Can the new Polo GTI close the gap to its legendary bigger brother? Like an earnest younger sibling desperate to mimic the successes of an over-achieving older brother or sister, imagine the weight of expectations placed on more youthful members of Volkswagen’s growing GTI family. As the venerable Golf GTI celebrates its 41st year of […]
Volkswagen adds a third row of seats to one of our Top 12 Best Buys champs… The Tiguan has made quite an impact on the midsize-SUV market since its launch in 2016, regularly selling more than 500 units a month. We regard the vehicle highly and in our initial test – of the 1,4 TSI Comfortline – […]
Lexus bows in with a brand-new LS. Strikingly designed and lavishly equipped, how does it fare against the recently facelifted Mercedes-Benz S-Class? Spare a thought for the premium manufacturers … Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Lexus have gamely developed generations of grand saloons, only to see them defeated by Mercedes-Benz S-Classes in countless comparative tests. Across […]
Will a new engine elevate this under-appreciated Italian-badged Japanese double cab? Although the Fullback with the Mitsubishi Triton-sourced 2,5 D-iD engine was launched only about a year ago, Fiat has decided to quietly slip the new 2,4-litre turbodiesel version into its range here in South Africa. Before we get to that new engine, though, a […]
Renault’s recently updated Captur range now includes a compelling new entry-level offering… Two years into its local lifecycle, the quirky Renault Captur continues to make the most of its chic, Clio-based styling, sought-after raised ride height and relative value. It has confirmed its stature as a worthy contender in the ever-popular light-crossover segment. Not resting […]
It might not be light, low to the ground or have only two seats, but the SQ5 is perfectly pitched at its target audience… When Audi launched the first-generation SQ5 back in 2013, eyebrows were raised at the prospect of this premium compact SUV and its athletic aspirations. Under the bonnet lay not a high-revving […]
Can the new Triton-based Pajero Sport challenge the status quo? South African families love bakkie-based SUVs and we buy them in droves. Given our outdoor lifestyles, it’s hardly surprising considering these vehicles offer vast interior space (with seven-seat capability), rugged off-road potential and many of the mod-cons expected of a luxury vehicle. Kerb-side appeal and […]
The Velar’s virtues could well signal a draw in the contest of head versus heart… “Coach lands on the runway at the same time as first class.” There’s much contention over whether this sharp idiom was ever delivered by Apple’s Steve Jobs to justify the premium his more elaborately engineered products command over more functional […]
The first two generations captured the hearts of local buyers. Will the new Picanto repeat this feat? Where do you draw the line between a totally new vehicle and a substantial facelift? The Picanto, Kia’s latest addition to the South African market, is a case in point. Kia calls it a new-generation model and, certainly […]
Haval’s latest offering is a confident step in the right direction… It must irk Chinese car manufacturers no end when the Western motoring press gives a “close, but no cigar” appraisal of its products. But, this long-standing summation is wearing thin as manufacturers such as GWM’s upmarket Haval arm introduce increasingly improved products to our […]
