Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (2021) Review

Chery has returned to South Africa – with the Tiggo 4 Pro. While the Chinese brand’s past offerings were less than spectacular, the Chery of 2021 is a different proposition. Will Chery successfully re-establish itself in our market with new, well-priced and -equipped vehicles? We get behind the ‘wheel of its first offering.

We like: Generous level of standard equipment, value for money, warranty, good fit-and-finish.

We don’t like: Heavy fuel consumption, intrusive voice control, CVT drones under full acceleration.

Fast Facts

Model tested: Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5T Elite SE
Price: R359 900 (December 2021, no options)
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol
Power/Torque: 108 kW/210 Nm
Transmission: CVT
Fuel economy: 8.8 L/100 km
0-100kph: 11 seconds (estimated)
Luggage capacity: 340–1 100 litres (claimed – overseas source).

Serious about buying?

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

What is it?

The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro’s handsome and distinctive kerb presence follows the example set by its Chinese countrymen, the Haval Jolion and H6.

If you cast your mind back to the late 2000s, you may recall a tiny city car called the Chery QQ, which was a direct copy of the Daewoo Matiz, which became the Chevrolet Spark. While it offered good value and was South Africa’s cheapest car for many years, cheap didn’t mean cheerful. We can say, without a moment’s hesitation, that it was not a good car… at all.

The good news is the Chery of back then and the Chery of 2021 are entirely different prospects. The cars with sub-par build quality (due to judicious cost-cutting, no doubt) are going – in their place comes a barrage of sharp-looking SUVs that will be launched in Mzansi over the next couple of years. The first model to touch down is the Tiggo 4 Pro, which comes to market with a starting price of about R270k.

The sub-R350k segment of the new-vehicle market is awash with fresh entrants and, given the diversity of models on offer, the real winner is the South African consumer. If you’re looking for a compact family car/small SUV that offers adequate cabin space, some bells and whistles – and is light on fuel, you’ve come to the right place.

The Chery’s rivals include the Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Volkswagen T-Cross, Kia Sonet, Ford EcoSport, Renault Kiger, Nissan Magnite, Haval Jolion, Hyundai Venue, Mazda CX-3 and others. All of the above offer good value and are decently equipped and, if you want a slightly bigger offering, you can look at the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Haval H6 and Toyota Corolla Cross.

Use the Cars.co.za Compare Tool to see how the new Chery Tiggo fares in comparison with its immediate rivals.

How the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro fares in terms of…

Design & Packaging

The top-of-the-range SE derivative can be distinguished by its red brake calipers and a host of similarly coloured accents.

Whereas many of its rivals have safe, inoffensive exterior styling, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro looks more distinctive and “expensive” by comparison. A bold grille (with diamond detailing) and LED daytime running lights give the Chinese newcomer’s front a modern look. The vehicle comes with either 16 or 17-inch alloys, depending on the trim level. The rear sports some appropriately upmarket touches such as LED tail-lights, a roof spoiler and even a diffuser. Finally, as it’s an SUV, the Tiggo 4 Pro will be called upon to travel on gravel now and again and, to that end, it has a stated ground clearance of 180 mm.

Our test unit was a 1.5T Elite SE (Special Edition). The SE flagship looks different to its sibling derivatives thanks to additional visual appointments. For example, its exterior execution features liberal red detailing, including on the front skid plate, brake callipers and side cladding. Inside, the cabin gets red contrast stitching, multi-colour LED lights and puddle lamps that project “Tiggo” logos below them.

The Tiggo 4 Pro appears to offer one of the largest load bays in the segment.

With a wheelbase that’s longer than those of several of its rivals, it is no surprise that the Chery’s cabin is spacious, at least compared with most offerings in the segment. The roomy interior does not come at the expense of luggage space, however. While Chery SA does not quote a maximum capacity, we sense that this model’s load bay is relatively large. Results of an online search suggest that the Tiggo 4 Pro can hold around 340 litres and, bear in mind the SE derivative incorporates a split-folding rear bench. The test unit seated 4 adults in comfort and transported a haul of picnic paraphernalia with ease.

Performance & Efficiency

A digital instrument panel is certainly not de rigueur in the compact family-car class. It makes the Chery’s interior feel more sophisticated overall.

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro derivatives are either powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated- (NA) or turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine. Customers have the choice of a manual gearbox and an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT). The NA model produces 83 kW and 138 Nm, while the turbo version offers up 108 kW and 210 Nm. All Tiggo 4 Pros are front-wheel driven.

Our test unit was the flagship 1.5T Elite SE, which means it had a 1.5-litre turbo and CVT combo. Chery doesn’t quote performance figures, but the derivative’s performance felt neither lethargic nor sporty.

The trick to mastering the powertrain of a small-capacity engine paired with a CVT (less so with a turbocharged motor, but still) is that you need to adjust your driving style to avoid experiencing that notable drone/whine that’s common with cars equipped with this kind of “gear-less” transmission. When increasing speed, try not to treat the accelerator as an on/off switch, rather press it down gradually. You’ll find the car’s acceleration will be a lot smoother; thanks to its reasonably potent motor, the Chery picks up speed briskly. If you use the Sport drive mode, the car feels a bit more responsive, but there’s a price.

That’s because this reasonably eager powertrain is… relatively thirsty. Despite using the vehicle’s Eco drive mode, we could not get achieve a lower figure than 8.8 L/100 km. Incidentally, the Tiggo 4 Pro’s countryman, the Haval Jolion, also suffered from higher-than-expected consumption. We have found that some of the Chery and Haval’s rivals are capable of easily achieving returns of under 7 L/100 km.

Ride & Handling

Our Tiggo 4 Pro test unit rode on 17-inch alloys shod with generously side-walled rubber, but its ride quality was on the firm side of comfortable.

The SE version of the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro rides on 17-inch alloys wrapped in substantial 215/60 R17 tyres – and the Chinese newcomer’s ride quality was generally good on fair surfaces, but on poor quality roads, the vehicle’s ride seemed to suffer from insufficient damping. To put it another way, the suspension didn’t absorb all ruts and bumps in the road and the jolts that ensued made their way into the cabin.

Fortunately, on the majority of the roads we traversed during the test, the Chery rode in a reasonably comfortable and refined manner. The model’s tall stature makes it a touch more susceptible to exhibiting body roll when tasked with cornering quickly – than say, a similarly-sized five-door hatchback. The road-holding also seemed a trifle nervous when the Tiggo 4 Pro strived through a strong South Easter.

The leather-trimmed interior of the Tiggo 4 Pro creates a very positive first impression.

As for the newcomer’s steering quality, the ‘wheel offers little in terms of feel and feedback and doesn’t respond with much sharpness, but its light action makes up for it. Such an inert setup, to be fair, is typical of compact family cars/small crossovers. It’s certainly a pleasure to execute parallel parking manoeuvres with just one hand on the ‘wheel (that’s all the effort it requires – but always drive safely).

The driver’s seat is pleasingly high-perched and all occupants are afforded excellent views through the front and sides of the vehicle. Having said that, the width of the chunky C-pillars does partly obscure the driver’s view when they need to check the road before making a lane change, for example. Driver comfort is enhanced by a height-adjustable seat and rake-and-reach adjustable steering column.

Comfort & Safety features

The biggest highlight of the Tiggo 4 Pro’s interior, apart from the high attention to detail, is the slick infotainment system.

Lately, Chinese passenger-car brands have demonstrated an enviable ability to offer comprehensive standard equipment on most of their derivatives. There are no optional extras here and, given what’s on offer, there’s no need for them. All Tiggo 4 Pro derivatives have digital dashboards, even if entry versions “make do” with 3.5-inch screens. The higher-spec derivatives get a 7-inch unit, pictured here.

A highlight of the cabin is the 10-inch infotainment system. The graphics are crisp and the interface easy to use, plus the system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There are two USB ports in the front and one USB port in the rear.

Fans of fancy car audio setups will be pleased that higher-end Tiggo 4 Pro derivatives have 6 speakers, but moreover, feature a smart voice-control system. We’re usually sceptical about such systems; they tend to require repeated instructions or don’t always respond as hoped. The Chery’s is very good, however. If you issue commands such as “open the sunroof” and “open windows”, the vehicle will comply.

To activate the voice-control system, you can either push a button on the steering wheel or, as we discovered, say Chery. Unfortunately, any word that sounds remotely like “Chery” will spur the car’s system into action. Good luck trying to sing along to Modern Talking’s Cheri Cheri Lady, or UB40’s Cherry Oh Baby.

Given the Cape’s hot summers, we were thankful for the strong dual-zone climate control system (entry-level models have manual aircon), sunroof and leather trim, all of which are fitted as stock.

As far as safety is concerned, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro comes well equipped. Six airbags are standard for the higher-specced models, with lesser derivatives making do with 4. ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, traction control, roll stability control, hill descent control and hill assist are standard across the range. The top-spec versions also come with a tyre-pressure monitoring system.

Piano black surfaces abound in the Chery’s interior; it certainly adds a classy finish to the automatic climate control console.

Price and after-sales support

Prices for the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro range begin at R269 900 and go all the way up to R359 900, for the top-of-the-range SE derivative you see here.

Every Tiggo 4 Pro derivative comes with a 5-year/60 000 km service plan, as well as a 5-year/150 000 km warranty and a 1-million km/10-year engine warranty.

Verdict

Just when Haval thought it could disrupt the compact family car segment all on its own, Chery has arrived… and it wants in on the action.

In this highly-competitive segment of the market – one that certainly doesn’t suffer from a lack of demand – does the Tiggo 4 Pro bring enough to the table to steal enough sales from established brands? We’d say yes. First impressions count for so much these days and the Chery’s exterior looks fresh, modern and upmarket. The cabin is plush, feels well-assembled and there are plenty of features fitted.

Is it a knock-out performance? Not quite, but it’s certainly good enough to deserve generous praise. The engine’s thirst may perhaps deter some potential customers, especially considering that the price of petrol is hovering around the R20/litre mark (and who knows for how long?). What’s more, the CVT will drone irritatingly if you really stand on the vehicle’s accelerator pedal. A revision of your driving style may be required for you to get the best out of the package. Finally, there are some little niggles here and there, like the wind noise from around the side mirrors and the firm(ish) ride, but we’re nitpicking.

Should you buy one? There’s no denying Haval has turned the market on its head by offering near-unbeatable value for money (especially in the small crossover/compact family car segment). It shows that customers are prepared to take a chance on a largely unproven product. Should any issues arise, they would test the integrity of the brand’s warranty and the quality of its after-sales support – Haval, for its part, has performed admirably. Chery may prove a success story too – and its ascent might even be quicker than Haval’s; Chery already has more than 30 dealers and its mechanical warranty is compelling.

New Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (2021) Video Review

Ciro De Siena brings you an in-depth review of the new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro as well as how it compares with the rest of the market.

It’s always exciting to sample a brand new car, but it’s a rare and special experience to drive an entirely new brand of car. South Africans now have an extra badge to choose from when shopping for new wheels and it belongs to Chery. It’s not the Chinese brand’s first foray into the local market, but it may as well be…

You may vaguely remember the brand’s name from the late 2000s. The McCarthy dealer group (now known as Bidvest Automotive) used to distribute Chery in South Africa back then, but while the brand’s products were quite competitively priced, they weren’t particularly well-made – or attractive. The Daewoo Matiz clone (known as the QQ) and Tiggo crossover failed to impress and Chery left our market.

Having driven the new Tiggo 4 Pro, I can assure you, however, that today’s Chery models make the QQ seem like it was built in the late 1800s. It’s astonishing how far this brand has come in just 12 years.

In this video, our video guy Ciro De Siena gives you an in-depth tour of the newcomer, and how it compares to the rest of the market.

Buy a Chery Tiggo on Cars.co.za

Cars.co.za’s Youtube channel is powered by Budget Insurance. For an instant quote, click here.

Land Rover Defender Going Topless

Dutch Land Rover Defender specialists, Heritage Customs, plan to transform the iconic Defender SUV into a convertible.

If you seek a cabriolet version of the new Land Rover Defender, then perhaps Heritage Customs based in the Netherlands can be of assistance.

The firm reportedly plans to chop the top off the Defender in 2022. Five examples will be produced and the conversion will be called the Defender Valiance Convertible.

The renderings you see here provide some indication of what the Defender Valiance Convertible will look like.

Various colour combinations will be offered too such as Côte d’Azur with a Cognac Brown soft-top roof, copper interior trim accents and riding on 22-inch white-walled wheels. For those wanting something more classic, perhaps Solihull Sand will do with its light green body, grey bumpers and Sand Beige soft top. Kokkini Paralia combines a matte red body finish with black bumpers and black fabric roof.

The Valiance Convertible treatment appears to be cosmetic only and powertrain upgrades aren’t likely.

Do you like the idea of a convertible Land Rover Defender?

Buy a Land Rover Defender on Cars.co.za

Maserati MC20 Convertible Announced

Despite the supercar convertible market shrinking over the years, Maserati will be making a drop-top version of its MC20. Here’s what we know about the all-new Maserati MC20 Convertible.

Accompanied by what’s possibly one of the world’s shortest press releases, were a series of images showing off a camouflaged car. Maserati claims that what you see here is the first prototype of the MC20 Convertible.

The Maserati MC20 Convertible will be the second model to come from the MC20 family, with the third being an all-electric derivative.

As a reminder, the Maserati MC20 is powered by Maserati’s first in-house-designed engine in 20 years, the new carbon fibre-tubbed and butterfly-doored MC20 is powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6. It utilises its lightweight body and advanced aerodynamics to accelerate from standstill to 100 kph in less than 2.9 sec and on to a top speed of 325 kph using an 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.

Total outputs are pegged at 463 kW at 7 500 rpm and 730 Nm of torque from 3 000 to 5 500 rpm. We’re yet to have a drive, but the new Maserati MC20 will be touching down in SA in 2022. Top Gear calls it “a highly engaging and authentic supercar that also slips surprisingly persuasively into elegant GT mode” so consider us excited.

While we all love supercars (who doesn’t?), the associated compromises can heavily dent the experience. No-one likes a back-breakingly firm ride and looking like a contortionist getting in and out.

Expect to see the MC20 Convertible revealed sometime in 2022.

BMW M-pire Down

BMW M Division’s new halo car rings the division bell.

When they ship the next tranche of recorded human history data files off into outer space, may I propose that, under the section entitled “Automobile – sub-section Supercars”, they include the BMW M1 alongside the McLaren F1 and the Gordon Murray Automotive’s T.50. Before you set a Twitter mob on me, however, allow me to explain.

It’s not that the BMW M1 was blindingly fast, or achingly beautiful – although in fairness, it was both pretty and sufficiently quick in its heyday – it is just that few cars can match its legacy as the progenitor of such a prolific line of hugely desirable performance offspring. As the machine that started the M-car Empire, the BMW M1 is halo-car royalty.

The original BMW halo car, the M1 is still a sight to behold 40 years down the line.

Just look at it! It’s clear Giorgetto Giugiaro’s 1970s folded-paper design language forms the basis, but as ever, it’s the proportions and the details that deliver the excitement: the low nose, dinky kidneys, pop-up headlights, heavily raked windscreen, vented C-pillars, louvred rear screen and those signature sink-strainer rims. The Paul Rosche and Martin Braungart-engineered M88 3.5-litre 24-valve inline-6 motor was a masterpiece. That same engine also powered the M635CSi and the first M5 – two of BMW’s most successful and influential cars of the 1980s. As a machine designed for pure driving pleasure, the M1 was so significant that BMW decorated its rump with two blue-and-white propeller badges instead of the usual one.

Poring over the design of this patriarch of all BMW sports machines, you get a sense of the way things were, and the way things should be. Sadly though, it appears BMW does not agree. You see, there’s a new M-car in play and it’s so disruptive it’s tearing a hole in the space-time continuum. It’s called the BMW Concept XM and it has me deeply vexed.

A change in design themes or a deliberate shock and awe tactic?

It’s like the Tesla Cyber(dump)truck happening all over again. Here’s another new design that purports to be futuristic, but riffs off a 40-year-old car instead. Whereas the Cybertruck might as well have been a DeLorean pickup, the Concept XM wears two badges on a rear end that is clearly styled to channel the distinctive flying buttresses of the M1. Sporting two BMW roundels was perfectly correct on the 2008 M1 Hommage and again on the astonishing 2019 BMW Vision M Next, but seeing them on the eyeball-assaulting behemoth that is the Concept XM is sacrilege. That’s like Mercedes-Benz unveiling a next-gen Gelandewagen Coupe with gullwing doors and then announcing that it channels the 300SL!

The heritage-sullying silliness of twin badges on a monolithic SUV would be a fraction more palatable if the vehicle had been styled to beguile. But no, it has not.

Visually incomprehensible from every angle, the Concept XM is an utterly graceless mishmash of conflicting lines, unhappy proportions and exaggerated details. Just look at the size of those kidneys! Bizarrely, it appears to be both chiselled and fat at the same time – like some sort of low-polygon hippopotamus.

Two propellor badges on the rear end, just like the M1…

What happened to BMW’s once-perfect grasp of the balance between elegant restraint and sporting intent? 2002, 3.0 CSL, E24 6 Series (the 1st generation), E38 7 Series… I could go on, but they all struck that balance beautifully. Even the mighty E30 M3 with its blistered arches, deep front spoiler, side skirts and be-winged boot lid managed to project a deeply desirable level of stylish menace.

Just about every production model that BMW has released over the last 4 decades has stuck, in varying degrees, to the trusted recipe of twin-headlight, double-kidney grille, a continuous rising beltline and Hofmeister kink. Even the excursions into “flame surfacing” and coffin boots (from the Chris Bangle era), while mildly disturbing at first, didn’t stab at your eyes as this Concept XM does.

What’s most puzzling is these designers actually know what they are doing. BMW’s design team contains some of the finest talent around, meaning this is a conscious effort not just to paint outside the lines, but to paint on another canvas altogether. Restraint has been cast off, the once-sacrosanct boundaries have been breached. Right or wrong, the legacy of Wilhelm Hofmeister, Paul Bracq and Claus Luthe is being cancelled right before our eyes.

Good design doesn’t require constant explanation.

I have so many questions: Should design be led by marketing department clinics, or by artists? Is it okay to plaster halo heritage cues onto inappropriate new models? Is there really no such thing as universal beauty, or at least something close to that? Has BMW deliberately designed this vehicle to jar and provoke… or is it merely a product of a globally shifting customer base with wildly diverse tastes?

Great design does not need to be justified. I’m convinced BMW will be justifying this for years.

So, with this monstrosity of a design masquerading as M Division’s new halo car, is this the end of the M-car as we have known it? Or more crucially: Is this M-pire Down?

I will leave you with these lyrics from English Goth rockers, The Sisters of Mercy…

I hear the roar of a big machine
Two worlds and in between
Hot metal and methedrine
I hear empire down

BMW M3/M4 Updated OTA

The BMW M3 and M4 duo equipped with iDrive 7 operating system will be updated Over-The-Air (OTA).

There’s no need to take your BMW M3 or M4 to your nearest dealership for a software update as BMW will automatically initiate update version 21-07 using Over-The-Air technology for vehicles using the iDrive 7 operating system.

For starters, don’t be alarmed if you notice that your M3 or M4 sounds different because BMW has enhanced the engine start sound entering the cabin via the speakers and BMW says that owners “will be inspired by a refinement of the sound when starting the engine.”

Furthermore, M3/M4 Competition models equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission will benefit from “clearer audio confirmation of gear changes and changes in shifting loads.”

Other major updates include enhanced Lane Departure Warning that can detect narrow unmarked roads, updated navigation that’s better at detecting congestion, enhanced audio and personalisation for the BMW News app and for music streamers, updated features for Spotify and Sirius XM Pandora.

If you own a new BMW M3 or M4 Competition, let us know if you are happy with the OTA updates and even send us a clip of your new startup sound!

Buy a used BMW M3/M4 on Cars.co.za

More Safety for Mercedes-Benz Vito

Mercedes-Benz has beefed up the safety specification for the Vito van in South Africa.

The Vito is 25 years old this year and the latest update to come from Mercedes-Benz includes the addition of Blind Spot Assist. Other safety and driver assistance features offered for the Vito include Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Brake Assist, digital rearview mirror, Crosswind Assist and Attention Assist.

This follows the introduction of the facelifted Vito which was introduced earlier in 2021 with mild styling revisions and cabin enhancements.

Buyers have 3 body styles to choose from including Panel Van, Mixto or Tourer.

What engines are on offer for the Vito?

Depending on the type of Vito you decide to go for, the Vito is powered by a 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine with 84 kW and 270 Nm of torque on offer or it can be had with a more powerful 2.1-litre turbodiesel engine with either 100 kW and 330 Nm or 120 kW and 380 Nm. A 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission is also offered.

The top-of-the-ranger Vito 119 Tourer Select, however, offers 140 kW and 440 Nm from its 2.1-litre turbodiesel engine.

What is the price for the Mercedes-Benz Vito in South Africa?

Vito 111 CDI Panel Van – R573 041

Vito 114 CDI Panel Van – R597 056

Vito 116 CDI Panel Van – R677 085

Vito 111 CDI Mixto – R668 489

Vito 116 CDI Mixto – R895 584

Vito 111 CDI Tourer (Base) – R630 667

Vito 111 CDI Tourer Pro – R771 647

Vito 114 CDI Tourer Pro – R803 921

Vito 116 CDI Tourer Pro – R911 432

Vito 116 CDI Tourer Select – R1 081 227

Vito 119 CDI Tourer Select – R1 117 792

The Vito is sold with a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and a 5-year/100 000km ServiceCare BestBasic service contract.

Buy a Mercedes-Benz Vito on Cars.co.za

Jaguar I-Pace (2021) Review

Given its high asking price and South Africans’ (shall we say) hesitance to take up EVs, Jaguar’s I-Pace is a rare sight on our roads. A few months ago, the British marque launched an updated version, but unless you’re already an I-Pace owner, you are unlikely to notice the changes…

We like: Potent performance, improved charging performance, updated infotainment, ride quality, real-world range

We don’t like: Lack of luggage space (with spare wheel fitted), charging port only on left side of the car

Fast Facts

Model tested: Jaguar I-Pace E400 AWD S Black
Price: R1 999 900 (December 2021, no options)
Engine: 2 x electric motors
Power/Torque: 294 kW/696 Nm
Transmission: Single-Speed Direct Drive
Battery: 90 kWh
Range: 470 km (claimed)
0-100kph: 4.8 seconds (claimed)
Top speed: 200 kph (limited)
Load capacity: 656–1 453 litres (claimed)

Serious about buying?

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

The only way to distinguish between the early and updated I-Pace (from the outside) is by the latter’s revised grille.

What’s new on the Jaguar I-Pace?

Launched in South Africa late in 2018, the Jaguar I-Pace has been somewhat of a trailblazer for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the Republic – if largely due to the absence of all-electric alternatives in the luxury medium-SUV category… That’s set to change soon – both BMW (iX) and Audi (e-tron and e-tron Sportback) have lined up similarly sized dedicated battery-electric vehicles for the local market.

So, to make sure that the 2019 World Car of the Year-winning Jaguar remains at the forefront of what is shaping up to become a fierce battle in the marketplace – and soon, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has made some changes to the I-Pace. From an aesthetic point of view, there aren’t any major updates (note the slightly altered grille), but the BEV’s infotainment system has been renewed, it now charges faster, plus improved driver assistance technologies have been introduced. Essentially, they’re subtle but significant tweaks to make sure the Jaguar stays at the cutting edge of the, umm, cutting edge.

Use the Cars.co.za Compare Tool to see how the Jaguar I-PACE stacks up against its rivals

The I-Pace’s rear aspect is very crossover like; it’s a trend that continues with BEVs such as the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ionic 5.

How the Jaguar I-Pace fares in terms of…

Design & Packaging

Since there aren’t any noteworthy exterior styling tweaks to speak of, the main talking point here is probably that Jaguar now offers only one variant of the I-Pace in South Africa; the Conventry-based brand calls this derivative the “Limited Edition” on its commercial website, but our specification-providing service Duoporta refers to it as the “S Black”.

Whatever you may prefer to call it, the I-Pace has an undeniably eye-catching design, particularly because it seems to straddle genres. It looks too swoopy and low to be a traditional SUV, yet it’s a high-riding vehicle and its tailgate certainly has a little “edge” to it. Think Audi’s “Sportback” design language and you’re probably on the right track. By pure chance, we had a pre-launch example of Audi’s new e-tron Sportback on test at the same time, and most of the team members felt the Audi was by far the more “muscular”-looking car, but the Jaguar has a more distinctive look and is arguably more elegant.

The I-Pace is shorter, but wider and lower, than its Audi and BMW rivals.

Interestingly, the I-Pace is a fair bit shorter than the e-tron and iX, but wider and lower than its German rivals, which lends it a more hunkered-down appearance by comparison. That doesn’t mean it’s cramped inside, however – its BEV packaging, which positions the battery pack more efficiently than in ICE-based vehicles, certainly helps, plus the Jaguar’s wheelbase is actually longer than the Audi’s and just shy of the BMW’s. This means rear legroom is good. For the driver, the severe slope of the windscreen and the design of the fascia endows the I-Pace with a much sportier “feel” from behind the ‘wheel.

One of our main concerns with the I-Pace concerns its load bay. When you open the tailgate, you’ll find a bulky (albeit neatly wrapped) full-size spare wheel strapped down to the boot floor, which obviously impinges on packing space. Of course, you can remove the spare wheel (a back-straining exercise), but then you’re left with no spare… and the I-Pace can’t ride on Run-Flat tyres, due to its hefty weight.

The Jaguar’s swoopier styling also reduces overall practicality to some degree (compared with its Audi and BMW rivals), as its cabin offers significantly less packing space with the rear seats folded down.

Although the I-Pace cuts a fine figure, its load bay’s practicality is limited due to the fitment of a full-size spare wheel.

Performance & Efficiency

Right, so considering that its claimed 0-to-100 kph time is a mere 4.8 seconds, it’s obvious that the I-Pace is fast. It’s also worth remembering that this is a 2.2-tonne SUV! One soon becomes accustomed to one-pedal driving, particularly when the Jaguar’s regenerative braking is set to its most intensive setting (for maximum energy harvesting when coasting). What takes longer to get used to, however, is the glut of instantaneous torque (and acceleration) that’s at your disposal when you need to execute overtaking manoeuvres. In fact, you have to be wary that you don’t end up driving into cars in front of you!

More importantly, perhaps, is the I-Pace’s range, efficiency and charging speed. Jaguar claims an optimal range of around 470 km and, based on our experience during the test period, we don’t doubt the claim, though range anxiety obviously sets in pretty quickly once the remaining range dips below, say, 100 km.

The I-Pace’s cabin is awash with tech, yet the fascia design and driving position are sporty in typical Jaguar fashion.

The EV-charging network in South Africa is growing steadily, and we made use of a Jaguar-branded Gridcars station at Willowbridge Mall in Cape Town. The experience highlighted a few aspects of EV ownership (both good and bad). Firstly, had both spots had been taken, we would’ve been in a bit of bother… but there are already apps available that make it possible to avoid such a scenario. With 27% left on the range meter, we plugged in the I-Pace and went shopping. We came back about 2 and a half hours later to find the car fully charged (it was a 55-kW charger).

This was indeed impressive, but less impressive was the fact that there is only one charge port on the car (on the left), so you may find yourself wrestling with a fairly hefty cable to get to the “other side” of the car, when it’s not possible to park nose-first to the right of the charging station, for example. By comparison, Audi’s e-tron models have charge ports on both sides.

Drivers can use the 2nd and 3rd buttons on the upright to adjust the brake-regeneration and drive modes respectively.

All that said, in all likelihood, most I-Pace owners will own or rent a house with a garage equipped with a 3-phase power outlet. This new updated I-Pace comes with an onboard 11-kW charger as standard, so owners with a 3-phase electricity supply at home can now fully charge their vehicles in only 8.6 hours (when using an 11-kW wall box).

If you only have access to single-phase electricity, you can continue using 7-kW wall boxes and fully recharge the Jaguar in 12.75 hours (which adds approximately 35 km per charging hour). Remember, you’re unlikely to run the battery down to zero every day, so you’d probably only be topping up at night-time.

The I-Pace has a supple ride quality on most road surfaces, at most speeds.

Ride & Handling

Riding on optional 20-inch wheels shod with tyres that have significant (relatively thick) “sidewalls”, the I-Pace delivers a supple ride on most road surfaces, at most speeds. A passive coil-sprung suspension is standard, but for an additional R17 300, you can specify Active (adaptive) Suspension, which, in turn, adds Adaptive Dynamics.

While you can’t ever get away from the fact that this is a bulky, heavy machine, the I-Pace handles and steers well; it always instils a sense of security and control. Once you’ve mastered the art of one-pedal driving, you can get into quite a nice rhythm of fast driving with this big quasi-SUV.

The steering has pleasing weighting to it and, as per usual, the JLR engineers have nailed that thing driving enthusiasts adore so much: “control harmonisation”. What we mean by that is that the amount of effort required to elicit a response from the steering, brakes or engine is “harmonised”, so, generally in line with exactly what you were expecting. It’s a triumph.

Perhaps parking should not fall into the Ride and Handling section, but it’s worth noting that you can get a self-park function for the I-Pace, at an extra charge of R18 300.

Jaguar’s new Pivi Pro system is easier to use and faster-reacting than older-generation infotainment systems.

Comfort & Safety features

Right, so this is where Jaguar has rung quite a number of changes. The updated I-Pace comes with the marque’s so-called new Pivi Pro infotainment system. It features a very crisp, high-definition 12.3-inch instrument cluster, as well as 10- and 5-inch upper and lower digital touchscreens/panels, replete with haptic feedback. It’s a very easy-to-use system, with logical menus and, what’s more, there are a number of practical improvements… For example, it has its own backup battery to ensure that the navigation function’s initialisation is pretty much immediate.

The standard features list is fairly comprehensive, as you’d hope (considering the car costs R2 million), but nevertheless, there are still some add-on options you can choose from. Having to pay R2 000 extra to be availed with a wireless charging pad for your smartphone, however, is just cheeky.

The I-Pace’s shapely front seats offer a good balance between comfort and support.

What you do get as standard is dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, head-up display (HUD), voice control, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a powered tailgate and much more.

Another nice touch is the new 3D Surround Camera system (R15 000 extra), which gives you a handy high-definition 360-degree view of the vehicle. The I-Pace can now also be ordered with the ClearSight rear-view camera that substitutes the traditional rear-view mirror, although you can flick back to the normal mirror view should you find the camera’s aspect distracting. The ClearSight is a R8 700 option.

Don’t be fooled by the I-Pace’s somewhat stubby appearance; leg legroom is quite generous.

Price and after-sales support

The Jaguar I-Pace is available in 1 trim level only and is priced at R1 999 900 (December 2021). There are, however, a variety of options to choose from (see some of those under Comfort & Safety features). Included in the price is an 8-year/160 000 km battery warranty and the standard Jaguar Care plan, which includes a 5-year/100 000 km (whichever comes first) warranty and servicing cover.

Verdict

While the changes that Jaguar Land Rover have applied to the I-Pace are subtle (also including advanced cabin-air filtration and enhanced software-over-the-air update functionality), the Coventry-based brand’s BEV remains an interesting option for early-adopters, even in the face of new competition from other premium (German) brands. Its most serious new rival appears to be the e-tron Sportback, which is also a sporty-looking battery-electric SUV. Even though the Jaguar is the older product of the two, it still competes (even trounces, in some respects), its new German rival. So, in summary, the I-Pace is still in the running, and very strongly so. Plus, with the addition of some new competitors, consumers now, finally, have that ultimate of luxuries in this segment… a wealth of choice.

Hardcore Audi R8 Coming

As Audi shifts to electrification, the road for the naturally-aspirated V10-powered Audi R8 is coming to an end, but the supercar will go out with a bang!

Death by electrocution. That’s the fate of the potent R8. The Audi R8 supercar as we know it is reaching the end of its lifecycle and the next generation will be electrified.

That means petrolheads will be saying goodbye to the current naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine that produces a hair-raising 449 kW and 560 Nm. For those who need to be reminded, the R8 is capable of accelerating from zero to 100 kph in 3.2 seconds and reaching a top speed of 330 kph. The next-generation electric R8, however, will surely be faster.

But before the next generation arrives, Audi will reportedly prepare a hardcore R8 that will serve as the swansong for the Ingolstadt firm’s pinnacle supercar.

This was confirmed by Audi’s RS Sport Managing Director, Sebastian Grams, who commented What I can say is that we have plans to do more. There will definitely be more to come on this generation of R8 platform. And as you can see from the R8 with rear-wheel drive, we are trying to bring ‘fun-to-drive’ to the front [of what we do]”

“What we are doing is trying to make the most out of the [car’s] life cycle. At the moment people are enjoying the R8 and we have a lot of sales. But I can tell you we have enough ideas for the future” he said.

The hardcore R8 is expected to be revealed in the first half 2022 and we will keep you informed as soon as more information becomes available.

Buy a used Audi R8 on Cars.co.za

Mandla Mdakane – South Africa’s GTC Racing Driver shares his story (and blasts around the track!)

SA racing driver Mandla Mdakane sits down with Ciro De Siena to discuss all things motorsport!

Mandla Mdakane has been racing since the age of 4, and now occupies a seat in South Africa’s hotly contested GTC racing series with the Toyota Gazoo Racing team.

In this interview with Ciro De Siena, he shares his past, present, and future. The road to racing success is a long one and Mdakane has simply never given up.

Having raced all over the world, he now calls Johannesburg home and tours around the country with his team and racing partner Michael van Rooyen, taking on the best SA has to offer.

Check out Mdakane on Instagram here and do yourself a favour, get to a GTC race in 2022, you won’t be disappointed.

For more information on South Africa’s GTC Racing Championship, see here: http://gtcafrica.co.za

Cars.co.za’s Youtube channel is powered by Budget Insurance. For an instant quote, click here.

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (2021) Review

Fast Facts

Serious about buying?

What is it?

How the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro fares in terms of…

Price and after-sales support

Verdict

New Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (2021) Video Review

Ciro De Siena brings you an in-depth review of the new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro as well as how it compares with the rest of the market.

Related Content

Land Rover Defender Going Topless

Dutch Land Rover Defender specialists, Heritage Customs, plan to transform the iconic Defender SUV into a convertible.

Related Content

Maserati MC20 Convertible Announced

Despite the supercar convertible market shrinking over the years, Maserati will be making a drop-top version of its MC20. Here’s what we know about the all-new Maserati MC20 Convertible.

Further Reading

BMW M-pire Down

BMW M Division’s new halo car rings the division bell.

Related content:

BMW M3/M4 Updated OTA

The BMW M3 and M4 duo equipped with iDrive 7 operating system will be updated Over-The-Air (OTA).

Related Content

More Safety for Mercedes-Benz Vito

Mercedes-Benz has beefed up the safety specification for the Vito van in South Africa.

What engines are on offer for the Vito?

What is the price for the Mercedes-Benz Vito in South Africa?

Jaguar I-Pace (2021) Review

Given its high asking price and South Africans’ (shall we say) hesitance to take up EVs, Jaguar’s I-Pace is a rare sight on our roads. A few months ago, the British marque launched an updated version, but unless you’re already an I-Pace owner, you are unlikely to notice the changes…

Fast Facts

Serious about buying?

What’s new on the Jaguar I-Pace?

How the Jaguar I-Pace fares in terms of…

Price and after-sales support

Verdict

Related content:

Hardcore Audi R8 Coming

As Audi shifts to electrification, the road for the naturally-aspirated V10-powered Audi R8 is coming to an end, but the supercar will go out with a bang!

Related Content

Mandla Mdakane – South Africa’s GTC Racing Driver shares his story (and blasts around the track!)

SA racing driver Mandla Mdakane sits down with Ciro De Siena to discuss all things motorsport!

Further Reading