The Car Guide

We have rounded up the 10 most powerful hatchbacks available in South Africa in 2026. See the full list below… 9. Volkswagen Mk8.5 Golf GTI – 195 kW Image: Peet Mocke Kicking off the list is Volkswagen’s Mk8.5 Golf GTI, which we sampled for an exclusive first local drive in 2025. The updated eighth-generation Golf GTI features subtle cosmetic enhancements, including new alloy wheels. Though, the most noteworthy change to the package is its increased power output – up 15 kW over its predecessor. The Mk8.5’s uprated EA888 powertrain produces 195 kW. Twisting force has remained untouched, with the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot delivering 370 N.m to the front axle via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG). VW claims the Mk8.5 Golf GTI completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds. 8=. Toyota GR Yaris 1.6T GR-Four Rally – 210 kW Image: Toyota In addition to exterior and interior revisions, for the updated GR Yaris, which we sampled at the local launch in 2025, Toyota i...

VW Group Africa has said it is ‘confident’ the Mk8.5 Golf R will come to SA. Image: Volkswagen In September 2025, Volkswagen Group Africa confirmed to CAR magazine that the Mk8.5 Golf R is ‘being planned’ for SA . See, as we reported, with the Mk8.5 Golf GTI, which we’ve sampled on local shores, having been approved for our market, there is no longer a technical issue to bring the pinnacle Golf model to SA. As CAR Editor Ian McLaren noted in his review of the Mk8.5 Golf R , “The behind-the-scenes work and (emissions-related) testing undertaken by the Kariega-based firm to get the GTI approved for this market have meant cars like the R and its forthcoming Audi S3 cousin are now available to their respective South African offices.” Now, at VW Group Africa’s 2026 Indaba, the German marque’s local arm has said it is “confident” the updated (more powerful) eighth-generation Golf R will, indeed, come to SA. However, while the updated Audi S3 has already launched in our mark...

Soon to be released in SA, the iCAUR V23 has scored the full complement of five stars for safety at a recent ASEAN NCAP test. Image: ASEAN NCAP Penned in to launch in the South African market in 2026, the iCAUR V23 scored five stars for safety at a recent ASEAN NCAP (New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries) test. The boxy all-electric SUV scored highly in each safety category – Adult and Child Occupant Protection, Safety Assist Technology, and Vulnerable Road User Protection.   The iCAUR V23 scored 99% for adult occupant protection and 83% for child occupant protection. Equipped with a plethora of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), the emissions-free SUV was awarded 86% in the safety assist category. In the Vulnerable Road User category, the V23 scored 87.65%.  Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager for iCAUR SA , commented, “South African roads are full of surprises. You never know what’s coming next. Ahead of the V23’s debut in S...

We have rounded up the 10 best-selling passenger cars in South Africa in January 2026. See the full list below. Image: Volkswagen In January 2026, the South African new-car sales market gained early traction, with naamsa reporting a total of 50 073 new vehicles were sold in the first month of the new year. Of the total figure, passenger cars accounted for a commanding 74.2% share, or 37 190 units. The Volkswagen Polo Vivo topped the passenger-car sales charts in January 2026, with the locally-built budget-oriented hatchback posting a sales figure of 2 060 units. The Suzuki Swift retained second spot on the podium, with 2 029 units sold. In the first month of 2026, 1 625 new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro units found homes in SA. Occupying fourth and fifth place are the Toyota Vitz and Starlet, respectively. The Hyundai Grand i10 placed sixth, while the Haval Jolion moved up to seventh, followed by the Suzuki Fronx in eighth. The Toyota Starlet Cross and Rumion placed ninth and tenth, r...

With winter testing of its upcoming  four-door GT underway, Jaguar has hinted at how much power the production model’s all-electric drivetrain will produce. Image: Jaguar Jaguar has announced prototype models of its upcoming four-door GT are currently undergoing rigorous winter testing in the Arctic Circle as part of “the most comprehensive Jaguar development programme ever undertaken”. In addition to this news, the British marque also revealed more details surrounding the production model’s powertrain. According to the Coventry carmaker, the Jaguar GT will be the most powerful production car it has ever created, with its all-electric powertrain set to produce “more than” 735 kW – the latter delivered to the road via an all-wheel drivetrain with Intelligent Torque Vectoring. The GT will also feature all-wheel steering, air suspension and active twin-valve dampers. Jaguar is aiming for an operating range of 770 km. Said Matt Becker, Vehicle Engineering Director at Jaguar, “Jag...

The more rugged and powerful GWM Tank Hooke Edition could be launched in 2026, a report from China has suggested. Image: Auto Home A report from China has suggested that the Tank 300 Hooke Edition, which GWM first previewed at Auto Shanghai 2025, could be penned in to officially launch in 2026. Indeed, according to Auto Home , this more rugged and powerful version of GWM’s Ford Everest rival “is expected” to launch this year. So, what do we know about the Tank 300 Hooke Edition? Well, according to the Chinese publication, this model will employ a 3.0-litre V6 powertrain that incorporates 48 V mild-hybrid tech. The twin-turbocharged unit is said to produce 260 kW and 500 N.m of torque, delivered to a part-time four-wheel drivetrain via a nine-speed automatic transmission. From what we understand, the Tank 300 Hooke Edition will feature a longer wheelbase (the standard model’s wheelbase spans 2 750 mm). It will also feature solid axles, front and rear. Adding to its off-road prowe...