Driving Impressions

JOHANNESBURG – The second-generation Ertiga is introduced into a "different world" than its predecessor, Suzuki says. Fair enough, considering the automotive landscape has changed somewhat since the first iteration of the seven-seater was launched back in 2010.  Locally, for example, the ...

JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng – It’s no secret we rate the Renault Duster highly. In fact, at our recent Top 12 Best Buys competition, we awarded the new Duster first place in the small SUV/Crossover segment. Now Renault South Africa has finally again added a 4x4 version to its local range. We head ...

MALLORCA – Isn't it curious Volkswagen’s taken this long to enter the small SUV/crossover segment? Ford’s been playing this game for years with the EcoSport; Renault does a roaring global trade in Capturs; and every second suburban street corner sports a Mazda CX-3. The European market ...

CAPE TOWN – Its safe to say the G20-generation BMW 3 Series is one of the most highly anticipated new cars to arrive in South Africa so far in 2019. Still, the venerable 3 Series is these days facing a threat from within its own Bavarian stable, as the buying public continues its migration away ...

CAPE TOWN – Contrary to popular belief, volumes in the C-segment hatchback market are skewed towards mid- and high-spec models instead of entry-level, cheaper derivatives. So says Toyota, at least, which explains its decision to rationalise its local hatch line-up by introducing just three models ...

JOHANNESBURG – If there’s one word the folks at Jaguar Land Rover South Africa certainly didn’t want to see splashed across the front of newspapers nationwide in the build-up to the local appearance of the new, all-electric I-Pace, it was this: “load-shedding”. You see, ...

CAPE TOWN – What was once an exciting midsize sportscar which even featured in the 2001 hit movie The Fast and the Furious has now bloated into crossover aimed at a more conservative consumer. Of course, their likeness is in name only, but it’s interesting that Mitsubishi has applied ...

MAGALIESBURG – Wondering where the Renault Kadjar, the French brands version of the excellent Nissan Qashqai, disappeared to? Well, due to spiraling import costs (the Kadjar was imported from France), Renault SA has replaced it with this, the larger Koleos, which it sources from South Korea at ...

CAPE TOWN – The longstanding compact model hole at the bottom of Lexus crossover line-up has finally been filled by the striking new UX, but is there enough substance behind its bold styling to woo younger buyers away from the raft of boutique crossovers already prolific in our market? We sample ...