The Polo had better watch out, because there is a new boy at school and he is a huge contender in the popularity contest. The truly all-new Nissan Micra is stylish, sporty, and made for those on the go and who want to get more out of life.
Everyone freaks for the Jimny. If it isn’t my next-door neighbour asking for a spin, it’s a stranger outside of the supermarket parking his new Jimny next to mine and striking up a conversation.
The premium British automobile manufacturer has gone out of its way to ensure uniqueness with their upgrades to the Mini range. Fresh design accents, innovations in drive technology and tons of customisation options set the new generation apart.
South Africa loves the Hilux. There’s no question. And it remains a great choice for anyone looking for the ultimate workhorse as we see in an updated and tweaked model line-up after the release of the limited edition Dakar. Hold on to your hats, it’s a stunner!
The Kona is extremely attractive and the perfect crossover in my opinion. Being a finalist for COTY and highly specced with build-quality that matches cars that cost much more, should translate well into sales.
The X-Class may share underpinnings with the Nissan Navara, but it has different suspension settings, a stylish cabin and the option of the V6 in the flagship model.
It was the first time that I had the opportunity to see why there is such a fuss about the updated Land Cruiser or the “Cruiser” as it’s known to its large fan club.
After reviewing the Type-R, it was a pleasure to also get to experience the Jazz Sport which replaces the current Jazz Dynamic derivatives. Inspired by the sportiness of Honda’s top-of-the-range Type-R, this car has become much more eccentric.
There has been a lot of hype around it. It is the European Car of the Year. It is the first 3-cylinder vehicle for the Swedish brand. And it is an absolute triumph.
This Mitsubishi flagship crossover belonging to a maturing market is spacious and practical, so whatever challenges your possible lifestyle changes may bring as you move up in the world, this car will serve you very well. That, plus its steering is marvelous.
Having recently undergone a realisation that I was not contributing enough towards sustainability, Mother Nature sent the new BMW i3 my way. This was my first electric car, and I have to say; everyone should experience the thrill of a premium electric car, right away!
Buying a car in this price range means you are spoilt for choice and ultimately must be guided by your instincts. The face-lifted i20 Active is the flagship of the range and stands out visually against many competitors.
This highly technologically-advanced SUV has a 5-star safety rating and is slowly regaining lost ground with an excellent value proposition that struck a chord with me. Depending on model, there is the option of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive models and three specification levels.
The Suzuki Swift is swiftly gobbling up the competition making up 30% of new car sales in the segment and being such a yummy little contender in the budget/entry-level compact hatchback it’s no surprise.
Being larger than a Tiguan, the Allspace closes the gap between the Tiguan and the premium class Touareg and offers a third row of seats that fold into the cargo floor.
When you tell people you like Peugeot they automatically say something along the lines of “blah, blah, resale value”. But I can’t help it; I have fallen in love with this brand. Ever since I tested the 3008 SUV GT Line (which is one of my absolute favourite cars), I knew it was the beginning of an affair between the lion and I.
This extroverted high-performance hatchback will hook the daredevil thrill-seekers out there. Do you love speed and a great driving experience? Do you love showing off just a little bit? And do you want to knock up your sex appeal on the road by a hundred notches?
Where are all the Muscle Marys? Come closer because you will want to hear this! But seriously, this one is for the adventurous type of guy who likes surfing, mountain biking, paragliding, and even motocross or off-road motorcycling.
Exquisitely designed, the gran tourismo-inspired Arteon emphasises emotionality and the name is constituted from art and emotion. Arteon is Volkswagen’s top passenger model that combines avant-garde design with a high level of versatility.
Having driven around Kyalami with many different cars ranging from Porsches to Ferraris, the M5 was the most chilled experience. Matching such race track potential with such a laid-back sedan is truly astonishing.
Being indulged with a car that offers so much opulence, power, smoothness, spaciousness, dynamic ride comfort and attention to detail is a rare treat indeed.
Built on a new rear-drive platform the coupé-like silhouette appears smaller than in reality and the new 310kW twin turbocharged V6 adds wings to that illusion.
Without a doubt one of South Africa’s favourite cars, the Volkswagen Polo, has come back as a new car in its sixth generation. It is longer and lower in height while also being larger on the inside without a bodyweight increase.
The F Sport’s spindle-grille ‘frame’ is finished off in a striking black chrome effect which ties in with the dark ‘F-mesh’ grille. A new 10,3-inch display audio screen has enhanced graphics and clarity and the climate control panel now have fewer switches for ease of operation.
Over the summer holidays some time ago I had the opportunity to live with the Subaru XV for a month and found it practical and an absolute pleasure. It was great having two SUVs over the vacation and it was fun to drive the XV back to back with my BMW X1.
Any sceptic that believes Jaguar should not have ventured into SUV territory needs an intimate encounter with the stylish cockpit.
This seven-speed automatic badass with its 140kW twin-turbo diesel engine gives you all of the power you can expect out of a workhorse like this, but also offers comfort features that are just not very common in the pick-up segment.
The it-boy Golf R got a facelift making it even more popular among South African buyers especially considering the extra boost of 7kW power giving it an impressive 213kW on this 2-litre engine, making it the most powerful Golf ever sold in the country.
In the highly competitive compact crossover section, the Captur is in fact a strong contender, helped along with its very impressive fuel economy figures and the extra torque that especially the diesel engine derivative (a way better all-rounder than the petrol) offers.
This robust and assertive vehicle runs on an efficient 1,6-litre engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission which creates a feeling of willingness without pretence, superbly geared to go around bends and travel South African roads with complete control.
Buyers of the new KIA Picanto will have access to some of the most advanced infotainment and convenience technologies available in the A-segment, while still enjoying the same high value for money expected of a KIA vehicle.
Thanks to the new platform architecture it’s achieving significant gains in overall ride quality and refinement. The new CR-V range consists of four models, comprising a choice of two engines (2,0 and 1,5) and four specification levels.
The GTS is now turbocharged and the 3,0-litre flat-six has two turbos. I think part of the charm of the 911 is that the engine behind you stirs your essence. Maybe being so physically close to your core being, the sonorous high notes during full throttle, finds synergy with your heart galloping at full speed.
I had the opportunity to experience the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport on a very tough off-road 4×4 track and the satisfaction of winning the off-road racing challenge with my co-driver Adam Ford!
This little car with its solid build quality and reputation for reliability is a well-priced charmer. Based on the hugely successful Hyundai Getz that it replaced in 2014, the Grand i10 bridges the gap between a small A-segment car and a larger B-segment car.
The Land Cruiser is the most widely available model in the global Toyota product range – being sold in more than 190 countries worldwide. The cult-like South African following with off-roading enthusiasts is well deserved as this behemoth lets very little stand in its way.
The Qashqai is the original urban crossover and the new model will continue its market success as it is a real looker and perfect for “cityproofing” yourself.
