Lexus ES (2021) Launch Review

The Lexus ES has established itself as the executive sedan that promotes comfort and luxury above all else, perhaps even more so than its Mercedes-Benz E-Class rival! The Japanese premium brand’s offering recently underwent a mild update and we drove it at its local launch in the Western Cape.

What’s new on the Lexus ES?

There are fewer vertical slats in the ES’ grille and the headlamp clusters are much thinner than before the update.

You have to look closely to notice the updates, to be honest. In terms of the exterior execution, the Lexus’ “pinched” spindle grille now sports fewer vertical slats in order to create a visually wider front end. The headlamps are slimmer and sport a new lighting signature (on the SE) that looks less like a “Nike tick”. There are three new exterior hues, which means ES buyers can choose from 10 paint finishes.

As for the interior, Lexus has introduced an updated (touchscreen) infotainment setup and, as a result, has had to slightly rejig the cabin architecture to make the system easier to operate.

The range comprises just two trim grades (EX and SE); it kicks off with a petrol-engined 250 EX derivative, while the petrol-electric hybrid version is available in both grades.

Is the ES luxurious inside?

The black dash with cream leather seats is a typically luxurious Lexus choice.

Almost no manufacturer in the segment embodies luxury quite as well as Lexus does. Most of the ES’ competitors incorporate cabin materials that look, but don’t feel, great and the proliferation of plastic inserts that masquerade as anything from aluminium to wood trim isn’t likely to fool buyers who are looking to spend R1 million on purchasing an executive sedan. Lexus continues to line its interiors with authentic luxury materials. The leather is soft and creamy (it’s an eco-friendly synthetic in the EX model and semi-aniline in the SE), plus it’s carried through to the door panels, dashboard and transmission tunnel and centre console. I’m assured the wood trim option that encases the front of the cabin is real wood although I prefer the solid black look over the wood trim (for me, it feels more contemporary).

The new infotainment screen has been brought forward by 112 mm so that the driver or front passenger can access the touchscreen’s menu system without having to stretch their arms too far. The touchscreen makes the mouse-style pad in the centre console superfluous – it will probably be removed entirely for the next generation to create more storage space.

The touch system makes it much easier to quickly access the onboard function or menu option of your choice and activating Android Auto or Apple Carplay is simple as connecting your phone to the fascia via a cable. Wireless connections to these apps may be desired at this end of the segment, but although Lexus does not offer that functionality, it does avail a wireless charger in the SE’s centre console.

The rear accommodation is plentiful and just as well-appointed (in terms of luxurious touches) as at the front of the sedan. There are 3 individual adjustable headrests at the back and when the centre armrest is folded down, it reveals a control unit that allows aft occupants to adjust the rear temperature settings, heat or cool the seats and even operate the rear screen’s sunblind.

What’s the Lexus ES like to drive?

There’s a choice between the 300h petrol-electric hybrid (shown here) or the 250 petrol.

Continuing with the theme of comfort, the Lexus ES has one of the quietest cabins you’ll ever experience – certainly in its segment. The sedan wafts along in serene comfort even when rolling on the largest (18-inch) wheels. Most of its competitors offer anything up to 21-inch alloy options, but Lexus has stuck to either 17s or 18s for the ES and that helps when it comes to the ride quality; it’s very forgiving.

The hybrid model utilises Lexus’ 4th-generation hybrid technology to provide the best possible combination of fuel efficiency and zero-emissions (where possible) motoring. The ES 300h is said to have an average fuel consumption of just 4.6 L/100 km, but, as with most hybrid drivetrains, that figure rises when you venture out of town and undertake longer journeys on the open road. It’s still very economical and will match (and possibly beat) an equivalent turbodiesel’s efficiency, but, because its peak torque is only 221 Nm, it cannot match turbocharged engines’ ability to deliver mid-range overtaking urge.

The entry-level 250 EX derivative has a 2.5-litre petrol engine with 160 kW and 243 Nm, but the equivalent hybrid EX is not much more expensive and provides a notably more interesting driving experience.

The ES’ driving experience, on the whole, lacks outright excitement. However, while several offerings in this segment seem to prioritise driver engagement (especially in terms of performance and handling characteristics) – ultimately at the cost of on-road refinement – the ES has carved out a nice niche for itself… Its target market is buyers who are looking exclusively for a luxurious, comfortable and quiet car.

Lexus ES pricing in South Africa

The 2021 Lexus ES comes standard with a 7-year/105 000 km warranty and full maintenance plan. Service intervals are every 15 000 km or, alternatively, once a year.

ES 250 EX	R719 400
ES 300h EX	R774 400
ES 300h SE	R948 400

Read our specs and pricing article for full details on the new ES range.

Summary

Executive sedans seem to be offering better value for money now that the segment is in decline.

The exterior updates to the Lexus ES may be subtle, but keep the big sedan looking modern and discernably different from its German and British competitors. The ES’s character is defined by its high levels of occupant comfort (as evidenced by its supple ride quality and its soft leather interior that can’t be faulted for sound insulation or build quality). Given that most buyers now favour SUVs in the ES’ price class, the Japanese premium brand’s executive sedan is unlikely to sell in significant numbers, but if you have no need for an SUV, this sedan’s pricing is actually quite reasonable by comparison.

New Toyota Prado won’t be slow

Potent diesel and a possible petrol hybrid are presumed for 2023 Prado.

For a very long time, the Toyota Prado has been very good at going very slowly, over punishing off-road terrain.

Speed has never been a requirement for Prado. Toyota’s logic was simple: if you needed overtaking acceleration or dune driving ability, there was a 4-litre V6 petrol engine option. And the fuel consumption penalty was part of your choice.

Of late, this attitude has changed within the Toyota Prado product planning team. The latest Prado uses a 150 kW version of Toyota’s 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine. It delivers better performance than any previous diesel Prado.

But with the new Prado only months away from official reveal, Toyota followers are musing some very tasty engine options. Especially the promise of a proper super-diesel Prado.

Toyota’s Land Cruiser 300 is powered by an excellent new 3.3-litre V6 turbodiesel. Toyota doesn’t do new engine architectures often, and this 3.3-litre V6 will spread across – to other models. Like Prado.

The latest reports from Japanese media, like Best Car Web, indicate that the 3.3-litre V6 turbodiesel will be the lead engine, for new Prado. What its exact final specification will be, remains unclear.

Boosting 227 kW and 700 Nm, the most potent version of Toyota’s 3.3-litre V6 diesel would transform the Prado ownership experience. Delivering powerful overtaking performance, offset by fair cruising fuel economy.

Toyota will be mindful of the risks in creating a terrifically powerful diesel Prado. Being slightly smaller and lighter than Land Cruiser 300, the 3.3-litre V6 diesel Prado could be faster. This could trigger cannibalization risk, with customers simply opting for the Prado, to gain access to Toyota’s 3.3-litre V6 diesel engine, in a rugged off-road vehicle platform.

Then there is the question of hybridization, a necessary technology to lower the fleet average CO2 of large SUVs, such as Prado.

Toyota has a proven record of hybridization, but hybrid diesels don’t work as well as petrol models do as the low down diesel torque counteracts the benefits of immediate torque from electric motors. Could that mean an even more powerful Prado petrol-hybrid is in the works? Possibly.

Whatever the powertrain outcomes for new Prado, the acceleration numbers are sure to be surprisingly swift.

Nissan to be carbon neutral by 2050

The Japanese brand is forging ahead with its electric vehicle plans.

Nissan has announced that it will be launching 23 new electrified vehicles by 2030, 15 of which will be fully electric. Along with its announcement that the brand will be carbon neutral by 2050, the Japanese brand showed off 4 interesting concepts.

This new strategy has been called the Nissan Ambition 2030 long-term vision and will see an investment of 2 trillian yen to speed up the electrification of its entire portfolio. Nissan claims that no fewer than 20 new pure electric vehicles and e-Power (hybrid) vehicles will be launched in the next five years, with the brand expecting up to 75% of its sales will be for electrified vehicles. At home in Japan, Nissan is aiming for 55% of sales and in China, more than 40% of sales to be electrified.

“The role of companies to address societal needs is increasingly heightened,” Nissan chief executive Makoto Uchida said in a statement. “With Nissan Ambition 2030, we will drive the new age of electrification, advance technologies to reduce carbon footprint and pursue new business opportunities. We want to transform Nissan to become a sustainable company that is truly needed by customers and society.”

With the Nissan Ambition 2030, the brand will be improving its lithium-ion battery tech and will introduce cobalt-free technology, which should bring the cost of batteries down. It hopes to launch an EV with solid-state batteries by 2028 and have a pilot plant in Japan ready by 2024. Nissan also intends on increasing its global battery production capacity to 52 GWh by 2026 and 130 GWh by 2030.

To coincide with the Ambition 2030 announcement, Nissan unveiled four electric concepts. The brand did not mention if any of these will become production models, but its a clear indication of where the brand is headed in terms of design direction. The cars have cute names too: Nissan Chill-Out, Nissan Max-Out, Nissan Surf-Out, and Nissan Hang-Out.

Locally, while we’re not likely to see an electrified version of the Navara double-cab bakkie, we hope to see at least a hybrid version of the new Nissan Qashqai which is due to land in South Africa in 2022.

Toyota Corolla Cross Accessories Confirmed for SA

The prices and details of the Toyota Corolla Cross Accessories have been confirmed for SA. Here’s how much they cost and what you get for your money.

The Corolla Cross is one of the most hotly-anticipated vehicles of this year and its easy to see why. Toyota has needed a mainstream offering to bridge the gap between the C-HR and the family-orientated RAV4. With the Corolla Cross SUV being manufactured right here at TSAM’s plant in Durban and offering the first locally-assembled hybrid, its understandable that over 1400 units have been sold already.

At the South African debut of the vehicle, the brand highlighted some of the accessory packages and additional features, with further details to come before the end of the year.

Now in the last week of November 2021, the Toyota Corolla Cross accessories lineup has been confirmed. Toyota hopes these offerings will satisfy the modern consumer’s need for personalisation.

Four bespoke exterior packages are on offer: X-Over (Crossover), Hybrid, Urban Sport, and Adventure. Prices are at the bottom of the article.

X-Over Package

The X-Over package features rugged matte black cladding on the radiator grille and front bumper, a silver front guard with a three-dimensional design, matching side skirt design, rear bumper insert, window safety film, and gloss-black alloy wheels (available in 17-inch and 18-inch versions).

Hybrid Package

The Hybrid package is exclusive to the Hybrid Xs and Hybrid Xr models. Complementing the blue Toyota insignia are matching boomerang-shaped corner trim garnishes finished in metallic blue, blue side skirt inserts, rear bumper corner inserts, and blue trim on the C-pillar (below the Corolla Cross badging).

Urban Sport Package

The Urban Sport package combines utility with rugged style by offering enhanced protection to the vehicle exterior while creating a unique visual identity. A black front bumper spoiler is joined by an extended side skirt and diffuser-like rear bumper insert.

Adventure Package

The Adventure Package amplifies the SUV appearance of the Corolla Cross with stylish exterior enhancements. A silver front bumper spoiler with raised surface detailing is accompanied by silver side skirt inserts and a matching rear bumper spoiler.

How to order the Toyota Corolla Cross Accessories?

The Adventure and Urban Sport packages are classified as a dealer-installed option, as it requires painting of the components. The X-over and Hybrid packages can be applied at the time of ordering and fitted as part of the production process or alternatively be fitted retrospectively as a dealer-installed option.

Electronic Accessories:

A host of electronic convenience aids are also available on the Corolla Cross. These are available for individual purchase and can be fitted and installed at the dealership:

Front digital video recorder – R2 390
Front and rear digital video recorder – R3 722
Front parking sensors (2 pcs or 4 pcs) – R3 147/R3 998
Rear parking sensors – R1 602
LED front fog lamps – R4 091
Wireless charger – R2 789
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) – R4 078
Heads-Up Display (HUD) – R4 422
Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) – R8 836

The above elements can be combined into packages:

C-Cross Package 1 – R10 225

Combines Front parking sensors, rear parking sensors, LED front fog lamps (applicable to Xi models).

C-Cross Package 5 – R5 867

Combines the digital driver recorder and wireless charger (applicable to all models).

C-Cross Package 6 – R2 946

Wireless charger.

C-Cross Package 7 – R7 613

Combines the digital driver recorder and heads-up display (applicable to all models).

C-Cross Package 8 – R2 922

Combines the digital driver recorder (front view only).

Protection & Styling Accessories:

In order to provide functional enhancement and protection to your Corolla Cross, an array of utility-themed accessories is also offered:

Scuff plate – silver – R1 410
Scuff plate – silver & black – R1 731
Load area mat (textile) – R370
Load are mat (rubber coin) – R404
Cargo net – R703
Cargo organiser – R577

Functional Accessories:

Tow bar (detachable) – R8 519
Tow bar (fixed) – R 7 620

Interior Accessories:

Leather Interior (applicable to the Xi grade) – R11 931
Window safety film (applicable to Xi, Xs, Xr petrol models) – enquire at dealer

The latest Toyota Corolla Cross Specs and Prices

How much do the Toyota Corolla Cross Accessories cost in South Africa?

X-Over Package R23 690

Hybrid Package R7 964

Urban Sport Package R18 723

Adventure Package R18 723

This week’s news you need to know (November 2021, Week 4)

In this week’s automotive news you need to know… Ranger danger for the top-selling Toyota Hilux? Audi announces eye-watering prices for its e-tron range (as expected), Chery introduces its new small SUV – but it’s clearly not aiming for the budget market anymore – and Kia says it doesn’t want to produce a bakkie.

New Ranger – Ranger Danger, boet!

The wait is over, my chaaarnas. The new Ranger has been revealed and, what I’m most surprised about, is that it’s been a few days since the announcement and, curiously, the Blue Oval still hasn’t released a special edition of the bakkie! Man, Ford has changed… a lot. All jokes aside (for now), this is THE big one for Ford as the American brand aligns its Ranger closer with the F-150, hence the wider and longer body. I imagine that this is all part of some strategy to merge the pick-up and US truck into one model someday to streamline production and drive costs down. Business first, baby, always.

It’s certainly tougher looking than before. For those Fourways boets with the aftermarket body kits, you’re going to have your work cut out to make this Ranger look tougher. Sorry, chaaarna, you better get more tribal tats then. The real question that remains is whether we’ll get the 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel in the Raptor? We should, but if not, it would be a travesty – and a get-out-of-jail-free card for Toyota.

Audi EV transformation – trickle charging…

Look – better late than never. Audi South Africa has copped criticism due to its delayed introduction of EVs (considering that the Ingolstadt-based marque’s arch-rival BMW SA launched the i3 more than half a decade ago), but they certainly haven’t been the only risk-averse premium brand. This onslaught of e-tron models (planned for 2022) shows admirable intent, despite the products’ eye-watering price tags that even the top 1% of earners will find prohibitively expensive. R2.5 million for an Audi (battery-electric) sedan? If you’d said that 10 years ago, thousands of people would have fainted in the streets.

What this does highlight is that Audi wants to sail silently (“roar” would not be appropriate here, would it?) past its opposition in the battery-electric-vehicle space – especially while Tesla remains conspicuous by its absence – and it’s willing to take a bath in the short run (hopefully with no power supply nearby) and absorb losses while it holds out for more market entrants to help expand EV infrastructure. Sadly, contrary to every other developed country, which has co-operated with OEMs to provide juicy subsidies to fast track the take-up of EVs, our government is still twiddling its thumbs. No surprises there.

Chery Tiggo – A bit of an anti-climax

There are myriad established brands competing in the small SUV segment… and why wouldn’t there be? That’s where all the action is. Volkswagen, the dominant force in the passenger-vehicle market, has the T-Cross, which aims at the upper end of that segment, but, below that, sits the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Nissan Magnite, Suzuki Brezza, Renault Kiger and Toyota Urban Cruiser. All of those models are already established and fighting to secure budget-crossover buyers’ signatures. Cherry has nothing of the sort, apart from the (mercifully, fading) history of the QQ and Tiggo from a decade or so ago.

Chery had an opportunity to launch the Tiggo 4 Pro at prices that would genuinely trouble the opposition. Instead, they’ve entered the market at a price point that puts the newcomer in direct opposition to Jolion, which is a challenge, given how Haval’s sales numbers and brand reputation have improved in 4 short years. Chery, for its part, is offering 100 owners of current Tiggo models R20 000 in trade-in assistance (which they’ll need); it shows goodwill, but falls short of disrupting the market. Not a great start. Perhaps a Chery executive will read this and exclaim: “It’s Black Friday, let’s slash prices”.

Kia not building a bakkie – Has the (work)horse bolted?

Pictured here is the Hyundai Santa Cruz, a double-cab bakkie based on the Santa Fe executive SUV that is now being produced in the United States; it certainly looks the part (wouldn’t you agree?), but, apart from the fact that it is a left-hand-drive-only product, it’s also a unibody (passenger-car-based) vehicle that’s not meant to haul huge loads or traverse anything more taxing than a rutted dirt road. Even if Kia wanted to build a model based on the Santa Cruz – and it doesn’t – it would not be able to compete against the Hilux and Ranger, of which Toyota and Ford sell tens of thousands of units each year.

I’m paging Dr Obvious, but South Africans “smaak” a bakkie and any manufacturer that could add a ladder-frame-based bakkie to its local line-up would surely jump at the chance to do so. In the wake of Covid-19, small businesses will be the lifeblood of the economy and those SMEs need bakkies. If Peugeot gets it (pardon, madames et monsieurs), I’m not sure why anyone would sleep on the idea.

Kia produces a 6/7-seater body-on-frame Mohave SUV for the Korean market and, earlier this year, it even unveiled a military vehicle with suitably robust underpinnings. One would think the Korean sibling brands are quite capable of developing bakkies that would satisfy markets such as ours and Australia’s, but no, perhaps Hyundai Kia saw how Mercedes-Benz’s bakkie partnership with Nissan went south. The increasingly significant impact of Chinese brands’ products on the pick-up market – GWM (South Africa) and LDV (Down Under) – probably put paid to the Korean brands’ pick-up plans for good…

Nissan Stanza race car – A tribute to SA motorsport’s glory days

The Jacobs brothers live and breathe everything Datsun and Nissan. Riaan Jacobs of The Datsun Shop in Mpumalanga shows us his 1982 Nissan Stanza race car tribute.

“We built this Stanza as a tribute to the 1982 Castrol 1000 and the car raced by Dick Sorensen and Barry Powers. It came out tops in Class C. It has been a lifelong passion to build this car. We searched far and wide to get the right donor car to start this project.”

To call it a mere “replica” race car doesn’t completely do this project justice, as Riaan Jacobs did find a host of period-correct parts that he built into this machine.

“Most of the parts are from a period-specific Stanza. I searched for about 6 years before I finally found a car in Windhoek, Namibia. We bought it at a pawn shop and towed it back to South Africa,” says Riaan.

“These cars were built ‘very rough’ back in the day, and they were built to go fast. Overall, it took me around 3 years to build the Stanza race car. A lot of work to the body was needed, such as the fitment of the wide wheel arches, the unique front fenders and the bumper.

“We had to respray the entire car and fit the engine. Thankfully, the gearbox was already there. When we got the car, it was little more than a rolling shell, and we had to start from scratch.

“The wheels had to be refurbished, which I did myself,” Riaan adds. “In fact, I did about 90% of all the work on the car. The L18 engine of the Stanza race car had to be rebuilt, plus the wiring also had to be replaced. We tried to make this engine as period-correct as possible. ‘Uncle’ Dick Sorensen is a very good friend of mine, and he gave me all the info from his original textbooks and even the dyno graph.”

Specifications

Car: 1982 Nissan Stanza
Engine: 1.8-litre 4-cylinder, petrol
Power: 96 kW at 6 500rpm
Torque: 162 Nm at 5 100rpm
Gearbox: 5-speed manual
Top speed: 205 kph
Wheelbase: 2 400 mm
Width: 1 335 mm (f), 1 330 mm (r)
Weight: 950 kg
Wheels: Compomotive, three-piece split: 16 x 8J (f), 16 x 9J (r)

“This information was immensely valuable. We used that info to keep the engine as close to period-correct spec as possible. We had the car on the dyno when it was finished, and it made 4 kW and 11 Nm less than the original motor. We think that might be due to our lower 10.5:1 compression ratio. We also use 95 octane fuel because that makes the car easier to run and maintain.

“The front suspension is completely rose-jointed, for maintenance, as well as for handling and feedback on track. The 3-link rear suspension is complemented by a limited-slip differential. We also did a disc-brake conversion on the rear axle, and the entire rear suspension has also been rose jointed.

“There is a 25-litre fuel tank with 2 pumps, and the roll-cage is an FIA-specification unit. The racing seat is not some modern unit, but is Martin Richards’ original seat, which he used in his first race car during oval track racing in Goodwood, Cape Town. I’m very sentimental about this car, in that regard.

“The livery that we chose was one of the most beautiful liveries of the ‘Eighties. I think the car only competed in 3 races with this livery. Some of the challenges involved finding the correct grille and rear lights. We had no luck whatsoever finding badges, so we decided to have them made by a specialist.

“Instead of having stickers printed, we at The Datsun Shop prefer to have the correct livery painted on. It is quite something to see a specialist painting for a day or two to get all the sponsor logos right.

“We will build a new engine for the car in the future, as we got our hands on a period-specific engine that is untouched. We have raced the car once since it was finished, at the Passion for Speed in 2021.

“The Stanza race car is quite a handful, and it was the 1st car I’ve owned with semi-slicks, but with every outing you learn more about the car, its setup and sensitivities to tyre temperatures and pressures. We would like to do 3- and 5-hour endurance races if those race meetings aren’t too far away from here.

“We are very family-oriented, and on weekends, my kids join me at the workshop and play and help me around the cars. We grew up with oval-track racing, as well as with Nissans and Datsuns. Through all of this and a 140Z I found and had to rebuild, I landed myself in this ‘total Z craze’. These 140Zs are my favourite Datsuns, partly owing to their rarity, but also their motorsport pedigree.

“My brother says that sometimes it is more fun building a car than driving it,” Riaan concludes.

It seems more builds are sure to pass through the Jacobs brothers’ hands in future. We wish them well!

Search for a classic car listed on Cars.co.za

BMW M 50th Anniversary: SA Details

BMW M celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022 and to celebrate, there will be a cool retro logo offered for BMW M and M Performance products.

Prepare the birthday celebrations as the 24th May 2022 marks 50 years of M GmbH. To mark the occasion, BMW will be offering a very cool-looking retro logo for new M and M Performance customers. This logo will be available on the vehicle nose, rear bumper as well as the wheels. Inspired by the classic BMW Motorsport logo, this emblem is unmistakably BMW, but stands out.

“With the classic ‘BMW Motorsport’ emblem, we would like to share our joy about the anniversary of BMW M GmbH with the fans of the brand,” says Franciscus van Meel, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW M GmbH. “We have a great year ahead of us, which will be celebrated with unique product highlights and exciting performances. The M has long been considered the strongest letter in the world, and in our company’s anniversary year it is stronger than ever.”

The German performance brand also confirmed that 50 of its iconic and historically significant M paint colours will be made available on some models in 2022.

The performance division of BMW is having a good run, with yet another sales record in 2021 in the crosshairs. The M division has a diverse arsenal of performance vehicles currently on sale, ranging from the BMW M135i xDrive in the hatchback segment, to the mighty M8 Competition in the grand tourer segment. Let’s not forget the incredible performance offered by the M SUV range either.

In 2022, BMW M will be launching the M3 Touring (station wagon), a very special BMW M4 coupe (which we suspect is the BMW M4 CSL) and work is well underway on the all-new BMW M2 coupe. With electrification in mind, BMW M is also planning its first electrified high-performance vehicle in the history of the brand.

Other M 50 year celebrations include many events, with headliners like the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como in Northern Italy, followed by the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Great Britain and the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach, California and with such an illustrious motorsport history, the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.

BMW South Africa confirmed it will be offering this new logo to its customers from the 2nd quarter of 2022.

Why isn’t Kia following Hyundai into bakkies?

The two Korean companies use similar tech, so where is the Kia double-cab?

Global automakers are navigating very uncertain times. Resources are being poured into electric vehicles, but the real revenues remain with more traditional products. Like bakkies.

The tasty profits and low battery powertrain expectations in the bakkie market appeal to many product development teams. Brands that would never consider a bakkie, are pivoting into the double-cab space.

Some have failed. Most noticeably, Mercedes-Benz. But with lots of cash on hand and robust R&D structures, the Koreans are finally embarking upon a double-cab product initiative of their own.

Hyundai has been first, as one would expect from Korea’s largest automotive company. The Santa Cruz double-cab looks great and is based on the Tucson SUV platform, making it nearly perfect in configuration and purpose, as a lifestyle bakkie.

But as most things Hyundai are also Kia, why is the latter not marketing a bakkie, yet? This is an excellent question, as the two brands use the same components and platforms.

Kia has the potential to produce a terrific large double-cab bakkie. How? It could simply create a double-cab version of the award-winning Telluride large SUV.

Although that would mean a unibody platform, with the Telluride using an adapted version of Kia’s Sorento platform, the sacrifice in loadability would be offset by passenger comfort and ride quality.

A Kia bakkie would seem such a logical product evolution. But news from Australia indicates that it won’t be happening. Soon.

Kia’s Australian boss, Damian Meredith, has been trying to convince the company’s Korean CEO of the double-cab product merits. But although Kia recognizes demand, a bakkie project doesn’t appear to have momentum.

Speaking to the Australian media outlet, CarsGuide, Meredith admitted as much. “We haven’t had any definitive answer from Kia headquarters.”

The truth is that Hyundai’s Santa Cruz bakkie was developed and configured before the pandemic or chip crisis.

In a constrained supply chain world, where the focus for Kia is on expanding its electric vehicle offering, a double-cab bakkie is not quite the product priority. Although many South African fans of the brand, wish it was.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz has received quite a lot of adoration from SA bakkie fans

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (2021) Launch Review

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.

The Tiggo 4 Pro looks like an excellent offering in the segment, let’s see how it will perform on the sales charts.

If you don’t read much further, all you need to know is that the Tiggo 4 Pro is an impressive product that’s offered at a relatively impressive price point. To put the model in context, it is roughly the size of a Suzuki Vitara Brezza or Toyota Urban Cruiser, Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, VW T-Cross and Nissan Magnite. Chery intends to steal sales from all of them… and I feel they have the right recipe for success.

The car simply feels like a quality product in all aspects. For example, it offers a particularly impressive ride quality. On the launch route, we traversed some truly shocking roads in the Hartbeespoort Dam area, but not at the cost of occupant comfort… the Tiggo dealt with rough road surfaces with remarkable composure. The cabin is well insulated too – there’s little road- or wind noise intrusion to speak of.

How does the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro perform?

The Tiggo is only front-wheel-drive, but its raised ride height is a boon on dirt roads (and when wading through standing water).

The Tiggo 4 Pro’s continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) was a highlight and I think it’s quite possibly the first time I’ve praised a “gearless” drivetrain, which often labours when fitted to gutless budget cars. Not so in the case of Chery’s newcomer – it is tuned particularly well and avoids droning like most CVTs I’ve experienced. It seems to know what you want to do ahead of time and prepares itself accordingly. Interestingly, you can flick the transmission lever into manual mode, which gives the driver access to 9 (yes, 9) pre-programmed digital “steps”. There are no shift paddles to use, so you have to tap the gear lever up and down to flick through the “steps”. I gave it a go, but the action seemed a bit superfluous… the CVT is so accomplished in automatic mode, I left it to its own devices.

Two engines are available across the range’s 5 derivatives: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol and a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit. I only had the opportunity to drive the turbocharged version, but I was suitably impressed with its pulling power. Overtaking was relatively easy and, if I had to be picky, the engine was a little gruff at high revs, but not enough to be bothersome.

The indicated fuel consumption was 10 L/100 km at the conclusion of our test route, which isn’t ideal for a car this size; however, our test unit had barely 64 km on the odometer. I suspect that the Tiggo 4 Pro’s average consumption would improve as the engine loosens up after a brief run-in period… and besides, most commuters tend to adopt more conservative driving styles than motoring journalists!

What’s the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro like inside?

The upmarket interior with leather trim and red striping (SE derivative only) appears well above the quality of market competitors.

The cabin is, well, well-appointed. All Tiggo 4 Pro variants are fitted as standard with a large 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which sits proud of the fascia, as well as a fully digital instrument cluster (instead of a binnacle filled with analogue dials). The screen resolution is of high quality and helps to make the interior feel particularly modern. Android Auto and Apple Carplay are supported too.

The quality of materials and soft-touch panels around the interior look and feel premium, as does the leather-trimmed steering wheel and seats. The Chery press release does not make mention of cloth upholstery, so I assume leather (or, at the very least, imitation leather) is fitted as standard on the Elite and SE derivatives. I can quite confidently say that the Tiggo 4 Pro has the best interior in its segment.

The load bay seems rather capacious too. I anticipate it could even be sufficient to accommodate a family of four’s luggage for a weekend away. The rear seatback can fold down in a 60/40 split if needed.

The entry-level Urban derivative is listed at R269 900, but details on that spec level are scarce and, from what I could tell, all of the vehicles on the press launch were the Elite SE (Special Edition) – it certainly seems as if the fledgling Chery SA wanted to put its best foot forward. The price jumps up to R359 900 for this Special Edition, which includes larger 17-inch wheels, various exterior and interior accents, a sunroof, 6 airbags (including curtain airbags), a tyre pressure monitoring system, interior ambient lighting, puddle lights, LED headlights and taillights, plus a larger digital instrument cluster.

Also read: Chery Tiggo 4 Pro Specs & Price

Chery’s dealer footprint in South Africa

Chery has set up over 30 dealerships in South Africa.

For a returning brand, Chery has made sure to put sufficient after-sales support in place. All Tiggo 4 Pros come with a 5-year/150 000 km warranty, a 5-year/60 000 km service plan and 5 years’ roadside assistance (provided by the AA). However, on top of that, when the manufacturer warranty ends, the balance of a 10-year/1 000 000 km engine warranty should still apply. Yes, a 1-million-km engine warranty. However, there is a catch: the extended warranty will only apply if the car still belongs to the original owner (who purchased the car from new) and if the car had been serviced at Chery dealers.

On the topic of dealers, just over 30 dealerships are in place from launch. The network covers most of the country’s major metros and the majority of outlets are located in Gauteng.

Summary of the Tiggo 4 Pro

With the Tiggo 4 Pro, Chery has introduced a real fighter in the small crossover/compact family car segment. Whereas recent newcomers such as the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger have left us feeling a trifle underwhelmed, the Tiggo 4 Pro seems a better product at a similar price. The outlier in this segment is the Haval Jolion, which is a larger car than the Chery and available at the same price points.

Ultimately, a wider selection to choose from is good for the consumer and, given the perceived quality of the new Tiggo 4 Pro, if you are in the market for a “baby SUV” at this price point, I don’t think you can ignore this newcomer. Chery will be hoping to emulate the incredible success of Haval, another Chinese brand, in this market. With the Tiggo 4 Pro, the new brand is certainly off to a promising start.

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – prices in South Africa (Nov 2021)

1.5 Urban (5MT)	R269 900
1.5 Comfort (CVT 9SPD)	R299 900
1.5 Elite (6MT)	R319 900
1.5 Elite (CVT 9 SPD)	R349 900
1.5 Elite SE (CVT 9SPD)	R359 900

Toyota Hiace Ses’fikile Safety Enhanced

Toyota has beefed up the safety specification for its Hiace Ses’fikile people mover in South Africa.

Millions of South Africans rely on taxi’s to get to and from work every single day and many of these taxis are indeed the locally-produced Toyota Hiace Ses’fikile.

Earlier this year, Toyota fitted a driver guard on the Hiace Ses’fikile and now safety specification has been further enhanced with the fitment of Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) as well as Brake Assist (BA) and Hill Assist Control (HAC) and Traction Control (TRC). In addition to the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), an Emergency Brake signal has also been included as well as a new hooter design which is said to be more durable.

How much does the Toyota Hiace Ses’fikile cost in South Africa? (November 2021)

Hiace Ses’fikile 2.7 16-seater – R478 500

Hiace Ses’fikile 2.5 Diesel 16-seater – R508 300

The Toyota Hiace Hiace Ses’fikile is sold with a 3-year/100 000 km warranty and a 6-services/60 000 km service plan and service intervals are set as 12-months/10 000 km. Additional service plans and warranty upgrades are also available to buyers.

Buy a used Toyota Hiace Ses’fikile on Cars.co.za

Lexus ES (2021) Launch Review

The Lexus ES has established itself as the executive sedan that promotes comfort and luxury above all else, perhaps even more so than its Mercedes-Benz E-Class rival! The Japanese premium brand’s offering recently underwent a mild update and we drove it at its local launch in the Western Cape.

What’s new on the Lexus ES?

Is the ES luxurious inside?

What’s the Lexus ES like to drive?

Lexus ES pricing in South Africa

Summary

New Toyota Prado won’t be slow

Potent diesel and a possible petrol hybrid are presumed for 2023 Prado.

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Nissan to be carbon neutral by 2050

The Japanese brand is forging ahead with its electric vehicle plans.

Further Reading

Toyota Corolla Cross Accessories Confirmed for SA

The prices and details of the Toyota Corolla Cross Accessories have been confirmed for SA. Here’s how much they cost and what you get for your money.

X-Over Package

Hybrid Package

Urban Sport Package

Adventure Package

How to order the Toyota Corolla Cross Accessories?

The latest Toyota Corolla Cross Specs and Prices

How much do the Toyota Corolla Cross Accessories cost in South Africa?

Further Reading

This week’s news you need to know (November 2021, Week 4)

New Ranger – Ranger Danger, boet!

Audi EV transformation – trickle charging…

Chery Tiggo – A bit of an anti-climax

Kia not building a bakkie – Has the (work)horse bolted?

Nissan Stanza race car – A tribute to SA motorsport’s glory days

The Jacobs brothers live and breathe everything Datsun and Nissan. Riaan Jacobs of The Datsun Shop in Mpumalanga shows us his 1982 Nissan Stanza race car tribute.

Specifications

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BMW M 50th Anniversary: SA Details

BMW M celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022 and to celebrate, there will be a cool retro logo offered for BMW M and M Performance products.

Further Reading

Why isn’t Kia following Hyundai into bakkies?

The two Korean companies use similar tech, so where is the Kia double-cab?

Further Reading

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (2021) Launch Review

How does the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro perform?

What’s the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro like inside?

Chery’s dealer footprint in South Africa

Summary of the Tiggo 4 Pro

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – prices in South Africa (Nov 2021)

Toyota Hiace Ses’fikile Safety Enhanced

Toyota has beefed up the safety specification for its Hiace Ses’fikile people mover in South Africa.

How much does the Toyota Hiace Ses’fikile cost in South Africa? (November 2021)