The Car Guide

Hyundai has confirmed the Stargazer will launch in South Africa in 2027. We detail the SA-bound seven-seater compact MPV. Image: Hyundai The Hyundai Stargazer measures 4 575 mm in length and 1 780 mm in width, making it 25 mm longer and 20 mm narrower than the Kia Carens. The Hyundai’s roofline is 24 mm lower than its Kia cousin’s, though sports a 25 mm increase in ground clearance, at 205 mm. The Stargazer’s wheelbase matches the Carens’, at 2 780 mm. Hyundai claims a luggage capacity of 185 litres behind the third row of seats, with 585 litres on offer behind the second row when the third row is folded flat. The Stargazer exclusively employs Hyundai’s 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine. The atmospheric unit, which is also available with the entry-level Kia Carens , produces 84 kW and 144 N.m of torque. Power is delivered to the front axle via either a six-speed manual gearbox or continuously variable transmission (CVT). Depending on the trim grade, the Sta...

The second-generation Ford Everest disrupted the game during its tenure, but how viable is it as a used buy in 2026? Image: CAR magazine The bakkie-based SUV segment in South Africa has historically been a one-horse race, especially because it’s been dictated by the towering market share of the Toyota Fortuner. When Ford introduced the second-generation Everest (codenamed U375) to local shores in late 2015, it arrived with a singular mandate: disrupt this monopoly. Leveraging the wildly successful T6 Ranger platform, Ford executed a masterclass in mechanical adaptation. Engineers discarded the agricultural leaf springs of the bakkie in favour of a more sophisticated coil-spring rear suspension setup. This was not merely a Ranger with a canopy, but a refined, capable seven-seater that challenged the segment’s benchmarks for ride comfort and active safety. Browse used Ford Everest models right here on CARmag! A rundown on the Ford Everest The architectural brilliance of the sec...

Limited to only 30 examples, each hand-built in Affalterbach, Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung. Image: Mercedes-AMG Mercedes-AMG has whipped the wraps off the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung. The second model in the German marque’s Mythos series (following the PureSpeed ), the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is limited to just 30 units…and all examples have already been spoken for. Finished in a two-tone paint finish comprising Majove Silver Magno and Obsidian Black Magno, the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung’s bodywork is wider (up 60 mm) than the CLE 53 with which it shares a platform. The CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung measures 1 987 mm in width. Standing 1 420 mm tall, the limited edition is also lower than the former Mercedes-AMG. According to the Affalterbach brand, this is to ensure greater stability. Further enhancing the latter, the tracks have also been widened. The CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is fitted with a set of 20-inch forged alloy wheels, wrappe...

Celebrating 60 years of Corolla, Toyota South Africa has introduced a special-edition Corolla Hatch. See pricing below… Image: Toyota Exclusive to the hatchback, the ‘60th Anniversary’ treatment includes a selection of model-specific exterior and interior elements. Starting with the exterior, the Corolla Hatch 60th Anniversary edition’s bodywork is finished in Platinum White Pearl, the latter complemented by a contrasting black roof. Present and correct, ‘60th Anniversary’ badging can be found inside and out. As a reminder, in January 2026, Toyota’s local arm announced it had streamlined its Corolla Hatch and Sedan lineups to include only high-spec (XR) hybrid models. As such, in addition to the ‘60th Anniversary’ elements, the special edition features such items as 12.3-inch digital instrumentation, 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless smartphone charging dock, a six-speaker audio system, and dual-zone climate control. Further included...

Renault has whipped the wraps off the Niagara. We take a closer look at the automaker’s new double-cab bakkie. Image: Renault The Niagara is underpinned by Renault’s RGMP (Renault Group Modular Platform) unibody architecture. The Niagara employs a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which produces 115 and 120 kW in the 4×2 and 4×4 variants, respectively. Renault quotes a maximum torque output of 270 N.m. The powertrain is available with the choice of two transmission options: six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch. According to the brand, the RGMP setup also supports hybrid powertrains. The 4×4 version measures 4 940 mm in length. For comparison, this makes it 380 mm shorter than a Toyota Hilux . It is worth noting that the 4×2 derivative is 30 mm shorter than its 4×4 sibling, at 4 910 mm. The Niagara measures 1 833 mm wide and stands 1 720 mm tall, with a 2 956 mm wheelbase. Also read: Likely SA-bound VW Tukan half-tonne bakkie officially revealed T...

Hyundai South Africa has confirmed when the new Venue will launch in SA. Here’s what you can expect from the box-fresh model. Image: Hyundai The all-new Hyundai Venue was unveiled in October 2025. Now, the local arm of the South Korean automaker has confirmed when the second generation will officially launch in our market. Similar in length than the outgoing model, the box-fresh Venue measures 3 995 mm long, front to rear. However, the wheelbase has been stretched, by 20 mm to 2 520 mm. The new model is 30 mm wider, at 1 800 mm, and 48 mm taller, at 1 665 mm. Locally, the new Venue will be available with the choice of two engine options: 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol (MPi) and 1.0-litre turbopetrol (Kappa GDi). Exclusively coupled with a five-speed manual gearbox, the MPi unit produces 61 kW and 115 N.m of torque, available from 6 000 and 4 200 r/min, respectively. The Kappa GDi powertrain produces 88 kW and 172 N.m, with the full complement of twisting force on tap in a br...

Kia has revamped the local Sonet lineup with the introduction of an LS+ model. See pricing below… Image: Kia As part of its #SaferCarsforAfrica campaign, the Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa announced in June 2026 that the entry-level Sonet scored one star for adult occupant protection at a Global NCAP safety test, with three stars awarded for child occupant protection. Among the AA’s concerns for the LS-spec Sonet was the lack of front side airbags. (The Sonet LS features two airbags, for the driver and front passenger, respectively.) In Kia SA’s response to the AA and Global NCAP, the South Korean automaker’s local office announced it will be introducing an LS+ derivative, which is equipped with six airbags, to its Sonet lineup in the third quarter of 2026. The updated Sonet, including the LS+, has now arrived in SA. In addition to the introduction of the LS+, which is positioned between LS and LX trim, the EX has received a sunroof. The SX flagship now features a Bose...