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Buying Used: Hyundai Grand i10 (2014-2020)

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The Hyundai Grand i10 is a favourite among those looking for a decent car without breaking the bank. But what about a used option? Image: Hyundai The Hyundai Grand i10 has carved out a solid niche in South Africa’s budget-car market, offering affordable motoring with a surprising amount of kit for the price. Launched locally in 2014 and sold until mid-2020, the second-generation Grand i10 (BA) brought a practical, compact package to the market. With its low running costs, decent reliability, and Hyundai’s widespread dealer network, it’s a popular choice in the used market, especially for first-time buyers or those seeking a no-frills daily driver. Introduced in 2014, the Grand i10 replaced the first-generation i10 with a longer wheelbase (hence the “Grand”), offering more cabin space and a bigger boot. Assembled in India, it was designed for emerging markets like South Africa, where affordability and durability are key. Its simple design, peppy engines, and low maintenance costs m...
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VW ID. Buzz ‘a Must’ for South Africa

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At the 2025 IAA Mobility, VW told CAR Magazine that the ID. Buzz all-electric bus is ‘a must’ for the South African market. Image: Volkswagen Volkswagen introduced the ID. Buzz in 2022. We sampled the German marque’s battery-electric bus in Germany in 2023; reporting back in our review that the company is “looking to introduce its portfolio of ID. products in South Africa with the ID. Buzz and ID.4 Pro”. Noteworthy, fleets of the former and latter were already undergoing testing in South Africa, with the Wolfsburg brand’s local arm joining forces with DHL to showcase the ID. Buzz and run it on a trial basis. Speaking to Lars Krause, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Board Member of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, at 2025 IAA Mobility, Krause told CAR Magazine that the ID. Buzz is “a must” for our market. “For me, it’s a must. It’s a clear must that we enter the South African and also African market with the ID. Buzz. It is the electric LCV worldwide,” said Krause. “There is no ca...
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Land Rover Defender Dakar D7X-R Completes Gruelling Test Ahead of 2026 Dakar Rally Debut

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Land Rover has announced the its competition-spec Defender, the Defender Dakar D7X-R, has completed a gruelling test ahead of its debut in the Stock category of the 2026 Dakar Rally.  Image: Land Rover The Defender Rally is in the final stages of preparations for its debut season in the 2026 Dakar Rally and FIA World Rally-Raid Championship. The team aims to showcase the durability and capability of its largely production-based Defender Octa against the toughest competition on the global stage of endurance off-road motorsport. The Defender Dakar D7X-R is a specially prepared rally version of the Land Rover Defender Octa, which we’ve put through its paces on our test strip for a November 2025-issue road test . The D7X-R shares its aluminium body architecture, transmission and drivetrain layout with the Defender Octa. At its heart is the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. As a reminder, the road-going Land Rover Defender Octa produces 467 kW and 750 N.m – the latter is increas...
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2026 Toyota Hilux: New Details Emerge

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Fresh details about the new Toyota Hilux have emerged online, with official documents listing which engines the ninth-generation lineup will employ. Render of 2026 Toyota Hilux. Image: BestCar With the new Hilux’s international debut edging closer (reports suggest towards the end of 2025), reports about the ninth generation continue to surface, including leaks of the exterior and interior . However, now, more details have emerged – courtesy of documents that were submitted by Toyota to Australian government officials. As reported by CarExpert , the document outlines how many derivatives will initially be available and, perhaps more noteworthy, model designations – the latter indicating which engines will be employed by the new-generation lineup. In the document, the Japanese automaker has listed 16 models – all equipped with the firm’s familiar 2.8-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel powertrain in either “standard” or 48 V mild-hybrid format. So, in the documentation there’s no ment...
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New Toyota FJ Cruiser Engine Details Surface – Report

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A new report from Japan has suggested which powertrain the new Toyota FJ Cruiser will employ. Here’s what we know so far. Render of new Toyota FJ Cruiser. Image: Best Car Recently, a raft of details , including a leaked patent drawing of the exterior, of the new Toyota FJ Cruiser emerged online, with reports suggesting how large the compact Land Cruiser will likely be and possible engine options – the latter including either the Japanese automaker’s 2.7-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol unit or 2.4-litre turbodiesel, with initial reports having said the 2.8-litre turbodiesel, also employed by the outgoing eighth-generation Hilux bakkie, which we sampled in Legend 55 guise in August 2025, could be on the cards. However, now, a fresh report from Japan has said the new FJ Cruiser will be available with a single engine option. According to Creative Trend , the “baby” Land Cruiser will employ the above-mentioned 2.7-litre motor, internally known 2TR, which produces 122...
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2025 Audi S3 in SA: Price & Specs

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The updated Audi S3 Sportback and Sedan have touched down on South African shores, with the local arm of the German automaker announcing pricing for the more powerful models. Image: Audi Boasting an increase in power and torque, along with several mechanical updates, the fresh-faced Audi S3 has arrived in South Africa. Starting with the engine, the S3 now produces Mk8.5 Golf R-matching outputs of 245 kW and 420 N.m – increases of 32 kW and 20 N.m over the pre-facelifted S3. The full complement of twisting force is available in a broad 2 100-5 500 r/min swathe of the rev band and delivered to the German marque’s quattro all-wheel-drive system via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to the firm, the S tronic unit has been refined with a sharper shift pattern. Throttle response has also been optimised for improved acceleration, the automaker says. Audi claims the more powerful S3 completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.7 seconds, before topping out at an electronically go...
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Toyota Land Cruiser to Gain Plug-in Hybrid?

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According to a report from Japan, there is a possibility that the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 could adopt a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Image: Toyota Since its introduction in 2021, the Toyota Land Cruiser 300, which we sampled in December 2021, has been available with the choice of two engine options: 3.3-litre V6 turbodiesel, which churns out 225 kW and 700 N.m of torque, and a 305 kW/650 N.m 3.5-litre V6 twinturbo-petrol. However, according to a report from Japan, Toyota could introduce a third powertrain to its flagship SUV. According to Creative311 , it’s been reported that there is the possibility of the Land Cruiser 300 gaining a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) setup, which will likely pair an electric motor with the existing 3.5-litre petrol internal combustion engine (ICE). However, the report suggests that the fitment of an electric motor and battery will impede on interior space – resulting in the original seven-seat layout being ditched for a five-seat configuration. The fuel tank w...
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