The Car Guide

M ahindra has whipped the wraps off the updated Scorpio-N, adding a host of new features to the seven-seater SUV. Image: Mahindra The Mahindra Scorpio-N made its global debut in 2022 as the Indian automaker’s flagship seven-seater SUV, with this model reaching our market in early 2023. Now, Mahindra has unveiled the updated current-generation Scorpio-N; introducing additional features such as upgraded tech and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The revised Scorpio-N  features 10.25-inch digital instrumentation, 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment, a 540-degree surround-view camera system, and a 65 W USB-C charging port in the front compartment. A panoramic sunroof is also present. The refreshed derivative also sports 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. Key features carried over from the pre-facelifted Z8L range-topper include a 12-speaker Sony sound system, six-way electrically adjustable front seats with ventilation, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and Level 2 ADAS. Under th...

Tata Motors SA has confirmed the official launch date for the Osprey compact SUV via social media. Image: Tata In July, we reported that the Tata Osprey is set to join the Indian automaker’s local portfolio in the coming months. Now, Tata’s South African arm has announced via an Instagram post when the upcoming compact SUV will arrive in our market. Globally known as the Nexon in its home market, the Osprey will be positioned between the Punch and Curvv in Tata’s local lineup. The compact five-seater crossover measures 3 995 mm in length, 1 804 mm in width, and 1 620 mm in height, with a wheelbase spanning 2 498 mm. The Osprey sports a 208 mm ground clearance. The firm claims a boot capacity of 382 litres. Tata Osprey SA launch date The Osprey will arrive in SA in September 2026. Official pricing and specifications are expected to be released closer to the launch date. While Tata SA has yet to announce the local powertrain lineup, the Osprey is available with three e...

The Farizon SV all-electric commercial van has launched in South Africa. See pricing below… Image: Farizon   Farizon Auto, commercial electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary of Geely Holding Group, has introduced the SV (Super Van) to South Africa. Farizon vehicles are distributed in our market through Jameel Motors. Locally, the SV is exclusively available in L1H1 guise. The sole model in the lineup measures 4 990 mm in length, 1 980 mm in width, and 1 980 mm in height. The wheelbase spans 3 100 mm. The automaker claims a loading capacity of 6 950 litres. The payload is rated at 1 265 kg. The L1H1 is equipped with a single electric motor producing 170 kW and 336 N.m of torque. The front-mounted item is coupled with an 83 kWh battery pack, which offers a claimed operating range of up to 376 km on a full charge. The battery supports DC fast charging of up to 140 kW. Plugged into such a facility, the battery is replenished in 36 minutes, Farizon says. The SV’s electric architect...

The striking new Kia Seltos has officially launched in South Africa, with the South Korean automaker’s local arm announcing pricing and specs for the seven-strong model lineup. See pricing below… Image: Kia New Kia Seltos engines Locally, the seven-strong new Kia Seltos lineup is available with the choice of three powertrain options: 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol (MPI), 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder turbocharged diesel (CRDi), and 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol (T-GDi). Producing 85 kW and 144 N.m of torque, the MPI unit can be had with either a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT). Exclusively paired with a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission, the CRDi motor churns out 85 kW and 250 N.m – the latter available from a low 1 500 r/min. Endowed with 119 kW and 253 N.m, the T-GDi powertrain is coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. According to the South Korean carmaker, the MPI engine returns...

Available in hybrid and, for the first time, battery-electric format, Mercedes-Benz has officially whipped the wraps off the all-new GLA. Image: Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the new GLA. The latest iteration of the German marque’s premium compact crossover was revealed with the choice of hybrid and all-electric (EV) powertrains – the latter scheduled to hit the market first. The GLA hybrid will be available in two flavours – GLA220 and GLA250 – while the EV derivatives will come in the shape of the GLA200 electric, GLA250+ electric, and GLA350 4Matic electric. Underpinned by the same platform as the new CLA , the latest GLA measures 4 565 mm in length, 1 873 mm in width, 1 604 mm in height, and 2 790 mm between the front and rear axles. The new GLA is 153 mm longer and 39 mm wider than the outgoing generation. Both the (front-wheel-drive) GLA220 and (all-wheel-drive) GLA250 employ the Stuttgart automaker’s “newly developed” M252 ...

The Mahindra XUV300 may have been around for a few years, but it made a substantial impact – in more ways than one! Image: CAR magazine The compact-crossover segment is a battlefield where manufacturers routinely sacrifice structural integrity for aggressive pricing. Yet, when the Mahindra XUV300 touched down in South Africa in 2019, it subverted this paradigm to a very large degree. Derived from the SsangYong Tivoli’s X100 platform, the XUV300 proudly claimed a five-star Global NCAP safety rating. It represented a monumental shift for the Indian automaker, proving they could deliver almost European levels of dynamic refinement and safety tech at a value-oriented price point. However, as the XUV300 matures on the pre-owned market – now superseded by the XUV 3XO, which featured in CAR magazine’s 2025 SUV Shootout – buyers must weigh up their options. A rundown on the Mahindra XUV300 The XUV300 boasts 180 mm of ground clearance and a suspension setup th...

Renault SA has confirmed the Boreal midsize SUV for our market. Here is everything we know so far… Image: Renault The Renault Boreal is heading to South Africa, with the French automaker’s SA arm confirming when the midsize SUV will arrive here. The Boreal will be positioned as the new flagship SUV in Renault’s local model portfolio. Underpinned by the Renault-Nissan Alliance CMF-B platform, which also underpins the Duster and SA-bound Nissan Tekton , the Boreal measures 4 556 mm in length, 1 841 mm in width, and 1 650 mm in height – dimensions comparable to the current-generation VW Tiguan. The Boreal’s wheelbase spans 2 702 mm. The ground clearance is rated at 213 mm. Renault claims a boot capacity of 522 litres, which increases to 1 609 litres for utility purposes when folding down the second-row backrests. The local lineup is expected to employ a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 120 kW and 280 N.m of torque – the latter e...