Bucket Seat: Suzuki Grand Vitara GLX

Anyone who has been keeping an eye on the NAAMSA monthly sales figures would have noticed that Suzuki sales has been surged over the last year and with good reason too. The Swift remains one of the most reliable and affordable budget friendly options when it comes to an entry level hatch back, its solid, it's comfortable and most importantly, its light on fuel. The rest of their line-up has also been picking up, with the likes of the Jimny being a firm favourite for many. With their JV with Toyota which see's a lot of their vehicles wear the Toyota badge, it has done them some harm with the consumer opting to go for the bigger Japanese name rather than the Suzuki, when the new shape Grand Vitara was first launch, Suzuki SA thought they'd hold the trump card by only offering Toyota SA to sell the 1.5L naturally aspirated engine while they had exclusivity over the 1.5L Hybrid, unfortunately for Suzuki, the price of this Hybrid model saw them sitting with stock as many opted for the Toyota version or if they wanted a Hybrid, they went and bought the Corolla Cross XS which was not a lot more than the Grand Vitara. After burning their fingers, Suzuki decided to can the Hybrid and bring their 1.5L N/A model to compete directly with the Toyota Urban Cruise but offering a bit more. I spent some time with this model and here are my thoughts.

DESIGN

The Suzuki Grand Vitara doesn’t scream for attention but it doesn’t need to. It’s one of those SUVs that grows on you the more you look at it. Up front, you’ve got a bold, upright stance with a layered grille and sharp LED lighting that gives it a modern edge, while the clamshell bonnet and squared-off proportions subtly nod to its heritage. Around the back, the clean surfacing and light bar keep things contemporary without overcomplicating the design. It’s not flashy like some of the Korean alternatives, but there’s an honesty to it that works. Whether you’re pulling up in Sandton or heading out onto a gravel road, it looks perfectly at home in the South African landscape. The little details they add to the exterior of the car make the Grand Vitara stand out more than the Urban Cruiser, the chrome accents, LED lighting and panoramic sunroof give the Suzuki so much more character. 

PERFORMANCE

Under the bonnet, the Grand Vitara is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, and you feel exactly what that suggests. Around town, it’s smooth and easy-going, making it perfectly suited to daily commuting and stop-start traffic. It doesn’t feel strained in normal driving, and it delivers power in a predictable, linear way. However, the moment you push it whether it’s overtaking on the highway or tackling a steep incline with passengers it starts to feel a bit out of its depth. The 4-speed automatic gearbox adds to that feeling, as it’s more about reliability than responsiveness, and can come across as slightly dated compared to newer transmissions. That said, the bigger picture tells a different story. Fuel consumption is impressively low, which is a major advantage given South Africa’s fuel prices, and the mild-hybrid system helps smooth out low-speed driving while improving efficiency even further. It’s not built to excite, but it is built to make financial sense.

COMFORT

This is where the Grand Vitara really comes into its own. The ride quality is genuinely impressive, soaking up bumps, potholes, and uneven road surfaces with a level of composure that feels tailor-made for South African conditions. It’s the kind of car that makes long-distance driving feel effortless rather than tiring. The cabin is well insulated, keeping road and wind noise to a minimum, which adds to that relaxed driving experience. Inside, there’s enough space for five adults to sit comfortably without feeling cramped, and while the boot isn’t the biggest in the segment, it’s practical enough for everyday use. The seats are supportive and comfortable, making it a great companion for both daily commutes and longer road trips. It’s not trying to be luxurious, but it gets the fundamentals of comfort absolutely right.

TECHNOLOGY

Suzuki has equipped the Grand Vitara with all the essentials you’d expect from a modern SUV, without going overboard. The infotainment system is easy to use and integrates seamlessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while features like wireless charging, keyless entry, and a reverse camera add everyday convenience. Everything works as it should, and that’s really the point there’s no unnecessary complexity or gimmicks. On the safety side, it’s well covered with multiple airbags, stability control, and driver assistance features that give you peace of mind on the road. It may not have the cutting-edge tech you’d find in more premium offerings, but it delivers where it counts for the average South African driver.

VERDICT

The Suzuki Grand Vitara isn’t trying to be the fastest, the flashiest, or the most high-tech SUV in its class, and that’s actually its biggest strength. It focuses on what really matters in South Africa, like fuel efficiency, comfort on less-than-perfect roads, reliability, and overall affordability. If you’re looking for something thrilling, this isn’t it. But if you want a dependable, comfortable, and cost-effective SUV that fits seamlessly into everyday life, it makes a very compelling case for itself. It’s not the car you show off about at a braai, but it’s the one that quietly proves its worth every single day.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.5-liter Naturally Aspirated
Gear Box	4-Speed Automatic
Power	77kW
Torque	138Nm
Fuel Economy	5.6L per 100km
Price	R453,900.00

Bucket Seat: Opel Grandland

Opel has been around for years but still remains one of those forgotten German brands, they hardly are on the first ten manufacturers people think of when considering to buy a new car and one is always greeted with an "oh ya" if mentioned. Why though? At one stage Opel was dominating the market with their budget hatch back, the Corsa lite and even though the adverts were a killer,  the car was every university students dream car in its time. Many forgot they made other cars such as the Astra. While the Corsa still remains an important product for the company, they really are putting emphasis on their MPV range and late last year I got to drive the new Grandland, the previous generation of the model wasn't bad but it just felt like it was lacking in all departments, built on the same chassis as the Peugeot 3008, the Grandland just seemed bland so with these new one, I was hoping to see vast improvements and I was not left disappointed! 

DESIGN

The Opel Grandland takes a confident step forward in the midsize SUV segment with a design that feels both modern and premium. Up front, Opel’s bold 3D Vizor grille paired with the illuminated Griffin badge immediately sets it apart, giving the SUV a strong European identity. The sharp LED headlights and sculpted bonnet add presence, while the two-tone floating roof and contrast detailing lend it a sporty edge. In typical Opel fashion, the design is clean rather than flashy, but it works well. The Grandland looks mature and well-proportioned, with enough road presence to feel substantial without being bulky  something that suits both city driving and long-distance cruising on South African highways. At the rear, the slim LED light bar stretches across the tailgate, rounding off a design that feels current and well thought out.

PERFORMANCE

Under the bonnet, the Grandland is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired to a smooth six-speed automatic gearbox. Power delivery is linear and predictable, making it easy to live with in traffic while still offering enough punch for confident overtakes on the open road. It’s not trying to be a performance SUV, but it feels well matched to its size and purpose. The suspension is tuned with comfort in mind, soaking up most of the imperfections found on South African roads. On smoother surfaces the ride is composed and stable, though sharper bumps can still be felt at lower speeds. Steering is light and easy, ideal for urban driving, while highway stability inspires confidence at cruising speeds. Fuel consumption is reasonable for the segment, especially if driven sensibly, though enthusiastic driving will push consumption higher. This is a vehicle built more for refinement and ease than outright sportiness  and it succeeds at that.

COMFORT

Comfort is one of the Grandland’s strongest attributes. Opel has placed real emphasis on ergonomics, with AGR-certified seats that offer excellent support for long drives. Higher-spec models add features like seat heating, ventilation and massage functions, which genuinely make a difference on extended road trips. Cabin space is generous, with ample legroom and headroom for rear passengers, making it a solid option for families. Boot space is practical and well shaped, easily accommodating luggage for weekends away or school runs, and expands nicely with the rear seats folded down. The interior materials feel premium, with soft-touch surfaces, clean lines and subtle detailing creating a calm, well-finished cabin. Road and wind noise are kept largely in check, though some tyre noise does creep in at highway speeds. Overall, the Grandland is a comfortable place to spend time, whether commuting daily or tackling long-distance travel.

TECHNOLOGY

The Grandland comes well equipped on the technology front. A large central infotainment screen dominates the dashboard and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keeping connectivity simple and familiar. The system is intuitive once you get used to it, although wired smartphone integration feels slightly dated in today’s market. Digital driver displays are clear and customisable, and Opel’s decision to retain physical buttons for climate control and key functions is a welcome one. It makes everyday operation easier and less distracting compared to fully touch-based systems. Safety tech is comprehensive, with features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, autonomous emergency braking and traffic sign recognition available across much of the range. Parking assistance systems and 360-degree cameras make manoeuvring in tight urban spaces far less stressful, although the camera resolution could be sharper.

VERDICT

The Opel Grandland is a compelling option in South Africa’s highly competitive midsize SUV market. It offers a refined driving experience, excellent comfort levels and a strong suite of safety and technology features, all wrapped in a distinctly European design. While it may not be the most exciting SUV in terms of outright performance, it more than makes up for that with everyday usability, long-distance comfort and a premium feel that stands out against more mainstream rivals. Buyers looking for something a little different from the usual Japanese and Korean offerings will find a lot to like here.

SPECIFICATION

Engine	16 Turbo
Gear Box	Automatic
Power	134kW
Torque	300Nm
Average Fuel Consumption	8.2L per 100km (as tested)
Price	R739,900

 

Bucket Seat: GWM Tank 300

With the Chinese continuing their surge into the market, we seeing loads of various derivatives from the brands whom have already established themselves in the country. One of the popular ones being GWM, who’ve had a decade long presence locally and over the past 5 years seen a drastic increase in sales due to their popular models in the HAVAL stable. Last year they launched another sub brand called “Tank” which showcases their robust offerings more inclined to the adventurers and off-road enthusiasts. The first model which was brought in is the Tank 300. This boxy looking SUV fits all the characteristics of a proper off-roader, but many were still skeptical on its capabilities. Seeing that it was first only offered in petrol engines, this was another draw back for it, with already high consumption figures from the normal SUV’s, this would prove to be even higher given the weight and size of the car. Nevertheless the Tank 300 did sell in decent numbers but the call for a more fuel efficient drivetrain was required. Earlier this year GWM brought in the hybrid petrol and not too long ago launched the 2.4 Turbo Diesel engine. I got to spend a week with the latter and see if this was the ideal engine for this car.

DESIGN

The design of the Tank 300 is very much like its namesake, a tank. It’s big, bulky and boxy, to some its appearance is not very attractive, to others it looks the part. Mimicking some of the other off-road legends in design, it has similar characteristics to the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen and the Jeep Wrangler, but with its own flair. Personally, the looks of the car didn’t do much for me and in certain angles it did not flatter but this car isn’t designed to win beauty contests as it mean to go exploring in the roads less travelled and for that, the design is spot on. Raised suspension giving it a ground clearance of 224mm, robust black bumpers and side skirts, all terrain tyres and flared wheel arches make the Tank ready to conquer just about any obstacle. The box silhouette may not be to everyone’s liking but it’s needed for the rigidity when maneuvering through tricky terrain. The spare wheel is mounted on the rear door and there is roof rails providing if extra storage is required. The interior of the tank is a complete contrast to the exterior with a modern fascia that adorns the dash and split LCD screens for instrumentation and infotainment.

PERFORMANCE

As mentioned earlier, the Tank was launched with a petrol engine, the Chinese vehicles are well known for their high fuel efficiency, this is due to a number of reasons but in particular the gearbox choices. While there is a hybrid version of the Tank on offer, I still think this diesel engine is where value for money will lie for the consumer. The 4 cylinder turbo charged engine delivers maximum torque peaking at 480Nm with a total power out put of 135kW. Its paired to a 9-speed automatic gearbox which performs well on the daily commute, sometimes it is found holding gears for longer than required but a tap on the break or accelerator sorts that issue out quickly. The Tank 300 comes with Haval’s off-road system which I got to experience first in the H7 and just like that, the system offers automatic selection of terrain and conditions via the touch screen, swapping from 2H, to 4L is as easy as turning the dial on the center console and then via the touch screen display you can really get into the details when configuring how you want the car set up, this even comes with the warning when accessing the menu as it says it’s for experienced users only.

COMFORT

As rugged as the Tank may look on the outside, it’s actually quite a comfy cabin on the inside. As mentioned, it’s a carbon copy of the H7 with dual LCD screens, one for your instrument cluster and the other for your infotainment. All climate control functions are hard buttons. The gear selector is quite a unique one and is used across the GWM range. There is USB C ports and a wireless charging tray, wireless mobile application connectivity and this model came with a sunroof. There were seat heating options for the driver and front passenger and both seats were electronically adjustable. The finishes and quality of materials used were really good, while most of it was faux leather, it really was hard to differentiate the real from the fake. The rear passengers enjoy a decent about of space, especially with the high cabin ceiling gives the feeling of more space. The Tank came with 4 cameras and front and rear PDCs which come very handy when parking this behemoth, it also allows you to toggle it in a 360 view via the touch screen, a feature which comes standard.

VERDICT

Ultimately, the Tank 300 is everything that an off-road enthusiast would want in a car, well maybe I not so much the fancy interior but the rugged exterior and well capable chassis, yes. The price point makes this all the more attractive to even novices who are merely entertaining the fact that they may pursue a side hobby in off-roading will drool at the fact that they could get something like this for almost half the price of what you'd pay for the American or European offerings. The common problem of high fuel economy which deterred many from Chinese brands has now been solved with the introduction of this diesel engine and while it still may be high, for a car that weighs 3-tonnes it was pretty good. The luxuries on the inside are an added bonus if you ask me, cars that are built for this are not meant to be that nice on the inside but GWM thought otherwise and decided to spoiled us. The mount of tech that adorns the car is extraordinary as well, most of which would cost an arm and a leg if added on other brands. The Tank 300 might not be every ones cup of tea but it certainly is a value for money offering, one which is difficult to find in our current climate of cars. 

SPECIFICATION

Engine	2.4L Turbo
Gear Box	9-Speed tiptronic
Torque	480Nm
Power	135kW
Fuel Economy	7.7L/100km
Price	R699,900

 

Bucket Tech: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25, setting a new standard as a true AI companion with our most natural and context-aware mobile experiences ever created. Introducing multimodal AI agents, the Galaxy S25 series is the first step in Samsung’s vision to change the way users interact with their phone – and with their world. A first-of-its-kind customised Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy chipset delivers greater on-device processing power for Galaxy AI and superior camera range and control with Galaxy’s next-gen ProVisual Engine.

“The greatest innovations are a reflection of their users, which is why we evolved Galaxy AI to help everyone interact with their devices more naturally and effortlessly while trusting that their privacy is secured,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Galaxy S25 series opens the door to an AI-integrated OS that fundamentally shifts how we use technology and how we live our lives.”

Our Most Intuitive and Effortless Mobile Interactions Yet

With One UI 7, the Galaxy S25 series is a true AI companion that understands the context of your needs and preferences and provides personalised AI experiences with privacy assured at every turn. It’s the starting point of a shared vision with Google to imagine Android with AI at the core, bringing together developers and partners from around the world.

AI agents with multimodal capabilities enable Galaxy S25 to interpret text, speech, images and videos for interactions that feel natural. Upgrades to Google’s Circle to Search make searching your phone screen more helpful, fast and contextual. Circle to Search now quickly recognises phone numbers, email and URLs on your screen, letting you call, email or visit a website with a single tap.

With Galaxy S25 series, you can also perform actionable searches with context-aware suggestions for next steps. Plus, Galaxy S25 makes it frictionless to switch between apps for quick follow-up actions, like sharing a GIF or saving event details.

Galaxy S25 also represents a breakthrough in natural language understanding, making everyday interactions easier. Simply ask and intuitively find a specific photo in Samsung Gallery or adjust the size of display fonts in Settings. Just press and hold the side button to activate Gemini and perform seamless interaction across Samsung and Google apps, plus third-party apps such as Spotify. For example, find your favourite sports team’s season schedule and add it to Samsung   Calendar – with a single command.

These intuitive interactions are elevated by expansions to Galaxy AI’s popular tools for communication, productivity and creativity. Galaxy S25 keeps calls organised with Call Transcript[4] and summary. Writing Assist features such as summarizing content or automatically formatting notes can be enabled where texts can be selected, without needing to switch between applications. Drawing Assist unlocks fresh ways to bring ideas to life through combinations of sketches, text or image prompts.

Hyper-personalised Experiences with Privacy Secured

In the era of AI, personalisation goes hand-in-hand with privacy. On Galaxy S25, the Personal Data Engine powers personalised AI features by safely analysing your data on-device to deliver highly tailored experiences that reflect your preferences and usage patterns. These insights enable tailored experiences such as searching for an old photo in the Gallery using natural language, or being guided through the day with Now Brief, which proactively offers suggestions accessible via Now Bar on the lock screen. All personalised data is kept private and secured by Knox Vault. Combined with enhanced on-device processing capabilities, this creates a powerful, protected AI experience that is unique to Galaxy.

Galaxy S25 also introduces post-quantum cryptography, safeguarding personal data against emerging threats that could increase as quantum computing evolves. Because there is no privacy without holistic security, One UI 7 laid the groundwork for these innovations by introducing an extra, fortified layer of device safety designed for the age of AI and hyperconnectivity. Additional updates include added Maximum Restrictions settings, enhanced Theft Protection, and a new Knox Matrix dashboard to monitor the security status across a connected device ecosystem.

Galaxy’s Most Powerful Performance Ever

The Galaxy S25 series is powered by the Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy. With unique customisations by Galaxy, this is the most powerful processor ever on Galaxy S series, delivering a performance boost of 40% in NPU, 37% in CPU and 30% in GPU compared to previous generation. This power fuels the Galaxy S25 series’ ability to process more AI experiences on-device without compromise, including previously cloud-based AI tasks such as Generative Edit.

Samsung and Qualcomm Technologies worked together to customise the Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy.  The Galaxy S25 series features advanced, efficient AI image processing with ProScaler to achieve a 40% improvement[12] in display image scaling quality, while incorporating custom technology with Samsung’s mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe) embedded within the processor using Galaxy IP to enable greater display power efficiency.

Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy is also equipped with Vulkan Engine and improved Ray Tracing, which makes for smoother and more realistic mobile gaming. All intense device usage and AI processing run smoothly thanks to changed heat dissipation structure with 40% larger vapor chamber and a tailored thermal interface material (TIM) that delivers extra improvement in thermal efficiency.

Unleashing Truly Pro Creation

The Galaxy S25 series delivers ultra-detailed shots at every range with high resolution sensors and ProVisual Engine, setting a new standard for mobile photography. With a new 50MP ultrawide camera sensor upgraded from the previous 12MP, Galaxy S25 Ultra provides exceptional clarity and vibrancy.

10-bit HDR recording is now applied by default, offering four times richer colour expression compared to 8-bit. Galaxy S25 can thus capture details in any lighting conditions. Plus, low-light videos have never been clearer than with Galaxy S25. Based on powerful processor, Galaxy S25 analyses movement and time to reduce noise more effectively. This integration allows detecting both moving and static objects with greater precision, ensuring sharper, cleaner footage in any scenario.

Galaxy S25 also introduces a range of tools once limited to specialised software, making advanced editing accessible for all. Now anyone can be a pro at editing photos and videos. Audio Eraser simplifies the removal of unwanted noise in videos. By isolating categories of sounds – including voices, music, wind, nature, crowd and noise – you can control what to tone down or eliminate entirely.

For a DSLR-like experience on mobile, Galaxy S25 introduces depth-of-field control with Virtual Aperture, integrated into the popular Expert RAW. Galaxy S25 also elevates cinematic creativity with Galaxy Log, enabling precise colour grading options for more professional video production. Portrait Studio has also been enhanced, allowing users to create personalised avatars with more true-to-life facial expressions. Filters introduces new analog-style filters, delivering film-like aesthetic for their photos and videos.

Durable Design Embracing a More Circular Approach

The Galaxy S25 series builds upon Galaxy’s ‘Essential Design’ grounded in ‘Simple, Impactful and Emotive’ elements. Galaxy S25 Ultra refines this essence into the slimmest, lightest and most durable Galaxy S series yet, with a rounded edge for a comfortable grip that complements the series’ aesthetic identity.

Galaxy S25 Ultra features durable titanium and the new Corning® Gorilla® Armor 2, a first-of-its-kind material that is more durable than glass. It combines Corning’s glass-ceramic with a proprietary anti-reflective surface treatment, helping to ensure advanced drop protection alongside anti-reflection surface treatment and scratch resistance.

Every external component of Galaxy S25+ and S25 now includes at least one recycled material, as their metal frame incorporates recycled armor aluminum for the first time. In addition, while every Galaxy S25 series device uses a minimum of 50% recycled cobalt for its battery, Galaxy S25 will be the first Galaxy smartphone to feature batteries made with recycled cobalt sourced from previous Galaxy devices or the batteries discarded during the manufacturing process. Samsung goes through multiple stages with its like-minded partners, from extracting cobalt from used batteries to re-using the recycled cobalt for the batteries of Galaxy S25.

Combined with seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, the Galaxy S25 series ensures a reliable and optimised performance over a longer lifespan. For greater peace of mind, Samsung Care+ offers comprehensive coverage for accidental damage, repairs, and replacements, ensuring peace of mind for Galaxy users. Plus, Samsung is introducing the New Galaxy Club. For users who love having the latest technology, this flexible subscription model is designed to make owning and upgrading Galaxy devices more convenient than ever. Regional details and availability will be announced at a later date.

The Galaxy S25 series will be available for pre-order from 23 January to 13 February 2025. Galaxy S25 Ultra will be available in Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Black, Titanium Whitesilver and Titanium Gray. Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ will be available in Navy, Silver Shadow, Icyblue and Mint.

Pricing as follows:

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 256GB - R29,999
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 512GB - R31,999
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 1TB - R34,999

Bucket Tech: HUAWEI Watch Fit 3

HUAWEI’s latest addition to its smartwatch lineup, the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 3, is now available in South Africa This sleek and fashionable wearable boasts an ultra-thin body, a modern square-faced design, and an expansive 1.82-inch screen. With this latest addition to their lineup, HUAWEI continues to lead the way in providing unique and fashionable ways to express personal style while delivering exceptional performance and advanced fitness tracking capabilities. The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 3 promises to revolutionise the way you monitor health, stay connected, and express your personal style.

The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 3 is now available from authorised partners and operators and the HUAWEI online store in South Africa.

HUAWEI WATCH FIT 3

The WATCH FIT 3 effortlessly blends fitness, innovation, and a lightweight, slim design. It features the innovative HUAWEI Hybrid AMOLED technology, delivering a stunning visual experience with its ultra-high resolution of 347ppi. The larger screen, coupled with a peak brightness of 1,500 nits and automatic brightness adjustment, ensures that users can enjoy a comfortable and immersive viewing experience in any lighting condition. The watch's sleek and modern design is further enhanced by its ultra-narrow bezel, thanks to the hybrid rigid-flexible screen. This design innovation increases the screen-to-body ratio to an impressive 77.4%, giving you a large screen while maintaining a slim and stylish profile.

Sporting a modern and minimalistic square design with a three-dimensional arc surface and a striking colour contrast in the crown, the WATCH FIT 3 creates a distinctively modern and fashionable aesthetic. With a remarkably thin body measuring 9.9mm and weighing only 26g (watch body only), this trendy accessory can be tactfully paired with any outfit, making it perfect for fashion-conscious individuals.

In addition to its stunning display and design, the WATCH FIT 3 is equipped with a range of advanced health monitoring features. The brand new HUAWEI TruSleep™ 4.0 science-based sleep tracker provides users with comprehensive and accurate sleep data, offering personalised interpretations and suggestions for improved sleep quality. The watch also features the upgraded HUAWEI TruSeen™ 5.5 health monitoring, which ensures precise heart rate readings and efficient analysis of workout performance and daily health. For women, the WATCH FIT 3 integrates Menstrual Cycle Management, providing a comprehensive care system that makes information about menstrual cycles readily accessible and easy to understand.

Despite its advanced features and impressive display, the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 3 maintains an exceptional battery life. The watch can support up to 10 days of use on a single charge, with typical usage lasting up to 7 days. Furthermore, the watch's quick charging capabilities allow users to get a full day of use from just a 10-minute charge.

With its cutting-edge technology, stylish design, and comprehensive health monitoring features, this smartwatch is set to revolutionise wearables and help users lead healthier and more connected lives.

Get your HUAWEI WATCH FIT 3 today for an unbeatable R2999 on the at the HUAWEI online store or spread the cost with manageable monthly payments starting from R79 over 24 months at all Operator stores nationwide

Bucket Seat: Ford Puma

The Ford Puma started its life as a compact coupé back in 1997. Available only in Europe, sales weren’t the greatest and it never really caught on apart from the UK, hence it was retired in 2001. Fast forward to 2019 and the badge was revived by Ford and spawned into a compact crossover. Based on the Ford Fiesta platform, the revived Puma became quite a hit, offering a different take on the crossover from everyone else with it being almost like a raised sporty hatchback. Now I know what you’re thinking, if the Ford Puma was launched in 2019, why the hell did we only get it in 2023? Well, there were a number of factors for this, biggest being Ford South Africa still had a lot of Eco Sports to sell. While there is big difference between the two as I soon found out after testing the Puma, the price point would have had the EcoSport killing its own sibling in the market. So what Ford decide to do? Kill the EcoSport for the sake of the Puma. Will this pay off though? That is the question.

DESIGN

The Ford Puma styling is really top notch, even with it arriving in SA a whole 4 years later it doesn’t seem dated at all because it’s so unique. The sport lines and curves with its bulging headlamps give it that feline look of it ready to pounce. I don’t think there is a bad angle on the particular car and it’s so easily recognisable that I could spot it a mile away in a parking lot. The detail on the front of the car is quite cool, from the chrome border grille to the silver accents on the bottom diffuser. The way the nose is sculptured from the grille up to the pronounce headlights and which then transcend to the windscreen following the curves of the wheel arch really give the car a higher look that what it really is. Everything about it is bold and funky, which adds to the appeal to the youth but as I noticed while spending time with it, it was often the old folk that I would catch staring. The rear is well rounded off with winged tail lights that extend a bit over the side and this particular model being the ST Line, featured a nice rear wing to add to the sporty nature. The bottom diffuser is finished off with more silver accents with borders around the dual tail pipes. The interior follows the standard Ford design guidelines, and I did mention it looked similar to the EcoSport, which wasn’t completely wrong but there are some big differences, biggest being the quality of materials used in the Puma, these are much more high end that the EcoSport.

PERFORMANCE

So how does this 1.0-litre 3 cylinder Ecoboost engine perform in the Puma? Look at the brochure and it will give you the power output of 92kW and 170Nm of torque, not a lot you might think for a car that’s asking price is north of 600K. The big question is how does it drive? Well, I have to be honest it goes rather well, that 7-speed auto gearbox works like a charm in both city driving and on the highway. One must remember this car is made for Europe so the key factors were for small commutes and city driving, it serves those two purposes like a charm. On the open road it can reach a cruising speed of 120km/h without it breaking too much of a sweat and can maintain it on uphills as well. The car feels solid and the ride quality is pretty decent, there’s a big difference between driving this and the Ecosport so one could say that this does deserve its higher price tag. I like taking the car cars through some twistys and the Puma navigated whatever I threw at it rather well with its punchy acceleration and well mannered cornering. With my heavy foot and aggressive driving nature, it did not bode well for the fuel average but Ford claim it can do 5.3L per 100km.

COMFORT

So it’s described as a “compact crossover” but it is still rather spacious. Look, it won’t fit a family of 7 but 4 adults can go along comfortably. I must commend the quality of the seats though, not sure if it’s specific to the ST Line but the quilted leather styling was not only great to look at but extremely comfortable too. There wasn’t a heating function for the seats, and don’t see if it’s available as an extra on the website but it’s not a deal breaker for me. The car does have single zone climate control which was a let down for me, I expected minimum dual zone for it. The Puma comes with a nice 8-inch TFT touch screen with but it still has SYNC 3, because it’s still an old model. This means it has mobile applications built in but your device needs to be plugged in for use. The car came with an impressive 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system that wasn’t listed on the extras sheet so I’m guessing it’s standard. Other notable standard features include keyless entry and push button start, tyre pressure monitoring two USB ports and wireless phone charging tray. Safety features include lane keeping assist, 6 airbags, ABS and cruise control with adjustable speed limiter.

VERDICT

The Ford Puma is a disrupter to the segment, it’s a wild kind of car that is a cross over but could easily pass as a hatchback. There are few things that didn’t sit overly well with me, one was why did Ford decide to bring this model in now when there’s a facelift due very soon and secondly, I know I said the car did warrant to cost more than the EcoSport but it is A LOT more than the EcoSport which makes me wonder of the market would take to it. I got it on test a good 5 months after it was launched and haven’t seen a single one on the roads of Durban but mind you, spending the beginning of the month in Cape Town, I saw quite a few! So I’m guessing it would take some time to see them filter through the various spots but it’s nice to see such a refreshing option in the segment and even better seeing Ford bring something new, other than 20 variants of the Ranger.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.0 -litre turbo, 3 cylinder
Gear Box	7-speed automatic
Torque	170Nm
Power	92kW
Fuel consumption	5.3 liters per 100km
Price	R615,440*

*base price