After a long teaser campaign and spy shots, Hyundai has finally revealed the 2022 Kona N, the next member of the Hyundai performance family.
The sportiest version of the compact crossover from Hyundai has been shown. Boasting the same powertrain from the Hyundai Veloster N, the Kona N makes 206 kW and 392 Nm from its 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine. No surprise Hyundai is calling the Kona N its first true hot SUV.
The Hyundai Kona N is front-wheel driven, with power going through an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. There’ll be no manual option and no all-wheel-drive derivative either. Hyundai has worked extensively under the skin and thoroughly reworked the suspension, plus added an electronic limited-slip differential to help cut those corners. There are also N-specific 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in performance Pirelli P-Zero rubber.
Performance is claimed to be brisk, with a 0-100 kph of around 5.5 seconds, thanks to a temporary overboost that takes power up to 213 kW. There are 5 drive modes (Normal, Sport, N, Custom, Eco) that will change the throttle responsiveness, traction, exhaust sounds and steering weight. To make it look the part, Hyundai has given the Kona N a fantastically aggressive look, complete with twin big exhausts at the back.
Inside, the cabin gains bucket seats and plenty of N branding. The driver will get a 10-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a 10-inch infotainment screen. There are cool performance features too like a lap timer and performance meter.
Hyundai has introduced the extensively enhanced 4th-generation Santa Fe to the South African market! We sampled the noticeably bolder-looking Korean 7-seater Adventure SUV at its local launch in Cape Town recently – take a look at what the updated Santa Fe has to offer…
The Santa Fe is by no means the bestselling product in its segment (primarily because it's an upmarket unibody-based vehicle that competes with a slew of more affordable bakkie-based Adventure SUVs), but it's been around for more than 20 years! Hyundai recently applied a significant mid-lifecycle update to the Santa Fe in an effort to enhance the model’s packaging and improve its value proposition.
Which models does it compete against? Well, the Santa Fe rivals other 7-seaters (Adventure SUVs) such as the wildly popular Toyota Fortuner, as well as the Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Land Rover Discovery Sport. So, in a bid to keep its contender relevant in this cut-throat segment, the Seoul-based firm has pulled out all the stops to give the Santa Fe a thorough makeover.
Bold Styling for Santa Fe
The expressive face of the latest Santa Fe might divide opinion but we think it has its place.
This latest Santa Fe adopts Hyundai’s new Sensuous Sportiness design language; indeed, the most noticeable change to the 7-seater SUV is its face, which now bears a cascading grille – a hallmark of many of Hyundai's latest models, particularly of the SUV variety. It’s a bold grille, but we suspect that it’s likely to divide opinion or, to put it another way, it probably won't be to everyone’s taste. Hyundai has also reworked the design of the daytime running light clusters, which now incorporate the shape of a "T" and the front bumper has also been reshaped to complete the frontal look.
There are 2 Santa Fe derivatives on offer: the front-wheel-drive Santa Fe Executive and the range-topping all-wheel-drive Santa Fe Elite; the former rides on 18-inch alloys, while the Elite can be shod with either 19-inch alloys (which is standard equipment), or specified with optional 20-inch wheels.
What’s the Santa Fe’s interior like?
The interior is comfortable, spacious and well-equipped with standard features.
Comfortable and spacious, the Santa Fe’s interior represents a marked improvement over that of the pre-facelift version.
Apart from the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible, the Santa Fe's cockpit now features a floating centre console that provides access to features such as the premium-looking drive-by-wire transmission- and climate control buttons, as well as the drive-mode dial. A vertical wireless charging "slot" (for keeping a smartphone topped up) is also fitted.
The interior is mostly decked out in leather trim and high-end luxury appointments such as ventilated electrically adjustable front seats, a panoramic sunroof and a 12.3-inch LCD digital instrument cluster are offered exclusively on the range-topping Santa Fe Elite derivative.
For convenience, both derivatives are equipped with a Smart Power Tailgate, as well as a Remote Start function. With the latter, a driver can use the key fob to remotely start the Santa Fe's engine and prime its climate control to 22°C before getting into the vehicle to start a journey – how very fancy, Hyundai!
A vertical wireless smartphone charger is but one of the many nice-to-haves inside the Santa Fe.
Buyers will appreciate that the perceived build quality of the Santa Fe's cabin is excellent and incidentally, Hyundai has improved the interior's noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) suppression, which means that the cabin is quieter and ultimately more comfortable.
In terms of practicality, Hyundai says the load bay can accommodate 634 litres of luggage when the 3rd row of seats is folded flat, while 2nd-row passengers have more than enough legroom to stretch out on longer journeys.
What’s the new Hyundai Santa Fe like to drive?
The Santa Fe's overall performance will please most buyers in this segment.
The changes to the Santa Fe are not just cosmetic, however. The big news regarding the powertrain is that a new-generation 2.2-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine delivers improved power and torque outputs and the motor is paired with a new Smartstream 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, the latter of which should prove to be more efficient and reliable over time.
Outputs are now pegged at 148 kW and 441 Nm, which is 3 kW and 5 Nm more than the outgoing Santa Fe… while those are not substantial increases, any improvements are better than none!
Out on the road, we found this new engine and transmission combination to not only deliver adequate performance in terms of acceleration and cruising ability, but also higher levels of driving engagement and responsiveness, thanks to the presence of steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles.
When left to its own devices, the transmission changes gears smoothly and unobtrusively. Meanwhile, Hyundai claims an average fuel economy figure of 7.9 L/100 km and we saw returns of around 9.5 L/100 km during our test drive, which was encouraging.
A neat drive-mode dial allows the driver to choose a suitable driving mode to suit road conditions.
We drove both derivatives during the local launch event and while the base Executive derivative offers drive modes such as Eco, Comfort and Sport (which can be accessed using the drive dial in the centre console), the all-wheel-drive Elite derivative additionally features terrain modes such as Sand, Mud and Snow, which are useful when you need to venture off the tar. Furthermore, a Smart mode can be selected; when engaged, the Santa Fe will automatically select the appropriate driving mode based on the driving situation.
We were able to drive the Santa Fe on dirt roads too; the suspension (front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link) provided excellent driving comfort on the dirt with a confident and sure-footed demeanour.
As far as safety is concerned, this latest Santa Fe comes well specified with a total of 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control with traction control, hill start assist, downhill brake control, reverse parking collision assist, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring. A reverse-view monitor is also included.
Summary
Based on our initial impressions, the latest Santa Fe represents a substantial improvement over its predecessor, with better performance and efficiency, enhanced practicality and a comprehensive standard features list that strengthens its buying proposition considerably. Also, Hyundai’s 7-year/200 000 km drivetrain warranty 5-year/150 000 vehicle warranty adds further peace of mind for prospective buyers.
Despite the Santa Fe’s obvious strengths, it remains to be seen how the market will respond to this latest iteration because it still exists in a grey area between bakkie-based offerings and Executive SUVs. The Santa Fe is a "softer" and arguably prettier alternative to traditional Adventure SUVs and we think it deserves to be your shortlist if you are in the market for a high-specced 7-seater SUV.
We will hopefully have the latest Hyundai Santa Fe on test soon so look out for a thorough review coming your way in the near future!
How much does the new Hyundai Santa Fe Cost in South Africa?
The updated Hyundai Santa Fe is sold with a 7 year / 200 000km manufacturer warranty 6 year / 90 000km service plan and there's 7 year's / 150 000km roadside assistance
Hyundai Santa Fe R2.2 Executive 8sp DCT MY21 – R769 500
Hyundai Santa Fe R2.2 Elite 8sp DCT AWD MY21 – R869 500
Some new styling and cabin architecture trends have been applied to the FCA Toro. This compact unibody bakkie has been on sale since 2015 and now benefits from a significant exterior resign. The Fiat Toro has made a big dent in the Brazilian market where it sold 100 000 units in its first 2 years. The Toro runs the same platform as the Jeep Renegade, Compass and Fiat 500X.
The influence of FCA’s Ram division is clear in the Toro’s front styling, with a more imposing new grille and bumper. Fiat is also offering an array of bullbars and wheel options on the new Toro, ranging from 16- to 18-inches in size.
It might not have Land Cruiser off-road or load-carrying ability, but the Toro does offer a very clever vertically split tailgate option, with a lockable loadbay cover.
The cabin is now comfier than before, with 26-litres greater storage space, and Toro’s instrument binnacle has been comprehensively digitized. This compact double-cab bakkie also features a huge 10.1-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system, in the manner of Volvo’s Sensus system.
Fiat’s interior designers and ergonomists have retained some tactile buttons for HVAC functions.
The most notable mechanical engineering upgrade with this new Toro, is the availability of Fiat’s 1.3-litre turbopetrol engine, boosting 134 kW and 270 Nm. It drives through a six-speed automat transmission and should give the small Fiat double-cab a reasonable turn of speed.
The Toro is only produced for the South American market, but like the Volkswagen Saveiro, there is still hunger in the local market for small bakkies in the mould of the Nissan NP200, which has the market all to itself.
BMW M2 CS Review – Is This The Best Driver’s BMW M Car?
It's not every day that you get given the keys to a limited edition BMW M2 CS. After drag racing it against the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, it was time to assess the BMW M2 CS and see whether it really is the best driver's BMW M car?
What you see here is the most hardcore version of the M2. This is the BMW M2 CS, a cutthroat limited-edition version of one of the finest products to emerge out of the BMW M factory. There's more power, but less weight, and the focus is on pure driving enjoyment.
We got our hands on one of the very few units that made their way to South Africa and spent a day out on an airfield drag racing it against the crazy Mercedes-AMG A45 S, and you can watch that video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gSwG…
In this video, our relatively tame motoring journalist Ciro De Siena is let loose on a 2km runway in car number 30 of 30. Is this car an instant collector's item and the ultimate driving tool? Ciro tries to not scare himself as he drives the new BMW M2 CS.
Renault South Africa has given its Triber some additional features. Here's a quick look at the changes, plus how much it costs.
The Renault Triber has been on sale for just over a year and around 4 200 of them have found homes in South Africa. For 2021, Renault has introduced what it calls product enhancements for its practical offering.
The changes are minimal, with Renault adding in LED indicators on the side mirrors, a dual tone hooter, a 6-way adjustable driver’s seat and steering mount controls, depending on the trim level.
The Renault Triber retains its 182 mm of ground clearance and is available with a 1.0 litre 3-cylinder petrol delivering 52 kW and 96 Nm. As far as gearbox options go, the Renault Triber is available with a manual gearbox and an automated manual transmission. Renault claims a consumption figure of 5.5 L /100km.
Standard features are good with a reverse camera, rear parkign sensors, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, keyless entry, remote central locking and the driver’s seat now has 6-way adjustable capabilities which Renault claims 'facilitate greater driving comfort.' Safety features are covered with ABS and driver and passenger airbags across the range, with additional front side airbags on the Prestige.
The Renault Triber is arguably the French brand's most practical offering, with 100 seating configurations available. It boasts seating for 5 with a huge boot, or 7 seats with a smaller boot. With the third row of seats easily removed, the vehicle has 625 litres of boot space. Renault says it has four seating modes and 100-seating combinations to provide all the space ever needed. The ultra-modular seating configurations include: CAMP MODE [2-seater]; SURF MODE [4-seater]; LIFE MODE [5-seater] and TRIBE MODE [7-seater].
How much does the Renault Triber cost in South Africa?
The Renault Triber is sold with a 2-year/ 30 000km Service Plan, plus a 5-year/150 000km mechanical warranty and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty. Services take place at 15 000km intervals.
As of April 2021, the Renault Triber is priced as follows:
To facilitate peace-of-mind driving, the All-New Renault TRIBER model range comes standard with a
New Renault TRIBER Expression 1.0-litre ENERGY R 185 900
New Renault TRIBER Dynamique 1.0-litre ENERGY R 195 900
New Renault TRIBER Prestige 1.0-litre ENERGY R 211 900
New Renault TRIBER Prestige AMT 1.0-litre ENERGY R 221 900
This week’s news you need to know (April 2021, week 3)
In this week's news you need to know: Haval upsets the applecart by selling a car at a value-for-money price point (gasp!), Ferrari intends to remove the sound-emitting parts of its cars, Volkswagen releases a fancy looking new Polo and takes the World Car of the Year title with a battery electric vehicle.
Haval Jolion – The Value proposition
Taking centre stage this week is Haval and its new entry to the congested SUV market, the Jolion compact family car. With a solid foundation laid by its H2 sibling, which gained a notable foothold in fewer than 4 years on the market, the Jolion looks set to eclipse that success and for one pressing reason: its sheer value proposition. As South African consumers, we’re regrettably not accustomed to “getting more for less” often – it’s usually the other way around, abetted by cunning marketing jargon that tricks us into believing "that's the way it’s supposed to be". Haval, however, is setting the record straight.
The Jolion's arrival is something everyone should be taking note of. It's attractive, solidly-made and offers the occupant space and standard spec of a premium model, but at under R400K. China’s superior economies of scale are showing the way. If Volkswagen isn’t paying careful attention here, it better be. Something tells me that all those H2 owners are treasured brand ambassadors and amplifiers for the brand's success, who might be first in line for a trade-in, not to forget the ones who’ll be rapping off at the next braai, flipping chops and singing the praises of the Chinese brand. Who would’ve thought it?
Ferrari EV – The tifosi goes electric
I’ve always maintained that any good Ferrari needs to be the embodiment of emotional appeal – a viscerally centred machine that evokes the senses… you know, a car that "gets the tingles going". It's the secret sauce that sets it apart from brands like Porsche and McLaren. Four factors that I can attribute to every memorable Prancing Horse are road presence, poise, looks and sound.
The news that you could soon buy an all-out EV Ferrari has me pondering just how the Maranello-based firm will get it right when all they have working for them is the look, poise and road-presence parts.
The LaFerrari and the entire Formula One project has been getting the "Hybrid Power Unit" schtick somewhat right for all these years with a blend of downsized turbocharged engines and petrol-electric hybrid technology; it's a testament that half the battle is won! But just like Old man Enzo Ferrari’s initial reluctance to put the "horse (engine) at the back of the carriage (race car)", what would his reaction be now that there is no frickin horse at all? I’ll tell you… Vibrant hand gestures, incoherent Italian mumbling, a healthy downing of grappa, a few tears and a night’s rest before coming to terms with it.
New VW Polo – Will the bubble burst?
The veil has been lifted on the restyled Polo and, as expected, there are no fundamental changes to the Wolfsburg-based brand's compact hatchback, but let’s look beyond the cosmetic updates, extra gizmos and general fanfare of a new vehicle launch. The Polo has always been aimed at a market that now, as a result of inflation, a struggling economy and frankly, the crossover craze is being split into 2 parts… Buyers are either looking for the budget option under R200k, or an SUV. I see this as a threat to Polo and its legacy. Is this a bubble that will eventually burst, or can VW keep the Polo relevant?
As the Polo becomes increasingly sophisticated (to cater for the requirements of VWSA's export markets), the firm will have to rely more on the love that South Africans have for the Polo than ever before. It’s always been the status marker for the middle-income segment that has seen growth over the past 20 years. “She’s just bought a new Polo, so she must be doing well.” We’ve all heard it before.
One thing in the (now 6th-generation) Polo's favour is that it's locally built, which, in theory, should help keep its prices in check. But be warned, VW… meagre salary increases in the market have been eclipsed by vehicle price increases and that might put the Polo out of reach in the long run. Let’s not even belabour the point that a fully-specced Polo GTI costs around the R550 000 mark. Sacrilege.
Volkswagen ID4 – EV SUV for Msanzi
The winner of the 2021 World Car of the Year title – the Volkswagen ID.4 – is a relatively unknown quantity within the context of the South African market (for the moment, at least), but its achievement is nonetheless a milestone in the brand's pivot into the EV game. Earning this title is more than a gold star for the brand; it’s a tell-tale sign of what is to come. Volkswagen means business. I also can’t help but think that Dieselgate has been a double-edged sword – on the one hand, it damaged the brand's image, but it also injected new energy into the business to launch forward and make right (excuse the pun).
One side effect that we can’t ignore is the liability Dieselgate caused and how it has affected/is affecting vehicle pricing globally. Add to that the onerous 20% import duty South African tax authorities levy on new cars, plus the extra 7% luxury tax on EVs and we can quickly see the government would need to relax this (and launch other initiatives) to support EV adoption in Mzansi so that vehicles such as the ID.4 could land with reasonable price tags. If this were to happen you could still afford to send your kids to school, eat a steak every now and again and sleep peacefully at night. I know, wishful thinking.
New-look Volkswagen Polo: Coming to SA in early 2022
Volkswagen has taken the wraps off the restyled 6th-generation Volkswagen Polo… The update to the Wolfsburg-based brand's popular compact hatchback incorporates several cosmetic updates (inspired by the new Golf 8), as well as a number of high-end onboard technologies. The newcomer will go into production at VWSA's Uitenhage assembly plant in the latter half of the year and is expected to reach local showrooms in early 2022.
The Polo's styling has always erred on the side of conservativism – and that's still the case, although Volkswagen has ensured that its compact hatchback still looks youthful; it comes replete with new-gen VW emblems (which already debuted on local Polos late last year), an LED light bar across the hatchback's grille and, should you specify them that way, LED tail-light clusters with dynamic indicators.
The LED daytime running lights in the headlamp clusters are connected by the light bar integrated at the bottom of the grille.
The updated Polo can be distinguished by its revised bumpers and new-look LED headlamp- and tail-lamp clusters… Those at the rear are strongly inspired by the rear lights of the Golf 8, which will soon arrive in Mzansi in GTI guise, and optionally feature a "wiping" lighting effect as seen on the Touareg's tail-lights, for example. Polo lettering again appears beneath the fresh VW badge on the tailgate.
The dark blue metallic car shown here has the top-of-the-range R-Line trim, which includes sportier bumpers, new IQ.light matrix LED headlights (ostensibly as standard on the flagship derivative and upcoming GTI), LED fog lamps and 16-inch alloy wheels. Note the quartet of chrome-effect faux exhaust exits that are integrated into the gloss-black "diffuser" on the edge of the rear bumper.
Unfortunately, those racy-looking exhaust tips are just for show. The upcoming GTI will be a different story, however.
As for the interior of the updated Polo, it's been reported that an 8-inch digital instrument cluster (or 10.25 inches, for the Digital Cockpit Pro version) will become standard across the range, which means traditional dials appear to have been consigned to the scrapheap. The newcomer's (now Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-compatible) touchscreen infotainment system measures 6.5-inches, whereas an 8.0-inch or, for the first time, a 9.2-inch display can be specified at extra cost. The latter 2 setups incorporate Volkswagen’s We Connect connectivity (for real-time traffic info and live music streaming).
Note the subtle upgrades, which include subtle LED lighting and a "frameless" rear-view mirror…
Meanwhile, the safety technology offered as standard on the updated Polo, which is a compact hatchback model, after all, beggars belief: Volkswagen says that predictive ACC (adaptive cruise control) and lane-keeping assist will feature on every derivative. In the European market, at the very least, the Polo will be offered with the optional IQ.Drive Travel Assist semi-autonomous driving assistance system.
Here's how it works: IQ.Drive Travel Assist can take over the accelerating, braking and steering of the Polo, from standstill in auto derivatives and from a rolling 29 kph in manual cars; it works by combining the lane-keeping assistance and the predictive adaptive cruise control functions (as long as the driver keeps their hands on the wheel at all times).
Another addition to the newcomer's suite of standard safety features is a centre airbag, which opens towards the centre of the cabin in the event of an accident to protect the driver and front passenger.
Apart from a new multifunction steering wheel, electrically folding and heated side mirrors are fitted throughout the range. As the trim levels move up, the Polo gains 15-inch rather than 14-inch wheels, App-Connect, a centre armrest with an additional USB-C port in the middle of the passenger compartment and leather trim on the steering wheel and gear knob.
What's more, Polos equipped with automatic climate control feature a piano-black touch-sensitive panel with digital temperature readouts, below which an abutment with a pair of illuminated USB-C ports is fitted. Finally, a wireless smartphone charging pad (as shown below) can be ordered at extra cost.
Volkswagen is also set to re-align the Uitenhage-built car’s trim structure; apparently, the Trendline, Comfortline and Highline designations will fall away and be replaced by the Polo (standard), Life, Style and R-Line specifications. To reiterate, the newcomer will arrive in South African showrooms early in 2022 and an updated GTI hot hatch version will follow during the course of next year.
An updated version of the 7-seater Hyundai Santa Fe SUV has touched down in South Africa. Here's how much you can expect to pay, plus specification details.
The 4th generation of Hyundai Santa Fe has received an update. The big flagship SUV from Hyundai celebrates 20 years of sales in South Africa, with the first model touching down back in 2000.
Visually, you can spot the newcomer with its redesigned front grille, featuring repositioned lights, new daytime running lights and a bolder grille pattern. At the rear, the exhausts have been repositioned under the bumper, there are new-look rear lights and there's a lightbar stretching across the rear. There are also new-look alloy wheels, which go up to 19-inch for the Elite model.
Under the skin, Hyundai claims its enhanced the NVH in comparison to the outgoing model. The updated version is said to be quieter both in terms of road noise and engine vibration. The chassis has been rejigged and is not only stronger, but lighter.
There's a new engine available. It also is a 2.2-litre diesel, but is 2151cc as opposed to the predecessor's 2199cc. Power and torque figures are now up to 148 kW and 441 Nm, in comparison to the old car's 145 kW and 436 Nm. The vehicle features a new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Hyundai Santa Fe Features
The list of standard features is impressive. Both cars feature driving modes, dual-LED headlamps, LED rear fog lights, puddle lamps, electronic chromic rearview mirror, chrome detailing, rear privacy windows, full-size spare alloy wheel, 8-inch infotainment system, Bluetooth, smart key, push-button start, leather seats, dual automatic air conditioner, rear manual air conditioner, paddle shifters, reverse camera, power tailgate, wireless device charger and rain-sensing wipers.
As far as safety features go, both derivatives feature driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags, ABS, ESC, DBC, HAC, cruise control, electric parking brake with auto hold, blind spot warning, and automatic power child lock.
The difference between the two trim levels of Hyundai Santa Fe:
Hyundai Santa Fe Executive
Two-wheel drive
18-inch alloys
Electrically adjustable power seat for driver
Rear park distance warning
Hyundai Santa Fe Elite
All-wheel drive (with terrain driving modes)
Panoramic sunroof
Rear seat alert
LED tail lights
Panoramic sunroof
19-inch / 20-inch alloys
Electrically adjustable power seats for front passengers
Front seats are heated and ventilated
Rear door curtains
Heated steering wheel
Mood and personal lamps
12.3-inch Super vision cluster
Front and rear park distance warning
The wireless charger in the Hyundai Santa Fe
How much does the updated Hyundai Santa Fe cost in South Africa?
The updated Hyundai Santa Fe is sold with a 7 year / 200 000km manufacturer warranty 6 year / 90 000km service plan and there's 7 year's / 150 000km roadside assistance
Hyundai Santa Fe R2.2 Executive 8sp DCT MY21 R769 500
Hyundai Santa Fe R2.2 Elite 8sp DCT AWD MY21 R869 500
Ford has expanded its locally-produced 7-seater Adventure SUV range through the addition of a pair of purposeful-looking Everest Sport derivatives. We drove the Everest Sport in and around Oudtshoorn to find out if the Sport badge is appropriate.
What is a Ford Everest Sport?
The big grille and Everest badging are the key visual differences
Ford has given its 7-seater Everest a visual makeover with the aim of brushing up its image; to make it look appreciably sportier. Based on the XLT trim line, the Everest Sport gains what's Ford claims to be a more athletic look. The jury is still out on whether you can make a large bakkie-based SUV resemble anything remotely sporty, but in Ford's defence, we think the enhanced look is great.
At first glance, you'll notice the big bold mesh grille and rather imposing Everest badge at the front. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice the black mirror caps and door handles, which replace the chrome-look adornments fitted to the standard Everest XLT. The wheels are particularly tasty-looking, with 20-inch gloss black alloys rolling in each corner. There's also a subtle Sport badge on the tailgate.
The Ford Everest Sport's cabin, meanwhile, has also been given a sporty makeover, with extensive blue contrast stitching on the steering wheel and seats. The leather seats feature embossed Sport logos on them and there's a fresh-looking blue carbon-fibre-style dashboard surround. We also like the bronzed surrounds on the ventilation outlets.
Blue stitching and blue inserts really look the part
There are two versions on offer, which share a common powertrain. Customers can choose between a 4×2 and a 4×4 derivative. The engine doing duty in the Ford Everest Sport application is the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder single-turbo diesel engine. It produces 132 kW and 420 Nm, and torque is distributed to the wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. Ford claims this motor can produce up to 340 Nm (of its peak torque) from as low as 1 250 rpm and with so many ratios at hand, the Everest Sport should be a responsive performer, on paper at least.
As as far as features go, Ford has always been rather generous with its specification and the Everest Sport is no exception… Striking LED headlamps and daytime running lights, cruise control and front and rear park sensors with a reverse-view camera are just some noteworthy features.
When it comes to safety, the Ford Everest has 7 airbags, Electronic Stability Programme with traction control, Trailer Sway Control, Hill Launch Assist and Roll Over Mitigation.
What's it like to drive?
The Swartberg Pass is a spectacular stretch of road, made challenging on the day thanks to overnight rainfall
Our steed of choice was the Ford Everest Sport 4×4, finished in the striking Diffused Silver. It really looked the part, with the big bold grille and black gloss alloy wheels providing quite an image boost. Customers have a choice of some six exterior colours to choose from and we'd suggest going the more vibrant route to really make your Everest Sport stand out.
The launch route took place in the Karoo and the roads around Oudtshoorn were of varying quality, which afforded us plenty of opportunities to test the vehicle thoroughly. Despite being based on a platform that started life at least a decade ago, the Everest still feels amply engineered for comfort, with minimal road noise intrusions into the cabin. Those big wheels aren't just for show and we suspect the large tyres work hard to absorb some of the bumps and dips. Ride quality is good; sportiness takes a back seat in this regard, but then these are lifestyle vehicles designed to be driven on a variety of surfaces.
The engine is more than adequate. There's nothing new or ground-breaking, it's the same motor we've sampled in other Everest and Ranger derivatives. Diesel clatter is kept to a minimum, but performance is good with strong overtaking power. The gearbox is the real hero here, with its quick changes putting the engine at its most responsive. The best part of the powertrain has to be the fuel consumption. While Ford's claim of 7.1 L/100 km is a tad optimistic, we're happy to report that our spirited driving over the launch period returned just 9.2 L / 100 km according to the trip computer. Impressive, for such a large vehicle.
Ford also included the immense and epic Swartberg Pass that separates the towns of Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert. It's a technical piece of road that's driveable in any car, but on the day of our drive, overnight rains had turned the dirt into mud, making things tricky even for 4×4 vehicles. A quick turn of the Terrain Management dial to the mud setting brought the 4×4 system into action and we began the steep climb up. As pictures attest, it's not the easiest of routes with no barrier separating the road from a horrible long drop down the side of the mountain. The Everest is in permanent all-wheel drive mode, unlike its rivals which are 2-wheel drive as a default, requiring drivers to manually select the 4-wheel drive.
Ford's SYNC3 infotainment system is well worth a mention. Not only does it offer hands-free phone connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the native interface is one of the most user-friendly around. Those who rely on their electronic devices will take comfort in the two USB ports offered at the front of the vehicle.
The black wheels are a very nice addition to the visual aesthetic
Ford Everest Sport Quick Verdict
By introducing these cosmetic enhancements, Ford has made the Everest a bit more desirable on an emotional level, which should generate more showroom traffic for the Blue Oval. Given how the market is pushing for personalisation, it's good to see OEMs reacting. We all know that when Ford owners were putting bigger bold aftermarket grilles onto their bakkies, Ford reacted by offering the Raptor grille as an option. We suspect more than a few Everest Sports will be sold based on its kerb presence alone. Those wheels and that grille paired with a vivid paint finish will make for an eye-catching combination.
We know the Everest is a more-than-capable offering, with a runner-up position in this year's Adventure SUV Category #CarsAwards – powered by WesBank to show for its efforts, but the additional go-faster bits may garner it even a few more fans. The Everest Sport has been cleverly positioned between the biturbo derivatives, which, unless you're regularly towing big trailers, are overkill. The single-turbo setup is the sweet spot, but whether you go 4×4 or 4×2 will depend on your personal preference. If you consider driving down a gravel road as off-roading, then there's nothing wrong with the 4×2 version.
How much does the Ford Everest Sport cost in South Africa?
All Everest derivatives come standard with Ford Protect, comprising a 4-year/120 000 km comprehensive warranty, 3-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. A 6-year/90 000 km service plan is included, with service intervals of 15 000 km.
Haval has launched its new Jolion in South Africa, where it will eventually supersede the surging Chinese SUV brand's strong-selling H2 model. By offering near-family-car-like levels of practicality and specification, but at a price point more associated with a small crossover, the Jolion is well-positioned to claim a sizable chunk of its segment. Cars.co.za journalist Gero Lilleike sampled the Jolion in Johannesburg this week to bring you this report…
Haval means business! Yes, products from volume manufacturers such as Ford (EcoSport), Hyundai (Venue and Creta) and Volkswagen (T-Cross) are the "big hitters" in the small crossover/compact family car segment, but the market doesn't stand still; buying patterns are changing. Local buyers used to be very brand loyal/risk-averse when considering models from Chinese brands, but Haval has momentum firmly in its favour. Since its introduction to the local new-vehicle market in 2017, the brand has experienced phenomenal growth in South Africa… So much so, in fact, that it's currently ranked the 8th best-selling car brand in South Africa (as of March 2021), all in the space of fewer than 5 years! What other Chinese car brand has ever experienced such immense market penetration in South Africa?
Haval has, in many ways, broken the shackles of negative perception that has impeded Chinese brands' growth in our market in the past. And how? By offering feature-rich products at pocket-friendly prices, yes, but critically, in conjunction with admirable levels of quality and durability. That, in a nutshell, is what buyers in this segment want: value!
Enter the Haval Jolion
The Haval Jolion's arrival is bound to shake up the compact SUV segment.
Like its H2 predecessor, the Jolion joins a highly competitive segment, but its charm offensive begins right at the outset… well, with attractive packaging. In terms of styling, the Jolion hits the mark with its bold, expressive face that's dominated by chrome, while its fang-like headlight/DRL design adds further distinctiveness. What's more, the Jolion rides on smart-looking diamond-cut 18-inch alloy wheels.
Built on Haval's L.E.M.O.N platform, the Jolion measures 4 472 mm in length, 1 814 mm in width and 1 619 mm in height, which means it fills a parking bay with more gravitas than the aforementioned Volkswagen T-Cross and Hyundai Venue, for example – and, with a wheelbase of 2 700 mm, Haval has ensured the Jolion's interior is far more spacious than those of its chief compact family-car rivals.
What's the Haval Jolion's interior like?
Arguably one of the most stylish cabins currently on offer in this segment…
In our opinion, the Jolion's interior design and the overall fit-and-finish of the cabin are right up there with the very best, if not directly comparable with the very best in the small crossover/compact family car segment. That's a sweeping statement to make, but the Jolion's bold (but handsome) cabin is tastefully complemented with a pleasant mix of hard-wearing and soft-touch materials and importantly, the interior doesn't look or feel cheap. Instead, it's quite premium inside! The tactile quality of the "drive dial" in the centre console, for example, illustrates that Haval’s designers have paid attention to detail…
We were able to sample the range-topping Jolion 1.5T Super Luxury derivative (priced from R398 900), which comes equipped with a staggering number of so-called bells and whistles at a very attractive price. For a start, the seats are upholstered in leather (replete with white contrast stitching) and the driver's seat is 6-way electrically adjustable!
The Haval Jolion's interior has a premium "look and feel" that its rivals just can't match.
In terms of infotainment, a neat 12.3-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system is fitted. It has a clear, simple layout, is easy to use and while it is compatible with Apple CarPlay, Haval is currently doing its best to resolve ongoing licensing delays with Google to offer Android Auto. This matter will hopefully be sorted out soon but for now, you can vent your frustration at oh, I dunno, Donald Trump?
No fewer than 4 USB ports are provided, as is obligatory Bluetooth telephony with voice activation. Buyers will be chuffed to know that a wireless charging pad (to top up your smartphone) is also included!
Other nice-to-have features on offer in the top-spec Jolion include a panoramic sunroof, a multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters nogal, a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, 360-degree camera and a reverse-view camera with guidelines.
For safety-conscious buyers, it's good to know that half a dozen airbags are fitted, as well as ABS with EBD, electronic stability control with traction control, hill assist, rear-cross traffic alert and tyre pressure monitors. Crash test results for the Haval Jolion have yet to be conducted and/or released.
As far as practicality is concerned, Haval's newcomer offers simply excellent, perhaps even class-leading, rear legroom – certainly enough to make would-be family-car buyers take a closer look. Haval claims a luggage capacity of 337 litres, which is admittedly more small-crossover-like, however; further space (up to 1 333 litres, apparently) can be accessed by folding the 60:40 split rear seats down.
What is the Haval Jolion like to drive?
With competitive outputs and respectable levels of refinement, Jolion owners should have little to complain about.
Outputs from the Jolion's 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine are very competitive compared with those of its major rivals in the compact family-car segment. The Haval powerplant produces peak outputs of 105 kW and 210 Nm of torque and is mated with either a 5-speed manual transmission or, in this case, a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The engine and transmission are well-paired and produce fair off-the-line acceleration, sufficient punch to execute quick overtaking manoeuvres, as well as generally pleasing highway cruising ability.
The steering-mounted paddle shifters add some sportiness to the driving experience too, allowing the driver to drop a cog or two to keep the engine in its sweet spot. The DCT transmission, however, is best left to its own devices and while it’s not quite as sharp and responsive as Volkswagen's praised DSG auto' box, it's a notable improvement on Haval's 6-speed automatic transmission. The driver can also toggle between Standard, Eco, Sport and Snowfield drive modes to suit the prevailing driving situation.
The Jolion's drive dial replaces the traditional automatic stick shift and it gives the interior some added upmarket appeal.
It must be said that the engine is quite refined under "normal" driving conditions; very little in the way of engine noise permeates the cabin. Wind and road noise are also kept to a minimum. As to be expected, engine noise does get noticeably louder under harder acceleration, but it’s certainly not unbearable.
As far as ride quality and handling are concerned, the Jolion performs well overall – its pliant suspension setup makes for comfortable progress and is forgiving, even on poor surfaces. We must say, however, that there's a vagueness to the Jolion's steering feel, which means that it's perhaps not as responsive as some of its rivals' tillers. Let's be honest, however – most drivers probably won't even notice that characteristic! The driver, however, can toggle between steering modes such as Light (for city driving), Comfort (to optimise comfort) and Sport (for enthusiastic driving).
Lastly, a word on fuel consumption; it's perhaps the only obvious weakness in the Jolion's package. Haval claims an average consumption figure of 8.1 L/100 km, but during our 200-km evaluation drive, the Jolion returned figures of around 9.5 L/100 km, which is on the higher side of the spectrum for a car with a 1.5-litre engine, albeit a turbocharged one. It must be added, however, that the test units we drove during the launch were brand new and their engines had not been run-in yet. We will, therefore, reserve our final judgement until we have the opportunity to test the Jolion thoroughly in the near future.
Should you consider buying the Haval Jolion?
The Jolion is likely to be a popular choice in the compact family car segment. There's so much value on offer here!
The short answer is a resounding yes! Or, at the very least, the Jolion should be on your shortlist if you are looking to buy a brand new small crossover/compact family car with a budget of under R400k.
The Chinese newcomer ticks so many boxes! Not only is it stylish inside and out, but the Haval's also generously equipped with big-car features that bolster its value proposition considerably. Moreover, because of its larger footprint, you get a spacious and practical interior. In terms of drivability, the Jolion’s performance is more than adequate for both city and highway use.
In terms of overall value, the Jolion is just about unbeatable at its price point. For example, the smaller, range-topping Volkswagen T-Cross 1.5TSI 110kW R-Lineis priced at R458 000 and while it does have marginally better power and torque outputs, it doesn’t offer nearly as many features or occupant space as what Haval offers in its top-spec Jolion 1.5T Super Luxury, priced at R398 900.
Sheer value for money is perhaps the Jolion’s greatest strength and at a time when consumers have to count every cent they spend, that counts for a lot!
How much does the Haval Jolion Cost in South Africa?
1.5T City Manual
R299 900
1.5T Luxury Manual
R332 900
1.5T Premium 7-spd DCT Auto
R339 900
1.5T Luxury 7-sped DCT Auto
R367 900
1.5T Super Luxury 7-sped DCT Auto
R398 900
The Haval Jolion is sold with a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and a 5-year/60 000 km service plan.
