BMW X3 Mzansi Edition (2021) Specs and Price

BMW South Africa has introduced the BMW X3 Mzansi Edition, loading sportier features and accessories onto the luxury SUV. Here's how much it costs.

With the reveal of the updated BMW X3 not too far away, BMW South Africa has announced the X3 Mzansi Edition, which comes loaded with accessories and features. 

The BMW X3 is manufactured locally at the brand's facility in Rosslyn, Pretoria and we're expecting an announcement regarding the X3 LCI local assembly any day now. 

The BMW X3 Mzansi Edition uses an xDrive20d model as a base. The engine is a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel delivering 140 kW and 400 Nm. The engine is paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, and BMW says the X3 Mzansi Edition is good for an 8 second run to 100 kph. 

Customers have the option of 5 colours and the vehicle comes standard with an electrically-operated tow hitch, M Sport package, panorama glass sunroof, ambient lighting, BMW Live Cockpit Professional and wireless charging for your smartphones. Other noteworthy accessories are the M high-gloss Shadow Line with a blacked-out kidney grille, M carbon wing mirror caps, red M Sport brake callipers, black chrome tailpipes, black gloss rear diffuser and a rather sporty-looking rear wing.

The BMW X3 Mzansi Edition is now on sale and sits towards the top of the range. For the record, the BMW X3 range kicks off at R770 072 for the sDrive18d and tops out at R1 140 946 for the xDrive30d M SportThere are also M-branded and M-Sport X3 derivatives available. As far as rivals go, this is a hotly-contested segment with the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Volvo XC60 and Jaguar F-Pace all vying for a slice. 
 

BMW-X3-Mzansi
The BMW X3 Mzansi Edition features red brake callipers with M Sport branding

How much does the BMW X3 Mzansi Edition cost in South Africa?

BMW X3 xDrive20d Mzansi Edition         R1 012 938

 

Small Petrol Price Changes for June 2021

The price of fuels looks likely to change as we head into June 2021, with petrol showing the smallest of declines, but the price of diesel and paraffin will be going up.

Around the middle of the month, the Automobile Association (AA) sends out a forecast on the price of fuel based on the naudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund.

As it stands, the AA is predicting the smallest of decreases for petrol, with a litre of petrol costing one cent less. Sadly both diesel and paraffin are both set to rise, with increases of 20 cents a litre and 25 cents a litre respectively.

"After several weeks of stability, international oil prices have started to climb again, with a slight peak in the first week of May before a modest pullback. Although there is still a re-balancing of global supply and demand taking place in oil markets, the current variations are starting to more closely resemble the picture we saw before the COVID-19 pandemic. This suggests that normal market forces are increasingly gaining the upper hand over last year's disruptive gluts which led to astonishing sub-zero prices for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil." says the AA. 

The AA would like to point out that the prices can change rapidly and something like a lockdown can trigger a change. "Nothing should be taken for granted until the global vaccination drive has surpassed the threshold needed for herd immunity," says the AA. 

It's good to see the Rand and the exchange rate helping matters. "Although the daily exchange rate has been wildly variable, the average rate has seen the local currency gain around twenty cents against the US dollar since the start of May. This means a nett gain of around 11 cents against the dollar,” notes the Association.

The Association further notes that while the mid-month picture is indicating certain movements now, these are likely to change before the official adjusted price for June is announced by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy later this month.

"The oil-versus-Rand see-saw will likely continue through the rest of May, and the month-end picture may be somewhat different to what's currently being seen," the AA concludes.

Further Reading

SA Petrol Price – Where Does Our Money Go?

5 Ways to Beat the Fuel Price Hike

Most Fuel Efficient Budget Cars in SA

Most Fuel-Efficient Double-Cab Bakkies in SA

5 Fuel-Saving Car Features & How They Work

Most Fuel Efficient Budget Cars in SA

Most Fuel Efficient Diesel Cars in SA

Most Fuel Efficient Petrol Cars in SA

Updated Jaguar E-Pace (2021) Specs & Price

Jaguar's smallest SUV, the E-Pace, received an update last year and it has now officially arrived in South Africa. See specification and pricing details below… 

Jaguar has confirmed the local specification of its revised compact E-Pace SUV. The British luxury car brand’s smallest gravel travel capable vehicle has received an assortment of slight exterior styling updates and some cabin refinements too. But the most impressive feature is its new lead powertrain.

What's changed with the updated Jaguar E-Pace? 

Jaguar E-Pace P300 SPort
The E-Pace benefits from subtle exterior updates as well as improved technology on the inside.

Jaguar’s design department has deployed a new mesh grille to the front-end of E-Pace, framed by new LED headlights with 'Double J' daytime running lights while Pixel LED technology is offered as an option. At the rear E-Pace also features a reprofiled bumper with a mesh insert and revised LED taillights inspired by the Jaguar I-Pace which feature the familiar chicane graphic. R-Dynamic derivatives gain additional performance-focused design elements but buyers can also opt for the Black Exterior Pack which features elements in Narvik Black. 

The design updates continue inside, with the cabin architecture benefitting from Jaguar’s latest 11.4-inch, curved-glass touchscreen infotainment system, boasting Jaguar's new Pivi Pro system, the same found in the new Defender and updated i-Pace. There is mention of better soft- and hard touch materials inside the new E-Pace, but by far the most noticeable cabin upgrade is the presence of a conventional transmission shifter, which replaces the more subtle rotary dial selector. A 15kW wireless charger is also found ahead of the new drive selector. The E-Pace gains a new steering wheel, also influenced by the I-Pace, and it's fitted with hidden-until-lit switches and metal gearshift paddles. 

What engines are available in the Jaguar E-Pace in SA? 

Beyond the exterior and interior design evolution, the E-Pace carries over most of its familiar engine structure. All models are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, burning ether petrol or compression igniting diesel fuel, all of which feature AWD and a 9-speed automatic transmission. 

The engines are denoted by their imperial horsepower nomenclatures starting with the petrol-powered P250 which is good for 183 kW and 365 Nm while the more powerful P300 peaks at 221 kW and 400 Nm, the latter of which is only offered as the E-Pace P300 Sport and is said to sprint from zero to 100 kph in just 6.9 seconds. 

The diesel-powered E-Pace D200 offers 147 kW and 430 Nm and now features upgrades such as friction-reducing steel pistons, variable vane turbocharger and the new 2,500 bar piezo common rail injection system which enhances overall efficiency. 

By far the most impressive powertrain on offer with this updated E-Pace is the new P300e with plug-in hybrid technology. The P300e combines a 147 kW 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, with an 80 kW rear axle electric motor. Total system output is 227 kW and 540 Nm.

Jaguar E-Pace P300e PHEV
The new 3-cylinder PHEV with 227 kW is now available in South Africa. 

Jaguar claims an all-electric driving range of 55 km for its P300e and a rather swift 0-100 kph time of only 6.5 seconds. A 15 kWh lithium-ion battery is located underneath the boot floor. 

As part of Jaguar's broader product strategy, the revised E-Pace becomes an important volume model, alongside XE sedan.

How much does the Jaguar E-Pace cost in South Africa? 

E-PACE R-Dynamic S D200 – R868 000
E-PACE R-Dynamic SE D200 – R898 600
E-PACE R-Dynamic HSE D200 – R938 800

E-PACE R-Dynamic S P250 – R927 500
E-PACE R-Dynamic SE P250 – R958 100
E-PACE R-Dynamic HSE P250 – R998 300

E-PACE 300 SPORT P300 – R1 046 900

E-PACE R-Dynamic S P300e – R1 165 500
E-PACE R-Dynamic SE P300e – R1 196 100
E-PACE R-Dynamic HSE P300e – R1 236 300

Related content

Jaguar I-Pace Vlog – Will Electric Cars Work in South Africa?

Jaguar E-Pace vs Volvo XC40 Video Review

Jaguar E-Pace D240 R-Dynamic HSE (2018) Review

Suzuki Jimny LWB delayed

The much-anticipated arrival of the long-wheelbase Suzuki Jimny is coming. But not soon.

The five-door Jimny is a potential product conquest for Suzuki. It would solve the only real issue that some potential buyers have with Suzuki’s all-conquering compact 4×4: its lack of passenger space in the rear.

Suzuki has realised that with its Vitara now having become a crossover, the company lacks a true five-door adventure vehicle, for off-road enthusiasts.

The Jimny platform is proven and plans around its five-door variant are no secret. But don’t expect it to become available soon.

Suzuki has struggled to match its production of the current-generation Jimny with demand. Since the fourth-generation Jimny’s debut in 2018, waiting lists have been immense. Product planners had completely underestimate global demand for Jimny and this is what could stall the market debut of a five-door version.

With Suzuki struggling to meet Jimny deliveries, even with the vehicle’s sales geography being curtailed in Europe, there simply isn’t spare production capacity for a five-door.

To stretch the Jimny’s wheelbase by 300 mm, will generously increase its cabin architecture and spaciousness but also make it heavier. And that might necessitate a turbocharged engine option, which is currently unavailable in the Jimny range.

Align the latest Suzuki’s turbopetrol engines, with their mild-hybridization, and a longer wheelbase will require planning. And with the Jimny production hub running at nearly peak capacity, Suzuki’s industrial engineers will have to find a solution.

The issues around Jimny’s production and the additional engineering burden of its long-wheelbase variant, mean that we won’t see the five-door version soon. At least not, in this year.

But it is certainly something worth anticipating, in 2022.

Related content

Spy Shots: 2022 Suzuki Jimny Long Wheelbase

Best SUVs for Off-road Driving

No, Toyota is not squashing Suzuki

Facelifted BMW X3 Leaked

The facelifted BMW X3 has leaked early in China, thanks to its homologation process. Here's we look at what's changed, plus when it will be revealed.

The BMW X3 is of particular importance to South Africa as the vehicle is assembled locally at BMW's facility in Rosslyn, Pretoria. The vehicles manufactured there are sold locally, but the big money-spinner is the X3s earmarked for export – bringing in significant revenue. 

The BMW X3 is an SUV that slots between the compact X1 and large X5, and it's a rival to the Audi Q5 (updated model due for launch in 3rd quarter 2021) and the Mercedes-Benz GLC

What you see here is the updated BMW X3, images of which have been loaded onto the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology website as part of the homologation process. Here we see both the BMW X3 facelifted as well as the all-electric BMW iX3 model. 

As far as design changes go, the much-discussed BMW grille has not made an appearance, with the Munich-based manufacturer opting for a conservative approach. We can see the BMW M Sport package has been fitted, giving the vehicles an interesting and dynamic look. What's good to see is the electric BMW iX3 has been given a look that's similar to the standard ICE X3, which we think is a good thing as many electric car designs are too polarising for mainstream tastes. 

We can see tweaks to the headlights and tail lamps, and there are new-look exhausts too. Inside, it is believed the updated iDrive 8 infotainment system is expected to make an appearance. 

When is the BMW X3 LCI coming to South Africa?

Sources suggest the facelifted BMW X3 will have an international reveal in June 2021. Given the vehicle is manufactured in South Africa, we estimate local sales to commence before the end of 2021. However, we'll wait for the official reveal and clarification from BMW SA.

Further Reading

8 Cool Things: BMW iDrive 8

BMW iX Coming to SA in 2022

BMW 128ti (2021) Specs & Price

Bajaj Qute Review – In-depth test drive of South Africa’s cheapest “car”

We've never seen as much hype and social media chatter around a vehicle as there has been around the Bajaj Qute. We just had to drive it, and see what all the fuss was about.

In all our years in this industry, we’ve never seen a new vehicle launch in South Africa create a stir quite like the Bajaj Qute. Social media literally exploded with comments and videos about the little Indian “car”, and so we got hold of one as quick as we could to bring you this review.

The Bajaj Qute is on sale in South Africa for R75 000 and comes standard with a 2 year/20 000km warranty. There is no service plan included or even available as an optional extra. You can buy or repair your Bajaj Qute at one of three dealers in Johannesburg, one in Pretoria, one in Cape Town and soon there will be one each in Durban and Ggeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).

In this video, Ciro De Siena takes you on a detailed tour of the car, and takes it for a spin around the Killarney Racetrack to test its dynamic abilities in a safe environment.

Here is everything you want or need to know about the Bajaj Qute in South Africa. 

Cars.co.za has the largest selection of used and new cars in South Africa, online, right now. Click on over to www.cars.co.za and find your next car.

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Further Reading

7 Cheapest Automatic Compact SUVs in SA

5 Cheapest New Cars in South Africa 2021

This week’s news you need to know (May 2021, week 2)

In this week's motoring news you need to know: Renault rebrands its revered RS division to match the name of its F1 team, EVs don't sound exciting to drive, so BMW is "going cinematic", Toyota may flex its muscles (uncharacteristically) with the next-gen GR Hilux and Mzansi's latest BEV faces an uphill battle…

RenaultSport – the rebadging

So RenaultSport (RS) will soon be renamed Alpine, just as the French firm's F1 team was rebranded to match La Regié's sportscar brand at the end of last year. It’s going to be a sad day when the final RS badge is affixed to a fast Renault, but, as we’ve come to learn, a wave of change is sweeping through the motor industry. I understand that traditionalists will feel quite nostalgic because RS badges have featured on some of the best hot hatches the world has seen: Clio RS, Megane RS and let’s not forget that Renault 5 Turbo of Group B world-rally fame. Roll those Group B clips! Here's an example.

ICYMI: RenaultSport becomes Alpine

A legacy has been left, but times are changing and if the mid-engined Alpine 110 sportscar is anything to go by, I’m okay with this development. However, what does the Alpine brand mean for South Africans? Not much – many of my countrymen don't even know about Renault's storied sub-brand. We live in a country in which Porsche thrives, so why isn’t (the) Alpine here? The business case is proven, but unfortunately, French cars just don’t have a good reputation in Mzansi (unlike French food & wine). From a local point of view, this badge change is no more than a vanity project, for now.

BMW EV sound score – Hans Zimmer

Desperate times call for desperate measures and BMW was certainly thinking outside of the proverbial box when it looked to Hollywood for help. In fact, the Munich-based brand has enlisted the services of famous film-score composer Hans Zimmer to enhance the aural experience of the marque's battery-electric vehicles (Nice side hustle there, Hans).

ICYMI: Zimmer sound for new BMWs

One can’t blame BMW – internal combustion engine soundtracks have been integral to the driving experiences delivered by the Bavarian marque's most beloved models. A rich engine note (such as the howling V10 of the E60 M5 and the raspy straight-6 of the E46 M3) creates a visceral connection between man and machine and literally stirs the emotions of a driver. Indeed, a sonorous exhaust note is a happy pill and its absence from battery-electric vehicles poses a challenge for manufacturers that have, for decades, used evocative engine sounds as selling propositions. Ecological agenda aside, the EV game clearly needs to be sexier. I can’t help but think future tuners, who previously did exhaust modifications, will now find employment providing alternative remixes of these sounds. Crazy times, friends.

GR Hilux – Bringing a gun to a gunfight

"Hold my beer." That meme-inspiring statement is usually followed by some move that results in a regrettable action (in hindsight), but this time, not for the bakkie powerhouse that is Toyota. I certainly can’t blame TMC for riding the GR (Gazoo Racing) wave of modern performance variants until it reaches the point of saturation. For Toyota, GR is becoming what M is for BMW… A GR Hilux is a masterstroke in a market that is frankly (and I don't use this word lightly) obsessed with bakkies. Local Hilux fans can start licking their chops; when the next-gen GR Hilux arrives it will have more ponies than ever before.

ICYMI: Toyota GR Hilux Coming With Big V6 Power

Despite my belief that bakkies shouldn’t have this much power (a rumoured 230 kW and 687 Nm from a 3.3-litre V6 turbodiesel), I can’t help but help get excited about the prospect of a 3-way battle between the top-dog Amarok, Hilux and Ford bakkies; if you haven't been paying attention, the next iteration of the Ranger Raptor is reportedly destined to get a 3.0-litre V6 turbopetrol motor.

This "arms race" between the bakkie superpowers is going to culminate in the tense Mexican standoff scene that you’ve all been waiting for (Get Hans to write the score for this too, while he’s at it). Who knows, perhaps a stadium-truck-inspired racing series could come to fruition in the foreseeable future? Wishful thinking, but if Donald Trump could become President of the USA, anything’s possible.

Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge, more like overcharge

Today, the sad reality is that the South African new-vehicle market is still a long way from a point at which it can sell EVs at attainable prices (or at least at reasonable premiums over ICE models). The rising cost of living – and every economic announcement that hurts us in our wallets – effectively push the arrival of Mzansi's "EV age" further into the distance. It’s regrettable, but EV ownership remains largely aspirational and exclusively available to those with deep pockets. Volvo has now fallen foul of this and will sadly miss the opportunity to tap into a wider market with the XC40 P8 Recharge. 

ICYMI: Volvo XC40 Recharge (2021) Price in SA

EVs are heavily taxed in the Republic; there's little Volvo SA can do about that. Nonetheless, R1.2 million for an electric crossover is a steep price to pay for guilt-free commuting (cough). Until the stars align and the government can incentivise the uptake of EVs by offering some rebates on the myriad taxes and duties it levies on these vehicles, we’re not going to see too many P8 Recharges around.

We’re not asking for cheap EVs, I'd just like to live to see the day when I can have my thought process go from “I definitely can’t afford this” to “I maybe can afford this (if I donate a kidney to science)”.

Crazy Mercedes-Benz X-Class 6×6 Revealed

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class may have had a short life, but the array of aftermarket accessories and customisation options was extraordinary. Here's another wild Mercedes-Benz X-Class, with a third axle.

The Nissan Navara served as a platform for the Mercedes-Benz X-Class and despite Mercedes-Benz putting its special touches on the flagship X350d, the vehicle never proved a sales success. 

Despite the lack of big sales, we at Cars.co.za saw a tremendous number of customisation options for the Mercedes-Benz X-Class, including this monstrous 6×6 conversion. 

This particular example was recently sold through Dutch car company Classic Youngtimers in Holland and was based as a run-of-the-mill X350d. The owner had a custom subframe installed which allowed provision for a 3rd axle and 2 extra wheels – making this an X-Class X350d 6×6. The dealer who sold the vehicle said this vehicle was not a show car and was actually designed to be taken offroad and pushed hard.

Other noteworthy offroad additions include the raised suspension, which was 10cm higher than the stock setup and allowed customers to fit the huge custom alloy wheels wrapped in chunky offroad rubber. There are big flared front and rear arches to give it a bit more presence. The builder added the Panamericana grille – a staple of high-performance Mercedes-AMG models. Thanks to the additional axle, the load bay dimensions have increased and Carlex Design supply a roll bar and a cage. 

As far as the engine and gearbox go, the owner thought the standard 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel had sufficient power and that remained stock.

It may have reached the end of its life, but as far as crazy conversions go, this Mercedes-Benz X-Class is probably one of the coolest.

Further Reading

Mercedes-Benz S680 V12 Revealed

Carlex Creates X-Class Racing Green Monster

Ford Ranger Raptor V6 engine details

Toyota GR Hilux Coming With Big V6 Power

Volkswagen Teases Practicality of New T7 Transporter

Volkswagen Commercial Division has released some teaser shots of its new T7 Transporter.

Update: Volkswagen has released a new teaser to highlight the practicality of the new T7. Watch the video below for more insight. 

The Volkswagen Transporter T7 reveal is scheduled for June 2021 and we expect more teasers to come before the covers come off. 

From what we can see on the exterior images, we can see 2-tone paint which has become a highly sought after option as well as an LED light bar, which links the LED daytime running lights. This style of LED lightbar is becoming popular for Volkswagen products and we've seen it on the Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI as well as the recently revealed updated Volkswagen Polo.

Another teaser image of the dashboard shows something very interesting. The gearstick has been deleted and in its place is a new shift-by-wire setup. Essentially, instead of using a manual gear level to select the gears, you'll be pushing a button. We've already had our first taste of a vehicle lacking a gear selector, with the launch of the updated Hyundai Santa Fe.

It's strongly rumoured the Volkswagen T7 will only be offered with the DSG, losing the manual gearbox completely. What's really interesting about this technology is it removes the gear selector completely from the cabin, making more space in the cabin. This new system also means there's no physical handbrake either.

There are also rumours the T7 will be switching to the MQB platform, but we'll have to wait and see. There's no sign of engine details yet, but given Volkswagen's European strategy, we expect petrol, diesel and some form of electrification. In case you're confused as to where the T7 will sit as the T6.1 was introduced fairly recently to the South African market, it appears the T6.1 Transporter workhorse will be sold alongside the T7, which is aimed more at the carrying of passengers.

Volkswagen-Transporter-T7
RIP gearstick and parking brake as these are now going to be buttons on a dashboard.

Further Reading

Spy Shots: 2021 Volkswagen T7

Volkswagen introduces new double cab for SA

Volkswagen Kombi (2021) Launch Review

Volkswagen Transporter T6.1 (2021) Specs & Price

Volkswagen Caravelle 2.0BiTDI Highline 4Motion (2019) Review

Kia Sonet (2021) Launch Review

Kia has expanded its compact family car line-up in South Africa with the introduction of the diminutive Sonet, which shares its underpinnings with the popular Hyundai Venue. Think of it as the baby brother to the Seltos. What's it like to drive, what's on offer and how much can you expect to pay? Let's find out!

With small crossovers making up an increasingly large chunk of new vehicle sales in Mzansi, many brands are clamouring for "a slice of the pie". Having launched the Seltos in the local market in early 2020 (and Kia's quite happy with the number of sales that model has garnered thus far, by the way), the Korean brand has introduced the (also Indian-made) Sonet below it. The entry point to Kia's SUV line-up is mechanically similar to its sister brand Hyundai's Venue and, with aggressive pricing and a slew of derivatives in its line-up, the Sonet has clearly got the ageing Ford EcoSport in its crosshairs. 

In the space of just a few months, the so-called budget crossover segment has ballooned; apart from the Ford EcoSport, Kia mentioned the Suzuki Vitara Brezza/Toyota Urban Cruiser twins, as well as the Honda WR-V as potential rivals to the Sonet. The segment will be growing even further with the arrival of the Nissan Magnite (and Renault Kiger, later this year), the former of which we'll be driving soon.  

What's on offer?

At the moment, the Kia Sonet is powered exclusively by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine, which develops peak outputs of 85 kW and 144 Nm. Kia claims derivatives equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in 11.3 sec, while the CVT-equipped automatic versions are fractionally slower at 11.8 sec. 

The launch line-up comprises a pair of trim levels: LX and EX.  

Kia-Sonet

LX versions (which are instantly identifiable by their 15-inch steel wheels) come equipped with, inter alia, automatically-activated headlights, remote central locking, electric windows, a height-adjustable driver's seat, electrically adjustable side mirrors, an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple Carplay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming, a 6-speaker audio setup and reverse-view camera, as well as leather-cloth combination seat trim. In terms of safety kit, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability control, hill assist control and dual front airbags are fitted as standard.

The higher EX trim adds rear park distance control, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, silver skid plates, 16-inch alloys, roof rails, side indicator lamps, as well as front fog lights. 

Towards the end of the year, the Sonet range will be bolstered with the introduction of a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that's mated with a dual-clutch automatic transmission. Interestingly, Kia South Africa brought along a few Indian-spec homologation units of the forced-induction 3-cylinder Sonet to the launch so that we could have a quick look at them.

While the final spec is yet to be confirmed, we noted the Indian units had a full house of features, including heated seats, a Bose audio system, a wireless charging pad and more. Whether the local version will feature all of those bells and whistles will depend on the position at which Kia hopes to price it. The car we looked at also sported GT Line badges, but we'll have to see what the SA version will look like. 

What's it like to drive?

At first glance, you can't help but appreciate the modern, crowd-pleasing appearance of the Sonet – it looks cute from so many angles. When you step inside the small crossover, you're greeted with Kia's familiar, solid interior quality. There have been marked improvements in the fit and finish of the Korean brand's products over the years, and despite the newcomer being priced on the more affordable side of the spectrum, there are indeed some premium cabin finishes in the Sonet. Granted, there are a few cheap-feeling plastics too, but at this price point, that's completely understandable and fair enough. 

The cabin space is surprisingly generous, with good head- and shoulder-room fore and aft. When I conducted the informal sit-behind-yourself test, I found rear legroom to be rather average, but, then again, I am of slightly taller-than-average height. The load bay, meanwhile, is claimed to be one of the biggest in the segment (392 litres); but we'll put that claim to the test when we get to review the Sonet fully.

We had opportunities to drive both manual and automatic derivatives of the Sonet EX. The 6-speed manual shifts quite positively, but you may find yourself forgetting to change up into 6th (top) gear, because the newcomer's sound insulation mutes the high-revving motor's machinations admirably. While some models in this segment feature 5-speed transmissions, the provision of an additional gear should benefit fuel consumption. Although claimed consumption figures weren't included in Kia's press material, after 2 days of driving, the trip computer in the car we drove displayed 5.9 L/100 km! 

Kia-Sonet

As for the CVT, well, these types of "slushboxes" have come a long way since the early examples, which tended to drone incessantly and feel sloppy – the Kia's transmission is certainly one of the better examples. Not only does it quietly and seamlessly hustle the Sonet about, but it facilitates good economy: after our return trip to Cape Town, the automatic EX indicated a commendable 5.6 L/100 km. 

The new petrol engine impresses too. Not only is it refined and thrifty, but it provides sufficient power and overtaking ability. If you're in a manual version of the Sonet, you'll have to work its gearbox to keep the engine in its sweet spot, but that's okay because the shift action is easy. The torque figure is so-so compared with those of turbocharged engines, but the motor doesn't have much more than 1 tonne to propel, so you'll find there's enough oomph. The steering setup is light and effortless, which is always welcome. Ride quality is a touch on the firm side, but we'd like to spend more time to investigate this.

The launch route also gave us a chance to live "that SUV life" and do some driving on a gravel route. Recent heavy rains have eroded parts of the Karwyderskraal road in the Hemel-and-Aarde Valley and the ruts and holes that have appeared along the route, as a result, provided a substantial test for both the car's suspension and active safety systems. There's nothing more intimidating than executing a steep descent on a loose muddy surface while there's a truck approaching and you're trying to keep the vehicle stable in its lane! The vehicle's ABS and stability control worked a treat, keeping the Sonet in a straight line without interrupting forward progress. The fact that the Kia offers stability control is a big plus because this safety system, in conjunction with anti-lock brakes, can prevent many accidents.

Summary

As its first attempt at a budget small crossover, Kia has positioned its Sonet exceptionally well, price-wise. While we'd like more time behind the 'wheel of the Korean model on roads that we drive on every day (as opposed to the spectacular open roads of the launch route), first impressions count for a lot; the Sonet is an exceptional offering. It's a well-priced and -specified compact family car that won't break the bank, plus it offers a bundle of personality in one cute-looking yet functional package. And don't forget the excellent Kia warranty and service plan, which should give consumers peace of mind.

We reckon the Sonet will sell even better than the more expensive Seltos, and while some buyers may feel tempted to wait for the flagship variant, the naturally-aspirated derivatives represent great value. The small crossover/compact family car is well and truly the flavour of the month, but as a consequence, the Sonet may well cannibalise sales of the conventional models like the Rio compact hatchback.

How much does the Kia Sonet cost in South Africa?

The Sonet is sold with a 5-year/unlimited km warranty and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan.

Kia Sonet 1.5 LX manual R264 995
Kia Sonet 1.5 LX CVT R285 995
Kia Sonet 1.5 EX manual R284 995
Kia Sonet 1.5 EX CVT R305 995

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