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Changan Uni-S in SA: price and specs

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The Changan Uni-S has landed in South Africa, with the Chinese automaker’s local arm announcing pricing and specs for the three-strong model lineup. See pricing below… Image: Changan Changan, distributed in South Africa by Jameel Motors, entered the SA market towards the end of 2025, with the Chinese automaker’s initial vehicle portfolio comprising the Alsvin budget-friendly sedan, CS75 Pro midsize SUV, and a duo of double-cab bakkies – the turbodiesel Hunter and the Hunter REEV (range-extended electric vehicle), which is one of the most powerful bakkies in SA . The Chongqing-based also introduced the Deepal S07 all-electric crossover/SUV to our shores. Now, the company has expanded its local model lineup with the introduction of the Uni-S. The local Uni-S range comprises three derivatives, with the entry-level, CS variant priced from below R400 000 (see full pricing below). The remaining models are the CL and CE – the former and latter serving as the mid-tier and flagship model...
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Updated Ford Ranger: price and specs

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Ford South Africa has officially announced pricing for the updated Ranger bakkie lineup. See full pricing below… Image: Ford In November 2025, Ford South Africa announced “major changes” for its Ranger bakkie lineup in 2026. Now, the Blue Oval brand’s local arm has announced pricing for the revised Ranger portfolio, which comprises 23 models across three body styles single-cab, Super Cab and double-cab. The revised powertrain lineup includes Ford’s 222 kW/452 N.m 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder turbopetrol engine for the first time. In addition, the 2.0-litre single-turbo (SiT) four-cylinder diesel has received a new timing chain and is now available with a 10-speed automatic transmission. With the discontinuation of the 2.0-litre bi-turbo (BiT) diesel engine, more derivatives have gained the firm’s 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel unit. Positioned between the XLT and Wildtrak, a new Ranger Sport variant, available in Super Cab and double-cab body styles, has joined the lineup. The Ra...
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Next Suzuki Swift Sport to be based on Toyota GR Yaris

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Through its agreement with Toyota, the next-generation Suzuki Swift Sport will be based on the GR Yaris. When the fourth-generation Swift was unveiled in 2024, Suzuki remained tight-lipped as to whether the latest iteration of its characterful hatchback will spawn a plucky Sport variant. Well, the Japanese automaker has now confirmed a new Swift Sport is in the works. However, perhaps the biggest news is that it will be based on the Toyota GR Yaris. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, however, as both manufacturers offer products based on existing models from each other’s portfolios. This includes the Suzuki Fronx-based Toyota Starlet Cross and the  European-based Toyota RAV4-based Suzuki Across. (the local Across is based on the Grand Vitara). As part of this agreement, the next Suzuki Swift Sport is now destined to based on a rather exciting Toyota product. Although the Swift has been viewed as “off-limits” to Toyota, it seems the GR Yaris is at full disposal to Suzuki. As suc...
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‘Most extreme’ Mercedes-AMG Black Series in the works

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Mercedes-AMG has confirmed it is developing a brand-new – and ‘most extreme’ of its kind – Black Series model. Here’s what we know so far. Image: Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG has announced it is developing a brand-new Black Series, with the German automaker saying the upcoming model will be the “most extreme” to don the ‘Black Series’ moniker yet. Developed alongside the Affalterbach brand’s next GT3 race car, although details surrounding the second-generation GT Black Series remain thin, reports have suggested it could employ Mercedes-Benz’s new flat-plane crank V8 engine. “We are developing the most extreme Black Series ever,” said Michael Schiebe, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. Schiebe added that, at AMG, they develop vehicles to exceed expectations and that the latter is exactly what the future Black Series will do. Set to spearhead the GT lineup – of which we’ve sampled the GT 63 Pro and the GT 63 S E Performance – despite being wrapped in camoufla...
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Mitsubishi Destinator launches in SA: price and specs

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The Mitsubishi Destinator has officially launched in South Africa. Here’s how much the Japanese automaker’s new seven-seater SUV costs in SA. See pricing below… Image: Mitsubishi The local Mitsubishi Destinator lineup comprises two models, GLS and Exceed – the former and latter serving as the entry point and flagship derivative in the range, respectively. As standard, GLS spec features such items as a 4.2-inch multi-information driver’s display, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker sound system, manual air conditioning, a rear-view camera that’s supplemented by park distance sensors, keyless entry and start, and six airbags. The seats are upholstered in fabric. GLS grade is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, finished in Dark Grey. Exceed trim upgrades to 8.0-inch digital instrumentation, 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment, an eight-speaker Yamaha Premium audio system, dual-zone climate control, a surround-view camera array, and front and rear park distance sensors...
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9 most fuel-efficient hatchbacks in SA in 2026

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With fuel prices set to increase in April 2026, we’ve rounded up the nine most fuel-efficient hatchbacks currently available in South Africa as of March 2026.  7=. Suzuki Ignis – 4.9 L/100 km Image: Suzuki The Suzuki Ignis employs a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine producing 61 kW and 113 N.m. The naturally aspirated unit returns an average fuel consumption of 4.9 L/100 km in both five-speed manual and automatic manual transmission (AMT) derivatives. The Ignis is priced from R237 900. 7=. Renault Kwid – 4.9 L/100 km Image: Renault Matching the Ignis’ claimed average fuel consumption, the Renault Kwid is equipped with a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol motor, coupled with either a five-speed manual or AMT with the same number of cogs. The most affordable hatchback in SA, the Kwid is priced from R178 799. Also read: 5 Most Fuel-Efficient Vehicles CAR Magazine Tested in 2025 6=. Suzuki Swift 1.2 MT– 4.4 L/100 km Image: Suzuki With the new g...
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Buying Used: Hyundai Elantra (2017-2020)

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The sixth-generation Hyundai Elantra had a very short tenure in South Africa. But despite the premature exit, is it a good used buy? Image: CAR magazine The arrival of the sixth-generation Hyundai Elantra in June 2017 was a massive shift for the Korean automaker in South Africa. Succeeding the wildly popular, Car of the Year-winning fifth generation, this new iteration abandoned the flamboyant curves in favour of a mature, aerodynamic design and a structure that draws on European aesthetics. However, as a crucial side note to its history, this iteration was quietly discontinued locally by early 2020. This premature exit was not a reflection of mechanical inferiority, but rather a strategic concession to the relentless consumer migration toward crossovers/SUVs like the Creta and Tucson. Consequently, the Elantra’s three-year lifecycle transformed it into a fascinating, high-value anomaly on the pre-owned market. If you’re willing to swim against the SUV current, this highly depreci...
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