Hyundai South Africa recently launched a subtly facelifted version of its popular Santa Fe luxury SUV and it appeared rather good at first glance. However, only a more comprehensive roadtest will expose a vehicle’s flaws. So how did the revised Santa Fe fare during a week-long evaluation?
The current-generation Hyundai Santa Fe has always been a rather good-looking SUV, and remained a popular choice even as it approached its mid-life refresh. Predictably, cosmetic changes are limited, with this newer version boasting a revised front end with new daytime running lights, refreshed 19-inch alloy wheels as well as LED lights at the rear. The bumpers and exhaust outlets have also been tweaked for visual effect.
Changes: Inside and Out
The changes for the 2015 model are not just cosmetic either as both the cabin and technology receive upgrades. There are new materials which lend a more luxurious feel and the instrument cluster has been reworked to look more modern. The info-tainment/satellite navigation has also been upgraded. It’s not just about the driver though, as the rear seats are now able to slide back and forth, as well as recline. The addition of a powered bootlid which opens when you stand behind the vehicle is a welcome feature too. In terms of safety, Hyundai has thrown in Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert as well as a form of radar-guided cruise control.
Ride and Drive
The powerplant has remained the same and it is the venerable 2.2-litre CRDi turbo diesel engine which we’ve seen in many a Korean vehicle application. Packing 145kW and 436Nm, this motor’s got enough poke on paper to satisfy most demands. Power reaches the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission and the fuel economy is a claimed 8L/100km.
When driving the Hyundai Santa Fe, you’ll notice how quiet and refined it is. There’s a bit of hesitation which we suspect is a combination of turbolag and gearbox kicking down, but when you’re in the powerband and executing an open-road overtaking manoeuvre, the Santa Fe can really get a move on. You can mix things up a bit with some driving modes which are self explanatory – there’s Sport, Eco and Normal. Eco really does dull the throttle response, however.
One area in which the Hyundai Santa Fe does very well is refinement. In terms of ride quality and NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) control, the Santa Fe delivers and this is the vehicle’s best trait, especially compared with the body-on-frame seven-seaters it tends to compete with on price. Even on 19-inch alloys and on typical South African pockmarked roads, this Korean SUV really delivers on that premium ride quality you’d expect from something in this price ballpark. The steering is also worth a mention as it has a few modes which alter its responsiveness and feedback. If you’re wanting a relaxed and uninvolving ride, set the steering to Comfort or, and if you want a hands-on experience, then switch to Sport.
Cabin Space and Practicality
The interior is a nice place to be, too. With an emphasis on premium feel, comfort and space, the Hyundai Santa Fe offers a comfortable cocoon to its occupants. The panoramic roof also adds to the sense of spaciousness. Tested here is the five-seater model, but there is a seven-seater equipped with all-wheel drive. The seats are upholstered in leather and offer heating and ventilation functionality. The rear seats can be moved forwards or backwards which increases legroom as well as adjusts boot capacity. As it stands, the boot size is generous and you’re looking at around 1 003L of space. Fold the seats down and it increases to a useful 2 025L which is great for those trips to Builder’s Warehouse or long family holidays.
The infotainment system, despite being upgraded, is not the most user-friendly of devices and some testers couldn’t pair their mobile phones. The satellite navigation setup also took some time to get used to. One feature some of us did like was the rearview camera being integrated into the rearview mirror. It’s instinctive to look in your mirror when reversing and having the small, but useful camera screen there is a clever ergonomic touch. On the other hand, an old-fashioned microphone attached to the A-pillar is indicative of a car developed during a time of technology switchover, and which is playing catch-up.
Safety Features
Safety is where Hyundai has dropped the ball in the past (in terms of features fitted as standard), but it’s pleasing to see that the Santa Fe comes well equipped in this regard. There are driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags in the event of a collision. ABS with EBD & ESP is also thrown in to keep the vehicle stable. ISOFIX child seat mounting points come standard too. Hyundai is so confident of its Santa Fe in the safety department that it’s claiming ‘safest car in its class’, which is a bold statement!
Summary and Conclusion
While the Hyundai Santa Fe is an attractive vehicle that offers a lot, it also plays in a difficult and ultra-competitive market space that is dominated by the body-on-frame SUVs and, if you don't need the space, the five-seaters from the more upmarket brands. The product itself has a lot going for it, but in this segment where badge value is arguably the leading factor in the buying decision process, the Hyundai may struggle. Still, this situation is not new, and the Santa Fe has carved itself a sizeable niche in the market for buyers who demand car-like refinement, luxury and on-road dynamics, as opposed to real off-road ability. The arrival of the new Ford Everest, however, could spell difficult times for the Korean – it brings new levels of refinement to the body-on-frame SUV segment, andstill offers real off-road ability.
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi Elite Price in South Africa
The five-seater Hyundai Santa Fe retails for R659 900 and the price includes a 5-Year / 150 000 km manufacturer’s warranty, 5-Year / 150 000 km of roadside assistance and a 5-Year / 90 000 km service plan with intervals set at 15 000km.
Test team opinion
The Hyundai Santa Fe continues to appeal for the same reasons it always has… refinement, space and features. But the price is eye-watering. – Hannes Oosthuizen
We Like: Premium feel, looks great, cabin space
We don’t Like: Pricing, fiddly info-tainment system
Also consider: Ford Everest, Dodge Journey, Kia Sorento, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5
David Taylor looks back on a turbulent year in the automotive sector and shares his highlights.
Wow, 2015 was an incredible year for the car world both locally and internationally. I could easily write reams of copy detailing how the mighty Volkswagen lied to its peers and customers, and caused one of the biggest corporate scandals ever. Despite the enormity of this situation, I believe that we’ll continue to see excellent products come out of Wolfsburg. Read more about the Volkswagen Scandal here.
As far as the new metal reaching our shores go, 2015 saw the arrival of some pretty incredible stuff across the board from budget vehicles to high-end supercars. Here are some of my personal favourites which have been both a joy to drive and to photograph:
BMW i3
If there was a car that opened a window into the future of city car driving, it has to be this, the BMW i3. I was lucky to try both the all-electric i3 and its range-extender sibling. The novelty factor is through the roof and getting to grips with the charging setup is oh-so-simple. Quirky looks aside, the BMW i3 highlights the best of the automotive industry: carbon fibre chassis, recycled fabrics for the seats, wood from sustainable forests for the dashboard and all the tech/connectivity you’d ever need. If I had the money, I’d buy one in a heartbeat.
The rest of the test team agrees… The BMW i3 is a double finalist in the first annual Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, in the Game Changer and Design of the Year categories.
Audi RS3
The engine burble and exhaust backfires are still fresh in my memory as the Audi RS3 was with us just 10 days before this article was written. I confess that I’m a huge fan of the five-cylinder engine and this vehicle comes with one of the finest iterations of this motor. The RS3 is arguably the ultimate hot hatch and its performance is enough for it to keep pace with more exotic machinery. Off the line with launch control dialled in, it’s terrifyingly quick enough to make your eyes blur and the quattro setup means its not a handful in the corners. This vehicle is raw, pure and stirs your emotions like few other.
Mazda MX-5
The new Mazda MX-5 took some time getting used to, particularly in the looks department. It also required some careful planning to get in and out of, as the cabin is quite confined and I'm quite tall. The boot is hopelessly small and is only good enough for a tog bag and a laptop bag. All of this is forgotten when you start driving the MX-5, though. It’s refreshingly simple, puts a smile on your face and destroys any notion that driving is a chore. Thanks to that hand-operated roof, you can open/close the top in mere seconds.
The Mazda MX-5 is a finalist in the first annual Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, in the Design of the Year category.
Kia Grand Sedona
This bus was one of my favourite passenger vehicles of the year. Why? It’s like a Learjet inside, with individual seats in the second row and enough USB ports/12V ports to charge a family’s devices. Combined with a deep boot, a cavernous interior and a willing diesel engine, this is my ultimate family vehicle. The knock-out punch? Compared to its rivals, it’s significantly cheaper too.
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S
This breathtaking supercar stole my heart thanks to its performance and looks. Not only is it pretty to look at, but it goes like stink too. That bi-turbo V8 engine makes a lovely noise and propels this sportscar to 100kph in under 4 seconds. Everywhere you go people smile and whip out their mobile phones to take photos of this car. The AMG GT is one very special machine indeed.
Audi TT
The exterior of the new Audi TT is a subtle upgrade over the previous model, but the real reason for its inclusion here is the interior. With its all-digital dashboard dubbed Virtual Cockpit, the Audi TT cabin is minimalistic and driver orientated. The detailing is extraordinary too with another highlight being the digital displays integrated into the ventilation outlets.
The Audi TT 2,0T S Tronic is a finalist in the first annual Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, in the Fun Car Category.
Quick Highlights
Peugeot 308 GTI: How on earth did Peugeot manage to get 200kW out of a 1.6-litre turbo? How did Peugeot get near-as-dammit perfect ride quality out of a hot hatch? I can’t wait to drive this on South African roads in 2016.
Volkswagen Polo GTI manual: Finally, a manual gearbox is back in a Polo GTI. The DSG is very good, of course, but for the enthusiast who loves his/her driving, the manual is the way to go. It’s also cheaper.
Citroen C4 Cactus: The quirkiest car of 2015, but it’s just so cool. Those headlights are straight from a concept car and the armour plating on the doors and bumpers is an interesting touch. Throw in a rather excellent 1.2-litre turbo engine and you’re left with one of the best surprises of the year.
Volkswagen Up!: While many of its competitors have more features and more space, there's a lot to be said for that characteristic Volkswagen's build quality. It may have taken its time to get here, but I'm glad it made landfall. If you're wanting a cute city car that's cheap to run and simple to park, the little Up is hard to beat. It's easy to see why it's a Cars Awards finalist too.
Infiniti Udates Q50 Sports Sedan
Infiniti, Nissan’s premium brand, has launched an upgraded version of its Q50 sports sedan. It will reach South Africa next year.
Now in its third year, the Q50’s popularity is still growing, according to Infiniti. This, combined with the fact that the upmarket sports sedan still looks remarkably fresh, means that design changes appear to be negligible.
Instead, Infiniti has focused on performance and dynamic upgrades, including new-generation ride and handling technologies and all-new turbocharged V6 engines.
Improved adaptive steering
The Q50’s advanced Direct Adaptive Steering system has often been criticised, so it's perhaps unsurprising to find that improvement of this technology was a priority for the upgrade. Making its debut on the revised Q50 is a second-generation system that Infiniti says is comprehensively modified to offer more steering feel and feedback – to make it “feel” more like a conventional system.
The new Direct Adaptive Steering system work with Active Lane Control to automatically maintain the car’s lane positioning, especially when battling crosswinds or uneven road surfaces. Infiniti sees this system and its integration as a precursor to future autonomous driving tech.
Multi-adjustable suspension
The Q50 also boasts Infiniti’s Dynamic Digital Suspension (DDS) for the first time. Also offered for the Q50’s Drive Mode Selector (DMS) is a “Personal” mode, that allows the driver to set his/her own settings for the engine, suspension and steering. For the first time there will be six driving modes on offer, including Sport+.
When operating in the background, the DDS monitors body roll, pitch and bounce rates and adjust suspension settings automatically to ensure ultimate composure and comfort.
Even the basic suspension has been fettled, with revised front and rear stabiliser bars fitted.
Beefy new V6s
In Europe and elsewhere, Infiniti is offering the Q50 with a range of five powertrain offerings which now, for the first time, includes the advanced new VR30 twin-turbo 3,0-litre V6 engine that is offered in two states of tune. The high-power variant delivers 298kW and 475Nm of torque, while the lower-output version still punches out a solid 224kW and 400Nm of torque.
These new engines, like the others in the line-up, are mated with Infiniti’s seven-speed automatic transmission that can be manually accessed via smart magnesium shifters located behind the steering wheel.
More features and options
Also added to the mix for this 2016 upgrade is a new Premium Plus package, available on all models, that includes features such as; auto dimming exterior mirrors, electrically adjustable steering wheel with memory and easy entry functions, Infiniti InTouch with navigation, voice recognition, 60/40 split rear seat, heated steering wheel and much more.
The Technology package has been revised to include features like; auto-levelling adaptive front lights, high beam assist, intelligent cruise control, distance control assist, advanced climate control, blind-spot intervention, active lane control and more..
A new Driver Assistance Package includes; Forward Emergency Braking; Blind-Spot Warning; Back Collision Intervention with Cross Traffic Alert; Predictive Forward Collision Warning; and Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection.
SHORT READ If you need a mid-size crossover/SUV and can't afford to wait for newcomers from Hyundai, Volkswagen and Kia coming in 2016, the Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester deserve your attention.
Exterior Design: The Ford is the winner due to its slick, upmarket looks and good detailing. By comparison the Honda is slightly too MPV-ish and the Subaru just rather bland.
Interior Design & Finish: The Honda sneaks a victory here by virtue of its combination of quality, MPV-like family friendliness and a modern, clutter-free facia.
Interior Features: The Ford takes a relatively easy win here due to the combination of its generous standard specification and low price, as well as attention to detail.
Practicality: The Honda’s family friendly design nets it an important victory here. With five seats taken, it offers the most boot space in a compartment that is also shaped to accommodate a wider range of objects.
Drivetrain & Refinement: Our testers voted the Subaru’s engine/gearbox combination as the best here. It delivers eager performance, impressive refinement along with a reputation for being very reliable.
Ride & Handling: An easy victory for the Subaru, by virtue of its impeccable road manners as well as superb dirt-road ability.
Safety Features: With similar results for crash safety by EuroNCAP, it is up to the Honda’s extra features to clinch it a victory in this section.
Fuel Economy: The Ford Kuga takes a narrow victory here based on claimed fuel consumption figures. Real-world figures are, however, significantly higher and brings it closer to its two rivals.
Pricing & After Sales: A narrow victory for the Ford here because it offers such outstanding value. But don’t discount the Subaru – it may look pricey on paper, but it’s actually well-priced for what it offers.
Verdict: The Forester’s engine is beautifully refined and responsive, the ride set-up strikes a great compromise between on-road comfort and off-road ruggedness and, save for the lack of leather upholstery and rear ventilation outlets, there isn’t really anything glaringly obvious missing from the specification sheet. Factor in a reputation for reliability and outstanding ownership satisfaction, and our test team voted its particular skill set as the most impressive of the three vehicles.
LONG READ
Introduction
The mid-size crossover/SUV segment is easily one of the busiest, and largest, in the market. Several of the best sellers in South Africa are due for imminent replacement. A new Hyundai ix35 (Tucson) is around the corner. And next year we can look forward to a new Volkswagen Tiguan as well as Kia Sportage. If you can’t wait for those, however, we suggest you take a close look at these three contenders… Lining up for an in-depth test is Ford’s popular Kuga, tested here in 1.5T Trend Automatic guise, Honda’s highly regarded CR-V 2.0 Elegance, and Subaru’s often ignored Forester, in 2.5 XS specification. We tested the threesome on a variety of roads (including gravel) and spent hours debating and measuring their cabins. The outcome may surprise you…
Exterior Design
Ford
Honda
Subaru
With design being such a subjective matter, it is often impossible to find agreement on this topic in a large test team. In this instance, however, the team was of the unanimous opinion that the Ford Kuga was the most attractive offering on test. Ford’s Trend specification is quite generous when it comes to the shiny bits, and as such the Kuga features neat 17-inch alloy wheels as standard, as well as front and rear fog lamps, silver roof rails, twin exhaust outlets and rear privacy glass.
Following its recent facelift, the Honda CR-V certainly appears more expensive and sophisticated, courtesy of a large helping of chrome and far more attractive head- and tail lamps that boast LEDs. It also rides on 17-inch wheels and gets rear privacy glass as well as roof rails. Given its emphasis on interior packaging, the exterior design makes it look bulkier than the suave and sporty Kuga.
The Subaru Forester is of course not a brand new vehicle anymore and it makes use of a fairly conservative design. Parked between its two rivals, it looks markedly narrower, a perception that is based in fact, as the tape measure shows. It is however, similarly high and long and boasts the best ground clearance here by some margin. Like the others, 17-inch alloy wheels are fitted as standard, as are roof rails and rear privacy glass.
Summary: The Ford is the winner due to its slick, upmarket looks and good detailing. By comparison the Honda is slightly too MPV-ish and the Subaru just rather bland.
Interior Design & Finish
Ford
No touch-screen in Kuga's otherwise smart cabin.
Honda
High-placed controls boosts sense of space in CR-V.
Subaru
Straightforward layout is a Forester hallmark.
None of the vehicles here are brand new designs, so it shows in the cabins. The Ford has the most individualistic design, with a combination of sweeping curves and sharp edges. A small information screen is positioned high on top of a prominent control interface for the info-tainment system. We have clearly grown used to touch-screen systems, because the multitude of buttons on the Ford’s facia initially appears daunting. Still, with familiarity this element of intimidation (and fumbling) falls away.
By comparison the Honda and Subaru’s interiors look simpler and more modern because many of the controls have migrated to neat touch-screen systems. Interestingly, the screens in the two Japanese cars look and feel remarkably similar to use. Honda has taken an almost MPV-like approach with the design of the CR-V’s facia – it appears elevated, to create the sensation of space lower down and the gearlever is mounted high, too.
The Subaru, on the other hand, has a very straightforward design with almost no quirks. Build integrity appears good on all the vehicles, and soft-touch surfaces lift the perceived quality on all three cars, but it has to be said that it was the Subaru that felt the most solid, with not a rattle or squeak to be heard, even when traversing poor, corrugated surfaces. Also requiring some time to get used to is the Ford’s seating position, which even in its lowest position, subjectively “feels” higher than the other vehicles.
Nevertheless, it is a comfortable position once you’ve settled which also affords the driver great visibility out of the vehicle. All three vehicles boast rake/reach-adjustable, leather-wrapped steering wheels and height-adjustable driver seats, but the Subaru makes do with cloth upholstery while the Ford and Honda both feature leather.
Summary: The Honda sneaks a victory here by virtue of its combination of quality, MPV-like family friendliness and a modern, clutter-free facia.
Interior Features
Ford
Kuga's infotainment system is button heavy.
Honda
Neat control interface for the CR-V.
Subaru
Forester offers very simple ergonomics.
Flip-up trays a welcome Kuga touch.
CR-V even offers an HDMI input.?
Simple but effective extended sun visors.
Ford has been on a real run of late in the way it offers exceptionally generously specified vehicles at good pricing. The Kuga is no different and the Trend specification, as tested here, is particularly well stocked with features. You get dual-zone climate control, cruise control, Ford’s SYNC info-tainment system with Bluetooth and USB/Aux support, electrically adjustable driver seat with lumbar support and heated front seats, among a number of other items. The front passenger seat is also adjustable for height, albeit manually, and at the rear there is a handy 230V/150W power outlet as well as flip-up airline-style trays for kiddies. Also important for those long trips are rear ventilation outlets and rear seats that offer reclining backrests.
The Subaru, by comparison, is not quite as generously specified. We’ve already mentioned that it lacks leather upholstery, but it also makes do with only single-zone climate control and there are no rear ventilation outlets, either. In fact, barring very welcome extendable sunvisors and a particularly large storage box between the front seats, it would appear as if Subaru’s designers didn’t feel the need to add surprise-and-delight touches to the Forester’s straightforward cabin. It does, however, still offer an electrically adjustable driver seat, keyless access and two USB ports as well as Aux support for the info-tainment system.
The Honda comes closer to matching the Ford’s specification, as it comes with dual-zone climate control, rear ventilation outlets and heated front seats. Both front chairs offer electrical adjustment, by the way, with the driver’s adding memory settings and height adjustment. On the info-tainment side, the Honda gains an HDMI port, but loses Aux support. A nice touch is an overhead “child view” monitor, which again illustrates the CR-V’s near MPV-levels of family friendly interior design.
Summary: The Ford takes a relatively easy win here due to the combination of its generous standard specification and low price, as well as attention to detail.
Practicality
Ford
Kuga's tailgate lifts highest, but seats can't folded down from the rear.
Honda
CR-V rear seats can be folded while standing behind the vehicle.
Subaru
Like the Honda, Forester's rear seats can be folded from behind.
The Honda’s boot area itself is also clearly larger than the others, but it’s not only more voluminous, it is also better shaped – the boot floor is significantly longer than the others at 97cm (compared with 87cm for the Forester and 85cm for the Kuga). Fold down the rear seats, which is easily done in the Honda and Subaru via buttons or levers in the boot, and the picture changes quite dramatically.Thus far we’ve mentioned the Honda CR-V’s MPV-like design rather often. This approach certainly pays off when it comes to practicality. Honda claims a boot volume of 556L for the CR-V, with the Subaru coming in at an impressive 505L and the Ford at 456L.
The Honda feels the most spacious to passengers, mostly because of the extra height in the cabin. Rear legroom is very good on all three vehicles, and the doors open wide to almost 90 degrees on all three contenders – this provides easy access to the rear seats for the fitment of a child seat, etc. Towards the rear the differences become more pronounced. The tailgate on the Ford lifts the highest (1.92m). Tall folks will have to keep an eye out for the Honda’s tailgate on the other hand, as it lifts to a comparatively low 1.77m. With regards to the width of the loading aperture, the vehicles posted similar results, but the Honda has the highest opening, making the loading of bulky/large objects potentially an easier affair.
Interestingly, however, the roles are reversed once the seats are folded down. Honda claims only 1120L of utility space, with the Subaru at 1564L and the Ford at a surprisingly large 1653L. But because manufacturers use different ways of measuring utility space, we decided to get out the tape measure and do some measuring ourselves… with interesting results. Let’s get the similarities out of the way first.
According to our tape measure, it is the Subaru that has the longest load area, with the Ford and Honda being pretty much identical in length. The Subaru and Honda cabins are also marginally wider (around rear occupants’ shoulders) than the Ford’s.
Summary: The Honda’s family friendly design nets it an important victory here. With five seats taken, it offers the most boot space in a compartment that is also shaped to accommodate a wider range of objects.
Drivetrain & Refinement
Ford
Awkwardly placed manual gearshift button for Kuga.
Honda
Simple, neat analogue/digital instruments in the CR-V.
Subaru
X Mode indicative of Subaru's rough-road intentions.
Open the Honda’s bonnet and you’ll find a surprisingly small engine in there, a 2.0-litre normally aspirated unit that delivers 114 kW and 192 Nm of torque, the lowest outputs here. Being a Honda engine, it also needs revs (4 300rpm) to achieve that maximum torque figure. Sending the engine spinning is no hardship, however, as it is a sweet-revving unit that is mated with a typically Honda-slick six-speed manual transmission. Of course, for slightly more money, you can get this engine paired with a five-speed automatic, which given the likely usage of this vehicle, makes more sense. Even so, there’s no question about the Honda’s relative lack of performance compared with the other two cars here.
The three contenders use rather different powertrains at this price level. The Ford is the most modern, with a turbocharged small-capacity engine of 1.5-litres that is claimed to offer big-engine performance without the fuel consumption penalty. It certainly delivers on the performance front, with a power output of 132 kW, the most here. It also has the most torque (240 Nm), and achieves the maximum output at lower engine speeds (from 1 600rpm to 4 000rpm). No surprise, then, that it clocks the equal fastest 0-100kph sprint time (9.9sec). In our test car, the engine was mated with Ford’s six-speed automatic transmission that offers manual shifting via awkwardly placed buttons on the side of the gearknob.
The Forester is, of course, powered by the brand’s trademark 2.5-litre “boxer” engine. This means the cylinders lie flat, to great advantage of the centre of gravity of the vehicle’s powertrain. It is a powerful unit, too, with 126 kW and 235 Nm of torque, only marginally less than the turbocharged Ford. The Subaru engine is normally aspirated, so there is no expensive turbocharger maintenance or replacement costs to worry about in the long term. The engine is mated with Subaru’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) that is easily one of the best of its type. The driver can also change gears “manually” via neat shift paddles behind the steering wheel. It is the Subaru powertrain that impressed most, with the software of the CVT being particularly quick to react to driver inputs, resulting in immediate response when the throttle is depressed. It’s a car that consequently feels eager and sporty to drive, yet is also impressively refined.
The Ford is also very good, particularly on the open road, but it’s not as refined as the Subaru and the power delivery is not as linear, either. And the Honda? It’s not as lazy as the figures make it appear and the gearbox is a good one too, if you don’t mind shifting gears yourself. And, like all Honda engines, it is a very refined unit that should be bulletproof.
Summary: Our testers voted the Subaru’s engine/gearbox combination as the best here. It delivers eager performance, impressive refinement along with a reputation for being very reliable.
Ride & Handling
Ford
Kuga is great on tar, slightly less so on gravel.
Honda
Refined CR-V surprisingly at home on gravel.
Subaru
Forester is the gravel-road specialist.
Perhaps surprisingly, the Honda felt quite at home on gravel, managing to soak up much of what our test road served up without losing its composure and remaining largely rattle free in the process. On tar the trade-off is a somewhat less entertaining drive, however, than the Ford. That said, for the target market, its softer set-up is probably nearer the desired mark. It’s not a vehicle for the “enthusiastic” driver.All three test vehicles ride on sporty 17-inch footwear, but manage to offer decent ride comfort, but there are marked differences. The Ford puts in a sterling performance on the road, where its suspension feels supple, yet firm enough to counter excessive bodyroll in the corners.
As is the case with most Fords, there is a delicacy to the steering and a crispness to the responses that belies its family friendly packaging. Unfortunately, it’s less impressive when the road surface deteriorates or turns to gravel. In the latter instance the relative firmness that lends the Kuga such impressive on-tar ability becomes a nuisance, resulting in a comparatively skittish feel that also set off a number of rattles and squeaks in the cabin.
The Forester, on the other hand, manages to serve up a ride/handling compromise that is simply sublime, no matter what the road surface. Even if you take out of the equation its symmetrical all-wheel drive, which gives it remarkable grip and composure on poor surfaces, the ride seems better set-up than on its rivals. It irons out road surface imperfections and yet feels good in the corners too. Yes, there is still some rally DNA left in this car… It may not be entirely fair to compare this all-wheel drive version of the Forester with front-wheel drive versions of the Ford and Honda, especially seeing as an all-wheel drive version of the Kuga is available at a cheaper price than the Forester, but based on what we know of the Kuga all-wheel drive, the Subaru would still put in a more impressive performance overall.
The Subaru’s symmetrical, permanent all-wheel drive system also creates a great sense of security on poor road surfaces (or during bad weather), and the X-mode system adds even hill-descent control. It also offers the most generous ground clearance, so for buyers who intend doing regular driving on poor or gravel surfaces, it is by far the best choice here.
Summary: An easy victory for the Subaru, by virtue of its impeccable road manners as well as superb dirt-road ability.
Safety Features
As is to be expected at this level, all the vehicles boast the essentials such as ABS/EBD, Brake Assist, traction control, stability control, Isofix child seat anchors and a raft of airbags (six for the Honda and seven each for the Subaru and Ford). The Honda is best equipped to avoid those nasty parking incidents as it offers not only front and rear park distance control, but also a camera. The Forester has only a rear-facing camera while the Ford has no camera but rear park sensors. All three cars have front and rear fog lamps, but only the Honda offers auto lights and wipers. Interestingly, while both the Honda and Subaru feature full-size spare wheels, the Kuga makes do with a temporary spare – not ideal for a family crossover vehicle.
Summary: With similar results for crash safety by EuroNCAP, it is up to the Honda’s extra features to clinch it a victory in this section.
Fuel Economy
With a claimed consumption figure of 7L/100km, the Ford Kuga should be significantly more economical than its two rivals. In reality however, it proved difficult to keep the consumption below 10L/100 km. It’s still more economical than the Honda (claimed 7.7L/100km) and Subaru (claimed 8.1L/100km) in the real world, but it’s far closer than you may think.
Summary: The Ford Kuga takes a narrow victory here based on claimed fuel consumption figures. Real-world figures are, however, significantly higher and brings it closer to its two rivals.
Pricing & After-Sales
With a price of R380 900 as tested, the Kuga offers unbeatable value in this test. If you should need all-wheel drive, such a model, equipped with an automatic transmission, is available for an outstanding R408 900. By comparison the Honda CR-V looks relatively overpriced, given the fact that it is positioned at R404 100 and offers neither all-wheel drive nor an automatic transmission, as tested. In fact, while an automatic version of the CR-V you see here is available for a reasonable R419 100, you’ll have to go for the R520 900 2.4-litre Executive if you want all-wheel drive… Then again, the CR-V specification is certainly generous.
And the Forester? Well, it is the most expensive of this trio but keep in mind that you get not only the impressive Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) but also all-wheel drive. And… a full maintenance plan as opposed to the service plans offered by the competition. It may lack some of the nice-to-have features of the others, most notably leather upholstery and perhaps auto lights/wipers, but it hits back with mechanical hardware which the others can’t match. In terms of back-up, Ford easily has the widest service network, but Honda and Subaru owners are among the most satisfied in the market.
Summary: A narrow victory for the Ford here because it offers such outstanding value. But don’t discount the Subaru – it may look pricey on paper, but it’s actually well-priced for what it offers.
Verdict
When we initially compared specification and pricing, we were left with the expectation of a relatively easy victory for the Ford. The reality, however, turned out to be rather different. Firstly, the vehicles tested here are not direct rivals. Let’s use the Subaru Forester as the basis for comparison, as it has all the hardware – all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission. If you need this combination, then you have to spend more than R500 000 to get a Honda CR-V, but less than R410 000 to get a Ford Kuga. In that context, the Ford looks like outstanding value and we can see why it is such a strong seller. But throughout the duration of this test the Subaru Forester made an increasingly louder and convincing purchasing argument. In terms of mechanical hardware, it is the most impressive vehicle here.
The Forester’s engine is beautifully refined and responsive, the ride set-up strikes a great compromise between on-road comfort and off-road ruggedness and, save for the lack of leather upholstery and rear ventilation outlets, there isn’t really anything glaringly obvious missing from the specification sheet. Factor in a reputation for reliability and outstanding ownership satisfaction, and our test team voted its particular skill set as the most impressive of the three vehicles. Well done, Subaru! But… as ever, things are not always as simple as that. There’s no bad choice here and personal requirements will be the deciding factor in most instances.
Buy the Ford if getting the most for your money takes precedence. Opt for the Honda if cabin space and long-term reliability are key factors. If you anticipate a lot of gravel road driving and overall driving enjoyment is important, then the Forester is a must.
The hunchback BMW 5 Series GT will make a return to the BMW lineup in 2016 as an all-new model. The original 5 Series GT polarised opinions purely on design but lived up to its reputation of being a practical and spacious cruiser.
The new 5 Series GT looks to be a little sleeker but still retains the notch at the back that denotes it as a GT. We’ve put a comparison image below and even with the camouflage the new model appears slimmer and sleeker. The 5 Series GT will run on BMW’s all-new scalable platform that can stretch to support anything from a 2 Series to a 7 Series. BMW claims that the new model will be between 80-100kg lighter than the outgoing version.
Image credit: S.B. Medien/S. Baldauf
Despite the previous model not doing all that well on the sales charts, BMW has decided to persevere with the Sedan/wagon/crossover shape. It’s likely to launch around the same time as the 5 Series sedan, which has been pencilled in for late 2016.
Engines will be the same as in the 5 Series and contains a mix of petrol, diesel and a plug-in electric model. BMW is said to be bringing a three-cylinder turbodiesel to the range entry 518d model. From there on turbocharged four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines complete the range.
Ford adds manual Ambiente Ecoboost model to Fiesta range
Ford has introduced a 5-speed manual gearbox option for the Fiesta 1.0 Ambiente in South Africa.
Ford is continuing to make its highly acclaimed, three-cylinder 1.0 Ecoboost engine more widely accessible. The latest new model release means that you can now get an Ecoboost engine with a manual gearbox in Ford’s entry level Fiesta Ambiente. Previously it was only available in top-spec Titanium, mid-spec Trend or as an automatic model in Ambiente guise.
The new Ambiente model uses a five-speed manual gearbox and thus decreases the price slightly over the automatic Ambiente model. "Since the expansion of the Ford Fiesta EcoBoost range in March this year, we have been able to significantly increase our share of the ultra-competitive B-segment," says Tracey Delate, General Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. In March Ford added automatic gearboxes to its 1.0 Ecoboost engine.
In entry-level Ambiente trim, the Fiesta’s standard safety features package includes power steering, ABS brakes with Emergency Brake Assistance, driver and passenger airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, ISOFIX child-seat anchors and the "Follow-me-home" headlight function.
Comfort and convenience features extend to remote-operated central locking with standard immobiliser, electric front windows, heated and powered side mirrors, a 12-volt power point in the centre console, steering-wheel mounted audio controls and air-conditioning.
Ford's SYNC multimedia and connectivity system is standard, and incorporates a radio and MP3-compatible CD player, USB and auxiliary audio connections, as well as Bluetooth with voice control.
1.6 EcoBoost ST 6-speed Manual (3-door) – R282 900
Jeep Conquers Volcano in Italy
Jeep hosted an international ‘ride and drive’ event in Sicily, Italy to showcase the broad lifestyle appeal and capability of its products and we were there to put them through their paces on the slopes of an angry Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano.
Way back in 2009, Chrysler and Fiat joined forces in what was to be a symbiotic relationship for both automakers in the sharing of platforms, distribution channels, technology and increased access to global markets. Fast forward to 2015 and the relationship seems to be blooming and Jeep has already welcomed the praised Renegade to its family, which is built on Italian soil. In recent times, the levels of luxury, quality and refinement offered by Jeep products have improved dramactically too. It remains, however, a brand acutely aware of its reputation for building extremely off-road capable vehicles – a talent that it was keen to remind the world of at the event in Sicily.
The island of Sicily is home to Europe’s most active volcano, Mt Etna, and the Jeep Experience Days ‘You don’t drive it, you live it’ event coincided with what is considered to be the most violent eruption of Etna in recent times. Was the eruption a sign of future success for the Fiat Chrysler partnership? It sure felt like it…
First up – The Cherokee Trailhawk
From the aeroplane window, Mt Etna could be seen spewing gas and ash into the air. This was to be an experience like no other. The plane touched down at Catania airport and we were shuttled to a nearby hotel where we were treated to a light breakfast, general drivers briefing and welcoming words by Head of Jeep Brand for Europe, Middle-East and Africa, Steve Zanlunghi.
With no time to waste, we were allocated a Jeep Grand Cherokee and Cherokee Trailhawk that would be tasked with the mission of climbing the slopes of Mt Etna. For a South African, driving in Italy takes some getting used to as your natural driving habits continuously intervene and can prove to be potentially hazardous on the narrow, overgrown streets. Easier said than done…
This was my first time behind the wheel of a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk and despite my own insecurities of driving in a foreign land, the vehicle helped a great deal in giving me confidence to tackle Sicilian traffic. Ride quality is excellent and power from the 3.2-litre V6 engine is more than sufficient for your usual urban and highway overtaking manoeuvres with a total of 200 kW and 315 Nm of torque at your disposal through a 9-speed automatic transmission, which is rather smooth in operation too.
I found the interior to be particularly modern and comfortable as it came equipped with all the bells and whistles including electrically adjustable seats in partial cloth and Nappa leather, mounted steering wheel controls and an 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen loaded up with UConnect Navigation that did an excellent job of keeping us on the right track towards a fuming Mt Etna… not that its sheer presence was easy to miss!
Climbing Mt Etna
Narrow tar roads soon gave way to rocky dirt roads as we entered The Park of Mt Etna nature reserve. Normal cars won’t survive in this terrain but the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is a 4×4 specialist and it thrives here. Jeep products are renowned for their off-road capability and the Cherokee Trailhawk takes the 4×4 experience to a whole new level.
The Cherokee Trailhawk is fitted with what Jeep calls Active Drive Lock, featuring a two-speed power transfer unit and a rear locking differential making the Trailhawk capable of crawling over just about any terrain imaginable. The Active Drive Lock partners with Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system to offer the best traction in various driving conditions. The driver has the choice of five modes in the Cherokee Trailhawk which include Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand/Mud and Rock which is selected using a dial on the centre console.
Bush soon turned into lava fields hundreds of years old and as we climbed the slopes of Mt Etna we had no choice but to switch into "lava mode". With a simple turn of the Selec-Terrain dial, the Cherokee Trailhawk geared itself to tackle the rocky terrain and the 17-inch wheels could be heard crushing rock as it made its way up the volcano with very little effort at all. We arrived at our lunch venue well impressed with the quality drive and capability of this Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk.
With Mt Etna rumbling above us and plumes of ash streaking across the sky, it was time to get serious in the Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel Overland derivative. With a focus on comfort and luxury, the Grand Cherokee somehow envelops you as soon as you climb in. The temperature on Mt Etna was just above zero degrees and I was delighted to put the heated seats and steering wheel to good use. The interior design is quite fancy too, as you would expect for a premium SUV, with leather and wood trim creating a pleasantly comfortable environment for the driver and passengers.
The Grand Cherokee felt solid and planted through the twisty bends on Mt Etna and seemed to soak up bumps rather well, making the drive smooth and refined. It wasn’t long before we entered what is best described as a lava quarry. The clearly layered deposits of rock and soil hint at the Etna’s past eruptions and the quarry was the perfect playground for the Grand Cherokee.
Fitted with full-time all-wheel drive and an Electronic Limited-Slip Differential, the Grand Cherokee had no problem tackling the obstacles in the lava quarry. Like the Cherokee Trailhawk, the Grand Cherokee also features Jeep’s Select-Terrain system with Auto, Sand, Mud, Snow and Rock modes being available to the driver. The driver is also able to control the speed of the vehicle when ascending or descending a hill using the paddles behind the steering wheel, which makes tackling obstacles that much easier. This model also features air suspension, which alters the ride height according to the drivers needs and the terrain being traversed. A maximum ride height of 280 mm can be achieved with a total of five different height levels to choose from.
The final stretch of our day’s journey took us some 120 km to southern Sicily in the region of Ragusa. The drive took us through the winding roads of the Sicilian countryside where we had the opportunity to explore the on-road capabilities of the Grand Cherokee. With its 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel powerplant producing 179 kW and a hefty 569 Nm of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission, the Grand Cherokee powered along, hugging the bends with surprising poise. After all, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has to be as impressive off tar as on it, unlike most of its rivals. This demands some compromise, and I feel Jeep has settled on a fine balance.
We arrived at our hotel, Donnafugata Golf Resort and Spa in Ragusa, where the media contingent was presented with a range of specially customised, one-off Jeep Mopar vehicles. Head of EMEA Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care, Santo Ficili, addressed weary-eyed journalists before a fine Italian dining experience put the party to bed.
In true Jeep style, more off-roading lay before us on the final day of the event. This time though, our chariot was the Jeep Wrangler Sahara. With its 3.6-litre V6 engine capable of 209 kW and 347 Nm of torque through a 5-speed automatic transmission, this Wrangler Sahara had the tough task of annihilating deep sand pits, crawling through a rocky river and punching through a muddy Sicilian jungle.
Can the Wrangler Sahara cope with all this madness? Easily, in fact. With its selectable four-wheel drive system, the driver can easily switch between 2H, 4H and 4L depending on the requirement. The Jeep Wrangler Sahara had no problem in the sand and it managed to navigate the rocky river bed with surprising ease. It has to be said, however, that the Wrangler is starting to feel its age, particularly when it comes to on-road comfort/refinement and packaging. The all-new model, due for the 2017 model year, will undoubtedly address some of these concerns.
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Makes Grand Entrance
After playing in the Sicilian jungle, we were directed to an airstrip in the countryside. The full range of Jeep products lined the runway and in the distance, the Grand Cherokee SRT, Jeep’s high performance model, stood waiting. In a cacophony of noise and high revs, the SRT belted down the runway at full pace towards the media in the stands in a show of bravado and machoism.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is a mean machine and comes fitted with a 6.4-litre V8 petrol engine capable of 344 kW and 624 Nm of torque using an 8-speed automatic transmission and can dispatch the 0-100kph sprint in just 5 seconds before reaching a top speed of 257kph.
Steve Zanlunghi proceeded to highlight Jeep’s success worldwide with total sales in 2009 amounting to 337 000 units and growing steadily to well over a million in 2014. Thanks to major design improvements across the Jeep model range, as highlighted by Klaus Busse, Head of Design EMEA for Fiat and associated brands, Jeep has taken massive strides forward to cement itself in the market as an exciting and attractive brand for customers looking for capable and reliable lifestyle vehicles.
Look out for our interview with Klaus Busse coming your way soon!
What can you expect from Jeep in 2016?
2016 marks Jeep’s 75th anniversary and to celebrate Jeep is planning special edition models for each model line in the Jeep range, barring the Compass, which is on its last legs. The 75th anniversary special edition models will be available in limited numbers and we will keep you updated as more information becomes available next year.
As for the existing Jeep lineup, not much will change but you can expect to see a 1.4-litre FWD automatic Renegade introduced in the second quarter of 2016. A Jeep Cherokee Overland model will also be introduced towards the middle of the year and will feature 18-inch wheels, body colour cladding, a dual pane sunroof and a few changes to the interior. Pricing for these models will be confirmed in 2016.
VIDEO: Jeep Range in Sicily, Italy
Volkswagen To Reveal New Concept At CES
Volkswagen has shown a teaser image of the CES concept it plans to reveal at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month.
The concept will show Volkswagen’s new innovative path it plans to bring to in-car infotainment and electro-mobility. The concept will only be fully shown in January 2016 but the view of the LED lights behind the curtain hints at something quite large. Speculation is that it could be revealed as an all-new Microbus but Volkswagen has remained tight-lipped about it. Volkswagen's focus is on the technologies it plans to implement in the near future.
Firstly, Volkswagen states that the the new concept will usher in a new era of affordable long-distance electro-mobility. We will have to wait and see what this means but it could be something as simple as an electrically powered Microbus.
The second announcement Volkswagen will make at the show revolves around an all-new infotainment system and new tech it plans to make available in its future cars. Volkswagen has also stated it plans to bring innovations from the Golf R Touch Concept. Look out for features such as gesture control and 3D cameras.
Nissan Patrol Station Wagon Receives Upgrade
In response to the feedback from Patrol owners, Nissan has introduced a range of extra creature comforts to its Patrol Station Wagon 3.0 TD 4×4 GL.
Off-road enthusiasts increasingly have come to expect being able to conquer the toughest terrain in a cocoon of luxury. It is with this in mind that Nissan has upped the comfort and luxury in its overlander offering, the Patrol. The most visible change is the revamped interior, which now features full grain leather upholstery. The new in-car entertainment system on the Nissan Patrol 3.0TD GL and 4.8 GRX features a touch screen, colour navigation with USB and Bluetooth integration. The GL now also has a two-zone climate control system as standard.
“Competitor offerings in this very technical segment of the off-road market have always created the impression that toughness is synonymous with a sparse interior. We have changed that with the Patrol 3.0 GL,” says Graeme Birch, General Manager, Marketing at Nissan South Africa.
Under the skin, Nissan has retained the 3-litre turbo-diesel engine that delivers 118 kW at 3 600 rpm and a solid 371 Nm of torque. This engine is also claimed to consume 8.1L/100km on the open road.
The engine delivers power to the rear wheels in 2WD mode and to all four in both low- and high-range four-wheel drive mode. Cementing the off-road credentials of the Patrol is 240mm of suspension travel and a 135-litre fuel tank that’ll return over 1 500km between fill ups. Both versions of the Patrol Station Wagon have a rear lockable diff and automatic locking hubs with the option of a manual override. The 3.0 TD Patrol has a five-speed manual gearbox with a high- and low-range transfer case.
Pricing
The Nissan Patrol 3.0 TD GL 4×4 Station Wagon costs R605 000 and service intervals are every 15 000km. It also offers a confidence-boosting 6-years/150 000 km warranty and 5-years/90 000 km service plan as standard.
Top 5 Used Car Bargains on Cars.co.za
The used car market offers a frankly bewildering level of choice for the South African car buyer. With so many models to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start.
We’ve scoured through our extensive database of nearly 50 000 cars for sale on Cars.co.za and picked five cars which we think represent exceptional value. We’ve tried to include something for everyone here, from a budget car suitable for a growing family, to a reliable bakkie and even a luxurious sedan.
In no particular order, our top 5 picks for second hand or used car bargains are:
Number one: Nissan Tiida
The Tiida’s marketing slogan was “more is more”, and we have to agree. The curiously shaped car might not win any style awards but the reality is that the Nissan offers incredible interior space with decent refinement at this price point. For even more load space, choose the sedan over the hatch.
Here’s a great example of Nissan Tiida Sedan. It’s a 2011 model with an astonishing 33 698km on the clock, going for R79 900:
The Mazda5 was, in our opinion, hugely underated. With a sweet chassis and decent petrol engines, the 7-seater was sleek and practical. It featured twin-electric sliding doors which may be a maintenance issue, so check to see their condition specifically when you view the car.
For large families requiring 7-seats, there’s not many cars out there which offer this sort of value. Mazda also has a fantastic reputation for reliability, and we think if you look after this car, it will look after you for many years to come.
We found this good looking, metallic blue Mazda5 for sale on our site. It’s a 2010 model with just 81 000km on the clock, with an asking price of R139 900.
The Kizashi is another one of those solid cars that slipped under the radar of South African buyers. It’s about the same size as a Honda Accord or Hyundai Sonata and offers a similarly luxurious interior, but probably a more dynamic drive and exclusivity.
The looks may not be to everyone’s taste but with the solid build quality, relatively exciting drive feel and Suzuki’s well-earned reputation for reliability, the Kiazshi is a solid choice for buyers looking for something a little different.
We found this peach of a Kizashi for sale right now on Cars.co.za. It’s a 2013 model, with just 38 000km on the clock in attractive metallic silver, but even more attractive is the fact that its service plan will only run out in January 2019, with the warranty running out in January 2016. All for an asking price of just R159 900. To put that into perspective, the very base model Toyota Corolla is on sale for R231 700.
Another car which we feel did not receive the attention or sales figures it deserves is the Volkswagen CC. Sharing a platform and engines with the Audi A6, we feel the CC had even more elegance and class than its German sibiling.
The interior is extremely well appointed and the drivetrain refinement is what you’d expect and more from a top German brand. But for whatever reason, these CCs did not appeal to South Africans in general and so their second hand values take a hammering. This is very good news for the luxury bargain hunter. With many shared parts across the VW and Audi platforms, the car should be easy to service for long into the future.
Here’s a stunning example of a CC. A 2012 with 88 000km on the clock, it’s a powerful diesel with a DSG transmission. This is the kind of car that will eat up cross-country miles. The price of a new 2.0tdi CC is currently R468 300, so with an asking price of R199 950, this example represents a saving of R268 350.
The bakkie buyer is spoilt for choice in South Africa but what if you have a budget cap of around R200 000? We think the Mitsubishi Triton represents extraordinary value for money. They are pretty much bulletproof and in double cab form with the right bits and pieces, they look good too.
Have a look at this Triton for sale right now on Cars.co.za. It’s a 2009 model and has just 82 000km on the clock, the condition is described as “excellent” and it has a full service history. All for just R189 900.
