Price: R735 995
Engine: 1,6-litre, inline-four, turbo diesel
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch
Power: 100 kW @ 4 000 r/min
Torque: 320 N.m @ 2000-2 250 r/min 0-100 km/h: 11,4 seconds
Top speed: 180 km/h*
Fuel consumption: 4,9 L/100km (combined)*
CO₂ emissions: 129 g/km*
Rivals: Haval H6, Volkswagen Tiguan, Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4
A quick - and considering the prime sometimes A the prices of new cars, scary and always cursory - glance across automotive segments provides a revelatory snapshot of buying trends across the South African passenger vehicle market.
Key takeaways are that nearly two-thirds of new-vehicle sales now originate from compact and medium-sized SUVs, within which manual-transmission equipped models have been continually losing their appeal, making petrol automatics almost the default choice.
And what of diesels?
There are a handful of options at the R300k-R400k entry point, a similar number between R700k and R900k and a raft of seven-digit price picks thereafter.
Between R500k and R700k, though, where what's left of the country's economically active middle-class is being forced to shop - there is not one.
Enter Kia, which trotted out a petrol derivative of the fifth generation Sportage in September 2022 (incidentally, a contender for the 2023 South African Car of the Year), and have finally gotten around to adding a trio of oil-burning derivatives to the five strong incumbent petrol-engined line-up.
Denne historien er fra CAR July 2023-utgaven av CAR South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra CAR July 2023-utgaven av CAR South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Toyota Fortuner
Considered by many as the quintessential adventure SUV, the Fortuner is about as strong a used buying proposition as you can get in this segment. We take you through the things to look out for and list two rivals for comparison.
MIND THE HURDLE
With a repaired car and a point to prove, Alex Shahini returned for Round 3 of the Toyota GR Cup at Zwartkops Raceway to achieve a career-best finish
KING OF KILLARNEY
For four decades, Denis Joubert was directly involved with the creation, development and ongoing success of Cape Town's international motorsport venue, Killarney. Having just celebrated his 90th birthday, we talk to the man whose contribution to South Africa's motor-racing heritage is priceless....
Selecting the 4WD SYSTEM for your needs
As 4WD SUVS and double cabs grow in popularity, more first-time buyers face the challenge of selecting a vehicle with a drivetrain that best meets their requirements. We explain the key differences between the all-wheel drivetrains available
Kia Picanto 1.0 LX MT
Kia's ever-popular budget hatch has recently received a range of exterior and interior updates - we test the entry-level variant to see if it remains a force to be reckoned with in this highly competitive segment
Super C
The fastest and most technologically advanced flagship C-Class to date, AMG's C63 S has evolved into an electrified uber-sedan. Has this mighty model forsaken some character in pursuing this status? We strapped our test equipment to the new shooting star.
Bentley's Brutes
A break in proceedings during an exclusive preview of the fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT afforded us an opportunity to sample the stately yet hair-raising Bentayga S
RUNNING UP THAT HILL
Now in its 14th year, the Simola Hillclimb continues to combine adrenaline-fuelled competition with showcasing some of the most appealing classics out there in a heady mix that keeps local petrolheads coming...
BAND OF BROTHERS
Complete with rugged bakkie-based underpinnings that encourage off-the-beaten-track venturing, largely proven powertrains that afford maximum range and towing capability, and brand names with enviable respective reputations for reliability, adventure SUVs remain the favourite of thousands of South Africans.
TWELVE OF THE BEST
Ferrari keeps things suitably old-school with its V12-engined 12Cilindri GT
