Car reviews

You can now order your favourite RS derivative with a choice of rear-ends. Which version offers the broadest appeal? 1994 was an auspicious year for the humble station wagon. While many car enthusiasts might attribute an overnight interest in these traditionally family-friendly forms of transportation ...

CAPE TOWN – Vanilla-flavoured ice-cream is always a conservative but safe choice. My mom had a confectionary shop that also sold ice-cream. I used to sample all the flavours, including chocolate (sprinkled with nuts), rum 'n' raisin, peppermint and strawberry, to name but a few. After a couple ...

JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng – Life’s not easy for C-segment hatchbacks at the moment. South African buyers – just like the majority of their global counterparts – continue to turn to the all-conquering crossover in droves, leaving most traditional family hatches floundering near the ...

Long-term test (Introduction): Ford Fiesta 1,5 TDCi Trend Looking for a diesel-powered B-segment hatchback in South Africa? You currently have just two choices: the flagship Mazda2 and the Ford Fiesta 1,5 TDCi, offered exclusively in Trend specification. Volkswagen no longer offers a TDI-badged Polo, ...

Long-term test (Introduction): Suzuki Ignis 1,2 GLX Manual Upon its arrival, the Suzuki Ignis – sporting Blue Pearl metallic paint- work, a contrasting roof-mounted rear spoiler and gloss black alloys – instantly brought some fun to the CAR garage. The white-hued grille and foglamp surrounds, ...

Long-term test (Introduction): Toyota Corolla Hatch 1,2 Xr CVT The Toyota Corolla Hatch is a massive switch for me [sorry, Pete – editor]. I’ve driven long-term bakkies for about five years now and have made them work hard. Now that my weekend workload has eased off, it’s a pleasure ...

MUNICH, Germany - In 2010, a now regularly cited study revealed 80% of BMW 1 Series owners thought their cars were driven by their front wheels. This may have played a role in BMW deciding to switch from rear- to front-wheel drive for its new entry-level range. The more likely reasons are cost considerations, ...

Can this rebadged favourite keep up with the fresher opposition? We test the Isuzu D-Max DC 3,0 TD 4x4 LX... The venerable, locally built KB may have incurred a name change to the internationally standard D-Max but it’s still the same bakkie which has found many faithful followers over the ...

The original Mini is the celebrated hero of the working class. We jumped behind the wheel of a Cooper S to celebrate its global impact... Over its 41-year lifecycle, the original Mini was a Jack of all trades: an everyday car of the people, star of the silver screen and champion on the racetrack. Where ...