The new BMW M2 is due to be revealed in October 2022 and BMW will present the newcomer to local fans at M Fest in celebration of 50 years of M.
It’s a big year for BMW as the firm’s M division is celebrating 50 years of existence and we have already been graced with the reveal of the 405 kW M4 CSL, the fastest M car to date, as well as the M4 50 Jahre Edition of which only 5 will be offered locally.
BMW, however, is just gathering momentum and M fans have lots to look forward to because the reveal of the next-generation rear-wheel-drive M2 is around the corner. BMW recently teased the new M2 with a short video entitled, “The M2 is on its way. Get ready for playtime” (see below) and previously the M division released more details and images, confirming that the new M2 is in the final stage of testing.
Now, BMW is preparing for the global digital reveal of the new M2 in October 2022 and the firm will use the South African M Fest to publicly display the new M2 in the metal at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Gauteng on 15-16 October 2022.
The new BMW M2 has big shoes to fill but it’s unlikely to disappoint.
Earlier this year the new BMW M2 was subjected to track testing at Salzburgring in Austria with a focus on driving dynamics and chassis and BMW M says that the new M2 has similar performance characteristics to the current BMW M2 CS.
The outgoing M2 was widely regarded as the pinnacle driver’s car and for many, one of the best M cars ever made. Those are lofty praises and it means that the next M2 must exceed expectations.
The new M2 Coupe will be powered by the same 375 kW / 650 Nm S58 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder engine that’s found in the new M3 and M4 but will be tuned down to approximately 335 kW and 550 Nm, which is a good starting point if you consider that the outgoing M2 CS produced 331 kW and 550 Nm. This engine will be mated to either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed M Steptronic transmission directing power to the rear wheels. The new M2 will also share braking componentry from the M3/M4 duo to ensure suitable stopping power. The new BMW M2 will be the last non-electrified M car.
BMW’s Curved Display will make an appearance in the new M2.
In an effort to improve performance even further, weight-reducing equipment such as a carbon fibre roof and carbon bucket seats will also be offered as an option to buyers. Also, note that BMW’s Curved Display will be offered in the new M2 and combines a 12.3-inch instrument cluster with a larger 14.9 infotainment screen and is equipped with the latest iDrive8 operating system.
We will keep you updated as more details are revealed.
Land Rover Defender 75th Limited Edition (2022) Specs & Price
Land Rover has revealed a special Defender 75th Limited Edition conceived to celebrate – you guessed it – 75 years of its series of off-roaders…
[UPDATE: We’ve since uncovered local Defender 75th Limited Edition pricing, which you’ll find at the bottom of this story. Land Rover SA says just 10 units will be available locally in early 2023 but that all will be in D300 form. It interestingly makes no mention of the P400 pricing we found on its website.]
Way back in 1948, Land Rover whipped the covers off the original Series I – effectively the precursor of the Defender – in Amsterdam. Now, to celebrate this 75-year anniversary (a year early, by our maths), the British firm has created the aptly named Defender 75th Limited Edition.
Set to be available in both the 90 and 110 body styles (but not the extended 130 version), the Defender 75th Limited Edition is finished in Grasmere Green paint and boasts what Land Rover describes as “unique detailing”. This exterior hue has been reserved for the special-edition model and is repeated on the 20-inch alloy wheels, which are wrapped in all-terrain rubber as standard.
The limited-edition model furthermore gains a subtle “75 Years” graphic at the rear, as well as Ceres Silver bumpers and privacy glass. Inside, the facia panel is finished in Grasmere Green Powder Coat, while the seats are trimmed in Resist Ebony.
According to Land Rover, this particular Defender will be “highly collectible”. Meanwhile, powertrain choices in the United Kingdom will include the P400e plug-in hybrid and the D300 turbodiesel with mild-hybrid tech (though in SA, we’ll get the standard P400 and D300 engines).
The Defender 75th Limited Edition will be available in both 90 and 110 body styles.
The 75th Limited Edition is based on the high-specification HSE trim level, which means its list of standard equipment includes items such as the 3D surround camera, configurable terrain response, Meridian sound system, Matrix LED headlights, 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system, a head-up display and wireless smartphone charging.
All models furthermore feature a folding fabric roof or the option of a sliding panoramic roof with roof rails. Other standard features include 14-way electrically adjustable (and heated) driver and front passenger seats, a heated steering wheel and 3-zone climate control.
Every version of the special-edition Defender is “pre-configured” with options such as the towing pack, headlamp power wash, electrically adjustable steering column and a domestic plug socket.
“Since revealing the new Defender, customers around the globe have fallen in love with it and demand remains extremely strong. This new Limited Edition captures the spirit of the past 75 years, with its colour and detailing, and fuses it with innovative new technology such as hybrid electric power, configurable terrain response, software over-the-air updates and unrivalled all-terrain capability,” says Stuart Frith, Lifecycle Chief Engineer Defender.
How much does the new Defender 75th Limited Edition cost in SA?
Spring has sprung and that means it’s wildflower season in Namaqualand. It’s a time-honoured SA tradition to take a road trip to see the colourful flora and, to that end, Suzuki invited us on a Northern Cape safari, where we’d be driving… an Ignis!
Words and images by Dieter Pey
The safari started in Upington, where we collected our adventure vehicles for this trip. Previously, I had toured Lesotho in a Jimny 4×4, but this time around we would be spending some quality time here in the Republic – in the stark beauty of the Northern Cape – in an Ignis 1.2 GLX. On Day 1, we departed from Upington Airport and travelled 600 km west, towards and past Springbok until we reached our trip’s first accommodation of “Die Houthoop”, near the town of Kleinzee.
On Day 1, we covered the longest single stretch of our journey. For those who don’t know the Northern Cape region, much of its topography is virtually flat and the roads are very straight, but the Ignis’ 61 kW/113 Nm naturally aspirated (non-turbo) 1.2-litre petrol engine enabled the Suzuki to comfortably maintain the national speed limit for hours on end. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, we finally turned off the tar road and started our first leg of gravel driving.
To be perfectly honest, I was a bit worried about how well this little Suzuki Ignis (with its 15-inch wheels and 175/65 tyres – a city-car configuration in anyone’s book) would handle the rough West Coast and Northern Cape roads. The roads in these areas can be pretty uneven, rocky and full of cattle grids. To my surprise and relief, the Ignis traversed these gravel roads with ease! On the worst bits of road, the ride was a little jiggly, but we were still very comfortable in the car.
Thanks to its pliant (absorbent or forgiving) suspension setup, the Ignis is well suited to completing dirt-road journeys. I realise that it’s a front-wheel-drive vehicle (not a 4×4), but, at times, my inner rally driver simply got the better of me, so I steered into a few of the gravel-road bends at an, um, enthusiastic pace just to see how the 1.2 GLX would perform… I came away surprised by just how sure-footed the Suzuki felt on the loose road surface; it’s quite fun to drive, in fact.
Although all Ignis derivatives come equipped with ABS, EBD and brake assist, bear in mind that the Suzuki doesn’t have traction control, which is a disadvantage if you are not used to driving a car on slippery (low-grip) surfaces.
After drinking in the vast emptiness of the Northern Cape, we headed down the beautiful Spektakle Pass; the sun hung low in the sky as we reached Die Houthoop. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset and dinner at the rustic overnight stop.
To me, Day 2 was the highlight of the trip. We headed north towards the town of Nababeep. This once thriving mining hub of the De Beer family is now a forgotten little town. Just outside the town, we drove into a valley of beautiful orange flowers which carpeted the landscape. We successfully found the Namaqualand wildflowers in full bloom and, like typical tourists, we frolicked in the flora and captured some colourful and vibrant images.
We then drove into Nababeep to visit the local museum, where we received a brief tour of the town and learned how its copper mining industry used to work. I highly recommend visiting the historic town (and its museum) to learn about and support this fascinating area. We ended the day in the town of Kleinzee, another small abandoned town which once had 4 000 inhabitants and now has a population of only 800 people.
To reach the Kleinzee Angling Club, we had a bit of sand driving to do. The Ignis’ tyres were deflated to 1.4 bar and, using a bit of momentum, we managed to clear the small sandy patches. Again, pretty impressive for a non-4×4 vehicle!
That evening, we savoured a seafood platter that Chef Jackie prepared for us and then got some shuteye, because Day 3 – our last day of the trip – beckoned. We packed our bags and JJ, our tour guide, directed us to our destination of Garies. We stayed on the gravel-road route and drove over the escarpment via the Wildeperdehoek Pass. This beautiful pass goes through the Namaqualand National Park and provides breathtaking views of the landscape.
We spotted a herd of 13 Oryx antelope (Gemsbokke) galloping over the horizon. The surrounding area still shows traces of the ox-wagon routes that the early settlers used to travel between the inland riverbeds and the escarpment to the arid province’s Atlantic coast. After travelling another 40 km or so, we rejoined a tar road and we would stay on this smooth and comfortable surface until Garies and later, Cape Town.
All in all, we travelled a total of 1 800 km in just under 27 hours of driving. I’d guess that about 1 000 km of the route was made up of unsealed (gravel or sandy) roads and, to reiterate, I was hugely impressed with how well the Ignis adapted to travelling on the dirt. In fact, this Suzuki had quite a few hidden talents… Yes, it’s a small car, but it had enough space for me, my passenger and our luggage. At one point we had 4 people aboard and all of us were seated in relative comfort.
Twenty-seven hours of driving is no jaunt! Still, it would be unfair to say the Ignis offers too little in the way of long-haul occupant comfort; the seats are well-padded and the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system is easy to use, although we did encounter a minor issue with connecting a Bluetooth device when another one is actively paired. The car handles impressively on gravel and tarmac; it’s wieldy – darty, even – and although the suspension is soft, road-holding is good.
The Ignis’ steering is perhaps a little too lively for “the long, open road” – city cars need to be very easy to manoeuvre, for which you need quick steering – so that is something to consider. Apart from that, it is a great little touring vehicle for a couple of intrepid road-trippers. The claimed fuel consumption is 5.1 L/100 km and we averaged 5.6 L/100 km on the trip, including long-distance highway driving and slower gravel driving in searing heat (at times, the mercury nudged 30’C).
This trip demonstrated that you don’t need a large, fuel-inefficient, fully-kitted offroad rig to explore our beautiful country. Yes, there are some limitations, the chief of which is the front-wheel drive drivetrain – for the sake of safety and plain old practicality, stick to flat-ish, well-maintained gravel roads and, remember, you only have 180 mm of ground clearance to work with. The Ignis is, ultimately, a crossover, which means it’s designed to help you explore the country on a budget.
Priced at R236 900 (September 2022), which includes an attractive 5-year/200 000 km manufacturer warranty and a 2-year/30 000 km service plan, the Ignis 1.2 GLX will not only make short work of your daily commute, but if and when that travel bug bites (and oh, it will), the Suzuki will be well up to the task of facilitating your out-of-town adventures – be they big or small.
Thank you to the Suzuki Auto SA and African Expedition teams for hosting us on yet another unforgettable safari that showcased the beauty of the Southern African region.
How Safe is the Haval Jolion? Crash-Test Results Released
South African new-car buyers have really taken to the Haval Jolion. But just how safe is the Chinese firm’s popular crossover? Well, fresh crash-test results from Australia give us a fair idea…
The Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) has released the results of its crash-test evaluation of the Haval Jolion, with the Chinese crossover being awarded a full 5 stars for safety (replicating the impressive results of the Haval H6 from earlier in 2022).
According to Australasia’s independent voice on vehicle safety, the version of the Jolion offered Down Under scored 90% for adult occupant protection, 84% for child occupant protection, 64% for vulnerable road user protection and 92% for its standard safety assistance equipment.
As is often the case, there are some specification differences between Australia and South Africa that are worth keeping in mind. For instance, the vehicle tested in Australia ships standard with a centre airbag (in addition to dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting airbags) to mitigate occupant-to-occupant contact in side impacts. In South Africa, however, the base City derivative features only 4 airbags, with all other variants coming with 6 airbags (but none with this centre item).
Still, the Jolion offered “good” levels of protection to the driver in the full-width frontal test as well as the oblique pole test. However, the crossover had to settle for “adequate” and “marginal” protection for the driver’s chest and legs in the frontal offset test.
A “marginal” result was also recorded for the chest of the rear passenger in the full-width frontal test and pelvis of the driver in the side-impact test, with all other critical body regions in these tests rated as “good”.
Whiplash protection for front and rear occupants also scored well, as did the protection offered to child occupants in the side-impact test. Protection of the 6-year-old child dummy’s head was rated as “adequate” in the frontal offset test, as was the chest of the 10-year-old child dummy. Neck protection for both in this test was assessed as “marginal”.
ANCAP says the Jolion “particularly impressed” thanks to its active collision avoidance capability, scoring full marks for its lane support performance, while its autonomous emergency braking (AEB) functions were also rated as “very good”. Meanwhile, its ability to avoid a crash with pedestrians and cyclists was rated as “mixed”. Take note, however, that in South Africa, equivalent systems are included as standard only on the flagship Super Luxury trim level.
The Jolion has been a hit in South Africa, with as many as 6 248 units registered locally in the first 8 months of 2022 (translating to a monthly average of around 780 units). As a reminder, the Jolion range comprises 5 variants, currently priced from R342 950 to R446 950.
Watch the Haval Jolion’s ANCAP crash-test performance below…
The Subaru Crosstrek is formerly known as the Subaru XV and has just been updated. Subaru SA has confirmed the capable crossover will be hitting our market in 2023.
The Subaru XV name has been dropped and we understand that Crosstrek will be used globally. The third generation Subaru Crosstrek was announced in Japan and will be hitting that market in early 2023. Subaru South Africa has confirmed the Crosstrek will be coming to our shores in the 2nd quarter of 2023.
So, what’s changed? Like all Subaru updates, we have to look carefully to spot the differences. Under the skin, the Subaru Global Platform has been retained, but Subaru has claimed there are some changes to increase refinement and ride comfort. There’s some enhanced rigidity and interestingly, the manufacturing process has changed with the upper body and underbody now built together. Subaru claims this has resulted in a reduction of cabin vibrations. There are also the addition of sound-deading materials.
The styling has been given a gentle makeover, with new LED headlights which offer cornering capability and tail-lamps that look straight from the WRX. Physically, the Subaru Crosstrek is 4 480 mm long, 1 800 mm wide and 1 580 mm high. This new model features a 5 mm longer wheelbase, is 15 mm longer and 30 mm taller. Subaru claims a ground clearance of 200 mm.
Inside, the Crosstrek gains an 11.6-inch portrait-orientated infotainment system which we’ve had experience with in the Subaru Outback and new Subaru WRX. There are new seats, updates to the electric power steering and the vehicle gains the latest version of Subaru’s EyeSight safety technology.
At this stage, there’s minimal information about the engine and transmission. The Japanese model will get a 2.0-litre petrol engine paired to an electric motor, with upgrades to the engine and transmission to reduce noise and vibration. We expect the South African derivatives to retain its 2.0-litre petrol with 115 kW and 196 Nm, which drives all four wheels via a CVT.
Chrizz Beatz on South African Car Culture and his love for BMW
Chrizz Beatz is a popular DJ, 947 radio presenter and car fanatic of note, particularly when it comes to BMWs! Episode 2 of the Cars.co.za South African Car Culture series sees Chrizz showcase his own cars, including an E36-generation (Dolphin shape) BMW M3 Coupe, and a striking new G82 M4 in Sao Paolo Yellow to match his neon pants!
As is the case for many South Africans, Chrizz’s love for cars was born at the racing circuit, particularly the old WesBank Raceway, where he saw BMWs in action against Volkswagens for the first time. Since then he’s been a BMW man, though he did stray at one time and opted for a different German brand, which he says was a “mistake”.
But the first car that Chrizz Beatz drove was not a BMW – it was his parents’ Honda, and he ended up crashing it into a pole as he was trying to replicate the driving moves from the first Fast & Furious movie that made the Civic so iconic. After that experience, he was done with spinning wheels, though he does admit he likes going “sideways”.
Is it true that BMW drivers don’t use their indicators? Is a BMW “for the streets” and a Mercedes-Benz for the family? Chrizz covers a lot of topics that will be instantly familiar to South African car fanatics, including the consequences of racing away from the traffic police when you think you’re being hijacked!
What does South African Car Culture represent to you? If you missed Episode 1 of SA Car Culture, Check out Episode 1 featuring our very own Ciro De Siena and look out for Episode 3 of the Cars.co.za SA Car Culture series on Saturday 24 September 2022 at 1 pm.
Volkswagen Golf Mk2 GTI – The iconic 80s hot hatch driven
Our video guy Ciro De Siena gets behind the wheel of the iconic Volkswagen Mk2 Golf GTI, one of the 80’s coolest hatches.
It may have been the Mk1 Volkswagen Golf GTI that started the whole Hot Hatch segment, but it was the bigger, more sophisticated and luxurious Mk2 “Jumbo” Golf GTI that really set the iconic hatch on the path to the sophisticated offering it is today. In Europe the Golf Mk2’s arrival also coincided with such developments as all-wheel drive and even supercharging, but in South Africa we followed our own path. After the 1.8 8v came the most desirable of the lot (the 1.8 16v) and then there was also a 2.0L variant near the end of the car’s production run in South Africa.
As much as the Golf Mk2 GTI was bigger and more luxurious than its predecessor, it was still light compared with today’s hot hatches, tipping the scales at less than 1000kg, and so its engine doesn’t have to work very hard to deliver exciting performance. But most of all, as Ciro De Siena discovers in this video, it is the exciting, planted handling of the car that will still thrill driving enthusiasts today. Will the Mk2 Golf GTI be a future classic? We think it already is! And you? Enjoy the video!
Range Rover Review (2022) Fantastic, but is it worth it?
Got a few million Rands to spend on an ultra-luxurious SUV? Should you spend your money on a new Range Rover? We sampled the new Range Rover P530 Autobiography to find out exactly what you get for your money. Watch our Range Rover video review!
The all-new fifth-generation 2022 Range Rover has arrived in South Africa to once again move the goal posts in the super-luxury SUV segment and this Range Rover review covers everything you need to know about this car.
The new 2022 Range Rover features luxuries such as side-steps that slide into position electrically, massaging seats, a huge panoramic sunroof and even a boot compartment with a flip-up backrest – so that you can sit more comfortably when taking a break out in the wild!
Under the new Range Rover’s bonnet is a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 petrol borrowed from BMW and in P530 guise, it offers 390 kW and 750 Nm. While it delivers strong performance and excellent refinement, let’s not mention the fuel economy, however!
It’s worth noting that the Range Rover is also offered with a 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine as well as a petrol-electric powertrain and buyers can choose between short- and long wheelbase derivatives, the latter of which can also seat up to 7 passengers, if you wish.
As you would expect at this price point, the Range Rover offers a high level of luxury and technology. The drivers cabin is nothing short of a classy tech fest with a comprehensive Pivi Pro infotainment system as well as a 13.7-inch digital display.
Watch the video to see what the new Range Rover has to offer!
How much does the new Range Rover cost in SA?
Note that pricing is accurate as of May 2025.
All Land Rover vehicles come with a standard 5-year/100,000km Land Rover Care Warranty and Maintenance Plans. * Prices include VAT but exclude CO2 tax.
P460e HSE Standard Wheelbase – R3 395 000 P460e HSE Long Wheelbase – R3 498 500 P460e Autobiography – R3 885 400 P460e SV Long Wheelbase – R4 968 900
D350 HSE Standard Wheelbase – R3 419 700 D350 Autobiography Standard Wheelbase – R3 926 200 D350 Autobiography Long Wheelbase – R4 022 900 D350 Autobiography Long Wheelbase (7 seats) – R4 058 100 D350 SV – R4 536 500
P530 HSE Standard Wheelbase – R3 807 700 P530 Autobiography Standard Wheelbase – R4 338 000 P530 Autobiography Long Wheelbase – R4 439 600 P530 Autobiography Long Wheelbase (7 Seats) – R4 476 600
What are the available engine options for the 2025 Range Rover in South Africa?
The 2025 Range Rover offers a range of engines, including a P460e petrol-electric hybrid, a D350 turbocharged diesel, and a 4.4-litre V8 turbocharged petrol engine (P530 and P615 SV).
What are the starting and top-end prices for the 2025 Range Rover in South Africa?
Pricing for the 2025 Range Rover starts at R3,395,000 for the P460e HSE Standard Wheelbase, and goes up to R5,487,700 for the P615 SV Long Wheelbase model.
What are the warranty and maintenance plans for the Range Rover?
All 2025 Range Rover models come with a standard 5-year/100,000 km Land Rover Care Warranty and Maintenance Plans.
What are some of the interior and technology features of the new Range Rover?
The interior features a 13.1-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Meridian sound system, and a 13.7-inch digital driver’s display. It also offers a seven-seat option in the long-wheelbase version and can be configured with a four-seater ‘Signature Suite’ cabin.
Farewell, Prius! Toyota SA Calls Time on Hybrid Pioneer
Toyota South Africa Motors has quietly axed the Prius from its model range, ending a 17-year local run for the brand’s pioneering hybrid vehicle…
Despite fielding a local line-up with more hybrid options than ever before (including a raft of dual-powered Lexus models), Toyota South Africa Motors has discontinued the vehicle that started it all. Yes, the Prius has quietly exited South Africa after 17 years on the market.
Since the original Prius – billed as the world’s first mass-production hybrid passenger vehicle at its launch in Japan in 1997 – wasn’t officially offered here in South Africa, the second-generation model marked the nameplate’s local debut way back in 2005.
The third generation touched down in 2009, with the fourth iteration following in mid-2016. A facelifted version was launched in South Africa in 2019, before yet more updates (including a generous addition of safety equipment) were rolled out two years later. The last list price we saw for the slow-selling Prius was R604 100.
Of course, in South Africa, this hybrid didn’t ever achieve the level of popularity it enjoyed in markets such as North America, where the original resonated particularly strongly with Hollywood stars keen to display their “green” credentials (a phenomenon that, in turn, influenced many an ordinary buyer in that country).
We sorted through sales figures submitted to Naamsa for the first eight months of 2022 and discovered just 11 units of the Prius were registered in South Africa over that period. While it’s not clear whether there is any remaining stock in Toyota SA Motors’ dealer network, the Japanese brand’s local division has confirmed to Cars.co.za the Prius is no longer being imported.
The Toyota Prius: the outgoing model’s powertrain details
As a reminder, the latest XW50-generation Prius drew its urge from a hybrid powertrain comprising an electric motor, a battery pack and a 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine. Total system output stood at 90 kW, while Toyota opted not to list a combined maximum torque figure (though the petrol mill made 142 Nm and the electric motor generated 163 Nm). Drive was directed to the front axle through a continuously variable transmission.
Thanks to a dedicated EV mode enabling the Prius to operate under full-electric power, Toyota was able to claim a combined fuel economy figure of just 3.7 litres per 100 km, translating to a theoretical 1 162 km range from the 43-litre fuel tank.
As a self-charging hybrid, the Prius had the ability to recuperate what would otherwise have been wasted energy during deceleration (including braking), storing it in the battery for later use. In addition, the petrol engine was capable of directly charging the battery pack in the absence of regenerative braking.
Though Toyota SA Motors has called time on the Prius, it still markets a range of hybrid vehicles locally, including the Prospecton-produced Corolla Cross hybrid as well as dual-powered versions of the Corolla sedan and RAV4. From what we understand, yet more hybrid options are on the horizon, too. The local Lexus line-up, meanwhile, includes hybrid versions of the UX, ES, NX, IS, RX and LS.
The all-new Kia Sportage has arrived in South Africa, replete with a futuristic design, an impressive array of standard features and more. Given the popularity of previous iterations of the South Korean brand’s family SUV – both here and abroad – much is expected of the 5th-generation model. Should you be adding it to your shopping list?
It’s crazy to think that when the 1st generation Sportage was revealed in 1993 (back then it was a genuine compact off-roader equipped with a low-range transfer case), Kia was perceived as an up-and-coming brand, with lofty ambitions of pinching sales from long-established brands such as Nissan, Subaru and Toyota (the European brands arrived at the SUV party a little later). Now, it’s easy to say Kia is the embodiment of “mainstream” – in some cases, it’s class-leading.
Given consumers’ appetites for high-riding family cars, Kia’s contemporary SUV range is all-encompassing. Kicking off its portfolio is the Sonet, followed by the Seltos, Sportage and Sorento, in ascending price order. The Sportage is a vitally important product for Kia because it’s the Seoul-based carmaker’s best-selling model globally. Suffice it to say, expectations for the 5th-generation model are sky high; at the very least, it needs to replicate the success of its predecessor.
The GT-Line is distinguished by, among other things, discreet badging and large 19-inch wheels.
Kia South Africa offers the all-new Sportage with one engine and transmission combination across the range. The motor on duty is a 132 kW/265 Nm 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol unit, which is mated with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and directs its power to the front wheels.
There are 5 derivatives in the line-up: LX, EX, GT-Line, GT-Line Plus and GT-Line S. Lower-end derivatives of a model range often lack several creature comforts (to keep their asking prices keen), but Kia asserts that even its entry-level Sportage comes well equipped. All versions feature automatically activated LED headlights and DRLs, fog lamps, selectable drive modes, leather-clad steering wheel and transmission lever, rake- and reach-adjustable steering column, 40:20:40 split-folding rear seatback, reverse-view camera, a curved 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system (it supports Bluetooth and is compatible with Android Auto and AppleCarplay), plus USB charging points front and rear.
Customers can choose from various alloy wheel designs between 17- to 19-inches in size, while EX and GT versions additionally feature items such as heated seats, higher-grade upholstery, as well as conveniences such as a powered tailgate, panoramic sunroof, and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
In terms of safety specification, all derivates are fitted with half a dozen airbags, ISOfix child-seat mounts, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control, hill-start assist, downhill brake control, blind-spot collision warning and trailer stability assist. Semi-autonomous technologies, including lane-follow assist, lane-keep assist, smart cruise control and forward-collision avoidance assist are available in the higher grades.
You might be wondering where the diesel engines are; Kia SA has not ruled out introducing turbodiesel derivatives entirely, which suggests that they’re on the cards for a later introduction.
A digitally connected cabin will please all the tech junkies.
What is the new Kia Sportage like to drive?
In an era of family-car designs that seem more influenced by the pursuit of aerodynamic efficiency and pedestrian safety than aesthetic excellence, is there still scope for artistic flair? Yes, it would seem so – the Sportage looks striking from almost every angle. It helps to have some vibrant colours to choose from – our test units were clad in Experience Green and Infra Red metallic. Other colours include a wicked Splash Lemon yellow and the hue shown here: Orange Fusion.
Kia states a 0-100 kph acceleration time of 8.8 sec, a top speed of 201 kph and combined-cycle CO2 emissions of 149 g/km – the latter works out as an average fuel consumption figure of 6.4 L/100 km. While we obviously made no attempt to drive at 201 kph, the new Sportage does feel as eager off the line as the “under 9 seconds to 100 kph” claim suggests. After a day’s driving, we were happy to see our EX and GT-Line S test units indicate fuel-efficiency figures in the mid-7s.
A digitally connected cabin will please all the technojunkies
“Surely the newcomer’s cabin can’t match the drama of its exterior design,” I hear you say. On the contrary, if those bold looks don’t make you look twice, the interior of the Sportage (particularly the GT-Line S) certainly will!
Kia’s new family car’s cabin is an instantly impressive space to occupy, with a beautifully curved infotainment touchscreen that wraps the entirety of the dashboard. It looks and feels classy and premium, which is an excellent opening salvo for a vehicle positioned at this price point. We’d say the ambience strikes a fair balance between comfort and sportiness.
Press the start button and the Kia’s 1.6-litre turbo motor fires up quietly. The engine is generally muted – you only become aware of its presence through the intrusion of mechanical noise when you summon up more urgent acceleration through a mild flex of your right foot. The transmission shifts smartly too; it seems to intuitively find the appropriate ratio at the right time, which suggests that Kia has got the calibration of the auto ‘box spot on.
When we drove the top-spec version, we made use of the gearshift paddles behind its tiller. They do feel nice to use, but when you shift manually, the car doesn’t seem quite as composed and refined as it does in its default “self-shift” mode.
Both derivatives that we drove offered good ride qualities. We’d stop short of describing the ride as “excellent” because it is on the firm side, yet there was enough damping to flatten out cat’s eyes and minor bumps and ruts on the tarmac. Even when riding on the bigger wheels (as the flagship version does – on nineteens), the ride quality was impressively forgiving when traversing the smoother patches of tarmac that the Western Cape is thankfully blessed with.
Interesting styling and a well-positioned price package bode well for the Sportage’s prospects.
How much does the new Kia Sportage cost in South Africa?
1.6 T-GDi LX
R539 995
1.6 T-GDi EX
R593 995
1.6 T-GDi GT-Line
R649 995
1.6 T-GDi GT-Line Plus
R677 995
1.6 T-GDi GT-Line S
R734 995
All Sportage derivatives come as standard with Kia’s industry-leading 5-year/unlimited km warranty, which includes roadside assistance, as well as a pre-paid 6-year/90 000 km service plan.
Summary
After a quick stint behind the ‘wheel of the 5th-generation Sportage, we can confirm that the new model comfortably picks up where its predecessor left off. Not only is Kia’s family car a head-turner… it backs up those bold looks with a solid powertrain, excellent fit-and-finish (for the model’s price point) and comes liberally equipped; even the more affordable versions are well-specified. Despite the radical exterior design, the overall package is more evolutionary than revolutionary.
Same old, same old, then? Well, why Kia should mess with what’s clearly a winning formula? The Sportage has ambitious sales targets to meet and the Korean marque couldn’t risk veering off course too radically. If your budget cannot quite stretch to one of the GT-Lines, fear not as the EX derivative represents a compelling purchasing proposition. We look forward to getting behind the ‘wheel of the new model again and comparing it with its Japanese and German rivals.
