The new Lexus LX has finally touched down in South Africa. Here’s a closer look at the expanded local range, including pricing…
Keen on the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 but want even more luxury and a posher badge? Well, the new Lexus LX has finally arrived in South Africa, though the Japanese firm’s local division warns it is still experiencing “acute supply constraints”.
Whereas the outgoing LX line-up comprised just two derivatives (the 450d at R1 968 600 and the 570 at R2 040 200), the box-fresh J310-generation range features as many as five variants (including, for the first time on the LX, a raft of F Sport models), with pricing starting at R2 206 600 and running through to R2 627 500.
Engine options mirror those of the Land Cruiser 300, which means oil-burning duties are taken care of by a 3.3-litre turbodiesel V6 delivering 225 kW and 700 Nm to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. The petrol-fed 3.5-litre V6, meanwhile, generates 305 kW and 650 Nm. Both top out at 210 km/h, though the diesel sips at a claimed 8.3 L/100 km compared with the petrol’s listed figure of 11.3.
Riding on the latest GA-F platform (so, still a tough-as-nails ladder-frame construction), the fresh-faced LX gains all-new front and rear adaptive variable suspension. Lexus bills the newcomer as the most capable LX yet, both on-road and off. All models feature open front and rear differentials and a locking Torsen centre differential.
Interestingly, only the LX 600 comes with seven seats, with the LX 500d, LX 500d F Sport and LX 600 F Sport each featuring five. The LX 600 VIP, meanwhile, accommodates four.
Here’s what the new Lexus LX looks like without the F Sport trimmings…
The LX 500d and LX 600 ship standard with items such as fingerprint verification for the start button, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging, wood interior trim, a digital rear-view mirror, four-zone climate control, heated front seats, a 25-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system, adaptive LED headlamps, a hands-free powered tailgate, a moonroof and plenty more.
F Sport models furthermore gain model-specific exterior styling, such as the black mesh grille, more aggressive bumper design and 22-inch F Sport alloy wheels, along with “race-inspired” updates inside, including the alloy pedals, special gauges and the requisite smattering of F Sport logos. The F Sport trim level furthermore adds a rear Torsen limited-slip differential, front and rear performance dampers and a unique electric power steering tune.
Finally, the flagship four-seater VIP model – which is available in petrol guise only – features second-row reclining captain’s chairs and ottomans that Lexus claims “position and hold passengers in their natural, relaxed state”. These individual pews (which are heated and ventilated, and boast a massaging function) recline to a maximum of 48 degrees at the click of a button, while the front passenger seat features an extra front slide mode to further increase space for those at the rear.
How much does the Lexus LX cost in South Africa?
Lexus LX 500d – R2 206 600
Lexus LX 500d F Sport – R2 215 200
Lexus LX 600 F Sport – R2 247 000
Lexus LX 600 – R2 260 400
Lexus LX 600 VIP – R2 627 500
The new Lexus LX ships standard with a 7-year/100 000 km warranty and a maintenance plan of the same length.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid E-Four Review – Is a hybrid the best solution to cut fuel costs?
The Toyota RAV4 range was updated at the beginning of 2022 and now features Hybrid E-Four versions in GX-R and VX spec. Ciro De Siena drives it and reports back on what the hybrid is like to live with.
Toyota South Africa launched the first-ever hybrid RAV4 in South Africa last year, at a very impressive price point of around R550 000. However, that front-wheel-drive model has been taken off the market and replaced with this, the all-wheel-drive RAV4 Hybrid E-Four.
The E-Four now means that buyers looking for the sure-footedness of all-wheel-drive are catered for, and the new Hybrid is much more comprehensively specced than the outgoing hybrid model, but the price has risen by around R100 000, which seems to put the model a bit further out of reach for the South African consumer.
But with fuel prices soaring, many South Africans are looking for ways to cut their transport costs, and Toyota thinks hybrid is the answer, at least in the short-to-medium term.
Join our video guy, Ciro De Siena, for a thorough review of the newcomer, and he also tries to answer the big question: should you buy a hybrid vehicle at all?
How much does the Toyota RAV4 cost in South Africa?
The updated Toyota RAV4 range is sold with a 6 Services / 90 000 km service plan with intervals every 12 months / 15 000 km and a 3-year / 100 000 km warranty.
RAV4 2.0 GX-R CVT AWD – R606 600
RAV4 2.0 VX CVT 2WD – R617 000
RAV4 2.5 GX-R CVT Hybrid E-Four – R644 100
RAV4 2.5 VX AT AWD – R702 300
RAV4 2.5 VX CVT Hybrid E-Four – R723 200
BMW Teases New M4 CSL … Then Deletes Post
BMW released the first official teaser images of its long-rumoured M4 CSL via Facebook but then bizarrely deleted the post just a few hours later…
BMW has finally explicitly confirmed the new M4 CSL is indeed on the way, announcing the upcoming model’s reveal date on social media before deleting the post (including a pair of shadowy teaser shots).
In the post on its official BMW M Facebook page, the Munich-based firm said the new M4 CSL coupé would enjoy its world premiere in Italy at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2022, which kicks off on 20 May 2022.
The first teaser image shows the front of the vehicle and gives us a decent look at its model-specific lighting signature, which gains yellow accents (yes, similar to those applied to the M5 CS). Peer closely and you might also be able to spot elements of the more aggressively styled front facia, such as the front splitter.
The second shot depicts the M4 CSL’s rear end, which features an interesting array of thin lighting elements as well as what appears to be a ducktail-style spoiler (surely in a nod to the E46 M3 CSL). Of course, this is in contrast to the towering wing applied to the previous-generation (F82) M4 GTS and M4 DTM Champion Edition.
Of course, we’ve seen spy shots of the newcomer before, as well as reported on rumours the M4 CSL’s uprated twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six will boast in excess of 400 kW (up on the M4 Competition’s peak of 375 kW). The same reports claim the CSL will be available only in rear-wheel-drive guise, fitted with an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard.
It will surely also benefit from a raft of weight-saving measures (perhaps even ditching the rear seats) and sport oodles of carbon-fibre and Alcantara. Production is unlikely to exceed 1 000 units, ensuring a suitable degree of exclusivity.
The new M4 CSL is expected to be at the very centre of the BMW M division’s 50th anniversary celebration. Indeed, the German firm’s own “50 years of mean machinery – BMW M cars and their ancestors” judging class will be documented at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. We’ll have more details for you then…
10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa: April 2022
We’ve sorted through Naamsa’s detailed monthly sales figures to pick out South Africa’s best-selling bakkies for April 2022. Let’s take a look at the figures…
Though South Africa’s overall new-vehicle sales showed a marginal year-on-year increase to 37 107 units in April 2022, the light-commercial segment (which includes bakkies) shrunk by nearly 12% to 9 558 units. At least some of that drop can be attributed to the deadly KwaZulu-Natal floods, which not only disrupted supply chains but also saw the shuttering of Toyota’s Prospecton factory, where the Hilux is produced (along with the Corolla Cross, Corolla Quest, Fortuner, Hi-Ace Ses’fikile and some Hino models).
Despite this, the Toyota Hilux managed to hold onto its title of the best-selling bakkie in South Africa in April 2022, with 2 788 units registered (a month-on-month fall of more than 1 700 units). It will be interesting to see how the Hilux fares in May considering Toyota SA Motors admits it is “anticipating stock challenges” with its locally produced models in the coming months as it grapples to restart production.
The outgoing Silverton-built Ford Ranger (1 140 units) climbed two places to reclaim a more familiar second spot, while the Rosslyn-produced Nissan NP200 (966 units) held steady in third. That saw the Isuzu D-Max drop two places to fourth, though we suspect the switch over to the new-generation model ultimately impacted its relatively disappointing final tally of 777 units. We’re keen to see how the latest D-Max – as well as the prolonged lifecycle Gen 6 – performs in its first full month on sale in May.
The locally assembled Mahindra Pik Up (458 units) and Rosslyn-built Nissan Navara (435 units) retained their fifth and sixth places respectively in April 2022, while the GWM P-Series (263 units) and GWM Steed (231 units) swapped seventh and eighth. All four, however, experienced significant month-on-month reductions in volume.
As is so often the case, the evergreen Toyota Land Cruiser 79 (205 units) took the penultimate spot on the list, with the outgoing Volkswagen Amarok (162 units) completing the top 10 table. Interestingly, only the Ranger and Amarok experienced any sort of month-on-month growth.
Best of the rest in April 2022
What about the smaller players? Well, the Mahindra Bolero (78) was yet again the best of the rest in April 2022, while the Mitsubishi Triton almost doubled its previous month’s tally to end on 63 units. The JAC T8 finished on 48 units, with the JAC T6 settling for 11 registrations. The Peugeot Landtrek grew nine units to end on 36, while Mazda’s total of BT-50 sales dropped to a mere 12 units.
Export winners in April 2022
Ford exported 5 038 units of its Ranger from local shores in April, enough to put it right at the sharp end of the bakkie export table. Toyota’s Hilux export figure, meanwhile, fell to 3 411 units, again largely thanks to the flooding disaster. The Isuzu D-Max (409), Nissan Navara (241) and Nissan NP200 (37) made up the numbers.
10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa for April 2022
South Africa’s new-vehicle sales figures for April 2022 have been released, with the industry achieving a marginal year-on-year increase despite the devastating impact of the KwaZulu-Natal floods. Here’s everything you need to know…
According to Naamsa, South Africa’s new-vehicle market “continued its road to recovery” in April 2022 despite facing a number of disruptions, with the monthly sales total of 37 107 units representing an increase of 4.3% compared with the same month in 2021.
Although markedly down on March 2022’s impressive total of 50 607 units, April’s year-on-year growth was achieved despite the deadly KwaZulu-Natal flooding disaster, which not only caused supply-chain and transport disruptions but forced Toyota South Africa Motors to halt production at Prospecton (and damaged a number of freshly built vehicles, too). In addition, renewed COVID-19-related parts shortages and the global repercussions of Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine as well as SA’s usual string of April public holidays impacted the local market last month.
Still, Naamsa revealed the passenger-vehicle segment was largely responsible for keeping the industry in the positive, with this sector of the market’s 26 653-unit contribution representing a 12.9% gain compared to April 2021. The car rental industry played a key role here, accounting for 12.5% of car sales during the month. Domestic sales of new light-commercial vehicles, however, fell 11.9% to 9 558 units in April 2022. Export sales, meanwhile, recorded a year-on-year increase 16% to 30 788 units.
WesBank, meanwhile, advised the market “shouldn’t be dismayed” by April’s results, pointing out the industry faced a “few more challenges than usual” in its attempts to maintain pace.
“Volatility is the only constant within the market, especially impacted by erratic supply beyond the manufacturers’ control. April’s volumes remain on the high end of last year’s performance and therefore shouldn’t be cause for any alarm,” says Lebogang Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank.
New vehicle sales summary for April 2022
Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 37 107 units increased by 4.3% (1 516 units) compared to April 2021.
New passenger-vehicle sales of 26 653 units increased by 12.9% (2 924 units) compared to April 2021.
New light-commercial vehicle sales of 9 558 units decreased by 11.9% (-1 291 units) compared to April 2021.
Export sales of 30 788 units increased by 16% (4 248 units) compared to April 2021.
10 best-selling car brands in South Africa for April 2022
Despite being hit with the full force of the KZN floods, Toyota remained the most popular brand in South Africa in April, though its tally fell by more than 6 000 units (from its best effort yet) in March 2022 to 8 952 units. Suzuki, meanwhile, climbed back up to a strong third, setting yet another monthly sales record (its fourth on the trot) of 3 696 units. Renault moved up one place to fifth, while Kia improved two spots to seventh. Ford and Haval each dropped a spot to eighth and ninth, respectively.
1. Toyota – 8 952 units
2. Volkswagen Group – 5 084 units
3. Suzuki – 3 696 units
4. Hyundai – 2 847 units
5. Renault – 2 400 units
6. Nissan – 2 148 units
7. Kia – 2 019 units
8. Ford – 1 962 units
9. Haval – 1 393 units
10. Isuzu – 1 038 units
10 best-selling vehicles in South Africa for April 2022
Another month (even one with production interruptions), another instance of the Toyota Hilux topping South Africa’s new-vehicle sales charts. However, there was plenty of movement on the table below. The Suzuki Swift, for instance, enjoyed what must surely be its best monthly effort yet (with 650 of its 1 621 units coming courtesy of the rental channel) to climb eight spots to second, beating even the Volkswagen Polo Vivo, Toyota Corolla Cross and VW Polo hatchback to the title of the country’s best-selling passenger vehicle. The Ford Ranger returned to the table to grab sixth, while the Renault Kiger snaffled ninth. Toyota’s Suzuki-built Starlet and Urban Cruiser, meanwhile, tumbled out of the top 10.
Top 5 vehicles exported from South Africa in April 2022
The Kariega-built Volkswagen Polo hatchback was again far ahead in the export race in April 2022 with more than 8 300 units leaving local shores, while the Silverton-produced Ford Ranger improved to in excess of 5 000 units. The number of Toyota Hilux units shipped from Prospecton fell to 3 411, while the Isuzu D-Max and Nissan Navara both again settled for three figures. We should point out, of course, that BMW and Mercedes-Benz did not submit detailed figures for April 2022, so it’s unclear how many new X3 and C-Class sedan units were exported from SA during the reporting period.
1. Volkswagen Polo (hatch) – 8 349 units
2. Ford Ranger – 5 038 units
3. Toyota Hilux – 3 411 units
4. Isuzu D-Max – 409 units
5. Nissan Navara – 241 units
Sales outlook
So, where to from here for South Africa’s new-vehicle market? Well, Naamsa says the domestic automotive industry is expected to “continue a stop-start recovery in 2022” in view of prevailing COVID-19-related supply-chain disruptions, insufficient stock, and escalating energy and transportation costs.
In terms of vehicle exports, the industry representative body further says prospects for 2022 “remain optimistic on the back of further new locally manufactured model introductions during the year”. However, it warns the economic damage from the Russia-Ukraine conflict will “contribute to a significant slowdown in global growth in 2022” and add to inflation. As SA’s automotive volumes are “predominantly driven by export demand”, Naamsa says the industry is “highly vulnerable to changes in demand in export markets”, in particular Europe and the United Kingdom.
WesBank’s Gaoaketse, meanwhile, says the year-to-date picture “continues to look positive”, showing growth of 14.8% compared to the same period last year. Indeed, new-vehicle sales to the end of April totalled 173 299 units compared to the 151 022 sold during the first four months of 2021.
“While this is largely thanks to the strong first quarter, the market is expected to continue to its erratic recovery throughout the year,” points out Gaoaketse.
Petrol down, Diesel up for May 2022
If the latest data from the Central Energy Fund is anything to go by, motorists can look forward to the price of petrol coming down. Diesel however is likely to go up.
The Central Energy Fund constantly assesses the price of both petrol and diesel, and based on the latest data, it looks like motorists could get some relief as the price of petrol could come down. It will come as a relief to many as it seems like the price of fuel has been increasing every single month.
However, diesel users are not so lucky, as the Central Energy Fund is suggesting that an increase is on the cards based on the current forecast. Right, so as the numbers stand, petrol could come down by 12 cents per litre. Sadly, increases of between 92c/l and 98c/l for diesel inland, increases of between 88c/l and 94c/l for diesel at the coast, increases of between 79c/l and 82c/l for illuminating paraffin
In early April 2022, the SA Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, announced interventions to help bring relief to consumers and the wider industry. The General Fuel Levy is temporarily slashed by R1.50 per litre from Wednesday, 6 April 2022 to 31 May 2022. The General Fuel Levy for petrol will be reduced from the current R3.85 per litre to R2.35 per litre while the R3.70 levy for diesel will be reduced to R2.20 per litre.
The price of fuel is affected by the global oil price and the current exchange rate. With the Russia – Ukraine conflict and recent poor performance from the Rand against the US Dollar, expect further increases over the next few months.
The Kia Sorento bridges the gap between an MPV and an SUV, but this latest version also pushes the model upmarket with added refinement, a more capable drivetrain and the latest safety features. South African consumers have tended to overlook 7-seater family cars that aren’t produced by the market’s premium brands – could this Korean offering change their minds?
We like: Powertrain’s performance/efficiency balance, excellent practicality and generous specification
We don’t like: Not an off-road-oriented family vehicle (which South Africans tend to prefer)
The new Sorento’s more squared-off, American-market-influenced design stands out in the segment.
The Kia Sorento sits in a tricky section of the South African new-vehicle market. It’s a large, 7-seater SUV with all-wheel drive (AWD), but it doesn’t offer the kind of outright off-road capability that outdoorsy South Africans believe they require to venture into the bundu (which explains why bakkie-based Adventure SUVs, especially the Toyota Fortuner, are so popular); the Kia also doesn’t have a badge on the nose that implies your social status is ahead of the curve…
This has led to the Korean model being somewhat of an underdog in its segment and the same can be said of its cousin, the Hyundai Sante Fe, with which the Sorento shares a platform. The Santa Fe actually runs the same drivetrain and seating configuration (7 seats), but there are a few differences in terms of the models’ interior space and ground clearance – compare them here.
The biggest advancement of the 4th-generation model over its predecessor has to be the former’s eye-catching exterior design. The bland and understated Sorento is gone, it has been replaced with this Americanised design that boasts a bold face with a squared-off rear end in a (suitably bulky-looking) SUV shape. It makes a statement, even when parked next to the aforementioned German executive SUVs it is often passed over for.
How the Kia Sorento fares in terms of…
Practicality
Plenty of rear legroom along with options to slide and recline the rear seats.
The Sorento is eminently practical! It’s a big SUV that can easily seat 7 people and offers reasonable luggage space, even when all seats are in use (in most cases, it’s likely to be used as a 5-seater – with a huge load bay). Folding the seats down is a cinch – you can fold the middle row flat with a lever next to the seat cushion or use buttons (located on the side of the backrest) to electronically fold and slide the row forward to provide easier ingress for the rearmost occupants.
In the large 7-seater SUV segment, the question South Africans tend to ask is: “Why not a Fortuner?” Considering the Toyota’s sales domination, it’s the answer to most people’s needs. So what advantages does the Kia offer in terms of practicality over a bakkie-based SUV? The Sorento is 4 810 mm long – just 15 mm longer than a Fortuner. Its wheelbase measures 2 815 mm, versus the 2 745 mm of its Japanese rival. Width also favours the Korean with 1 900 mm versus 1 835 mm, and while the Fortuner wins in terms of height (1 835 mm versus 1 700 mm), most of this disparity is accounted for by the difference in the models’ ground clearance… the Kia sits much lower (176 mm) than the Toyota (279 mm).
The 2nd-row can be electrically adjusted to ease access to the 3rd row. A USB is provided to charge the rearmost passengers’ devices.
Because of the Sorento’s superior dimensions, it offers better occupant space and greater load capacity than the Fortuner and that’s before you compare the Kia’s more car-like ride quality with that of the bakkie-based Toyota, which we’ll get to later. The Kia is even a little bigger than the Santa Fe inside, but probably not discernably so (their spec sheets suggest that the former has the advantage of a few extra millimetres here and there).
If you intend on towing big trailers (over 2.5 tonnes) the ladder-frame-based Fortuner is the more capable with a maximum tow capacity of 3.3 tonnes, but you’ll find most boats and even caravans are under the Kia’s 2.5-tonne max capacity.
As for interior practicality, the central tunnel provides a lot of storage spaces, including 2 large drinks holders and a separate storage bin behind them. There is also a wireless charging space in front of the transmission selector to place your phone, while the door pockets (both front and rear) are large enough to hold 750-ml bottles with space beside them for other oddments.
Ride comfort
A big SUV that prioritises passenger comfort and cabin quietness above handling and suppleness.
This new-generation platform that underpins the Sorento heralds notable improvements. The SUV is quieter inside, feels steadier on the road and has better steering weight than it did before. That’s not to say it’s turned into a sportier SUV… Kia understands its target market demands comfort above any other vehicle characteristics. For a big vehicle, the Sorento feels quite easy to wield in the city (as opposed to an oversized “big rig” that seems oversized for its surroundings).
Suspension wise, the Sorento rides comfortably. The damping’s on the softer side, so you can expect a little more body roll than in a premium-badged equivalent model, but its ride is more forgiving over mixed surfaces. Over awkward bumps (such as manhole covers or expansion joints), it may knock or jolt a little more than expected, with the intrusions noticeable from within the cabin. It’s not something that upsets the overall ride quality, just something to expect and prepare for.
Meanwhile, the Kia’s chunky looks (it was designed to look perfectly at home on American freeways, we’d assume) telegraphs its handling characteristics. It’s not ponderous in the corners, but it does not “seek out apexes” either. Granted, you’re unlikely to want to carve up a mountain pass in the Sorento and that’s probably for the best, considering it feels a bit out of its depth when swaying from side to side. Still, it’s certainly better than its predecessor in this department.
Drivetrain refinement
The 2.2-litre turbodiesel and 8-speed auto transmission are an excellent combination.
The Sorento uses a 2.2-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine in the South African market. The motor delivers peak outputs of 148 kW and 400 Nm of torque and is paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch (automatic) transmission. This aspect of the package is very underrated, because the 2.2 CRDi AWD SXL accelerates smoothly and shifts gears with precision. Suffice to say this is probably the best drivetrain configuration you’re likely to find in an SUV (of this size) at under R1 million.
The engine always feels up to the task, irrespective of whether the Kia’s loaded up with people and their things or trundling on the daily commute. You can flit between drive modes via the rotary selector (located behind the transmission selector on the centre console), but for most situations, Comfort seems to be the most suitable mode. Smart mode adjusts the power delivery and transmission’s shift pattern based on your driving style, so you might find that more reactive to use, but Sport mode felt a bit too frantic for a family-friendly SUV and Eco mode seemed to dull the throttle response excessively.
All-wheel-drive modes are also available on the same selector via a downward press. You can then cycle through Snow, Mud and Sand modes, each of which will adjust the traction control system to best cope with the conditions selected. With only 176 mm of ground clearance, there’s not much in the way of serious off-roading that the Sorento will manage, but providing you don’t have to drive over obstacles, the 4×4 system will do its best to keep you unstuck.
Safety equipment & tech setup
The Sorento is specced up with plenty of passive safety features and a competent infotainment system.
The test unit that was availed to us was the top-spec SXL derivative, that’s to say that its specification is as high as Kia offers in any model in SA – the 2.2 CRDi AWD SXL has excellent levels of safety equipment, for example. The standard array of 6 airbags, traction control and ABS and EBD are compulsory in this segment, but passive safety systems include lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitor and adaptive cruise control. With such a big vehicle and Mzansi’s relatively narrow lanes, we found the lane-keeping assist a bit overeager to intervene, but it can be switched off when not required. Front and rear PDC is standard, as is a surround-view camera system.
As for the tech features, the Sorento is packed with standard features, but, to be fair, you’d expect that from a car that retails for about R1 million. You’ll probably want to weigh it up spec-for-spec against the equivalent Santa Fe derivative to see which features meet your requirements best – you can do that using our comparison tool here.
The Sorento’s all-digital instrument cluster offers a side-reverse view to take some stress out of lane-change manoeuvres.
The touchscreen infotainment system (flanked by handy manual shortcut buttons) dominates the centre of the fascia, but other than using the native menu system to adjust car settings once in a while, we wirelessly connected via Android Auto or Apple Carplay and used our phone apps for navigation and communication, which works seamlessly. The heated and cooled seats are a nice touch for those hot months in summer and cold winter days too. You’ll also find an abundance of USB ports with 3 up front, 4 in the rear and another 2 in the final row, so there’s no chance of a device running flat… unless you forget your cables at home.
Kia Sorento pricing and after-sales support
The Kia Sorento is sold with a 5-year/unlimited km warranty (including roadside assistance) and a 6-year/90 000 km maintenance plan.
2.2 CRDi 7-Seater EX+ 2WD 8DCT
R809 995
2.2 CRDi 7-Seater EX+ AWD 8DCT
R849 995
2.2 CRDi 7-Seater SX AWD 8DCT
R914 995
2.2 CRDi 7-Seater SXL AWD 8DCT
R988 995
Verdict
The Sorento is the perfect family car for most family excursions unless you need a serious off-roader.
The Kia Sorento certainly has a more distinctive appearance than the outgoing model… The majority of our testers felt the newcomer looked quite fetching in a “fills a parking bay rather amply” kind of way. It’s also better to drive and more practical than the previous-gen model. There’s loads of interior space for 7 passengers and the engine and transmission combination is a highlight, considering the motor’s relatively small capacity.
What’s more, the 2.2 CRDi AWD SXL is packed with several standard features that are only available on the options lists of European machinery at a similar price point. However, the Kia is most likely to vie for sales with off-road-oriented, bakkie-based Adventure SUVs. The Toyota Fortuner, Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X are its primary rivals, but we think the Sorento offers far better road manners and a more comfortable ride – in a thoroughly modern, luxurious package.
It can’t however, match the aforementioned competitors in the off-roading department, so that needs to be taken into account if you really need a pukka 4×4. But for the purposes of travelling to and from the overwhelming majority of family holiday destinations in South Africa, the Sorento’s probably more than capable of traversing unsealed road surfaces. Given its superior sophistication compared to cab-on-chassis vehicles, Kia’s 7-seater offers good value for money.
Future of BMW’s Small FWD Models ‘Under Review’
A fresh report out of Europe suggests the future of small, front-wheel-drive BMW models hangs in the balance. Here’s a look at why that’s the case…
The automotive industry is in the midst of a seismic shift, particularly in European markets, where electrification has taken centre stage. There are, of course, bound to be casualties and BMW’s small, front-wheel-drive models may be among them.
According to a BMW source speaking to Autocar, the future of any next-generation compact models from Munich is very much “under review”. It all goes back to the development costs associated with a replacement for the UKL platform that underpins everything from the 1 Series (which is due a facelift soon) and 2 Series Gran Coupé to the outgoing Mini range.
The British publication claims ever-tightening emissions regulations in Europe will mean any potential successor to the UKL architecture will need to be capable of accommodating plug-in hybrid gubbins with a set minimum all-electric range. As things stand, this sort of technology tends to require a larger, more expensive platform.
“There are a number of issues to consider. Firstly, the size of UKL makes electrification harder because the potential size of a battery is restricted,” the source told Autocar.
“Secondly, the scale of UKL is an issue. [Cars based on it] sell in very low volumes in the US. The biggest potential market is probably China, in the smaller cities, but there they only want a sedan rather than a hatchback. But the volumes are quite good and such a car is important as ‘my first BMW’. If we left that market, we would be giving the market share away to rivals,” the source added.
As the publication points out, Audi has already confirmed its current-generation A1 hatchback and Q2 crossover will be discontinued at the end of their respective lifecycles, proving just how difficult it is to build small, premium electrified (never mind fully electric) vehicles with low enough price tags and large enough margins. Time will tell whether or not the likes of the 1 Series will join these two Audi models…
2022 Hyundai Tucson Review – Will it continue to be a South African favourite?
The 4th-generation Hyundai Tucson has gone on sale in South Africa. With an excellent sales record in a hotly-contested segment, the Tucson is one of SA’s favourite SUVs. Ciro de Siena gets behind the wheel of the latest version.
Hyundai’s Tucson, also known for a while as the iX35, is now in its fourth generation and has found a home on many South African driveways over the years. So, will this latest incarnation remain a South African favourite? We sent Ciro De Siena all the way to Hout Bay to find out.
In this review, Ciro takes a very detailed look at the different trim levels available in the 2022 Tucson range, namely the Premium, Executive and Elite, and takes you, our dear audience, on a detailed tour of which options you’ll find in each variant.
We also take a detailed look at the cabin, tech features, back seat features and a good look at the boot/load area. Ciro takes us through the engine options and gives advice on which one to pick.
It’s Official: Proton is Coming Back to South Africa
Remember Proton? Well, the Malaysian automaker has confirmed it will return to South Africa later in 2022 after a decade-long hiatus. Here’s which models are coming first…
Proton is set to return to South Africa in September 2022, with the Combined Motor Holdings (CMH) Group having been appointed as the Malaysian brand’s local distributor.
Sales of Proton vehicles – over the years, the range included the Saga, Savvy, Satria Neo, Gen2, Persona and Arena bakkie – ceased in South Africa in 2012. But the company is heading back to local shores and says it’s “bullish about its sales prospects in South Africa”.
Having signed an agreement to appoint the CMH Group as its distributor in SA, Proton sales will recommence with the X50 and X70 in September, according to the company’s press site. The Saga saloon will follow thereafter.
The X50 is a subcompact crossover based on the Geely Binyue (Chinese firm Geely Holdings purchased a majority stake in Proton back in 2017). The X70, meanwhile, is positioned one segment higher, and is closely related to the Geely Boyue. Finally, the latest version of the Saga takes the form of a budget sedan. Engine options, specifications and local pricing will be revealed closer to the brand’s official relaunch.
The X70 is currently Proton’s largest crossover and is slated to arrive in SA in September 2022.
Proton says it is “projecting strong sales” in South Africa in the final few months of 2022, setting itself a target of “more than doubling” its volume in 2023. It says its total export sales from Malaysia in the first quarter of 2022 grew by 175% year on year, with that figure “expected to increase as the company takes aim at growing export sales by more than 300%” by the end of 2022.
In addition to its Malaysian operations, the automaker has knocked-down (KD) assembly facilities in Pakistan, Kenya and Bangladesh, with Sri Lanka set to join in the second half of 2022. Proton currently exports vehicles to 13 markets, with South Africa set to be the 14th.
“We are exploiting the strength of our new products, our brand and even the links Malaysia has with other countries to establish a foothold in many new markets. This is then bolstered by establishing KD operations where possible, which also helps to grow local economies,” said Steven Xu, Director of International Sales at Proton.
“Our new model range offers advanced features that are on par with many competitors from other brands and in many of our markets. The Proton X50 and Proton X70 sit near the top of their class in terms of specifications yet are sold at prices equivalent to or less than their direct rivals. This helps to draw in the upper echelon of local car buyers and helps build brand equity in these markets, making it easier for our other products to then be accepted in the future,” added Xu.
As a reminder, CMH commenced trading operations in 1976 following the merger of various retail motor dealerships in South Africa. In 1987, the holding company listed on the JSE.
