The Car Guide

The Nissan Tekton has officially launched in South Africa. We take a closer look at how it stacks up against its Renault Duster step-sibling… Lineup The Nissan Tekton lineup comprises five derivatives, available with the choice of four trim grades. Entry-level, Visia specification can be had with either a 74 kW/160 N.m 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine or 115 kW/260 N.m 1.3-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine — the former and latter exclusively coupled with a six-speed manual and six-speed dual-clutch transmission, respectively. The remaining models — Acenta, Tekna, and Tekna+ — are all equipped with the more powerful unit. The six-strong, inclusive of an Iconic Launch Edition model, local Renault Duster range is available with the same powertrains as the Tekton. However, curiously, the 1.3T Duster’s power output is quoted at 116 kW (up 1 kW over the 1.3T Tekton), with torque remaining unchanged. The Duster lineup can be had in Evolution (1.0T and...

Chery new-energy sub-brand iCaur has confirmed the 03T REEV will launch in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2026. We detail the upcoming new model… Image: iCaur Penned in to join iCaur’s local 03T range, which currently comprises two battery-electric (BEV) models, in the fourth quarter of 2026, the 03T REEV (range-extended electric vehicle) features a single, rear-mounted electric motor coupled with a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol internal combustion engine (ICE). The ICE powertrain serves as a generator for the SUV’s 33.67 kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack. The 03T REEV produces 185 kW and 300 N.m of torque, delivered to the road via the rear wheels. iCaur claims a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 7.9 seconds and a 170 km/h top speed. For comparison, the rear-wheel-drive 03T BEV produces 135 kW and 220 N.m – good for a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time of 10.5 seconds and a 150 km/h top speed. The 03T REEV’s LFP battery serves up a claimed electric-only...

The Nissan Tekton has officially launched in South Africa, with the Japanese automaker’s local arm revealing pricing and specs for its Renault Duster-based compact SUV. See pricing below… Image: Nissan Similar to its Renault Duster step-sibling, the Nissan Tekton is available with the choice of two turbocharged petrol engine options: 1.0-litre three-cylinder (T160) and 1.3-litre four-cylinder (T280). Exclusively coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox, the T160 unit produces 74 kW and 160 N.m of torque. The T280 powertrain produces 115 kW and 260 N.m, the latter delivered to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Nissan claims average fuel consumption figures of 5.9 and 6.3 L/100 km for the T160 and T280, respectively. The T160- and T280-equipped models complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in 12.46 and 9.89 seconds, respectively, the Japanese automaker says. The respective claimed top speeds of the former and latter are 170 and 198 km/h. Nissan Tekton price in South A...

The fourth iteration of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado was on sale for 14 years. Here’s what you should know about it as a used buy. Image: CAR magazine When Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) introduced the fourth-generation Land Cruiser Prado (J150) to our market in late 2009, it was tasked with bridging an incredibly difficult divide. It had to offer the school-run civility expected of a premium SUV while retaining the indestructible spirit of its Land Cruiser heritage. Over a staggering 14-year lifecycle, the J150 became the default currency of affluent South Africans, agricultural tycoons, and serious overlanders. Land Cruiser Prado engines For the first decade of its local tenure, the J150 Land Cruiser Prado’s mechanical narrative was defined by the legendary, albeit increasingly agricultural, 3.0-litre D-4D turbodiesel engine. Internally designated 1KD-FTV, this four-cylinder unit produced 120 kW and 400 N.m of torque, delivered to all four corners via a five-speed automa...

The Chery Tiggo 8 Apex I has landed in South Africa, with the Chinese automaker announcing local pricing and specs. See pricing below… Image: Chery South Africa Adding to its existing Tiggo 8 SUV lineup, Chery South Africa has launched the Tiggo 8 Apex I. The local arm of the Chinese marque says the Apex I offers an “enhanced design”, along with comfort and safety upgrades. As standard, the Tiggo 8 Apex I features such items as digital instrumentation, touchscreen infotainment, a 50 W wireless smartphone charging tray, dual-zone climate control, 64-colour ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof. The front seats are heated and ventilated, with the driver’s and passenger’s offering six- and four-way electric adjustability. A 540-degree surround-view camera system and tyre pressure monitoring are also present. Safety items include seven airbags and several advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The ADAS suite includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and auto...

We can confirm the BYD Ti 7, replete with 360 kW plug-in hybrid powertrain, is en route to South Africa. Here’s when it’s coming… Image: BYD Fangchengbao In May 2026, we pondered the question on whether the BYD Fangchengbao Tai 7 could make its way to South Africa. Earlier this month, a BYD dealership posted on its Instagram page that pre-orders for the Ti 7, as it will be known in our market, are open. We reached out to the dealership to find out more. We can confirm when the Ti 7 will launch in South Africa, along with which powertrain it will employ. Locally, the Ti 7 will be offered with BYD’s DM-p (Dual Mode-performance) powertrain, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) setup comprising a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and two electric motors. From what we were told, the DM-p arrangement produces combined power and torque outputs of 360 kW and 620 N.m of torque – good for a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time of 5.3 seconds. Power is delivered t...