It takes generations to build up a near-immortal legacy with an adoring customer base at the core. In Mzanzi, there are staples for different types of mobility where everything else in the segment becomes an outlier. Our go-to bakkie is the Hilux while the Golf GTI is glorified in its hot hatch segment. We lived with the 8th generation of the beloved German derivative to see if the recipe has deviated from its predecessors.
Tag: Car Reviews South Africa
The new Kia Sonet is here to take over!
The hatchback as we know is dead! Don’t believe me? Well, Renault recently unveiled their new Mégane concept that has now morphed into a crossover of some sort. Ford only sells SUVs and pick up trucks in the USA while on the local front the only version of the Golf 8 that we’ll be getting… Continue reading The new Kia Sonet is here to take over!
The Chinese are coming… No, the Chinese are here!
If you take notice of the cars on our roads, you will see an abundance of models from the likes of Toyota, Volkswagen and Ford. You might also note a large contingent of premium brands – ranging in price and age but highly sought after on the new and used markets for those who have… Continue reading The Chinese are coming… No, the Chinese are here!
Honda’s WR-V wants a piece of the compact crossover cake
Honda recently launched their WR-V model, which wants a piece of the most competitive segment in South Africa, but is their newcomer the right car for the job? We recently got to experience the liveability of the affordable 1.2 Comfort model. The Tokyo-based automaker is no stranger to SUVs, with a broad range on offer… Continue reading Honda’s WR-V wants a piece of the compact crossover cake
Stacking up the new Kia Rio against its older sibling
Is the updated fourth generation Kia Rio an upgrade from its predecessor? We recently got to spend some time with the new Rio where we were able to stack it up to its preceding sibling that arguably catalysed a rebirth for the brand not only in Mzansi but globally too. Although Kia, the largest manufacturer… Continue reading Stacking up the new Kia Rio against its older sibling
Road Sailing with Honda’s new Ballade
Relative comfort and affordability are things that are seldomly mutually exclusive in the car market, particularly with the small sedan segment. Alex Shahini recently spent some time with the new 8th generation Ballade RS to evaluate the newcomers updates and how its disposition stacks it up against its competitors and predecessor. Japanese vehicles are revered… Continue reading Road Sailing with Honda’s new Ballade
Affordable Adventuring in the Toyota Urban Cruiser
More recently, people have had an inherent yearning for adventure as a result of being cooped up under months of lockdown – getting out to experience the world around us seems more of an imperative now than ever before. Carmakers have paid attention and through the advent of the SUV segment have made adventuring into… Continue reading Affordable Adventuring in the Toyota Urban Cruiser
New Volkswagen Polo vs Peugeot 208 GT-Line
New Volkswagen Polo v Peugeot 208 GT-Line “Cool”, “eye-catching” and “snazzy” are just a few words than can be used to describe both Volkswagen’s new Polo and the updated Peugeot 208 GT-Line. These hatchbacks play in a competitive market, each manufacturer has their own version of what they perceive that market wants. For those looking… Continue reading New Volkswagen Polo vs Peugeot 208 GT-Line
We drive the Ford Fiesta ST200
Driven Review on the Ford Fiesta ST200 Ford celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Fiesta and what better way to send off the Mk7 Fiesta than with something really special? Say hello to the new Fiesta ST200. Only 160 units of these are coming to South Africa so it is going to be rare to… Continue reading We drive the Ford Fiesta ST200
BMW takes the M240i to the next level with the Performance edition.
BMW M240i Performance edition BMW’s introduction of the M240i to replace the already properly good M235i resulted in rather strange squeaks of elation from the BMW fanboys that popularised it. Boasting a brand new B58 motor with rather serious power figures, to the tune of 250kw and 500nm being pumped to the rear wheels. Mated… Continue reading BMW takes the M240i to the next level with the Performance edition.
We drive the new Suzuki Ignis
On launch with the new Suzuki Ignis I would have loved to have been in the room when the briefing on the new Suzuki Ignis was created. It would have been quite the meeting when the car designs came in. It would have been a shock, but a good one, I thought as I sat… Continue reading We drive the new Suzuki Ignis
Is the BMW 440i Coupe a poor man’s M4?
Poor mans M4? Our thoughts on the new BMW 440i Coupe I read somewhere that the BMW 440i Coupe was referred to as the poor man’s M4. This unfortunately highlights the gap in knowledge that this person has regarding the differences between these two variants from BMW. Look at this example, you have two sons… Continue reading Is the BMW 440i Coupe a poor man’s M4?
9 reasons why the Polo R Line is the perfect premium city car.
VW Polo R Line: The perfect premium city hatchback? Volkswagen’s latest Polo, the Polo R line edition could be described as the perfect premium city hatchback. Here are 9 reasons to back this statement up: 3 Cylinder Engine The 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engine featured in the Polo R produces 81 kW and 160 N.m. This… Continue reading 9 reasons why the Polo R Line is the perfect premium city car.
Volvo S90 T6 vs S90 D5 : Same but very different
Volvo S90 T6 v S90 D5 : What would you choose? I recently posted an article on the Volvo S90 D5, and found that in the short, the car was very relaxing to drive and instilled a calmness on the driver. A short while after testing the S90 D5, I jumped into the T6 variant… Continue reading Volvo S90 T6 vs S90 D5 : Same but very different
Our first drive of the Facelifted VW Golf 7.5 GTI
South African Launch: Facelifted VW Golf 7.5 GTI Whenever a new Golf is launched, there is excitement beyond belief. First and foremost, it’s been widely regarded as the benchmark in its class and for good reason. Its brilliant! Whether you are starting a new job, transporting kids to and from school, or want a car… Continue reading Our first drive of the Facelifted VW Golf 7.5 GTI
Volkswagen strikes back: Volkswagen Amarok V6 launched in South Africa
Volkswagen Amarok V6 launched in South Africa Back in 2010 when Volkswagen announced that the Amarok will only feature 2.0 litre engines, bakkie lovers were up in arms. “We need more power! We need more displacement!” the angry hoards and picketers screamed, forming a mob and carrying flaming objects whilst protesting toward their local VW… Continue reading Volkswagen strikes back: Volkswagen Amarok V6 launched in South Africa
Can’t afford the R1.4M Alfa Romeo Gulia QV? There is another option
South African Car News: Alfa Romeo Gulia Veloce Anyone with functioning eyes will agree that the Alfa Romeo Giulia is one of the prettiest cars on sale at the moment. Its proportions are delicious and its interior finish far better than anyone had expected from an Alfa Romeo. Overall, it’s a good quality product and… Continue reading Can’t afford the R1.4M Alfa Romeo Gulia QV? There is another option
Nissan Qashqai Driven Review in South Africa
We test drive the Nissan Qashqai Once upon a time, a manufacturer decided to make a 4×4 that wasn’t actually a 4×4 and the rest became history. Few people could have predicted the success of the crossover when the Nissan Qashqai supposedly invented the segment in 2006. Well over a million Qashqai’s and a bajillion… Continue reading Nissan Qashqai Driven Review in South Africa
Who said a half tonner can’t be cool?: Nissan NP 200 ICE Driven
Nissan NP 200 ICE Driven Review in South Africa Never in a million years would’ve I have thought a half tonne bakkie would be something that appeals to me. Honestly these kind of cars are usually bought out of need, not want. Perhaps you’ve started a small business and you need something that’s going… Continue reading Who said a half tonner can’t be cool?: Nissan NP 200 ICE Driven
The Future Is Electric: Audi E-Tron Sportback Revealed
Audi is starting to take electricity very seriously: Audi E-Tron Sportback revealed. Manufacturers fascination with electricity was not just a phase, it’s happening and getting better and better. So much so Audi plans to launch five electric cars in the next five years. Yikes. The one everyone is talking about now is the Audi E-Tron… Continue reading The Future Is Electric: Audi E-Tron Sportback Revealed
The Opel MOKKA X: A Crossover For South African City Life.
Opel MOKKA X Driven Review Crossover vehicles are becoming very popular, they bring the style of an SUV together with the compactness of a hatchback. They prove to be popular for those with young families or ones who just can’t stretch the budget for the real deal. Crossover’s look good, a little different from the… Continue reading The Opel MOKKA X: A Crossover For South African City Life.
Suzuki Baleno Driven Review
Long term test on the Suzuki Baleno in South Africa Rewind to 1997 – Britney was fresh on the scene, George Clooney was Batman, Tony had just become Prime Minister and I had just learnt how to walk. These were all iconic events in their own right and while the world was marvelling at Mike… Continue reading Suzuki Baleno Driven Review
The Bigger MINI Countryman is back in South Africa and it’s better
The New MINI Countryman is back – We attended the South African launch. The Countryman was the car that made MINI lovers question the brands direction. How can a MINI be a four door hatchback that wasn’t “mini” by any means? That question troubled die-hard fans that only associate the car with Mr. Bean and… Continue reading The Bigger MINI Countryman is back in South Africa and it’s better
Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe Driven Review
We Drive The Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe in South Africa If Thor had a car, it would be the Mercedes-AMG C63 S. Nothing more, nothing less. You could imagine him driving to his local Starbucks in Asgard, indulging in his “delicious cuppa” smashing it on the floor, bellowing for another and climbing into his C63… Continue reading Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe Driven Review
More Torque, More Tech and Fewer Cylinders – Audi’s New RS5
In my mind, Audi’s RS5 has always had a unique appeal in the very sporty small coupe segment. While BMW’s M3 has always been the nimble and dynamic youth in a hoody and Mercedes-AMG’s C63 the grandpa in All Stars, the last generation RS5 suffered from an identity crisis and was neither supremely comfortable nor… Continue reading More Torque, More Tech and Fewer Cylinders – Audi’s New RS5