Volvo XC90 D5 Inscription (2015) Review

This is the Volvo XC90, arguably the finest model to come from the Swedes to date. We review the XC90 D5 Inscription.

Much noise has been made about the Volvo XC90 and its release onto the market. Most of the fuss has admittedly come from the unique headlights. The design, called Thor’s Hammer, has got people crazed and seems perfectly timed with the expansion of the Marvel cinematic universe. So, Volvo has attracted enviable amounts of attention to its all-new model, but is the XC90 actually any good? We spent a week with the likely top seller, the D5 diesel model.

All-new Volvo

The XC90 marks a new era in the Swedish brand’s history. There is no more parts sharing with Ford, Land Rover or Jaguar. This is a complete in-house job, with even the engine designed and engineered by Volvo. The company has big plans too, as over the next three years it plans to revamp or introduce new models at such a rate that the XC90 will quickly become the oldest model in the Volvo lineup.

That’s big talk, but much of the powertrain work has already been completed and we’ve sampled it in the Volvo S60 and XC60. The XC90 and its future siblings will be powered by 2,0-Litre four-cylinder motors throughout the range. Multiple forms of boost complement the engines with either supercharging, turbocharging, electric charge or all of them combined in the case of the top-of-the-range T8.

Can the engine cope?

The old adage ‘there’s no replacement for displacement’ has no leg to stand on here. The 2,0-Litre turbodiesel of the D5 looks small under the bonnet, but still boasts claimed outputs of 165 kW and 470 Nm. To put that into perspective, that’s a diesel motor that pumps out more power and torque than a Volkswagen Golf GTI and uses less fuel. The XC90 has a combined consumption figure of 5.8L/100km but to be honest you’re most likely to see a figure in the 7s or 8L/100km range. That’s still excellent for a two-tonne SUV.

As for driving it, the diesel tugs along smoothly. There’s very little turbo lag or roughness from this oil burner. It pulls cleanly most of the way to the top of the rev range, but the eight-speed automatic gearbox will always keep it neatly in the torque band where it accelerates best. The XC90 D5 has one of the smoothest and most refined diesel engines we’ve experienced to date.

The inside story

It seems the designers at Volvo spent much of their time designing an interior that was both stylish and functional to the modern day gadget user. The touchscreen up front is shaped like a big smartphone and works with swipe functionality. In fact, most of the regular control functionality has been moved to the screen too, with things like climate control and the vehicle safety systems all accessed through the screen. It’s a very simple and intuitive system to use.

Complete with seven comfortable seats, the XC90 is a spacious and lavish place to be driven around in. Nappa leather is standard, but the comfort level can be increased from gentle hug to Swedish full-body massage via the option list. There are also option packs on offer that increase the safety and tech levels. Those sorts of things include heads-up display, adaptive cruise control, rear parking camera, a quality sound system from Bowers and Wilkins and heated front seats.

Space is where the Volvo really hits the spot though. Even with all seven seats in use, there’s still a reasonable boot (314-Litres). In five-seat mode the cargo area is 692-Litres big and with all the seats folded perfectly flat it measures nearly 2000-Litres. It’s huge and easily capable of swallowing mountain bikes and golf clubs.

Out and about

Volvo wants you to put huge 22-inch wheels on your XC90 with low profile tyres so it looks like a sporty SUV for the city. These do compromise the ride quality and are under constant threat of being ruined by a well-disguised pothole. The best choice are the 19-inch wheels with bigger tyres which offer more sidewall cushioning and improve the ride. These offer the best balance between ride quality and offroad ability. Volvo offers buyers the option of selecting these 19-inch wheels at no cost.

The XC90 has all-wheel drive and an off-road mode should you need it. It’s quite competent as well. The off-road mode dulls the throttle so you don’t wheelspin in slippery situations. It is also able to distribute power to whichever wheels have traction, like most systems on the market. On the tarmac the XC90 is serene and relaxing to drive, there’s just a hint of body roll that helps maintain the high comfort levels of the ride. It does disappoint a little over harsh bumps or rough surface changes where the odd thump can feel damaging.

Verdict

The Volvo XC90 sets new standards for diesel engines and interior quality in this category. The interior alone is reason enough to choose the XC90 over its rivals. The price has been set competitively too, even once you start to factor in options. The Swedes have really done a good job on this premium SUV, making sure all aspects such as drive, comfort, practicality and innovation are all of a high standard. The XC90 has already made a mark overseas with great sales so let’s see if it can emulate that success here.

Pricing

The XC90 starts at R804 000 for the lesser powered diesel. Our D5 Inscription model hits the mark at R893 900. Right at the top of the range (although not available until early 2016) is the T8 Twin Engine that breaks the R1 000 000 mark.

You can compare the XC90 with its competitors here 

Want to buy a new Volvo XC90? Click here for more information.

Team Opinion

The Volvo XC90 is superb to drive and the engine in this D5 is excellent. The interior is classy and luxurious with loads of space for just about anything you’d need to transport. The XC90 is well worth consideration if you are looking for a large luxury SUV. – Gero Lilleike

The XC90 is not the sort of car I should be excited about. I’m 29, I have no kids, and I only ever venture into the countryside for wine tasting. And yet, it is a car I would happily drive everyday. It is a bit difficult to park but the diesels more than make up for it with incredible fuel consumption. It is incredibly comfortable and the touchscreen infotainment system is as good as everyone says it is. It also just looks damn good. There is a certain reassuring feeling the car imbues in the driver; perhaps it is the all-wheel drive, perhaps it is the myriad of safety features that Volvo has included as standard. Whatever it is, for this comfort, tech, luxury and road presence, this car is worth every cent. -Ciro De Siena

We Like: Design, interior, practicality, engine, infotainment system

We Don’t Like: The ride can be a little firm, but we’re really nitpicking.

Also Consider: BMW X5, Range Rover Sport, Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLE

Volkvo XC90 D5 Inscription

2016 Toyota Yaris Revealed

The 2016 Toyota Yaris has been revealed and will be shown at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

The Yaris has proven popular in Europe and Toyota reports that one in every three Yaris models sold in Europe is a hybrid, with over 200 000 Yaris Hybrid sales expected in 2015. For the 2016 model year, Toyota has breathed new life into the Yaris Range with fresh changes and the addition of a new Style grade.

2016 Toyota Yaris – Features

Apart from featuring the active and passive Toyota Safety Sense system, the refreshed Yaris will also be offered with bold new colours, quality trim and new upholstery on the inside.

The biggest change however is the introduction of the Style grade which will be available on the Hybrid model for the first time. The Yaris Style features a black honeycomb grille garnished in satin chrome, which is also found surrounding the fog lights. The interior will benefit from new all-black seat upholstery as well as new Piano Black inserts in the cabin.

Buyers will also be able to spec the Yaris with a new Bi-Tone option which combines a metallic black ‘wrap-around’ exterior paint finish with exclusive interior appoinments. With the Style grade, the Bi-Tone derivative will be offered with a choice of Pearl White, Platinum Bronze or Barcelona Red exterior colours with a ‘wrap-around’ metallic Black finish to the roof, A-pillars, door mirrors, upper front wing and the leading edge of the bonnet.

On the inside, the Bi-Tone treatment is matched with a black head liner and customers can choose between three colour schemes including all-black, Warm Grey or Soft-gradation Grey.

After its appearance at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, the 2016 Yaris will go on sale in Europe in January 2016. At the time of publishing this article, Toyota South Africa couldn’t confirm when the refreshed Yaris will become available in South Africa.

Hyundai i20 Gets N-Series Sport Derivative in SA

The new Hyundai i20 was launched in South Africa earlier in the year and now the Korean automaker has added a sporty N-Series derivative to the local range. The 1.4-litre i20 N-Series features more power over the standard i20 and also comes equipped with a number of sporty visual enhancements to make it look even cooler.

“The Hyundai i20 was the perfect model in our range to subject to a sporty makeover – it is a car that appeals to a younger buyer, it has fresh, modern looks and a dashing design, and it already had fine driving characteristics and road manners – something that we enhanced a bit more with the tweaking of the suspension, new alloy rims with low profile tyres and increased engine power output,” says Stanley Anderson, marketing director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.

Sporty appeal for Hyundai i20 N-Series

hyundai i20 n-sport

The Hyundai i20 N-Series is fitted with the same 1.4-litre engine found in the Fluid derivative but it has been tweaked to deliver 85 kW and 160 Nm compared to the standard 74 kW and 133 Nm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

In terms of styling, the i20 N-Series features 17-inch alloy rims, a sporty body kit, free-flow CAT exhaust system and N-badges can be seen on the mudguards and rear tailgate. The body kit includes side skirts, trim finishes for the front and rear bumper as well as a rear boot spoiler.

Looks aside, the suspension is firmer too and the car sits lower on the road compared to the standard i20.

Hyundai i20 N-Series – Price in South Africa

Hyundai i20 N-Series – R235 500

The price includes a 5-year/150 000km warranty with Roadside Assistance and a 3-year/60 000km service plan.

Mercedes-AMG GT S (2015) Review

This is the hot new release from Mercedes-AMG that is both beautiful to look at and beautiful to drive. It’s a GT car with proper sportscar credentials and calls itself the AMG GT S.

A few years back Mercedes-AMG revealed the SLS with its striking gullwing doors and fiery 6.2-Litre V8 powerplant. It was capable of outrageous speeds but could be a handful in the bends. It also had one serious price tag. Fast forward a few years and Mercedes-AMG has come up with the new AMG GT, a more compact offering targeted directly at the Porsche 911.

It’s a beautiful thing to look at. The Mercedes-AMG GT S’s best angle is from the rear three quarters where its pure and purposeful lines are shown off. With the automated rear spoiler manually activated, it adds another dimension to the visual appeal. Drive one of these through a busy area and cellphones pop out and capture your every move.

Two Models to Choose From

There are two models to choose from. There’s a base GT and the more potent GT S, which offers a lot more than just a bit more power. Speaking of power, the GT S packs a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 delivering 375 kW and 650 Nm. The driving is done through a carbon fibre propshaft to the rear wheels and a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. While it shares the same powerplant as the latest incarnation of the AMG C63, the two cars are vastly different in power delivery and application. In fact, we had the two cars together briefly and the difference is considerable.

Reach for the Engine Start button located on the centre tunnel and the engine barks to life. Even in the tame Comfort mode, the promise of tremendous pace is immediate. Activate the Sports exhaust and the tone immediately shifts to a deeper note.

How Does It Drive?

While supercars are generally frustrating to drive on a day-to-day basis, we found the Mercedes-AMG GT S forgiving and in Comfort Mode, feels more like a cruiser rather than an outright racer. Flick through the various driving modes and the nature of the vehicle changes dramatically. Turn the dial to Race and the dark side of the Mercedes-AMG GT S comes out.

For starters, the exhaust becomes a lot louder with backfires galore on downshifts. The throttle response sharpens dramatically, the suspension firms up and the gearbox adopts more aggressive mapping for quicker gearshifts. The electronic aids relax, allowing the rear tyres some leeway. Make no mistake though, even with the stability set to Sport, the car will reign you in if you’re a bit heavy handed.

There are a number of things that make this car extraordinarily special. The ability to go from grand tourer to outright racecar by just turning a dial for one. Secondly, it’s forgiving and well balanced. AMG products have a fearsome reputation for biting the careless, but this car flatters the inexperienced driver and encourages you to press on.

In Comfort mode it’s quite civilised, with only a hint of its potential savagery. Despite the two turbos providing extra grunt, the aural satisfaction particularly in the aggressive modes is quite high. It’s a raucous sound and many would agree it’s not dissimilar to an old-school American muscle car.

Check out the AMG GT S’ Driving Modes

A video posted by Cars.co.za (@carssouthafrica) on

Focused Interior

When you’re paying R2-million for a German sportscar, you’d expect build quality and finishes to be of the highest order and they are. While the dashboard does share some similarities with lesser Mercedes-Benz models (such as infotainment screen), the interior is AMG through and through. Our test unit’s interior was clad in a striking red leather. First thing you’ll notice is the centre tunnel, which is home to buttons such as Engine Start, Start/Stop, Exhaust, Manual Gearbox mode and Stability Control. Like most sportscars, the cockpit feels tight and focussed. In order not to make the centre-dash feel cluttered Mercedes-AMG cleverly put half a dozen buttons on the roof, much like a jet. While these buttons only offer heated seat controls, hazard lights and rear spoiler deployment, there’s something strangely satisfying reaching up and depressing one of them.

Despite its clear performance focus, it still feels vaguely practical with a handy luggage compartment behind the driver and passenger. All your comfort features like satellite navigation, climate control and so on come standard too. Being a Mercedes numerous options can be fitted such as high-power audio as well as carbon ceramic brakes to name but a few.

Verdict

Few cars are this involving and dramatic, or this fast while being remarkably easy to drive.

In this segment, driver satisfaction counts foremost and the Mercedes-AMG GT S delivers wonderfully. The competition is a mixed bunch, ranging from the tech-fest Nissan GT-R, the British brute Jaguar F-Type and the old favourite, the Porsche 911. The new Audi R8 also falls into this territory. Our industry colleagues have repeatedly called the AMG GT the 911 fighter. We’d prefer to think of this as a proper alternative to the Porsche 911. As far as cars that thrill and delight, this is one of the finest. While it may have some minor faults such as road noise and lack of forward visibility due to a seriously long nose, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Few cars are this involving and dramatic, or this fast while being remarkably easy to drive. Performance car of the year? It’s certainly right up there!

Listen to the AMG GT S Engine 

A video posted by Cars.co.za (@carssouthafrica) on

Mercedes-AMG GT S – Price in South Africa

As mentioned earlier, there are two models to choose from. The AMG GT retails for R1 651 850 while the faster AMG GT S goes for R1 991 670. If you’re wanting a unique vehicle, opt for the Edition 1 pack for a ‘measly’ R2 202 670. The car comes with a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and a 6-year/100 000km maintenance plan.

Test Team Opinion

Mercedes-AMG seems to have made the sportscar for every situation. It can be calm and sedate, cruise serenely over long distances or a track lap record setter. All of this at the touch of a few buttons. Genuinely brilliant. – Ashley Oldfield

If you believe, as I do, that a car such as this should excite all the senses, and can not only be about speed and power, then the Mercedes-AMG GT S is the car for you. It looks dramatic. Its sound will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention. Drive it hard, and the “feel” through the steering wheel and seat of the pants will make you long for the long way home, every time. It’s truly excellent. – Hannes Oosthuizen

We Like: Sound, looks, performance, nice balance of day-to-day and outright racecar

We Don’t Like: Restricted visibility, road noise, could be seen as too wild.

Also Look At: Porsche 911, Jaguar F-Type R coupe, Nissan GT-R

Want to buy the Mercedes-AMG GT S? Click here!

Compare the Mercedes-AMG GT S to its rivals here!

Mercedes-AMG GT S – Quick Specs

Mercedes-AMG GT S

Popular Performance Coupes in South Africa

Last week we had lots of fun unpacking your opinions on what you thought to be the most appealing performance cars in South Africa. For this week’s #ChooseDay we kept our focus on performance but this time with an emphasis on performance coupes. We were inspired by the reveal of the of the Mercedes-AMG C 63 AMG Coupe and naturally the BMW M4 Coupe had to make an appearence as a key rival. Although the Lexus RC F is not available in South Africa, we threw it into the mix since the RC was launched locally a few weeks ago. Finally, we decided that this list would be incomplete without an appearence from the Audi RS5.

This week’s #ChooseDay generated hundreds of votes with various opinions shared on both Facebook and Twitter. One thing was clear though, battle lines were drawn in the sand and once again, the fight for top-spot was fierce. Take a look at the results and behold the most popular performance coupes in South Africa…

Popular Performance Coupes in South Africa

1. Mercedes-AMG C 63 AMG Coupe – 43% of the total vote

mercedes-amg c63 amge coupe

It was a tight race to the finish but the new C 63 AMG Coupe crossed the finish line at pace, claiming 43% of the total vote to become SA’s most popular performance coupe. And what’s not to like, especially when there’s a growling twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 thumping away under that large powerdome bonnet. A total of 349 kW and 650 Nm of torque is ready to serve you through a seven-speed Speedshift MCT transmission. Before you know it, you will be powering away to 100kph in 4 seconds before maxing out at a limited 250kph with a fat smile on your dial. You can opt for the optional AMG Driver’s Package which, will take that top speed figure to 290kph, if you really want to. The new C 63 AMG Coupe will be shown in the metal at the Frankfurt Motor Show and guess what? we will be there to see it in all its glory, so stay tuned!

The new C 63 AMG Coupe is not yet available in South Africa but you can however buy the Mercedes-AMG C 63 AMG sedan here, with pricing starting at a cool R1 052 287, if its any consolation…

2. BMW M4 Coupe – 35% of the total vote

bmw m4 coupe

In a close second place, the BMW M4 managed to rake in 35% of the vote and its popularity in South Africa is nothing short of astounding – South Africans love the M4. With its menacing appearence and aggressive stance, the M4 will (theoretically) devour just about any car that dares challenge it. Its power is derived from a six-cylinder 3.0-litre turbocharged engine that develops 317 kW and 550 Nm through either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission. The performance of the M4 is brutal, hence its popularity, and it can whack 100kph in 4.1 seconds with a limited top speed of 250kph. The manual BMW M4 Coupe is priced at R1 068 118 while the M4 Coupe automatic is priced at R1 117 992. 

Buy the BMW M4 here!

3. Audi RS5 – 13% of the total vote

audi rs5 coupe

In the battle for third place, the Audi RS5 quattro managed to shake off the Lexus RC F with 13% of the total vote, saving some face in the process. The power of the RS5 is not to be underestimated as it produces a healthy 331 kW and 430 Nm of torque from its 4.2-litre V8 engine, sending power to all four corners for maximum performance. Those figures translate into a 0-100kph sprint time of 4.5 seconds before reaching a limited top speed of 250kph with the help of a 7-speed automatic transmission. If you like the Audi RS5 quatrro coupe, you will have to fork out R1 029 500 to call it your own.

Buy the Audi RS5 quattro here!

4. Lexus RC F – 9% of total vote

lexus rc f

The Lexus RC F screeches over the finishing line, just behind the Audi RS5 with 9% of the total vote. Considering that the RC F isn’t even available in South Africa, this is an impressive result. So, what makes the RC F special then? Well, for starters it’s fitted with a 5.0-litre V8 engine that whips up 348 kW and 527 Nm of torque. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via an 8-speed direcet shift sports transmission which results in a 0-100kph sprint time of 4.6 seconds with a top speed of 273kph.

Although there are no current plans to launch the RC F in South Africa, Lexus recently launched the RC 350 F-Sport, which offers 233 kW and 378 Nm of torque from its 3.5-litre V6 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Performance is a bit watered-down compared to the RC-F, but the RC 350 F-Sport is still capable of reaching 100kph in 6.3 seconds before reaching a top speed of 230kph. The Lexus RC 350 F-Sport is the most affordable performance coupe on this list with a price tag of R730 900.

Buy the Lexus RC 350 F-Sport!

Best Budget Cars in SA in 2015

What are the best cars to buy when you are on a budget? Here are the five best value for money offerings in SA for 2015.

You may have seen that we are running a Cars Awards campaign to evaluate the best cars on sale in SA. We have sorted the cars in to proper categories so the buyer has a better idea of where to look in each segment. We’re focusing on Budget cars today where the buyer is looking for the absolute best car they can get for their money.

Don’t forget to take the owner satisfaction survey here and win prizes. It’s your chance to give feedback on the cars you bought.

In a budget car we looked at features fitted as well as safety aspects and value for money. It’s also important the car is fuel efficient and have decent backup from the manufacturer should it have any issues. Price is an obvious consideration so we set the bar at R150 000 including some form of service plan – even if it’s an optional extra.

Other key components that need to be installed are ABS and dual front airbags. Without further adieu and in no specific order, here’s our best budget buys.

Best Budget Cars in SA

Renault Sandero Expression R129 900

Renault-Sandero

The Renault Sandero offers up excellent value, space and kit. It’s built in Romania now instead of India, and apparently that has improved its build quality. It has USB and Aux support for the techies and to keep you safe there’s dual airbags and stability control – quite rare in this segment. Read More

Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GL R126 900

Suzuki Celerio GL

The Suzuki Celerio is all about space. It’s a small car that’s particularly big on the inside with excellent pricing. Electric windows all round are standard as is a decent audio system with USB and Aux. Fuel consumption is claimed at 4.7L/100km so you won’t be diving into fuel stations every day. Read more

Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL R146 400

Suzuki Swift

The Suzuki Swift is an excellent drive with good road holding dynamics. It’s a fun car and doesn’t lack features. The interior is well put together and covers all the basics to connect your phone or MP3 devices. It has near bulletproof reliability but the boot is a little on the small side. Read more

Toyota Etios 1.5 Xs R146 500

Toyota Etios

The Toyota Etios is a much improved vehicle from the first model we tested back in 2012. Improvements to the interior have steadily improved the car whilst the 1.5-Litre petrol engine remains a strong selling point. If you have any problems with your Toyota, there is no shortage of places to take it with its vast dealer network. Read More

Volkswagen Take up! R137 600

Volkswagen up!

Whilst the Take up! is the lower specced up! if you add the right extras you can get it at less than the more expensive Move up! The up! is a funky three-door that’s cool to drive and feels upmarket inside. The options however, can be costly and VW’s tend to be pricier than the competition. Read More

New Kia Sportage Official Images Emerge

Kia presented the first official photos of the new Sportage.

This comes after the teaser sketch hit the internet last week. Details and specifications of the new model will be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2015.

New Kia Sportage Design

The ‘face’ is perhaps the part that went through the biggest change on the upgraded model. Its headlamps are no longer integrated with the grille; instead, they sweep back along the outer edges of the more sharply-detailed bonnet and bolder wheel arches. The Sportage’s lower, wider ‘tiger-nose’ grille is still an imposing detail on the front of the Sportage. We kind of get the feeling the Porsche Cayenne might have been used as a base layer for the design team.

It keeps the outgoing model’s swept-back silhouette but has a roofline that tapers slightly towards the rear as well as longer front overhangs and wheelbase.

At the rear of the car, Kia has pulled much of the styling from the 2013 Kia Provo concept car. The rear is less love/hate than the front and the indicator lights are now incorporated in the top section of tail lights. The reverse lights are housed in the bottom tier of lights.

Look out for the official details on the new Sportage on the 15 September at the Frankfurt motor show. We will be there live, bringing you all the news from the show.

Fuel Price Decrease Amidst Economic Turmoil

The Department of Energy will announce a substantial decrease in fuel prices this week.

Petrol prices are expected to drop by as much as 70c per litre while diesel will decrease by about 50c for a litre of juice. Although this is good news for motorists in the short-term, the outlook going forward is far more grim.

Temporary Fuel Price Decline

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last while, you’ll know that the South African economy, and the world at large, is in a bit of a pickle at present. China’s economy is retracting, the Rand is in shambles, consumers are in debt, farmers are experiencing drought and economic growth has slowed down. To make matters worse, the South African manufacturing sector is looking likely to head to a recession and strike action in the gold and platinum sectors is likely.

In a report published by Business Tech, independent economist, Dawie Roodt warns that consumers should do everything they can to reduce their debt and avoid taking on more debt. “We are facing a very uncertain future and South Africans need to be mindful of this and prepare to tighten their belts for the tempest that is coming our way” Roodt said.

With the Rand at current levels, Roodt also warns that a further drop in fuel prices next month is unlikely and that the economy would grow less than the current predictions of 1.2%.

Still, we welcome lower fuel prices, which will provide consumers with some much-needed relief.

If the fuel price matters to you, have you considered switching vehicles to a more fuel-efficient one? Check our list of most fuel efficient cars here, and you can practice our fuel efficient driving tips here.

Citroen DS3 Sport (2015) Review

The Citroen DS3 range received a consolidation update earlier this year that saw the introduction of a new turbo engine as well exterior and interior updates. As it stands, there are five models in the range which now includes the DS3 Cabriolet and four hatchback models. We spent some time with the top-of-the-range DS3 Sport derivative to see how it weighs up against its main rival, the Mini Cooper.

Fashionista Styling

Hats off to Citroen for breaking the mould and challenging design convention with the DS3. From the outside, it certainly looks funky and posh. In terms of styling, the chic DS3 Sport is fitted with attractive DS LED Vision headlights and all-round chrome trim gives the car a sophisticated and elegant look. Key styling features include a ‘floating roof’ and ‘shark-fin’ seen in the C-pillar with attractive 17-inch dark alloy wheels rounding off the look. One of the strengths of the DS3 is the customisation options which include various roof and interior variations to make it your own. This handbag on wheels certainly aims to please…

Watch this video to learn more about the Citroen DS3 Sport!

Interior Antics

On the inside, well-bolstered leather seats are standard, providing comfort and support while subtly hinting that the DS3 is more than just a pretty face. The inner door panels are adorned in leather too, which adds to the premium feel in the cabin and the driving position is quite sporty as you nestle low into the seat. There are no buttons on the steering wheel and Citroen has rather opted for stalks placed behind the steering wheel, which allows you to control the radio, Bluetooth and navigation. However, the process of figuring out the functional intricacies of the system was time consuming, tedious and frustrating.

As an alternative, you can also use the small buttons placed on the centre console to navigate via the 7-inch screen, but this too proved to be difficult and distracting. It’s a pity that Citroen didn’t make the functionality of the eMyWay navigation system and Hi-Fi system more user-friendly, as this fact alone is enough drive anybody into a wall, literally. Then there’s the central armrest that gets in the way of the handbrake when in position – a mere oversight or deliberate sabotage? It’s main rival, the Mini has the same problem mind you.

Apart from the ergonomic issues in the DS3, it still comes well equipped with automatic climate control, USB and Aux inputs, a MP3/CD player with six speakers and electric windows. The flat-bottomed steering wheel adds a sporty touch and is adjustable for rake and reach.

In terms of space, the driver and passenger are well-sorted. Larger and taller rear passengers however will have to limber up as head, shoulder and legroom is tight. Boot size is adequate at 285-litres and expands to 980-litres with the split rear seats folded down and ISOFIX child seat mounts are fitted as standard too.

Punchy Performer

Performance is where the Citroen DS3 Sport makes up for its interior frustrations. Under the bonnet lies a superb engine, which previously powered the MINI Cooper. It’s a turbocharged 1.6-litre unit that offers up 120 kW and 240 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a relatively smooth, occasionally notchy, 6-speed manual transmission.

The DS3 Sport is responsive to throttle inputs and acceleration is quick and direct. Citroen claims 8.1 seconds for the DS3 Sport to reach 100kph from standstill, but in real life it feels a bit faster. In-gear acceleration is good too, which means you can exploit the power in just about any gear which will help you execute overtaking manoeuvres easily out on the highway. In town, the DS3 Sport is punchy and darts about with purpose and the engine is pretty quiet too, going about its business in a civilised and refined manner.

To complement its extrovert performance, the DS3 handles well and even when cornering at pace, it hugs the road with surety and never leaves the driver sweating. Body roll is minimal and the suspension is well tuned to be both comfortable and sporty, resulting in good ride quality overall.

Fuel consumption is rated at 5.6L/100km and during our time with the DS3 Sport, we easily managed 8.2L/100km, a figure that should be easy to beat with a more focussed driving approach. The automatic Stop Start system helps reduce consumption further too.

Safety Features

Potential customers will be pleased to know that the DS3 Sport comes well equipped in terms of safety and is fitted with a total of six airbags and has a 5-star EuroNCAP safety rating. Other safety features include ABS with EBS, Brake Assist, traction control, electronic stability control and park distance control.

Citroen DS3 Sport – Price in South Africa

Pricing for the top-of-the-range DS3 Sport starts at R329 900. If that’s a stretch too far then you might want to consider the entry-level 60 kW Design derivative which, starts at R239 900. If you feeling adventurous, the DS3 Cabrio will set your hair free at R304 900.

Prices include a 3-year/100 000 km warranty, a 4-year/60 000 km service plan and three years of 24-hour AA Roadside Assistance. A 5-year/100 000 km warranty extension and FreeDrive (5-year/100 000 km warranty plus 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan) can be had at additional cost.

Verdict

The Citroen DS3 Sport is a stylish package that happens to be a blast to drive thanks to its excellent engine. The DS3 does have its faults and some might find the usability of its systems frustrating. With limited rear space for average-size passengers, the DS3 is more suited to singles or couples who are not too phased about carrying passengers. If you don’t like the Mini Cooper and want something that’s a bit more elegant with power to match, then the DS3 Sport could very well be the car for you. It’s certainly cheaper than a Mini too.

Test Team Opinion

The Citroen DS3 hits the right notes as far as a funky city hatch goes. Add some power to it, like this test model and it becomes a blast to drive too. The interior is a premium place to sit but the buttons and functionality are difficult to comprehend. -Ashley Oldfield

The Citroen DS3 makes the Mini Cooper look vastly overpriced for what’s essentially a very similar product. Loaded with kit, and being fun to drive is what makes the Citroen DS3 a solid offering. I just hope Citroen’s aftersales and servicing are up to par… -David Taylor

We Like: Performance, stylish looks

We Don’t Like: Interior ergonomic issues, rear passenger space

Also Look At: Mini Cooper, Volkswagen Polo GTI, Ford Fiesta ST

Want to buy the Citroen DS3 Sport? Click here!

Compare the Citroen DS3 with its rivals here!

Citroen DS3 Sport – Quick Specs

citroen ds3 sport

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