The Car Guide

With over 1 100 Jimnys participating, Suzuki Auto South Africa has set a new Guinness World Record at the 2025 Jimny Gathering.  Image: Suzuki Auto South Africa In 2023, the inaugural Jimny Gathering, held in Clarens in the Free State, saw a raft of Suzuki Jimnys from across South Africa gather to set a new Guinness World Record…for the most cars to switch on their headlamps simultaneously. With nearly 800 Jimnys taking part in this Guinness World Record attempt, Suzuki Auto South Africa secured its place in Guinness World Record history, with 787 (of the total 796) switching on their headlamps within the five-second window. Now, the local arm of the Japanese automaker, along with a host of Jimnys, has once again made Guinness World Record history – this time for the most car doors closed simultaneously – at the second Jimny Gathering , which was held at Louvain Guest Farm in the Western Cape from 25-28 September, 2025. Image: Suzuki Auto South Africa To qualify as an off...

Bentley has released its new pet accessory range ahead of World Animal Welfare Day on 4 October 2025. Image: Bentley Bentley Motors has announced the launch of a new range of pet accessories for the Bentayga. Designed with Bentley owners in mind, the British marque says nearly one in three of its customers frequently travel with their pets. The selection of accessories includes a unique dog guard, quilted boot liner with integrated bumper protector, rear seat covers, and seat extenders with quilted door cards. The dog guard separates the boot from the second row of seats, ensuring pets remain safe in the rear, while a movable luggage divider allows luggage, shopping, or outdoor equipment to be kept apart from pets. The boot liner is padded, waterproof and designed to be removed with ease, while the bumper protector prevents pets from scratching the bodywork when climbing in and out of the car. The rear seat covers and seat extenders protect the Bentayga’s interior. The seco...

A Report from overseas has suggested when the new Toyota Hilux will make its global debut. Here’s what we know so far. Render of 2026 Toyota Hilux. Image: Kolesa Introduced in 2015, the current, eighth-generation Toyota Hilux will soon bow out for the ninth iteration, with reports suggesting when we can expect the new generation to make its international debut. Although Toyota has yet to officially announce when the new Hilux will be revealed, Thailand-based publication Car250 has suggested that the box-fresh model will be revealed during the 2025 Thailand Motor Expo, which takes place from 28 November to 10 December. As a reminder, in August 2025, leaked images (taken from a brochure) of the upcoming new Hilux’s exterior, along with a patent office illustration of the interior, surfaced online. By way of the leaked brochure images, the ninth generation’s profile remains seemingly familiar to that of the outgoing model, which we sampled in Legend 55 guise in August 2025, wi...

Volvo Car South Africa has been named the official vehicle partner of the Sharks rugby team. Image: Volvo Volvo has been announced as the official vehicle partner of the Sharks rugby team. The new partnership between the Durban-based rugby outfit and Volvo Car South Africa (VCSA) means the Swedish automaker will serve as the Sharks’ official vehicle sponsor – delivering a fleet of vehicles, including the XC60, XC90 , and EX30, to the Sharks. Additionally, the Sharks will collaborate with Volvo for various initiatives. Said Sharks CEO Shaun Bryans, “This new partnership with Volvo is a very exciting moment for us. Volvo is a world-class brand with an outstanding reputation for excellence, and we are proud to align with a company that shares our passion for innovation, quality and collaboration.” “Volvo is built on a foundation of safety, sustainability, and innovation,” added Grant Locke, Managing Director of VCSA. “Partnering with the Sharks allows us to extend these values beyo...

The patented image of what’s believed to be the new FJ Cruiser offers a closer look at what the production model may look like. Image: WIPO Toyota has remained tight-lipped about the compact Land Cruiser, but reports suggest this may be the new FJ Cruiser . While we await the official reveal, the patent image offers a first glimpse at the boxy SUV. First previewed in 2023 during the Land Cruiser 300’s debut, Toyota submitted the design in a patent filing with the Philippine Patent Office in January 2024. As previously reported, additional details have emerged about the compact Toyota Land Cruiser, including a more detailed rendering, dimensions, and potential engine options. However, this more basic patent image shows a boxy SUV with a utilitarian design. The large wheel arches and black cladding add to the off-road-focused stance. A tailgate-mounted spare wheel is also present. The profile largely resembles the previous-generation FJ Cruiser . As we wait for Toyota to official...

Volvo has commenced production of the all-electric ES90 sedan for European markets, with  South African sales set for next year Image: Volvo Following its global debut in March 2025, Volvo has started production of the ES90, the firm’s first model to be built on the 800-volt platform. The ES90’s powertrain is expected to offer up to 700 km of operating range and the fastest charging capability yet from a Volvo electric vehicle. The ES90 incorporates Volvo’s pioneering safety systems, driven by next-generation core computing and built on the brand’s Superset tech stack. Like other recent models, it can receive over-the-air software updates to improve functionality over time. Orders have commenced in several European markets, with customer deliveries to start in the fourth quarter of 2025. The ES90 is set to join the EX30 and EX90 in the brand’s South African EV lineup in the first quarter of 2026. Three derivatives will be offered, powered by 245 kW/480 N.m Single Motor, 330...

Mercedes-Maybach has unveiled a special edition S-Class that pays homage to the Maybach Zeppelin DS 8, one of the first production cars powered by a V12. Only 50 examples will be made.  Image: Mercedes-Maybach Mercedes-Maybach has whipped the wraps off its latest special-edition model, the V12 Edition. Based on the German marque’s flagship model, the Mercedes-Maybach S680, the V12 Edition celebrates the Stuttgart automaker’s legacy of V12-powered luxury vehicles, which dates back to the early 20 th Century. Only 50 units will be built. The V12 Edition builds on the S680’s standard tech, while adding a range of optional features. This includes electrically operated rear doors, active road noise suppression, rear-axle steering and E-Active Body Control active suspension. Interior tech includes adaptive MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), comprising a five-screen setup with partial OLED technology. The interior is lathered in MANUFAKTUR exclusive saddle brown Nappa leather a...

As the production of the current Porsche 718 comes to an end next month, Porsche has announced that the forthcoming Cayman and Boxster will include a petrol-powered variant. Image: Porsche Despite Porsche’s pledge in 2022 to make the current 718 fully electric, the Stuttgart automaker has decided to produce petrol-powered variants of the next-generation Cayman and Boxster. Next month will mark the end of the current generation as the final units are scheduled to roll off the production line in October 2025. The next generation is said to retain the same mid-engine configuration as the outgoing models. And while the EV Cayman and Boxster are still in development, the next generation of the duo will be powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE). However, unlike the outgoing 718, petrol power will reportedly be reserved for the flagship variants and not the entire lineup. In other words, only the RS derivatives will remain petrol-powered, while the GTS and other variants will tr...

The Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace builds upon the virtues of the five-door model with a welcome helping of extra space, but is it worth considering as a used buy? Image: CAR Magazine The Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, which has now been replaced by the Tayron in the German marque’s T SUV portfolio, first hit the South African market in 2018, adding seven-seat versatility to the already impressive Tiguan lineup. The length increased by 217 mm and the wheelbase by 111 mm over the standard model, allowing it to accommodate two additional seats without compromising cargo space. A facelifted model arrived in 2022, ushering in a number of cosmetic enhancements such as sharper LED headlamps, a more prominent grille, and revised specification that incorporated additional safety and convenience technologies. The pre-facelift model’s engine lineup comprised three petrols and a diesel. The latter was VW Group’s long-serving EA888 2.0-litre turbodiesel, which produced 110 kW and 340 N.m. The 1.4-...

Celebrating 15 years of the Polo Vivo, Volkswagen Group Africa has introduced a special edition of its locally-built budget-oriented hatchback, the Edition 15, to our market. Image: Volkswagen The Polo Vivo nameplate has been a South African staple since it was introduced to our market as Volkswagen’s most pocket-friendly passenger-car offering in 2010. Based on the fourth-generation Polo, the first Vivo replaced the Citi Golf in VW’s local lineup; soldiering on until 2018 when the second Vivo – based on the Mk5 Polo – made its debut. Now, Volkswagen Group Africa is celebrating its best-selling passenger car’s 15-year legacy, with the German marque’s local arm introducing the Edition 15. Limited to just 1 500 units, the Polo Vivo Edition 15 derivatives are exclusively available in Life level of specification and with the choice of two four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine options: 63 kW/132 N.m 1.4-litre and 77 kW/153 N.m 1.6-litre – the former and latter equipped with...

We take a closer look at the Buick Y-Job concept, which is widely considered as the first-ever concept car. Image: Buick When it comes to cool concepts, it sometimes pays to go back to the very root of what concept cars are all about. While many of the concepts we see these days are computer-generated flights of fancy that are more about offering designers free rein, the true purpose of these studies is to act as a testbed for technologies that could find their way into production-series models. And no concept car better embodied this ethos than the 1938 Buick Y-Job – widely considered to be the first-ever concept car. Its designer, Harley Earl, came from a coachbuilding background and was brought into General Motors to create Cadillac’s “Arts and Colour” section – one of the first in-house automotive design divisions. Prior to its establishment, design wasn’t seen as being particularly important to the automotive industry. Cars were either styled by engineers, with usability and ...

Land Rover South Africa has told CAR Magazine that all units of the Defender Octa Edition One has been sold in our market. Image: Land Rover Introduced in July 2024, the Land Rover Defender Octa, which we sampled in January 2025, was designed to up the ante on the “standard” Defender 110. And to further this apex model’s exclusivity, a limited number of Edition One units were made. From what we understand, only 2 000 Edition One units were available globally, with 50 examples allocated to the South African market. Well, all 50 units, each priced from R3 749 100 when launched, has been sold, the firm told us. “With its powerful V8 engine, ground-breaking 6D Dynamics suspension technology, exquisite finishes and unique detailing, it is rare, incredibly tough and inherently desirable,” said Mark Cameron, managing director of Defender when the Octa made its debut. The “standard” Octa remains available, of course, and is currently priced from R3 663 600. However, recently, the Briti...

The next-generation X5 will offer the widest range of drivetrain options in BMW history, the Bavarian brand says – including a hydrogen-powered derivative under the ‘iX5 Hydrogen’ nameplate. Image: BMW BMW has announced the new X5 will be available with five drivetrain options: all-electric (EV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), petrol, diesel and, indeed, hydrogen fuel cell technology in the iX5 Hydrogen. The iX5 Hydrogen is expected to make its global debut in 2028. BMW says this model will be built on the third-generation fuel cell system, developed in partnership with Toyota. This setup includes a more compact design, while offering an extended range and increased power output as opposed to previous-generation fuel cell systems. BMW views hydrogen-powered technology as the “missing piece for completing the electric mobility puzzle” and battery-electric drive systems as a temporary solution to zero-emissions motoring, and the iX5 Hydrogen is touted to become the first-ever series-produ...

The Yangwang U9 Xtreme has set a new world top-speed record for production cars; clocking nearly 500 km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenberg test track in Germany.  Image: BYD Chinese automaker BYD’s luxury sub-brand Yangwang has set a new top-speed record for production cars with the U9 Xtreme all-electric performance car. Tested at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg track in Germany, the U9 Xtreme reached a staggering top whack of 496.22 km/h. For comparison that’s nearly 6 km/h faster than the previous record (490.484 km/h) that has been held by the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ since 2019. Yangwang obliterated the Ospark Owl and Rimac Nevera, and bested its own global EV top speed record in the U9 set last year. Limited to just 30 examples, the U9 Xtreme, officially launched earlier this month, is a more hardcore version of the “standard” U9 , which is already available in China. The U9 Xtreme employs four electric motors, fed by a 1 200 V lithium-iron phosphate ...

BYD was awarded as the ‘ Most Improved Manufacturer of the Year’ and for ‘ Best Value Car’ at the 2025 Business Car Awards. Image: BYD BYD (Build Your Dreams) was awarded ‘Most Improved Manufacturer of the Year ’ and for ‘Best Value Car ’ at the 2025 Business Car Awards. The latter follows the newly released Dolphin Surf (also known as the Atto 1 , Seagull or Dolphin Mini, dependent on the market), which sits at the top of the list comprising the most affordable EVs in South Africa . Founded in 2003, over this brand’s 22-year existence it has established itself as a formidable force in the new-energy segment, both globally and locally, since its introduction in South Africa in June 2023. BYD earned the ‘Most Improved Manufacturer of the Year’ award thanks to its sales success – primarily as a result of BYD’s strong growth in the fleet vehicle and business sector in other markets, as well as the brand’s expanding global dealer network. The firm received the ‘Best Value Car’ a...

Fresh details about the long-rumoured compact Toyota Land Cruiser has emerged online. Here’s what we know.  Render of new Toyota FJ Cruiser. Image: Best Car In our December 2024 Cars for 2025 feature, while Toyota kept its cards close to its chest regarding the new Toyota models we can expect to see on our roads over the course of this year, we speculated whether the long-rumoured “baby” Land Cruiser could be one of them. Though, at the time, it had yet to be revealed. It still does, though fresh details have now emerged. According to Best Car , the compact Cruiser’s bodywork will measure 4 500 in length and 1 830 mm in width, making it similar in size as the Corolla Cross and larger than the five-door Suzuki Jimny in all directions. The wheelbase spans 2 750 mm. The ground clearance is rated at 210 mm; matching the Jimny’s. Best Car initially reported that the engines “were to be the same” 2.7-litre, four-cylinder petrol and 2.8-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel units emp...

A tradition revived by Speed Classic Cape Town with the support of Motorsport South Africa and the City of Cape Town, hillclimb racing will return to the Mother City in October 2025. We’ve rounded up all you need to know about the upcoming event.  Image: Speed Classic Cape Town The 2025 Speed Classic Cape Town aims to reintroduce competitive hillclimb racing to the Mother City. Set against the picturesque backdrop that is Cape Town, the tradition started in 1912, when drivers would compete on Signal Hill Road, Kloof Road, and Camps Bay Drive – the latter of which where the last Cape Town-based hillclimb reportedly took place in 1962. Now, over six decades later, the tradition will be revived with the support of Motorsport South Africa and the City of Cape Town. “We’re not just creating another motorsport event. We’re building a celebration of legacy, innovation, and craftsmanship. And we want every Capetonian to be part of it,” said Speed Classic Cape Town Co-founder Garth Ma...

Bound for the South African market, JMC has announced a targeted asking price for the Vigus single-cab bakkie. Image: JMC In July 2025, Salvador Caetano Auto South Africa  announced it is expanding its local footprint through a partnership with JMC (Jiangling Motors Corporation) – the Chinese automaker scheduled to relaunch in our market in the coming months. JMC will relaunch its local operations with the introduction of the vehicle you see here, the Vigus single-cab bakkie. In a bid to disrupt the sub-R350 000 single-cab bakkie segment, the firm aims to offer the single-cab Vigus at a “highly competitive” target price of R300 000. “Built to meet the demands of hardworking South Africans”, the Vigus is positioned as a workhorse. The single cab is equipped with a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which churns out 103 kW and 310 N.m of torque. The turbocharged oil-burner is coupled with a five-speed manual transmission. According to the brand, this translates to “s...

BMW has developed the prototype of their hydrogen fuel cell system that is set to be put into production by 2028. Image: BMW BMW’s Munich and Steyr competence centres are currently building the first prototypes of the brand’s in-house-developed hydrogen fuel cell system. The company’s first production model powered by this technology is scheduled to roll off the line at BMW Group Plant Steyr in 2028. The German marque’s journey with hydrogen-powered mobility began in 2014, when the automaker fitted a Toyota-supplied fuel cell drive system to the BMW 535iA. The second stage came with the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet. Now in its third generation, the German marque has developed its own complete fuel cell system, although the individual cells continue to be sourced from Toyota. According to the Bavarian firm, the latest iteration of the system is more efficient, 25% more compact, and offers improvements in both range and power output. The fuel cell generates electricity through an ...

Fully homologated for our market and right-hand drive, the Corvette Stingray and Z06 are now available in South Africa. Here’s updated pricing. Image: CVH Auto Group The Corvette Stingray and Z06 have arrived in South Africa – fully homologated for our market and in (factory built) right-hand-drive format, and available in both coupé and convertible body styles. Noteworthy, the Stingray ships with the US brand’s Z51 performance package as standard – the latter adding to the American supercar’s on-road and -track capabilities, and lifting the 6.2-litre V8’s peak power output to a healthy 369 kW. Torque is rated at 628 N.m. Mounted midships, the naturally aspirated engine channels power to the rear axle via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to the company, the Stingray completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.5 seconds. As mentioned, in addition to the Stingray, the Z06 is also available in our market. The latter, more focused variant is equipped with a 5.5-litre atmo...

We have rounded up the five best-selling Chinese passenger cars in South Africa in August 2025. See the list below. In August 2025,  naamsa reported 51 880 new vehicles were sold in South Africa – an 18.7% increase over August 2024’s sales. Of the total new-vehicle sales, an estimated 43 196 units sold were attributed to dealer sales, 6 266 to the rental industry, 1 215 to corporate fleets, and 1 203 to government sales. The 36 914 new passenger-car sales in the eighth month of 2025 represented the highest since September 2024. Zooming in on this segment, we take a closer look at the five best-selling Chinese cars in South Africa. 5. Jetour Dashing – 495 Image: Jetour Introduced to the local market in September 2024, the Dashing is the most popular of the two-strong Jetour model lineup. Last month, 495 units were sold, marking an increase of 58 units sold when compared to July. 4. Haval H6 – 511 Image: Haval Having undergone a significant facelift in June this year, t...