai to bring in more stock, which it believes it can sell quite easily, given the pent-up demand for its Creta.

Its price has crept up ever so slightly (and a new rival has arrived in the shape of the Toyota Corolla Cross), but the Creta’s still very competitive in its segment and offers all the features that buyers expect in terms of safety and in-car tech.

Isuzu MU-X Gets Arctic Trucks Treatment

This Isuzu MU-X AT35 by Arctic Trucks is ready to conquer the world with the whole family on-board.

We have seen Arctic Trucks create some mean machines in the past and while we look forward to the the potential introduction of the new Isuzu D-Max AT35 bakkie on local soil at some point in the future, the offroad tuners Russian division has done some work on the Isuzu MU-X 7-seater SUV and it looks promising.

The MU-X AT35 gains chunky 35-inch rubber on 17-inch rims housed in flared front and rear wheel arch extensions as well as skid plates, mud gaurds, a snorkel and a recovery winch! A ground clearance of 278 mm is made possible with a heavy-duty suspension.

There are no upgrades to the powertrain, however, and Isuzu’s familiar 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine does duty under the bonnet with 140 kW and 450 Nm of torque on offer and it comes paired with a 6-speed automatic.

Do you like the look of this Isuzu MU-X AT35?

Buy a Isuzu MU-X on Cars.co.za

M Performance Parts for BMW M3 Touring Announced

A catalogue of M Performance parts usually follows any important reveal from BMW’s M division. Here’s how you can make your BMW M3 Touring one of a kind!

The BMW M3 Touring is a very big deal. It’s the first performance station wagon with an M3 badge and there’ll be no doubt customers will want to make it even more special. Welcome to M Performance parts, which enhances the standard offering rather tastefully.

The best part is these goodies are OEM original parts and don’t affect any motorplans. Right, so what’s on offer for the new BMW M3 Touring? Do you like carbon fibre? Good, because you can get generous amounts of the stuff splashed on the front intake, the grille, the mirrors, rear winglet, fuel filler cap and even get small aerodynamic flicks located on the front bumper.

Inside, there’s a lot of potential with carbon fibre door sills, carbon fibre trim, an M Performance Pro steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara and with inserts made from… you guessed it… carbon fibre. There are also M Performance backrest covers for the seats in Alcantara.

The gearshift paddles can be upgraded to larger carbon fibre units and there’s a tasteful Alcantara armrest and kneepad, along with floor mats and there are even M Performance LED door projector logos.

Just like with the exterior, the interior will have a bunch of upgraded carbon fiber add-ons. For instance, there will be carbon fiber door sills, open-pore carbon fiber trim, an M Performance Pro steering wheel with an Alcantara rim and carbon inserts, and seat backrest covers in Alcantara and carbon fiber.

So that’s the visual aspect covered, but M Performance has even more goodness on offer. There’s a louder M Performance exhaust that comes with the semi-stacked centre design as well as a new rear bumper. This new exhaust plumbing is made from titanium and is 7 kg lighter than the standard unit.

There’s no doubting the handling setup of the standard car, but you can enhance its cornering capabilities with an M Performance parts coiler kit, which is mechanically adjustable with height and damper settings being adjustable. There’s a height range of 5-20mm which is said to reduce body roll.

Finally, there are some stylish new alloy wheel designs on offer, and you can get that stanced look with 21-inch units at the rear, and 20-inch units on the front. They’re available in Frozen Gold (pictured here) or Jet Black Matte.

As it stands, the BMW M3 Touring is not confirmed for a South African market introduction, but we have our fingers crossed that a few make their way to SA.

Some BMW dealerships regularly offer great deals. See our New Car Specials!

Looking to sell your car? You can sell your car to SA’s biggest dealer network

Search for a new or used BMW here

Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic (2022) Specs & Price

How much would you pay for an all-electric Mercedes-Benz around the size of a GLC? Well, we finally have SA pricing for the long-awaited EQC 400 4Matic…

It’s been a lengthy wait for the Mercedes-Benz EQC, hasn’t it? Revealed as long ago as September 2018 (based on a concept first shown in 2016), the fully electric crossover is finally poised to hit the market in South Africa. Wondering how much it will cost?

Well, wonder no more. Debuting four years ago as the first fully electric model from the German firm’s since-expanded EQ sub-brand, the EQC 400 4Matic will be priced from R1 575 000 (not including the price of the 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan) in South Africa. It is set to officially join the Mercedes-Benz SA range – along with the likewise battery-powered EQA, EQB and flagship EQS – in August 2022.

There is currently only one (dual-motor) powertrain option available for the EQC.

Fitted with dual asynchronous electric motors (one on each axle) drawing their urge from an 80 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the all-wheel-drive EQC 400 offers peak outputs of 300 kW and 760 Nm. As a result, it’s able to sprint from zero to 100 kph in a claimed 5.1 seconds, before topping out at a governed 180 kph.

The Stuttgart-based premium automaker claims the 5-seater EQC 400 4Matic is capable of travelling between 445 km and 471 km (note these figures are based on the NEDC system) on a single charge.

What kit do you get for the price of the EQC 400 4Matic?

Mercedes-Benz EQC with the AMG Line package

This is what the EQC 400 4Matic looks like with the AMG Line exterior package fitted.

Unlike the EQA and EQB, specifying the AMG Line exterior package (which here adds items such as sportier body styling and 19-inch AMG twin-spoke alloy wheels) for the EQC won’t inflate the base price. So, buyers will have the choice of either the standard look or the AMG-inspired version, with no impact on pricing.

Should those 19-inch wheels seem a little small for your liking, Mercedes-Benz SA will offer a range of optional alloys measuring up to 21 inches in diameter (R35 000 for the most expensive version). Other exterior extras will include a sunroof (R19 000), trailer coupling (R17 000) and aluminium-look running boards (R10 000).

Inside, buyers will again be able to choose between the standard and AMG Line arrangements, while there will also be the likewise no-cost option of the so-called “Electric Art” interior. While the MBUX multimedia system will be included as standard, adding augmented reality for the navigation system will cost you R8 000 and specifying the interior assistant (essentially gesture control) a further R6 200. A head-up display, meanwhile, will be available for R18 200.

How much will the Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic cost in South Africa?

Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic – R1 575 000*

*not including the price of the 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan

BMW iX3 (2022) Launch Review

The iX3 is the all-electric version of BMW’s popular executive SUV, the X3. We took it for a quick drive in Gauteng to see if it is as good as the ICE derivatives in the range.

The South African X3 portfolio is one of the most comprehensive executive-SUV line-ups in the country; it seems there is a derivative for everyone! If you want a frugal premium family car, the excellent xDrive20d and xDrive30d fit the bill. If you’re after some performance, there are some great turbopetrol-powered options, such as the M40i and the hardcore M Competition.

Now, the X3 family has been joined by an all-electric derivative that’s claimed to retain the best qualities of the X3 in combination with an advanced battery-electric powertrain.

What is the BMW iX3?

It’s going to take a keen-eyed spotter to tell the iX3 apart from its X3 siblings.

The BMW X3 is one of the more successful models in the Munich-based carmaker’s line-up. Plus, there’s a strong South African connection, because the model is made right here in South Africa – at BMW’s facility in Rosslyn, near Pretoria. The X3 models that are assembled in Mzansi are for the local as well as export markets, but the iX3 is a little different… It’s the first product in BMW SA’s range to be imported from China.

Visually, you can distinguish the iX3 by its closed-off grille, variant-specific wheels, as well as subtle touches such as BMW logos surrounded by blue bezels and small i logos on the nose and rear of the vehicle. Under the bonnet is a 210 kW/400 Nm electric motor that drives the Chinese-made derivative’s rear wheels. The motor is mated with a 74 kWh battery, which gives the iX3 a claimed range (WLTP) of up to 460 km.

The closed grille, blue-rimmed BMW logo and subtle i logo are unique to iX3.

Performance-wise, BMW claims the iX3 can accelerate from zero to 100 kph in 6.8 sec and go on to a top speed of 180 kph. The vehicle supports 150-kW DC fast-charging, which is said to add 100 km of range in about 10 minutes.

Inside, there are very few details that set the iX3 apart as an all-electric derivative, other than a blue-tinged start button and blue detailing on the transmission lever. Once you’ve switched the vehicle on, specific graphics are displayed to show you the available range (in km) and average energy consumption.

Features of the iX3?

There’s just one derivative on offer – the BMW iX3 M Sport. Given the iX3’s positioning in the upper echelon of the X3 family (at a whisker under R1.3 million), it comes fitted with a comprehensive array of features and on-board technologies.

Subtle touches such as the blue start button and similarly accented transmission lever are the only clues that this is an all-electric X3.

Standard features include adaptive suspension, a panoramic sunroof, 3-zone automatic climate control, Harman Kardon audio system, electrically adjustable seats, sporty leather steering wheel, BMW Live Cockpit Professional (with Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity), over-the-air updates, as well as a host of semi-autonomous driving technologies, including active cruise control, steering assist, lane-keeping assist, automatic parking and so forth.

What’s it like to drive?

The iX3 is one of the most refined offerings in the segment.

Our driving route took us through an urban area, which, to be fair, is likely the most common habitat for this electrified X3. Interestingly, this version of the X3 is rear-wheel driven, unlike its siblings, which come with xDrive (all-wheel drive). It is something to keep in mind if you plan to venture off-road now and again (not that you’re likely to).

The behaviour of the BMW’s electric powertrain is quite unlike those of other battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) we’ve piloted recently (the Audi e-tron range comes to mind). Previously, we’ve been entertained (and, sometimes, astounded) by BEVs’ instant on/off power delivery, but in the iX3 it feels more measured/easy to modulate. If you flatten the iX3’s accelerator pedal, the vehicle will speed off hastily, but its general driving experience is more akin to that of an ICE car.

These trick aero wheels look cool!

As for refinement and comfort, the G01-generation X3 belies its age (it was introduced overseas in 2017). The suspension of the G08 (that’s technically the iX3’s designation) ably absorbs ruts and bumps, despite the sizeable (20-inch) alloys.

The car’s happiest when (quietly) cruising along a highway. Like the BMW i4 M50i we also drove on the day, the iX3 comes with synthesised sounds playing through the speakers – it’s a novelty, which you can deactivate if you get tired of it.

Being a BMW, there’s at least a modicum of driving dynamism on offer and, thanks to its low-mounted battery pack and weighty steering setup, the iX3 manages to hide its 2.2-tonne kerb weight and resist body yaw more than most SUVs.

*The iX3 is rear-wheel drive only, it does not come with xDrive (all-wheel drive).*

Summary

If you’ve been considering “going electric” with your next new-vehicle purchase and by that, we mean “all-electric” (as opposed to hybrid electric), we think the iX3 is well worth a look. For those who find the BMW iX‘s appearance a little too futuristic or flashy, this offering is more conservatively styled (besides, the entry-level iX derivative costs a notable R400k more than the iX3 M Sport).

Although the iX3 offers all the benefits of electric motoring (such as instant full torque delivery), its general driving experience is not too dissimilar to that of petrol- and diesel-powered X3 derivatives. The claimed range of 460 km (from a fully charged battery) is credible and range anxiety should be less of a factor now that there are almost 300 DC chargers in South Africa that are spread throughout nearly all of the country’s main urban areas.

At R1.3 million, the iX3 costs only slightly more than its xDrive30d M Sport sibling and it’s great to see price parity between ICE and electric vehicles in the same class. If you’re not planning to venture on many long trips (at least not ones that have to be planned based on the locations of specific fast-charging points) and want all the features and functionality of an X3, this iX3 may be of interest to you.

We’re keen to spend more time with the all-electric iX3 and we’ll be compiling a comprehensive assessment of the differences in cost of ownership between the newcomer and its ICE siblings

*iX3 is a great addition to the X3 range.*

How much does the BMW iX3 cost in South Africa?

The BMW iX3 M Sport costs R1 290 000 and it’s sold with a 2-year unlimited kilometre vehicle- and 8-year/100 000 km battery warranty. A 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan is also standard.

Some BMW dealerships regularly offer great deals. See our New Car Specials!

Looking to sell your car? You can sell your car to SA’s biggest dealer network

Search for a new or used BMW here

BMW i4 M50 (2022) Launch Review

The i4 M50 is heralded as BMW’s first “battery-electric M car”, which makes it a milestone model. We headed to Gauteng to drive the 400-kW newcomer.

This year (2022), BMW’s M division celebrates its 50th anniversary and there are very exciting things happening over in Munich; the Bavarian marque has unveiled the BMW M4 CSL, will soon start producing a station wagon variant of the M3 and a second flagship product, called the XM, is in the works.

What is the BMW i4 M50?

You’re looking at BMW M’s first performance offering that does not employ an internal combustion engine (the iX M60 is the second). It’s all-electric and, given the reputation that BMW M has, it’s critical that the i4 M50 ticks the same boxes that a typical M customer would look for in a conventional M car.

It’s hard to tell that this is an electric car.

Looks? With its bold grille and black-vaned front bumper, muscular 4 Series Gran Coupe styling, large alloys and M badges fore and aft, the i4 M50 looks purposeful, but not too shouty. The jury’s out on the “exhaust-end cutouts” at the back (because there are no tailpipes on the car), but a bit of artistic licence is okay.

Performance? There’s plenty on offer and the numbers tell a fascinating story.

From a dual electric-motor setup, the i4 M50 produces 400 kW and 795 Nm. BMW’s M division is usually a bit vague with its claims and says it’s good for 0-100 kph in “under 3.9 sec” with a top speed of 225 kph. A range of 510 km (based on the WLTP cycle) is claimed and the vehicle can be charged via AC and DC options. It also supports 200-kW charging, which means, when fast-charging, you can get 140 km of range in 10 minutes.

The curved screen is eye-catching.

So it looks the part and has enough pace to justify its “M car” billing, but what about a provocative soundtrack? After all, no ICE means that the i40 M50 emits no inline-6 howl or percussive gearshifts… and petrolheads consider aural stimulation to be a critical part of a performance car’s driving experience.

BMW is well aware of this and enlisted acclaimed film-score composer Hans Zimmer to come up with electronic “soundscapes” to accompany the car’s performance via its speaker system. The various sound effects match the drive modes and change in pitch and tone based on the level of throttle application.

What features does the BMW i4 M50 have?

The i4 sports one of the most advanced cabins on sale right now.

The i4 M50 is a comprehensively equipped vehicle, as it should be at this price point (R1.6 million). The moment you step inside the Bimmer’s cabin, you’ll notice a massive rectangular curved screen stretching across the dashboard (it was also introduced on the recently revealed facelifted 3 Series sedan); not only is it underpinned by the latest BMW OS8 software – its graphics and layout look gorgeous. Impressively, the car supports over-the-air updates so you don’t need to visit the dealership for software upgrades.

It has all the niceties you’d expect, such as adaptive dampers, a panoramic sunroof, a premium audio system from Harman Kardon, heated front sports seats (leather-trimmed, of course), and a raft of semi-autonomous safety features like active steering, lane keeping assist, auto emergency braking and so on.

The digital instrument cluster offers various display themes and is customisable.

What’s it like to drive?

Detractors will be quick to point out this is no pureblood BMW M vehicle because it doesn’t have a twin-turbocharged petrol engine, plus there’s never been an M model based on the 4 Series Gran Coupe. We suggest you find out for yourself whether the car deserves M badges: Just get in, select the sportiest drive mode and do a full race start.

In case you didn’t already know, the magic of an electric powertrain is that its full torque complement is available immediately. Unlike a conventional engine, which takes a bit of time to “hit its straps”, a battery electric vehicle offers everything it’s got (performance-wise) promptly on demand. And, in a BEV as potent as the i4 M50, full acceleration from a standstill will push your head back firmly into the driver’s seat headrest!

By M-car standards, the i4 M50 is understated, but it’s a lot faster than it looks.

Combined with the deceleration caused by brake regeneration (it’s at its most intense when you shift the transmission lever to B), you could easily experience whiplash and motion sickness at the same time. Okay, we’re exaggerating (a little), but you DO have to adjust your driving style to take into account the i4 M50’s ability to accelerate – and scrub off speed – dramatically; the accelerator’s like an on-off switch.

We were fascinated by the integration of Zimmer’s audio wizardry. In the i4 M50’s sportiest setting, we swear we could hear a sound that was vaguely reminiscent of an induction bark, while brake regeneration has the faintest hint of a downshift; during a standing start, there’s even a launch-control-like sound. If it all gets a bit tiring, you can switch it off. In comfort mode, the effects are a lot more subdued/tolerable.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe shape gives the i4 a practical angle.

The best part of the package is that even if the i4 M50 does not feel like enough of a fully-fledged M car to please performance-car aficionados, it’s an eminently refined, sophisticated business-class sedan that certainly drives like a BMW M-fettled derivative. Despite the battery pack contributing to the 2.3-tonne kerb weight, the apex i4 still manages to retain some feel-good dynamics and nimbleness.

The steering setup is great, with decent levels of feel and weighting. The driver’s seat position is spot on too – it’s low and engaging, but without compromising the view of the road and surroundings.

Then there’s that – dare we say, supple? – ride quality. We’ve driven some rather hefty electric cars and they have all seemed firmly sprung – almost unapologetically so. The BMW i4, however, rides on the proven CLAR platform, which it shares with the current 3- and 4 Series and other large BMW models.

These wheels strike a great blend of performance, grip and a comfortable ride.

This setup is renowned for striking a great balance between sportiness and comfort, and despite the poor state of the roads around Midrand, and rolling on 19-inch rims (on not-too-skinny tyres, thankfully), the i4 M50 rode composedly. You could drive this car on long road trips in its most subdued drive modes and emerge at your destination feeling refreshed; can you say that of its fellow M car – the M3 Competition?

How much does the BMW i4 M50 cost in South Africa?

There’s just one model on offer and it costs R1 600 000. It ships with a 2-year/unlimited km vehicle- and an 8-year/100 000 km battery warranty. A 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan is also included.

A great alternative to the BMW M3 and it’s 90% as fast as that model…

Summary

Our first taste of BMW M’s foray into electrification was a positive experience. While our test route was short and limited to urban roads (it’s a pity we could not experience the i4 M50 on the open road), we garnered enough experience to tell you that this is a great point-to-point performance model.

A great first attempt at a performance electric vehicle from BMW.

Does it offer the same driving thrills and visceral experiences as the similarly priced BMW M3 Competition? Not quite, no. Rather consider the i4 M50 a great bridge between the competent-but-brisk BMW M340i xDrive and the BMW M3 Competition. It’s fractionally cheaper than the latter and offers 90% of the performance…

Some BMW dealerships regularly offer great deals. See our New Car Specials!

Looking to sell your car? You can sell your car to SA’s biggest dealer network

Search for a new or used BMW here

Hyundai Creta Facelift (2022) Specs & Price

The Hyundai Creta Facelift has touched down in South Africa. Here’s a look at what’s new and what you get for your money.

The Hyundai Creta is the Korean brand’s SUV that’s positioned between the entry-level Hyundai Venue and the bigger Hyundai Tucson. A 7-seater Grand Creta is also available.

What’s Changed?

The big news is that this Hyundai Creta facelift is now sourced from Indonesia, unlike the outgoing model which came from India.

Visually, there’s a big change at the front, with the Hyundai Creta receiving a bold new grille that’s similar to that of the bigger Hyundai Tucson. It’s radically different and we think it makes quite the statement.

What is on offer?

The range has been rejigged, with the turbocharged petrol engine derivative falling away. Customers can choose from one of 6 colours and there are two trim levels: Premium and Executive.

There’s one engine available, with a choice of either a manual gearbox or a CVT. This naturally-aspirated petrol engine produces 84 kW and 144 Nm.

We understand that a Glide derivative will follow, as will more engine options.

Hyundai Creta Premium

Driver and passenger airbags
ISOFix mounts
Halogen headlights
Auto light control
Electric mirror control
Cloth trim
60:40 folding seats
Infotainment with device connect
Bluetooth
Cruise control
Rear view camera with parking sensors
Manual aircon
17-inch allow wheels

Hyundai Creta Executive

The above, plus the following content:

Keyless entry
Wireless phone charger
LED daytime running lights
Roof rack
Cluster with 3.5-inch TFT LCD

*This is a developing story and will update as we get more information.

How much does the Hyundai Creta Facelift cost in South Africa?

Hyundai Creta 1.5 Premium Manual R409 900

Hyundai Creta 1.5 Premium IVT R429 900

Hyundai Creta 1.5 Executive IVT R469 900

The Hyundai Creta facelift is sold with Hyundai’s 7-year / 200 000 km warranty, a 4-year / 60 000 km service plan and 7-year / 150 000 km roadside assistance.

Some Hyundai dealerships regularly offer great deals. See our New Car Specials!

Looking to sell your car? You can sell your car to SA’s biggest dealer network

Search for a new or used Hyundai here

SA hot hatch sales in 2022 so far: VW Golf 8 GTI vs Hyundai i30 N

Just how well did the Hyundai i30 N sell in South Africa in the first half of 2022, compared with the Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI? Let’s examine the local C-segment hot hatch sales race…

South Africa’s C-segment hot hatch market isn’t nearly as well populated as it once was. Indeed, with the likes of the Mazda3 MPS, Ford Focus ST, Opel Astra OPC and Renault Mégane RS long since departed, local buyers searching for high-performance hatchbacks around the size of a VW Golf have very few choices.

Still, it’s worth having a look at how well the main players have been selling in this spicy sub-segment. So, we trawled through Naamsa’s sales reports for the first half of 2022 to see what we could find. Unfortunately, we’re going to have to limit this exercise to the Hyundai i30 N and Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI.

Why? Well, since BMW Group SA and Mercedes-Benz don’t consistently report individual model sales figures to Naamsa, it’s not clear how many examples of the former’s front-driven 128ti and all-wheel-drive M135i nor the latter’s AMG-badged A35 and A45 S all-paw hatchbacks were registered locally in the first half of 2022.

Similarly, we don’t know exactly how popular the outgoing Honda Civic Type R has proven from the start of January to the end of June 2022, since the automaker reports a combined figure for the hot hatch and the Civic sedan (though that number comes to just 36 anyway). In addition, Audi S3 Sportback sales are lumped with A3 Sportback figures.

So, that leaves us with the aforementioned 206 kW/392 Nm i30 N (R749 900) and 180 kW/370 Nm Golf GTI (R696 700). While VW SA has bemoaned industry-wide pandemic-related constraints hitting its supply of new vehicles, Hyundai Automotive SA switched to a refreshed version of its hot hatch during the reporting period (a move that traditionally also comes with a dip in sales volume).

Indeed, the updated version of the i30 N arrived in South Africa early in April 2022, ditching the pre-facelift version’s 6-speed manual gearbox in favour of an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. That, of course, suggests it’s aimed directly at Wolfsburg’s hot hatch, which likewise ships standard with a dual-clutch cog-swapper (though with 7 forward gears).

2022 H1 sales figures: VW Golf 8 GTI vs Hyundai i30 N

Anyway, what do the sales figures say? Well, Volkswagen SA managed to register 380 units of the Golf GTI in the first half of 2022, with its best monthly effort coming in January (100 units). The i30 N, meanwhile, had to settle for a six-month tally of just 40 units, though not a single example was registered in the first quarter (likely as a result of the switchover to the facelifted model).

What about the segment below? Well, even fewer B-segment hot hatches have survived, with the locally produced Volkswagen Polo GTI virtually having that market all to itself these days (though VW reports a combined figure for all Polo hatches, so – again – a GTI-only figure is not available).

However, we do know 19 units of the Toyota GR Yaris were sold in South Africa over the first six months of the year, with the Japanese firm’s local division recently telling us more stock is on the way (though interestingly the base version has been scrapped, with only the Rally model still on offer).

Suzuki Baleno vs Toyota Starlet – Which Offers Better Value For Money?

The latest iterations of the Suzuki Baleno hatchback and the Toyota Starlet have arrived in South Africa! They are mechanically identical but differ in terms of styling, feature specification and price. Let’s take a look at what the key differences are to determine which car offers the best value for money!

As a result of a product-share agreement between Suzuki and Toyota, the Baleno and Starlet are built on the same production line at Maruti-Suzuki’s facility in Gujarat, India.

While the pair are mechanically identical, they differ in terms of styling execution, interior feature specification, trim grades and of course, price and warranty.

If you’ve been scratching your head trying to understand what sets these 2 hatchbacks apart, this article will hopefully bring you some clarity but will also highlight which one offers better value for money! Let’s take a closer look at the key differences!

Suzuki Baleno vs Toyota Starlet – Which offers better value for money?

Exterior Styling Execution

The major styling differences between the Suzuki Baleno and Toyota Starlet is seen on the front end with each model exhibiting different grille and bumper designs. The Suzuki Baleno’s face is defined by a 3-D grille design with a chrome belt trim element that runs along the lower edge of the grille to the now-sleeker headlight units. The fog lamps also feature chrome brows.

As for the Starlet, the grille surface is noticeably smaller with a chrome wing running through the middle of the grille from the headlights to the central Toyota badge while the lower air is larger than what’s seen on the Baleno and the fog lights are bracketed with C-shaped chrome trim. In its side profile, the Starlet further differentiates itself from the Baleno with a blacked-out C-pillar and an elegant chrome beltline that curves upwards into the C-Pillar.

At the rear, the 2 models are near-identical with a 2-piece taillight and chrome trim on the tailgate.

Which looks better? Well, we’ll leave that to you to decide!

Interior Execution and Features

The cabin architecture of the Baleno and Starlet are just about identical with trim grades and feature specification being the major differentiators between the 2 models.

The Suzuki Baleno is offered in 2 trim grades, namely the base GL trim and the range-topping GLX trim. The Toyota Starlet, however, is offered with 3 trim grades, namely the base Xi trim, mid-spec Xs trim and the range-topping Xr trim.

Let’s take a closer look at how key feature specification for each trim level differs from one another.

Base Trim Level

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	Suzuki Baleno GL	Toyota Starlet Xi
Price	R225 900 (manual)	R226 200 (manual)
Infotainment system	7-inch infotainment	7-inch infotainment
Instrument cluster	Analogue dials with central information display	Analogue dials with central information display
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, voice control, USB	Yes to all, 3 USB ports (Type A and Type C)	Yes to all, 3 USB ports (Type A and Type C)
Rear view camera	Yes	No
Cruise Control	Yes	No
Air conditioning	Climate Control, with rear ventilation	Climate Control
Park distance control	Rear only	Rear only
Upholstery	Cloth	Cloth
Electric windows and mirrors	Yes, all	Yes, all
Seat adjustment	Manual with height adjustment	Manual
Steering wheel adjustment	Tilt only	Tilt only
Other useful features	Front centre armrest, with slide function	Front centre armrest, with slide function
Safety features	2 front airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control	2 front airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control, hill assist control

Conclusion: As a base offering, the Suzuki Baleno GL represents better value for money than the Toyota Starlet Xi.

Mid-Level Trim

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	Suzuki Baleno (No mid-spec offering)	Toyota Starlet Xs
Price		R239 100 (manual)R261 100 (automatic)
Infotainment system		7-inch infotainment
Instrument cluster		Analogue dials with central information display
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, voice control, USB		Yes to all, 3 USB ports (Type A and Type C)
Rear view camera		No
Cruise Control		No
Air conditioning		Climate Control, with rear ventilation
Park distance control		Rear only
Upholstery		Cloth
Electric windows		Yes, all
Seat adjustment		Manual
Steering wheel adjustment		Tilt only
Other useful features		Front centre armrest, with slide function
Safety features		2 front airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control

Conclusion: The Toyota Starlet Xs trim level features identical interior features to the base-spec Starlet Xi with the exception of larger 16-inch alloy wheels (15-inch steel with wheel covers on Xi) and the fitment of LED fog lights.

Top Level Trim

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	Suzuki Baleno GLX	Toyota Starlet Xr
Price	R275 900 (Manual) R295 900 (Automatic)	R294 900 (Manual) R313 300 (Automatic)
Infotainment system	9-inch infotainment touchscreen	9-inch infotainment touchscreen
Instrument cluster	Analogue dials with 4.2-inch color information display	Analogue dials with 4.2-inch color information display
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, voice control, USB	Yes to all, 3 USB ports (Type A and Type C)	Yes to all, 3 USB ports (Type A and Type C)
Rear view camera	360-degree camera	Rear camera
Heads-up Display	Yes	No
Cruise Control	Yes	Yes
Air conditioning	Climate Control	Climate Control
Park distance control	Rear only	Rear only
Upholstery	Cloth	Cloth
Electric windows and mirrors	Yes, all	Yes, all
Seat adjustment	Manual, with height adjustment	Manual with height adjustment
Steering wheel adjustment	Tilt and reach	Tilt and reach
Other useful features	Smart keyless entry, push-button start	Smart keyless entry, push-button-start
Safety features	6 front airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control	6 front airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control, hill assist control

Conclusion: The range-topping Suzuki Baleno GLX offers competitive pricing against the equivalent Starlet Xr and the addition of a 360-degree camera and heads-up display will appeal to tech-savvy buyers.

Engine, Transmissions & Performance

The big news for the latest iterations of the Suzuki Baleno and Toyota Starlet is that a more powerful naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine is now under bonnet, replacing the previous 1.4-litre petrol engine.

Engine outputs for the 1.5-litre engine total 77 kW and 138 Nm, which is 9 kW and 8 Nm more than the previous offering and represents a 10% gain in power. Both manufacturers claim identical fuel consumption figures of 5.4 L/100km for the 5-speed manual derivatives and 5.7 L/100km for the 4-speed automatic derivatives.

Based on our driving experience at both the launches of the Baleno and Starlet, we are happy to report that both products benefit from stronger overall performance. Not only does the engine contribute to better acceleration but both models also benefit from enhanced body rigidity which has noticeably improved dynamic handling ability.

Practicality

	Suzuki Baleno	Toyota Starlet
Length	3 990 mm	3 990 mm
Width	1 745 mm	1 745 mm
Height	1 500 mm	1 500 mm
Wheelbase	2 520 mm	2 520 mm
Ground Clearance	150 mm	150 mm
Turning Circle	10.2 m	10.2 m
Rear Seat Configuration	60:40 split	60:40 split
Load Capacity	314 L	314 L

Conclusion: Both the Suzuki Baleno and Toyota Starlet offer the same level of practicality.

Price and Warranty

Note that pricing is accurate as of June 2022 and prices exclude VAT.

	Suzuki Baleno	Price	Toyota Starlet	Price
Base	Baleno 1.5 GL Manual Baleno 1.5 GL Automatic	R225 900 R245 900	Starlet 1.5 Xi Manual	R226 200
Mid	None	–	Starlet 1.5 Xs Manual Starlet 1.5 Xs Automatic	R239 100 R261 100
Top	Baleno 1.5 GLX Manual Baleno 1.5 GLX Automatic	R275 900 R295 900	Starlet 1.5 Xr Manual Starlet 1.5 Xr Automatic	R294 900 R313 300
Warranty	5-yr / 200 000 km (promotional warranty)		3-yr / 100 000 km
Service Plan	4-year / 60 000 km		3-services / 45 000 km

Which offers better value for money?

It’s clear from the above comparative exercise that the Suzuki Baleno offers better overall value for money compared to the Toyota Starlet.

The Baleno not only offers more standard features across its trim offerings but the range-topping Baleno GLX is aggressively priced and Suzuki is offering a superior warranty and service plan which will undoubtedly sweeten the deal for local buyers.

Armed with this information, will local buyers favour value-for-money or will the power of the Toyota badge prevail? Ever since the Starlet was introduced locally in 2020, it has out-sold its Suzuki counterpart by a large margin (about 8 to 1). With the latest iterations of the Baleno and Starlet now on showroom floors, it will be interesting to see if the Baleno will be able to claw back some much-deserved market share. On Toyota’s side is its vast dealer network that ranges the entire country and has the best after-sales service reputation of any brand in South Africa.

Buy a used Suzuki Baleno on Cars.co.za

Buy a used Toyota Starlet on Cars.co.za

Geely Unveils New Electric Bakkie to Launch Radar Brand

Geely has launched what it describes as a new “pure electric outdoors lifestyle vehicle brand”. The first model from the Radar Auto marque? An electric bakkie called the RD6…

Meet the battery-powered Radar RD6 bakkie, the first product from the Geely Holding Group’s freshly launched electric lifestyle brand.

The Chinese automotive giant says its box-fresh Radar Auto brand will “start with trucks [or what we in South Africa know as bakkies] but is much more than just trucks”.

Billed as an “independent brand within the wider” group, Radar already boasts a dedicated research and development facility in Hangzhou as well as a “fully equipped” electric vehicle (EV) production facility in Zibo, Shandong.

It’s the latter factory that will begin production of the Radar RD6 by the fourth quarter of 2022, before the brand rolls out a “full portfolio of electric lifestyle vehicles”, including bakkies, SUVs, ATVs and “other lifestyle products”.

What do we know about the new Radar RD6?

Geely has yet to reveal any specific details about the Radar RD6 (no, not even its dimensions), but we do know the all-electric bakkie was styled with a little help from veteran British designer Peter Horbury, who was appointed executive vice-president of design at Geely Auto back in 2011. The version shown in the press images features a double-cab body style; it’s not yet clear whether a single-cab version is on the cards (though it seems unlikely considering the “lifestyle” angle of the brand).

From what we understand, the RD6 rides on what Geely calls the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), which is shared with the Smart#1 (remember, Geely and Mercedes-Benz started a joint venture a little while back to revive the Smart marque) and includes both single- and dual-motor options. The Chinese firm says performance figures and range will be announced “in due course”, though a report out of China claims a single-charge range in the region of 600 km.

Geely has, however, confirmed the RD6 will boast a “front trunk” under the bonnet as well as a load bed with “external charging facilities”.

“The Radar product portfolio is focused on electric pick-up trucks and SUVs. This direction challenges us to mix functionality and usability with aesthetic form. Our aim is to let Radar users expand their horizons and explore nature in a sustainable way,” said Horbury.

An auto powerhouse: Geely’s vast collection of brands

Geely has appointed Dr. Ling Shi Quan – an engineering veteran who also helped establish the Lynk & Co brand – as the CEO of Radar.

“Understanding this new market segment and creating a new brand specifically for these unique users has been the highlight of my career so far. Radar Auto will be purpose-driven from the outset and that purpose is to allow users to explore the world in a more sustainable way,” explained Dr. Ling.

Of course, the Geely Holding Group produces vehicles not only under its various domestic brands (such as Geely Auto and Geometry), but also under its overseas subsidiaries, which include Volvo Cars, Polestar, Lynk & Co, Proton and Lotus.

Here’s hoping Geely releases more details about the new Radar RD6 soon…

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Suzuki Baleno vs Toyota Starlet – Which Offers Better Value For Money?

Suzuki Baleno vs Toyota Starlet – Which offers better value for money?

Exterior Styling Execution

Interior Execution and Features

Base Trim Level

Mid-Level Trim

Top Level Trim

Engine, Transmissions & Performance

Practicality

Price and Warranty

Which offers better value for money?

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What do we know about the new Radar RD6?

An auto powerhouse: Geely’s vast collection of brands