The Car Guide

There’s been a significant number of changes in the June 2025 chart of South Africa’s best-selling passenger cars. Here’s the breakdown. The Corolla Cross claimed top spot as South Africa’s best-selling passenger car in June 2025. Image: Toyota South Africa’s new-car sales market continues to gain momentum as 2025 progresses, with many manufacturers seeing a steady rise in sales since the start of the new year. In June 2025, an estimated 32 570 new passenger cars were sold, signifying an overall increase of 828 units over May 2025 and healthy 21.7% increase over June 2024 . Of the overall figure of new passenger cars sold in June 2025, the vehicle rental industry accounted for 10.7% of sales, as reported by naamsa . In June 2024, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) was once again South Africa’s best-selling car brand, with the locally-built Corolla Cross leading the charge for TSAM in the passenger-car segment. In the sixth month of this year, our 2025 SUV Shootout runner-up bes...

On 6 July 2025, a host of enthusiasts will come together at the Nasrec Grounds in Johannesburg to showcase their much-loved classic cars. Here’s what you can expect from this year’s The Classic Car Show. Image: The Classic Car Show Since 2012, The Classic Car Show has been one of the ideal events for classic-car enthusiasts to get up close with a selection of sought-after classics. And the 2025 instalment promises to be a “hotbed” of V8 muscle cars and “interesting” old-timers. Traditionally the focal point of this event, organiser Paulo Calisto says the spirit of V8 muscle will be very much alive at the 13th rendition of The Classic Car Show, with a “mouth-watering” selection expected for Sunday, 6 July. However, V8-powered classics reigning from the ’States won’t be the only cars on display. Early 1980s Ford Escorts, in 1 600 Sport and RS2000 form, will also be present and, as we’ve come to expect from the event, an array of European and British classics. The former includes D...

Here’s the breakdown of South Africa’s best-selling car brands in June 2025. Toyota remained at the top of the new-car sales charts in June 2025. Image: Toyota In May 2025, naamsa , the Automotive Business Council of South Africa, reported that the fifth month of the year signified a turning point for the local automotive market. Taking a glance at the top 10 best-selling car brands in South Africa in June 2025 (see the list below), the momentum gained from May 2025’s new-car sales continued into June, with most of the country’s top-selling automakers recording increases in sales. Toyota once again lead the sales charts, with the local arm of the Japanese automaker, in June 2025, recording a 1 360-unit increase in overall sales over May 2025 . Suzuki and Volkswagen remained in second and third place, respectively. There were a few changes, though, with Ford surpassing Hyundai for fourth spot, while Kia , with 1 230 units sold, was relegated from 10th to 12th position — BMW Group...

When the Ford Territory arrived in South Africa in 2024, it marked an important step for the Blue Oval’s local arm. The SUV doesn’t just fill a gap in the brand’s lineup, but gives it something it’s been missing: a practical, tech-focused, midsize SUV aimed at everyday family use. Image: Ford Sitting between the compact Puma and the larger Everest, the Territory is Ford’s most focused attempt yet at tackling the core of South Africa’s five-seater SUV market. It arrives with the right proportions, modern styling, and a spacious cabin, all built on a global platform developed through Ford’s partnership with Jiangling Motors Corporation in China. While some may still raise eyebrows at a Chinese-built Ford, the Territory proves that the country’s automotive industry has come a long way. The build quality feels solid, and the overall execution is clean and sensible. And just for the sake of it, there’s a little flashiness. Where the Territory Titanium fits in well is how it adopts For...

Kia’s Carens three-row crossover/SUV has been confirmed for South Africa, with the local arm of the South Korean automaker saying it will be priced below R550 000.  Image: Kia Kia South Africa has a busy 12 months ahead. In the December 2024 issue of CAR magazine, we reported that the firm will introduce the facelifted fourth-generation Sorento , which we sampled at the recent local launch, updated Carnival and Tasman bakkie to our shores in the coming year. However, there are two more models Kia will introduce to its local model portfolio: the Syros and the car you see here, the Carens. Positioned as a more cost-friendly three-row crossover/SUV, the Carens measures 4 540 mm in length, 1 800 mm in width, 1 780 mm in height, and 2 780 mm between the fore and aft axles, making it similar in size to the Hyundai Alcazar , which is priced from R499 900 to R669 900. Image: Kia Though local pricing and specification have yet to be released, the local arm of the South Korean carm...

Lamborghini has announced a new limited-edition hypercar. Scheduled to make its debut at the 2025 Monterey Car Week, here’s everything we know so far about the Fenomeno. Image: Lamborghini A tradition that began in 2007, Lamborghini has produced some of the most sought-after ‘few-offs’ to grace the road. The latter includes such Raging Bulls as the Reventón, Sesto Elemento, Veneno, Centenario, Sián FKP 37 and Countach LPI 800-4. Now, following in the footsteps off its ‘few-offs’ forebears, the Fenomeno (“phenomenon”) will soon join this illustrious line of vehicles. According to the Sant’Agata Bologese automaker, the upcoming ‘few-off’ model will “map out” the future of Lamborghini supercars, with reports suggesting the limited edition will be the most powerful to don the Raging Bull moniker to date. Based on the Revuelto , which we sampled at the international launch in Italy, the Fenomeno will likely employ the same powertrain: a 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 that’s supple...

Positioned between the Sonet and Seltos, Kia has confirmed the Syros is heading to South Africa. Here’s what we know so far. Image: Kia In February 2025, we reported that, while the Kia Syros remained unconfirmed for South Africa at the time, the Seltos’ smaller sibling is likely to make its way to our shores considering the India-built crossover/SUV is already available in right-hand drive and our market’s ever-increasing preference towards vehicles of this ilk. Now, at the recent local launch of the facelifted fourth-generation Sorento , the local arm of the South Korean carmaker confirmed that the Syros will, indeed, make its way to South Africa. So, what do we know so far about the upcoming crossover/SUV? Well, for starters, the Syros will be positioned between the popular Sonet and Seltos in Kia South Africa’s crossover/SUV model portfolio. The Syros is based on a reinforced version of the Hyundai-Kia K1 platform, which currently underpins the Hyundai Exter and Grand i10...