Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (2024) Launch Review

An all-new version of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado doesn’t come around very often, so when one does, you sit up and take notice. We attended the local launch of the new Prado to see if it meets the high standards set by its maker – let alone its rivals!

What’s new on the Prado?

Land Cruiser Prado Launch Front — *There is going to be a debate as to whether you prefer flat or round lights on your Prado.*

It’s been 15 years since the previous-gen Prado landed on local shores. The J150-series model proved a remarkable success for Toyota South Africa Motors right up until last year (2023); it notched up steady sales numbers throughout the 14 years it was on the market. That’s a testament to the strength of the Prado nameplate, because despite undergoing several updates throughout its lifecycle, the outgoing model’s tech was relatively ancient. The J150’s ladder-frame platform was also starting to feel a little tired and lacking in adaptability compared with the likes of the Land Rover Defender and Discovery.

But Toyota’s done with its history lesson (for now, anyway) because this new Prado utilises the Land Cruiser 300 platform, which was introduced in 2021. The Prado sits below the Land Cruiser 300; it’s a 7-seater SUV with luxury finishes and -technology, but unencumbered with the heft of its large off-roader sibling and powered by a more fuel-efficient turbodiesel. Also, it’s more affordable than the LC300.

With the new chassis comes a fresh interior with more modern functionality and ergonomics. There are also more 4×4 features available to the driver to make hardcore off-roading more accessible to those who aren’t hugely confident “sending it” over rocks, into the dunes… or the Mozambican countryside.

Is the turbodiesel good enough for the Prado?

Land Cruiser Prado Launch round and flat lights — *Just one engine is available at the moment.*

Surprisingly, the Prado utilises a less powerful version of the 2.8-litre 4-cylinder GD6 turbodiesel unit in the Hilux GR-Sport. Instead of 165 kW/550 Nm, it makes do with 150 kW500 Nm, but Toyota says that those outputs suit the vehicle’s attributes better, allowing for smoother acceleration more befitting of a luxury off-roader.

We drove the Prado on the roads of Maputo before heading for the dunes in the South. While we adhered to the region’s 100-kph speed limit (believe it or not), the Prado seemed settled at that speed with plenty of overtaking ability in reserve. A fairer test will take place when we get the Prado for a full evaluation in a few weeks’ time. What was noticeable at cruising speeds of 80-100 kph was the newcomer’s fuel consumption return of 7.1 L/100 km – quite excellent for a car running in 4×4 mode the whole time.

The new 8-speed automatic transmission marks a vast improvement over the previous-gen 6-speed ‘box, with more seamless shifts and less vibration noticeable in the cabin. I can’t yet speak to the towing capability of the Prado, but I would expect it to be sufficient for everything but the heaviest of loads. Toyota did hint at potential “new energy” derivatives that could improve power and torque for towing.

What’s the Prado like on and off-road?

Land Cruiser Prado Launch sand driving — *The Prado now makes difficult off-roading more accessible no matter your experience level.*

The Prado has tough competition in the form of the very capable and stylish Land Rover Defender. The Defender is one of the most adaptable cars of all – a brilliant off-roader that can handle city commutes easily and comfortably. However, the Prado feels like it might be a match for the Defender in that regard.

The new platform makes the Prado a far more usable everyday vehicle than its predecessor because it doesn’t lean and roll as much as it used to. On the First Edition and VX-R variants, you get an adjustable stabiliser bar, which allows the Prado generous wheel articulation (the distance that a wheel can move up and down) for off-road use, but then when engaged, it reduces that travel to make the SUV less wallowy on-road. It’s a clever system that aids the Prado’s on-road refinement, which did need improvement!

We did most of our driving in beach sand, hard-pack dirt roads and a section of sand. The Prado feels unflappable off-road and while some of the buttons and systems can be overwhelming (I recommend getting some instruction if you aren’t an off-roading aficionado) you can resort to the Multi-Terrain Select system (it allows you to toggle through terrain types such as Sand, Mud and Rocks) and let the vehicle select the best settings for each surface.

Best of all? Even if you do manage to get your Prado stuck, it has the Crawl Control system from the LC300, which is something you have to see in action to believe. It slowly tests each wheel for traction and attempts to free the vehicle at a (very) slow speed – all you might need to do is move the steering wheel from side to side and, especially in soft sand, the vehicle magically manages to free itself.

What’s the practicality of the Prado like?

Land Cruiser Prado Launch interior — *A much-updated interior was needed and the Prado got it.*

The new Prado is notably bigger than before: 45 mm longer, 95 mm wider and with a 60 mm longer wheelbase. With that comes more cabin space. Rear occupant space is very good and on the VX-R and First Edition derivatives, the rearmost seats fold electrically, making it much easier to raise or lower them. Compared with its predecessor, the Prado’s load bay is bigger in 7-seat mode and huge in 5-seat mode.

Up front, there are 3 USB-C ports, as well as a wireless charger in all derivatives except the entry-level TX. The TX also makes do with a smaller infotainment screen and instrument cluster – if I was paying R1.3 million, I’d feel a bit short-changed by the TX’s spec. All variants feature heated and ventilated seats, Wireless Andriod Auto and Apple Carplay compatibility and dual-zone climate control, however.

Pricing and after-sales

The Land Cruiser Prado ships standard with a 3-year/100 000 km warranty and 9-services/90 000 km service plan.

2.8GD TX	R1 296 300
2.8GD VX-R	R1 448 900
2.8GD 1stEdition	R1 462 400
2.8GD 1st Edition Bi-Tone	R1 472 600

Summary

Land Cruiser Prado Launch rear — *This generation may end up being the best-selling Prado if it also lasts for 14 years.*

The new Toyota Prado is the real deal. It’s a car that can do everything without feeling cumbersome to drive. I haven’t mentioned the design yet, and that’s because I think Toyota has nailed the retro look of the Prado on the First Edition (round lights) – but those are pretty much already all sold out. Having to settle for a standard rectangular light model might upset me, but Toyota says they will sell you a round light package if you want it (I’m also not sure how I feel about having a fake First Edition).

With a starting price of R1.3 million, it undercuts its major competition (check out our detailed spec comparison) and with renowned Toyota durability and reliability, I expect this Prado will remain a sales success for the Aichi-based brand, even if it may take another 14 years for the model to be replaced.

Find a new/used Toyota Land Cruiser Prado listed for sale on Cars.co.za

SA’s best-selling vehicles with a R1m+ starting price

We’ve sorted through the stats to identify SA’s best-selling vehicles with a starting price of over R1-million. Can anything touch Toyota’s new Prado in this space?

In June 2024, Toyota registered nearly 700 units of the Land Cruiser Prado in Mzansi, despite this SUV kicking off at nearly R1.3-million. That got us thinking: what are South Africa’s best-selling vehicles that bear a starting price of over R1-million?

So, we painstakingly sorted through the year-to-date sales statistics – covering the opening half of 2024 – and picked out the country’s 5 best-selling vehicles that start in 7 figures. Interestingly, all are large SUVs, with 3 using a body-on-frame configuration and 2 employing the unibody alternative.

After the 1st half of 2024, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado was perhaps unsurprisingly at the very top of the pile, with 1 135 units registered. Of course, 694 sales came in June alone, when the new J250-generation Prado finally hit the market. For the record, 679 of those units were new-gen variants, with the remaining 15 taking the form of J150-gen derivatives.

As a reminder, the new Prado has a starting price of R1 296 300, while the previous-gen line-up kicked off at R1 168 400. Thanks to the new model’s strong start in June (likely boosted by pent-up demand), the Prado’s monthly sales average across H1 2024 came in just short of 190 units.

*The Land Cruiser 300 is another popular R1-million+ SUV from Toyota.*

The Toyota Land Cruiser 300 – which is underpinned by the same TNGA-F ladder-frame chassis as the new Prado – took 2nd place with 767 units sold in the opening half of the year. Starting at R1 458 900, the Land Cruiser 300’s monthly average over this reporting period was almost 128 units, with its best month so far this year being May 2024 (175 units).

The Land Rover Defender completed the podium, with 569 units sold in South Africa in H1 2024. The unibody Defender range – which currently comprises as many as 29 derivatives, across 3 distinct body styles – has a starting price of R1 639 600 and runs all the way through to R3 074 400 (a figure that will rise even further once the new circa-R3.5-million Octa touches down).

*Land Rover SA’s current Defender range is nearly 30 derivatives strong.*

Slotting into 4th position, the Range Rover Sport – which kicks off at a heady R2 099 900 – managed a total of 342 units during the opening half of 2024. Sales of the Range Rover Sport have been impressively consistent year to date, peaking at 88 units in May 2024.

And the final spot on the list? Well, the Jeep Wrangler nabbed 5th place, with 182 units registered in Mzansi during the 6-month reporting period. Priced from R1 034 900, sales of the JL-generation Wrangler picked up markedly in May (54 units) and June (57 units). For the record, the facelifted Wrangler is scheduled to arrive in South Africa at some point during the 2nd half of the year.

Models that just missed out on making the list on account of starting at just below R1-million included the Volvo XC60 (starting at R988 400) with 239 units and the Lexus NX (kicking off at R986 800) with 190 units.

SA’s best-selling vehicles starting at R1m+ in H1 2024

1. Toyota Land Cruiser Prado – 1 135 units

2. Toyota Land Cruiser 300 – 767 units

3. Land Rover Defender – 569 units

4. Range Rover Sport – 342 units

5. Jeep Wrangler – 182 units

The 21st-century hot hatch is fading – get one while you can

Birthed during the so-called decade of excess, mired in mediocrity in the ’90s and well and truly revived in the Noughties and early 2010s, the evocative hot hatch seems to be in decline again. Here’s why you should get one before it’s too late.

Forever subjected to divergent life cycles, prohibitive development costs and limited profitability (and today, societal disapproval of gas-guzzling raucousness), the hot hatch genre has forever trod the proverbial tightrope – boom or bust.

The Golf Mk1 GTI is the original hot hatch.

The category’s exponential growth from birth is rooted in the iconic Volkswagen Golf 1 GTI, which was produced between 1976 and 1983. The 1980s saw exponential economic growth defined by increased industrialisation, globalisation and liberalisation of capital flows. As the most evolutionary decade of the century, it unlocked rabid consumerism, technological advances and the explosion of popular culture.

The 1st GTI triggered a tsunami of clones from rival manufacturers, notably the Peugeot 205 GTI, Renault 5 Turbo, Ford Escort RS Turbo, VW Golf 2 GTI and GTI 16V, plus GSi variants of the E-generation Opel Kadett. Those that didn’t have turbos, brandished double overhead camshafts and (gasp!) 16 valves.

The Opel Kadett 2.0 GSI 16V S, known as the Superboss, dominated production car racing. Peak hot hatch. — *This Opel Kadett 2.0 GSi 16V S “Superboss” was painstakingly restored and sits in our SentiMETAL fleet.*

In South Africa, the production car racing series of the mid-’80s to early ’90s (initially known as Group N) made household names of the Toyota Conquest RSi Twin Cam 16, Golf 2 1.8 GTI 16V and Opel Kadett 1.8- and 2.0 GSi and 2.0 GSi 16V S “Superboss” – heck, even Mazda, Ford, Nissan and Fiat weighed in with hot-hatch versions of the 323, Laser, Sentra and Uno respectively. It was a blissful free-for-all.

Order a limited-edition 1/18 scale model of the unique-to-SA Opel Kadett Superboss from SentiMETAL

When the Golf 3 GTI failed to satisfy hot hatch fans, VW released the sonorous VR6 — *The Golf 3 GTI underwhelmed enthusiasts, but at least the 2.9-litre 6-cylinder VR6 range-topper appeased them.*

Yet, as symbolic as the “greed is good” speech in Wall Street (delivered by the Gordon Gekko character, in an Oscar-winning portrayal by Michael Douglas) was of a generation, the bubble was about to burst.

The global early-1990s recession slammed the brakes on the rapacious growth of the 1980s, and along with rollercoaster oil prices and economic uncertainty following the Gulf War, overnight high-priced low-volume halo models turned unpalatable to car companies. Also, the successors of the models on which many ’80s hot hatches were based became heavier, more upmarket products. The thrill was gone.

Golf 5 GTI revived the hot hatch genre in the Noughties. — *The hot hatch segment was revitalised when the Golf 5 GTI debuted in the early Noughties.*

Only by the end of the ’90s did the segment reignite. The generational jumps from the tepid Golf 3 GTI to Golf 4 GTI (introduced in 1998) and finally, the benchmark Golf 5 GTI in 2004 – opened the floodgates for turbocharged hot hatches as ability, luxury, and inevitably, prices – increased correspondingly.

Find a new/used Volkswagen Golf GTI listed for sale on Cars.co.za

As car companies continued to master the intricacies of balancing performance with reliability in turbopetrol-powered cars, and the World Rally Championship was a go-to “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” shop window for hotted-up family hatchbacks, the segment reached its zenith.

The BMW M140i was a rear-wheel-drive hot hatch with 6-cylinder punch!

Boom time was back. From 2000, almost every family car manufacturer built a foil for the Polo GTI or Golf GTI and virtually all of them were front-wheel-driven. Curiously, Toyota got out of the hot-hatch melee after the 2004 RunX 180i RSi, but did come back with a vengeance (more on that later). BMW stuffed a 3.0-litre inline-6 in the rear-wheel-drive 130i and later, a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6 in the M140i.

Unbeknownst then, most of those blitsbukse were on borrowed time.

The Astra OPC was the jewel in Opel's hot hatch line-up.

Opel also produced various versions of the bristling Astra OPC and later, Corsa OPC (there was even a Zafira OPC people carrier), but the brand was neglected by GM and the OPC sub-brand withered.

Peugeot’s 207 GTI (2008) and its 208 GTI (2013) successor switched from the 206’s natural aspiration and used the same engine as the Mini Cooper S of the time; the larger 308 GTI followed in 2014.

Alfa Romeo's headlining hot hatch was the Giulietta Quadrifoglio.

Alfa Romeo’s 3.2-litre “Busso” V6-engined 147 GTA (2002-2005) was succeeded by the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde (QV) in 2010; the latter being closer in capability and concept to its Golf GTI rival. Fiat Auto SA (as it was then known) even offered a limited edition (SA-only) QV Squadra Corse TCT version in 2015, before the 1750TBI’s Cloverleaf emblem was removed and replaced with a Veloce badge.

The late 2010s marked a downturn for the hot hatch

Still, the zeitgeist of early-millennial, wide-eyed pre-recessionary optimism would dramatically taper off in the late 2010s, as corporate emissions taxes necessitated a greater push for electrification and more profitable models (hence the big swing towards platform-sharing crossovers). To cap it all, carmakers’ horrendous balance sheets post-Covid effectively foretold the demise of (by then, pricey) hot hatches.

The Ford Focus ST could never rival the VW Golf GTI's image, but it was an impressive driver's car. — *Forget the RS – the Ford Focus ST was the highlight of the Blue Oval’s 3rd-gen compact hatchback line-up.*

For lovers of hot hatches built by Opel, Peugeot, Alfa Romeo (which also built a Quadrifoglio version of the Mito supermini) and perennial French oddball Citroën (creator of the 2004-2008 C4 VTS), that moment preceded Covid, but instead resulted from the establishment of the Stellantis group at the end of 2019. The newly formed conglomerate set off a raft of humdrum cost-saving, platform-sharing and badge-engineered measures that crushed any prospects of extravagant single-model variants.

It would have been similarly unimaginable 20 years ago – that societal evolution and market forces would push Ford towards discontinuing all of its hatches entirely. The ST-topped Fiesta line-up is already gone and what’s left of the Focus range will ride off into the sunset (overseas) in 2025. The 5-cylinder Focus ST had been a speed staple of this century, spawning an RS spin-off in 2009; and again in 2016 with a 2.3-litre version (that featured a drift mode) crowning the standard 2.0-litre ST line-up.

The Golf 8 GTI is the 8th iteration of Volkswagen's iconic hot hatch.

Whereas Volkswagen has gradually turned up the wick on its Golf GTI so as not to upset the balance of its icon (the Golf 8 GTI remains the most civilised offering in its class – watch our launch review and read our real-world review), France’s RenaultSport division, after which several generations of the Megane RS were named, ensured that its models retained a slightly feral edginess, not least an air of Gallic defiance.

Renault’s ultra-hardcore Megane R26.R (2008-2009) was so stripped-out, it didn’t even have a radio. It was powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine that drove the front wheels via a limited-slip diff that also featured in its successor, the 3rd-gen Megane RS, of which there were myriad variants.

Watch Ciro De Siena’s video review of the Megane RS 300 Trophy

The engine capacity of the four-wheel-steering 4th-gen Renault Megane RS shrank to 1.8 litres while peak power jumped to 221 kW. A Trophy-R version held the front-wheel drive record at the Nürburgring for 4 years before being pipped by the current Honda Civic Type R in 2023 by a 0.4 sec. And, kudos to Honda – although the local subsidiary of the Minato-based brand isn’t nearly as big a force in SA’s new-vehicle market as it once was, it has offered every version of the Civic Type R in Mzansi since 2007.

Watch a drag race between a Honda Civic Type R and a Toyota GR Corolla

Today, after 4 generations and 27 years, the Megane (as we know it) is no more, even though Renault SA still lists the RS 300 Trophy as available. Today, the Megane is a crossover-flavoured EV (the E Tech).

Watch Ash Oldfield’s video review of the pre-facelift Hyundai i30 N

Then there’s the Hyundai i30 N, which was launched in South Africa (rather belatedly) in manual guise, and later as a facelifted auto. It’s an underrated contender and every bit a rival for the GTI, but because it’s a brand builder for Hyundai in our market, there’s no guarantee that it will continue to be offered here indefinitely. Then again, the lifespan of the PD-gen i30 model keeps getting prolonged, so who knows?

Watch an i30 N compete in drag races against a Golf GTI TCR, Civic Type R and Subaru WRX

Find a new/used Hyundai i30 N listed for sale on Cars.co.za

In the early 2010s, 2 out of 5 new Golfs sold in SA were GTIs. While the arrival of the Golf 8 saw the GTI’s price edge out of reach for most middle-class households, special versions (such as the Clubsport and Clubsport S) have historically layered on exoticness to ensure VW fanatics remain oh-so-friendly with their bank managers. The Golf 8.5 GTI has been revealed, but when it will arrive here remains to be seen.

Hyper hatches avoiding the hatchet for now

Isn’t it ironic that as hot hatches have become prohibitively expensive for most new-car buyers, their even pricier superiors – hyper hatches – seem likely to stick around for a bit longer? Keeping the faith for all-wheel-drive, the Golf 8 R continues as the über-Golf, alongside the mechanically identical Audi S3, while BMW has chipped in with the M135i, which will be badged M135 when the 4th-gen 1 Series arrives.

In 2013, though, the Three-pointed Star moved the goalposts with the arrival of the A45 4Matic+. Over the years, the outputs of its benchmark 2.0-litre 4-pot turbopetrol engine have ranged from 265 kW/450 Nm to 310 kW/500 Nm, giving rise to the 300 kW hyper-hatch club, of which Audi is the only other member, courtesy of its 5-cylinder RS3, which produces in 294 kW/500 Nm Sportback quattro guise.

Sticking with the all-wheel drive theme, let’s finally return to Toyota, as I promised. The Aichi-based brand seemed to have said sayōnara to the notion of building driver’s cars for almost 2 decades (after the RunX 180i RSi), but then its Gazoo Racing division produced a pair of visceral hatchbacks in the shapes of the GR Yaris – watch/read our full review – and the recently launched GR Corolla.

The former was once said to be a homologation special (a limited-production car built to comply with WRC regulations), but even though they may be hard to get, Toyota has not stopped building them.

Find a new/used Toyota GR Yaris or Toyota GR Corolla listed for sale on Cars.co.za

The 1.6-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol all-paw GR hatchbacks may be among the finest of their breed, but in spirit, they’re closer to hyper- than hot hatches – and priced accordingly. The base-spec GR Corolla and GR Yaris Rallye cost just under R850k now and that’s before the 2024 spec makes its local debut!

Watch Ciro De Siena’s video review of the Toyota GR Corolla

The hot hatch is highly endangered – act now!

Suppose you’re still waiting for the ultimate hot hatch to arrive. We live in hope, after all. In that case, we have probably missed the boat: as the EU’s cut-off dates on ICE-powered cars tick down and investment in battery tech correspondingly rises – the exorbitant costs of developing and producing low volumes of standalone, petrol-fed “enthusiast” models simply make less business sense with every passing day.

From mainstream to niche, then peaking and now finally exclusive again, the bell has tolled for the once-affordable, practical thrills-a-minute hot hatch; and one that’s now been superseded by the very socio-economic evolution celebrating its arrival back in its heyday.

But what a ride it’s been. Here’s hoping you enjoyed it while it lasted.

Find exclusive car-themed merchandise at the SentiMETAL Shop

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro Unleashed with 450 kW!

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro will be most potent version of the Stuttgart-based brand’s coupe and it’s armed with a thundering V8 engine.

This is the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro and is claimed to be the most track-focused version of the GT coupe yet. Mercedes-AMG has been subjected to a bit of negative press of late, with the four-cylinder hybrid C63 being the target. AMG is known for its V8 engines and what you see here could be seen as normal service resuming.

We assume there’ll be an R and Black Series at some point, but for now, this is the flagship. AMG has taken its 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged petrol engine and cranked it up to make 450 kW and 850 Nm which is 19 kW and 50 Nm more than the standard GT 63.

Thanks to a 9-speed gearbox and all-wheel drive, the new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro is good for 0-100 kph in just 3.1 seconds and will run to a top speed of 317 kph.

It’s not just about the straight-line stuff, however. For track applications, aerodynamics and cooling are critical and AMG has upgraded both of those aspects. There are two new radiators in the front wheel arches and there are specialised radiators with water pumps for the transfer case and two differentials.

At the front, there are bigger intakes and more air deflectors along with an active air panel that helps regulate the flow of air based on the cooling and speeds. The front aero setup is claimed to reduce front axle lift, while the rear wing helps with downforce.

The brakes are uprated with carbon-ceramic discs and six-piston callipers, which are the largest offered by AMG and are lighter too. The 21-inch forged alloy wheels are wrapped in trick Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres, but customers can get track-spec Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres as a no-cost option. The car features a hydraulically-linked suspension and rear-wheel steering as standard.

Not much was said about the interior, but we suspect the seats are the AMG Performance buckets. There’s leather and carbon fibre in abundance, as well as the MBUX digital instrument cluster.

When will the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro come to South Africa?

At this stage all we can do is speculate a local arrival time. Our understanding is that the standard AMG GT will be touching down at the end of the year, while this Pro version will be going on sale internationally in early 2025. So, we estimate middle of 2025.

Want to purchase a new or used Mercedes-Benz? Browse vehicles for sale

All the latest AMG news right here!

Volkswagen Tiguan Buyer’s Guide Video

Juliet McGuire shares all you need to know in this Volkswagen Tiguan Buyer’s Guide video.

The Volkswagen Tiguan is a popular family SUV in South Africa and is VW’s best selling model. Positioned as a sensible and practical SUV, the Tiguan proved successful against its rivals like the Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4. There’s an all-new model on its way but we have no idea how much it will cost, but this current generation is still a highly commended car.

In this video, Juliet McGuire shares all you need to know about buying a used Volkswagen Tiguan SUV. She does a product history, discusses all the common known issues, what to look for, which are the best engines as well the parts pricing.

There really is a Volkswagen Tiguan for everyone with front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive derivatives. There are petrol and diesel engines, and customers can choose from manual and automatic transmissions.

Thanks to GetWorth for this neat manual, non-RLine example featured in the video.

Volkswagen Tiguan 2016-2021 Buyer’s Guide

Meet the all-new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

Want to purchase a new or used Volkswagen Tiguan? Browse vehicles for sale

LDV T60 Review (2024) New Player Has Entered the Game

A new bakkie has arrived in South Africa — Meet the LDV T60! Jacob Moshokoa examines the newcomer to determine if it has what it takes to compete in this highly competitive segment.

The LDV T60 is a fresh off-the-boat offering to the ever-growing bakkie segment. This new double-cab bakkie is positioned as a competitor to the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max big three, but also hopes to steal sales away from the Volkswagen Amarok, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara and compatriots from GWM, JAC, Foton etc.

With strong on-paper engine figures and a generous list of standard equipment, the new LDV T60 looks promising. In this video review, Jacob Moshokoa gets behind the wheel of this new double-cab bakkie and evaluates the on-road drive, how it handles on dirt, and tests out the space and features.

Watch the video for insight!

Buy a new LDV on Cars.co.za

Buy a used LDV on Cars.co.za

BMW vs Mercedes-Benz: premium sales race at 2024’s halfway point

BMW and Mercedes-Benz continue to fight for sales dominance in the premium market. But which of these Teutonic rivals is leading the global race after the 1st half of 2024?

With the opening half of 2024 behind us, it’s time to see which German automaker is leading the premium sales race. So, let’s take a closer look at the latest global sales figures from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

In H1 2024, the BMW Group – which, as a reminder, comprises the BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad brands – reported a worldwide sales figure of 1 213 359 units. For the record, that represents a 0.1% year-on-year decline.

*The BMW Group beat the Mercedes-Benz Group and repeated the feat in the brand race.*

Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz Group (which includes the Mercedes-Benz brand and the Smart marque as well as Mercedes-Benz Vans) ended the same 6-month reporting period on 1 168 600 units, down 6% year on year. By our maths, that puts the Stuttgart-based group some 44 759 units behind its Munich-based rival, with the latter thus claiming to have “outperformed its traditional competitors” yet again.

What happens if we compare only the 2 core brands? Well, the BMW marque finished the 1st half of 2024 on 1 096 486 units (a year-on-year increase of 2.3%), while the Mercedes-Benz Cars brand came in at 959 700 units (a year-on-year fall of 6%). It’s also worth noting the latter figure seemingly includes Smart sales, which Mercedes has opted not to list separately.

BMW i5 M60 xDrive rear — *Sales of BMW Group electric vehicles increased nearly 25%, year on year.*

And the battle in the all-electric premium sector? Well, the BMW Group says it registered 190 622 units in the fully electric segment in H1 2024 (179 557 of which came from the BMW brand), a year-on-year improvement of 24.6%. The Mercedes-Benz Group’s total EV, meanwhile, dipped 16% year on year to 101 600 units.

The BMW M division grew its sales 5.1% year on year to finish the opening half of 2024 on 99 517 registrations (note this includes not only full-fat M products but also M Performance models). Unfortunately, Mercedes-Benz no longer makes an AMG-specific figure available, instead listing a sales total for “top-end” models (comprising Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach, G-Class, S-Class, GLS, EQS and EQS SUV registrations). The latter number dropped 22% year on year to 136 900 units.

Mercedes-Maybach GLS600 — *Mercedes-Benz lists a “top-end” sales figure that includes Maybach, AMG and more.*

For the record, the Mini brand contributed 114 054 units (down 18.7%, year on year) to the BMW Group’s overall total, while Rolls-Royce added 2 819 registrations (down 11.4%, compared with H1 2023) and BMW Motorrad a considerable 113 072 units (up 0.2%, year on year). Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz Vans accounted for 208 900 units of its Group’s H1 2024 tally, down 4% year on year.

In South Africa, it’s unfortunately not exactly clear how each firm performed in the 1st half of the year, since BMW reports sales figures for only every 3rd month and Mercedes-Benz doesn’t share registrations with Naamsa at all (though the industry representative body supplies “estimates” each month)…

BMW M440i xDrive (2024) Price & Specs

Pricing for the facelifted BMW M440i xDrive – in coupé and convertible form – has been released for SA. Here’s how much these updated M Performance models cost…

Towards the end of May 2024, we shared local pricing for the facelifted 420i Coupé and 420d Coupé derivatives, before revealing the prices of the updated M4 Competition earlier in July. But what about the refreshed M440i xDrive, which is again offered in both coupé and convertible form?

Well, these M Performance variants have now also been added to BMW South Africa’s price lists (along with the 420i Convertible M Sport, priced from R 1 127 070), effectively completing the G22- and G23-generation 4 Series range (no sign of the likewise facelifted G26-series Gran Coupé quite yet).

So, how much are we looking at here? Well, the refreshed M440i xDrive Coupé is priced at R1 499 607, while the M440i xDrive Convertible kicks off at R1 606 286. Of course, the Munich-based automaker offers several options, including the Deluxe Package (R70 000), M Carbon Exterior Package (R56 600), M Sport Package Pro (R25 000) and M Technology Package (R7 000).

Various standalone extras for the Dingolfing-built M Performance models are also available, ranging from steering-wheel heating (R5 000), front-seat heating (R7 000) and M seat belts (R6 000) to Adaptive M Suspension (R10 000), M Sport brakes (R14 000) and an M Carbon roof (R32 000, and obviously only for the coupé).

As a reminder, the M440i xDrive derivatives again employ the German firm’s familiar B58 turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-6 petrol engine, which delivers its oomph to all 4 corners via an 8-speed automatic transmission. Interestingly, while the international press material suggests the facelifted models gain 48V mild-hybrid technology, the SA-spec versions appear unchanged.

So, the locally offered M440i xDrive’s peak power is again listed as 285 kW (on tap between 5 800 and 6 500 r/min), while maximum torque comes in at 500 Nm (available from just 1 800 all the way through to 5 000 r/min). The 0-100 kph sprint is completed in a claimed 4.5 seconds in the coupé, with the soft-top model taking 4 tenths of a second longer. Top speed is 250 kph in either case.

How much does the refreshed BMW M440i cost in SA?

BMW M440i xDrive Coupé – R1 499 607

BMW M440i xDrive Convertible – R1 606 286

The prices above include a 5-year/100 000 km Motorplan (which BMW Group SA says the buyers “may elect to opt out of” at the point of purchase.

Volkswagen ID.4 Pro (2024) Launch Review

Yes, we’ve driven the Volkswagen ID.4 on local soil but don’t go knocking on your Volkswagen dealer’s door for an ID.4 just yet as the German firm is taking a cautious approach to its Electric Vehicle (EV) rollout in South Africa. Nevertheless, the timelines for the ID.4’s market launch in South Africa have now been set…

The all-electric Volkswagen ID.4 has been earmarked for a South African introduction for some time now and the wait is over. Well, almost…

Volkswagen this week announced the deployment of a 10-strong ID.4 test fleet that will be made available to the media, dealers and other selected organisations or individuals with their feedback guiding the brand’s decisions on its EV roll-out in the coming years.

Timing is important, but is the Volkswagen ID.4 a good fit for South Africa?

Volkswagen is a major global EV powerhouse and you might be wondering why such a conservative approach is being implemented for South Africa when newer EV products than the ID.4 are being introduced regularly. The Wolfsburg-based marque is not alone in taking this route. Remember, Toyota, Hyundai and Kia are all significant players with EV products available elsewhere, but not yet in South Africa.

Volkswagen believes that South African EV sales will escalate significantly in the coming years and predicts that the 10 000 units per year mark will be achieved by 2030. The increase, the brand says, will be driven by greater affordability, rising fuel costs and improved charging infrastructure. Regarding the latter point, Volkswagen points out that in 2021 South Africa had 1 charging station for every 8 electric cars, but that ratio had improved to 4 charging stations per electric car in 2023.

ID.4 Charging — *Charging infrastructure is improving in South Africa and Volkswagen believes the case for EV introduction is getting stronger.*

Still, the brand believes there are many unknowns about EVs. This fact, coupled with some logistical and technical challenges to get the right vehicle, in the right specification for South Africa has resulted in Volkswagen’s cautious EV roll-out.

Let’s take the ID.4 as an example; it’s obvious that South Africans prefer a crossover/SUV body shape, not only because they offer ‘fashionable style’, but also for practical considerations such as ride height and interior flexibility. But the ID.4 in its current guise is not deemed suitable for regular gravel-road use, which will be a problem for many South Africans. This type of technical feedback is being sent back to Germany and will ensure that South African-spec ID.4s, once launched, are fully ready for South African roads.

What’s the ID.4 like to drive?

VW ID.4 SA — *The ID.4 Pro Performance is earmarked for introduction in SA.*

The test drive of the ID.4 coincided with the first big Cape winter storm of 2024, bringing incessant rain, flooding and strong winds. Despite lacking all-wheel drive capability, the smoothly sculpted ID.4 handled the conditions with aplomb.

The specification selected for South Africa is the ID.4 Pro Performance, which features a 77kWh battery and motor driving the rear axle. Power is rated at 150 kW and 310 Nm, certainly enough to deliver nippy performance. Volkswagen claims a zero to 100 kph time of 8.5 seconds and a 160 kph top speed.

Read David Taylor’s in-depth international launch drive here

Volkswagen ID.4 side SA — *With a claimed range of 500 km, the ID.4 will likely satisfy local consumers.*

Volkswagen claims a combined consumption figure of 16.5 kWh/100km, which as with almost all petrol-fuelled vehicles, is optimistic. Real-world consumption will depend heavily on driving conditions, load, and driving style.

The claimed electric range is around the 500 km mark, which is decent. In addition to the general increase in charging stations dotted across South Africa, Volkswagen also noted that the availability of more powerful (DC) charging stations is improving. So, while you can top-up the ID.4 using AC charging (up to 11kW), the good news is that the ID.4 is fast-charging compatible and can charge up to 150 kW, which will charge the ID.4 Pro from zero to 80% in 40 minutes!

On the road, the ID.4 Pro is a relaxed, smooth car to drive, with better ride quality than you’d expect of a vehicle fitted with large 19-inch alloy wheels. Underpinned by the same MEB architecture as the smaller ID.3, its exterior dimensions are similar to that of the firm’s Tiguan family car.

What’s the ID.4’s interior like?

*The ID.4’s cabin is familiar but not excessively over-styled as other EVs.*

Inside, the EV architecture has allowed Volkswagen’s designers to create a generously spacious and practical cabin with a big boot (543L) and lots of legroom, front and rear.

Unlike some electric cars, the ID.4’s facia avoids being overly futuristic just for the sake of it. A neat digital display in front of the driver relays the most pertinent information, while the 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system will be familiar to most Volkswagen owners.

ID.4 rear seats — *Space is not a problem in the ID.4.*

The specification chosen for the vehicles in the newly launched ID.4 test fleet is equally generous with niceties such as adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, wireless smartphone charging, park assist and 30-colour ambient lighting.

Perhaps a feature that Volkswagen might want to consider adding is an automated tailgate, as the rear hatch is rather heavy and cumbersome to lift. It’s worth noting that the vehicles in the test fleet are pre-facelift examples and the recently facelifted ID.4 will eventually become available locally with an upgraded infotainment system.

When will the ID.4 go on sale in South Africa?

VW ID.4 — *The ID.4 will first be offered on leasing terms in 2025 before going on sale in 2026.*

You’ll have to wait a little longer before you can park an ID.4 in your driveway. Volkswagen’s current plan is to introduce the ID.4 in South Africa in 2025, but initially only via a lease agreement. Customers who would prefer to buy the ID.4 conventionally will be able to do so in 2026.

As far as pricing is concerned, Volkswagen hasn’t yet released indicative pricing but the firm concedes that affordability will be vital to unlock meaningful sales when the ID.4 does go on sale.

Buy a Volkswagen on Cars.co.za

Prado-based Lexus GX coming to South Africa!

New information suggests the Lexus GX – the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado’s luxury twin, but with twin-turbo V6 grunt – is set to launch in South Africa in 2025…

The new Lexus GX has been locked in for South Africa. Yes, Cars.co.za‘s latest information suggests that the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado’s luxury twin is scheduled to launch locally in early 2025, introducing a nameplate never before offered in Mzansi.

While Lexus South Africa has yet to make an official announcement on the GX – having told us in mid-April 2024 that it “can’t comment on future product plans” – our information suggests this luxury off-roader will indeed roll onto local dealership floors in the opening quarter of next year.

*This is the Overtrail model, which is said to have an off-road bent.*

For the record, Toyota Motor Corporation applied to trademark the “GX550” badge in South Africa in June 2023, about 2 weeks after the 3rd-generation GX was revealed on the global stage. While the trademark has yet to be officially registered in Mzansi, it’s surely only a matter of time.

As a reminder, the Lexus GX is a body-on-frame SUV that traces its roots all the way back to 2002. While the opening 2 generations were produced exclusively in left-hand-drive guise (catering primarily to North America), this 3rd iteration is also manufactured in right-hand drive, opening the door to introductions in its domestic market of Japan as well as in Australia and indeed SA.

*Versions of the GX other than the Overtrail appear more road-biased.*

Set to be positioned between the Lexus RX and flagship LX, the GX shares various elements with the latest (and already popular) Land Cruiser Prado, right down to its “J250” model code (for the record, it’s 25 mm longer than the Prado at 4 950 mm, though the 2 850 mm wheelbase is common to both). The new GX will be a welcome addition considering the local line-up lost the RC coupé and LS sedan at the end of 2023.

Riding on the same GA-F platform as the latest-generation Prado (which is currently available locally only in turbodiesel guise and globally only with 4-cylinder motors), the new Lexus GX is offered in other markets in GX550 form, powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine. Familiar from the Land Cruiser 300 and LX600 but here detuned to 260 kW and 650 Nm, this V35A-FTS engine is mated to all 4 wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Lexus GX engine — *A twin-turbo V6 petrol engine will likely be offered at launch.*

However, in select countries, there’s also a hybrid model that wears the GX550h badge and employs an 8-speed automatic cog-swapper. This dual-powered derivative uses a turbocharged 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder petrol motor (T24A-FTS) as a base, while also incorporating an electric motor with a battery pack. It’s a powertrain that is likely very closely related to that of the RX500h.

Like the SA-spec Prado, we expect the Lexus GX to come with a 7-seater configuration as standard, though if the Overtrail specification is included in the South African range, this derivative is likely to feature only 2 rows of seats.

*Will the Overtrail model also be offered in Mzansi? Time will tell…*

This Overtrail grade adds what Lexus describes as an “exclusive exterior design that elevates off-road performance” (including model-specific bumpers and black wheel-arch cladding), along with all-terrain tyres, e-KDSS (Toyota’s clever off-road suspension system), the Multi-Terrain Select system, crawl control, a rear differential lock, chunkier roof rails and special seats.

Check back later in the year or early in 2025 for more local information as it becomes available…

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (2024) Launch Review

An all-new version of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado doesn’t come around very often, so when one does, you sit up and take notice. We attended the local launch of the new Prado to see if it meets the high standards set by its maker – let alone its rivals!

What’s new on the Prado?

Is the turbodiesel good enough for the Prado?

What’s the Prado like on and off-road?

What’s the practicality of the Prado like?

Pricing and after-sales

Summary

SA’s best-selling vehicles with a R1m+ starting price

We’ve sorted through the stats to identify SA’s best-selling vehicles with a starting price of over R1-million. Can anything touch Toyota’s new Prado in this space?

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Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro Unleashed with 450 kW!

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro will be most potent version of the Stuttgart-based brand’s coupe and it’s armed with a thundering V8 engine.

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When will the ID.4 go on sale in South Africa?

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