Bucket Seat: Changan CS750 Pro

The market for affordable seven-seater SUVs and people movers has become increasingly competitive in South Africa, with Chinese manufacturers bringing more features, better interior finishes and impressive levels of comfort to buyers who would otherwise have to spend considerably more to get a similarly equipped vehicle. The Changan CS750 Pro is another contender in this space, offering a spacious cabin, a generous equipment list and the practicality that comes with having seven seats. On paper, it ticks many of the right boxes for families looking for a versatile daily driver, but spending time with it reveals a few interesting design decisions, particularly when it comes to the infotainment system. Thankfully, there is enough to like about the CS750 Pro to make it worth considering, especially if interior comfort and value for money are high on your shopping list.

DESIGN

Chinese automotive design has come a long way over the past few years, with manufacturers increasingly developing their own identities and producing vehicles that look considerably more sophisticated than some of the offerings we saw a decade ago. However, there are still occasions when certain design elements feel a little too familiar, and the Changan CS750 Pro is one of those vehicles that leaves you wondering whether you have seen some of its styling cues somewhere else. The exterior design is bold enough to give the CS750 Pro a substantial road presence, although some of its styling elements remind me of vehicles from other Chinese manufacturers. This is not necessarily a deal-breaker, especially in a segment where buyers are often more concerned with space, practicality and equipment than having the most distinctive vehicle in the parking lot. Nevertheless, I would have liked to see Changan push the design a little further to give the CS750 Pro a stronger identity of its own.That said, the overall package works reasonably well. It has the proportions expected of a family-focused seven-seater, with a design that communicates size and practicality without trying too hard to be a sporty SUV. It is a vehicle designed to accommodate people and their belongings, and in that respect, its overall shape serves its purpose.

COMFORT

Step inside the CS750 Pro and you are greeted by an interior that makes a positive first impression. The quality of the finishes is one of the highlights, with materials and trim elements that help create a cabin that feels more premium than you might initially expect at this price point. There is a noticeable effort to make the interior feel modern and comfortable, rather than simply providing a functional space with seven seats squeezed into it. For a vehicle that is likely to appeal primarily to families, this is an important consideration. A seven-seater needs to be more than just a vehicle with an extra row of seats. It needs to provide a comfortable environment for the driver and passengers, particularly when dealing with school runs, shopping trips, weekend getaways and longer journeys with the family. The CS750 Pro makes a reasonable case for itself here, with a cabin that feels inviting and well equipped. The versatility of the interior is another major selling point. Having seven seats gives owners the flexibility to transport a larger family or accommodate additional passengers when needed. It also makes the CS750 Pro a practical option for buyers who need one vehicle to handle several different roles throughout the week. Of course, as with any seven-seater, the usefulness of the third row and the amount of luggage space available when all seats are occupied are important considerations. Buyers should assess the seating configuration in person and make sure it suits their particular needs. However, the overall emphasis on comfort and practicality is clear, and these qualities go a long way towards making the CS750 Pro an appealing family vehicle.

TECHNOLOGY

Unfortunately, this is where the CS750 Pro starts to lose some of its appeal. Modern vehicles are increasingly reliant on their infotainment systems, and while a large screen and a collection of digital features might look impressive in the showroom, the real test is how easily you can use them while going about your daily routine. The infotainment setup in the CS750 Pro is frustrating, largely because it does not offer the conventional, straightforward in-car applications and connectivity experience that many drivers have come to expect. Instead, the system relies on an application that allows you to cast content from your smartphone onto the vehicle's screen. In theory, this might sound like a reasonable alternative. In practice, however, it quickly becomes an inconvenience. The process is not particularly user-friendly, and having to rely on an additional application to access the functions you want introduces an unnecessary layer of complexity. More frustratingly, the phone needs to remain unlocked for the system to work as intended, which is hardly an ideal solution when you are trying to use your phone for navigation or other functions while driving. This is one of those situations where technology seems to have been introduced for the sake of having it, rather than to make the driver's life easier. An infotainment system should simplify the driving experience, allowing you to access navigation, music and other essential functions with minimal fuss. Instead, the CS750 Pro's implementation can make even relatively simple tasks feel more complicated than they need to be. For me, this is a significant missed opportunity. The rest of the interior makes a good impression, but the infotainment system feels like an area where more thought should have gone into the user experience. A conventional system with straightforward menus and properly integrated smartphone connectivity would have made a substantial difference to the overall ownership experience. 

PERFORMANCE 

Behind the wheel, the CS750 Pro is a fairly straightforward vehicle to get along with. The engine provides adequate performance for everyday driving, and during my time with it, I found it capable of handling normal driving duties without feeling particularly underpowered. For a vehicle of this size, that is an important starting point. A seven-seater needs to be able to move its occupants around comfortably, whether that means navigating urban traffic, cruising along the highway or making the occasional longer journey. The CS750 Pro does enough in this regard to make it a reasonable proposition for everyday family use. However, there is an important caveat to my driving impressions. I did not get the opportunity to test the vehicle with all seven seats occupied and a full load of passengers and luggage. Consequently, I cannot say with certainty how the engine would perform under those circumstances, particularly when accelerating, overtaking or tackling longer uphill stretches. This is worth keeping in mind because a vehicle that feels adequately powered with only the driver or a couple of passengers on board may deliver a different experience when carrying a full complement of occupants. Buyers who regularly travel with a full load should ideally take the CS750 Pro for a test drive under conditions that reflect their typical use. For the kind of everyday driving I experienced, though, the vehicle did what was expected of it. It is not trying to be a performance SUV, nor does it need to be. Its purpose is to provide practical family transport with enough performance to make daily driving comfortable and manageable.

PRACTICALITY

The CS750 Pro's biggest strength is arguably the combination of its seven-seat layout, interior comfort and equipment offering. For buyers shopping in this segment, value for money is about more than  simply finding the cheapest vehicle available. It is about getting a package that provides the space, comfort and features needed to make everyday ownership worthwhile. This is where the Changan makes a convincing argument for itself. The cabin feels well finished, the overall comfort levels are appealing, and the equipment offering helps it stand out as a well-kitted option in its price bracket. For a growing family, or someone who regularly needs to transport more than five people, the additional seating flexibility can make a meaningful difference. There are compromises, of course. The exterior styling could do more to establish a distinctive identity, while the infotainment system is a clear example of a feature that needs refinement. The engine also deserves a more thorough assessment with a full passenger and luggage load before making any definitive claims about its suitability for demanding family trips. Nevertheless, these shortcomings do not completely overshadow what the CS750 Pro gets right. If your priorities are a comfortable cabin, generous equipment and the convenience of seven seats without moving into a substantially more expensive vehicle, it deserves a place on your shortlist. 

VERDICT

The Changan CS750 Pro is a versatile people mover that gets several of the fundamentals right. It offers a comfortable interior, pleasing quality finishes and the practicality of seven seats, making it a sensible option for families who need more space and flexibility from their next vehicle. There are a few frustrations along the way. The exterior design borrows visual cues that feel familiar from other Chinese brands, and the infotainment system is unnecessarily complicated, with its reliance on smartphone casting making what should be a simple experience far more cumbersome than it needs to be. I would much rather have a conventional, intuitive infotainment system that works seamlessly than a setup that requires an application and an unlocked phone just to access its functions. On the road, the engine proved adequate for my everyday driving, although a fully loaded test would be needed to determine how well it handles the demands of carrying seven occupants and their luggage. Ultimately, the CS750 Pro is not without its flaws, but at the right price, it makes a compelling case for itself. The combination of interior comfort, equipment and seven-seat versatility makes it one of the better-equipped options to consider in its price bracket. It may not get everything right, but for buyers looking for a practical and comfortable family vehicle that offers plenty for the money, the Changan CS750 Pro is certainly worth a closer look.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.5L Turbocharged 4 Cylinder
Gear Box	7-DCT
Power	130kW
Torque	300Nm
Fuel Efficiency	7.5L per 100km
Price	R499,900

Bucket Seat: Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2D Executive

Hyundai's Santa Fe has been around for years and has always been the brands flagship SUV in the stable, that was until recently when the ginormous Palisade was launched locally but I'm not here to talk about that one, but rather the Santa Fe. Did you know Santa Fe means "Holy Faith" in Spanish? I just Googled that now because it is an odd name to give to a car, not sure of the Korean's are deep into religion or just like the town in New Mexico? Either way the latest rendition of this model see's a drastic change in design of the front which forms part of Hyundai's new design language and boy does it look good! Even though this model has been dethroned as their biggest model, the Santa Fe still does hold presence as I will elaborate on in the design aspect of this review but after spending some time in this car, its has its fair share of niggles but what you will appreciate is the honesty about itself and if you think it photographs well, you should see it in the metal!

DESIGN

As mentioned just a few lines up, the new Santa Fe has presence, and that is thanks to the bold new styling of the front of the vehicle with that massive new grille, its finished off in a brushed aluminum like look and really is the cars most stand-out feature when looking at it dead on. From a glance it oks like a fishnet texture but upon closer inspection, it gives a metal chains look. The front headlamps are integrated with the lines of the grille that extend outwards to the sides but at split, both horizontally and vertically by the new LED daytime running lights when illuminated look like the letter T, not sure if this was a specific design aspect but it looks kinda cool. The whole design seems smooth and well though out, with just the right about of creases and folds, that make the appearance of the car rather  elegant. The wheel arches are well pronounced with an extra edging to accentuate the large rims, which are 18" alloys in a stylish 5-spoke laser cut pattern. Moving to the rear, that's where most of the old styling remains with a familiar rear lights which follow the crease of the car with a solid read piece linking the two lights. Additional reflective lights adorn the rear bumper with skidplates at the bottom to match the front. The interior of the Santa Fe has a very modern look to it, with a floating center console which is finished in leather and plastic. The patterns and styling of the cabin are very arty and easy on the eye. 

PERFORMANCE

I had with me the 2.2D Executive model, which is the bottom of the two models offered locally. Its a front wheel drive SUV with a 2.2-litre diesel engine that produces 148kW and 440Nm of torque. The motor is tied to an 8-speed DCT box which isn't a CVT but I did have some niggles with at first with gear selection but that was mainly due to my heavy foot but over time I figured how to get the best from it. When driven properly the Santa Fe can give you between 8-9L per 100km, I managed to get it down to 8.2L per 100km on a long distance trip which I mainly used the cars cruise control to regulate the speed. The drive of the car is pretty good, given the size and weight you'd think there might be times when it would struggle but the car seems to get better as it goes. There were a few grips I had with the steering when full lock is done, you get a plastic knocking noise which annoyed me but it was soon forgotten as you straighten out and be on your way. 

COMFORT

I don't think you can fault the level of comfort afforded to you in the Santa Fe, the seats are large and luxurious, with a diamond stitching upper which is also on the second row seating. It's expected to have this sort of luxury in a large SUV like this, the 3rd row seating is finished off in the same leather but are much thinner in-terms of cushioning. They're very easy to lift and fold back into space to allow for greater trunk capacity. They also feature cup holders as well as addition storage space for mobile phones or other items. Second row passengers get to enjoy two USB ports for charging, aircon vent which is controlled by the front, seat pockets for storage and electric windows and moving to the front, driver and passenger have dual climate-control aircon and a leather wrapped dash. The center console is laid out quite differently with the gear-selectors being push buttons, which are normally reserved for high-end sports cars but here are Hyundai adding them to their Santa Fe. It does get a bit tricky when you're not used to it but it's refreshing to see. The drive mode dial is large prominent with PDC and camera buttons clearly placed. The float console has additional storage below which features a USB port as well as 12V socket. The rubberised mat makes sure that items place there don't go sliding around. The cars infotainment screen is large and features pre-loaded mobile apps for ease of connectivity with a multi-function steering wheel to control all aspects of the cars communication and vehicle information. 

VERDICT

Overall the Santa Fe solidified its value in the Hyundai stable to me, its a luxury large SUV with comfort features and finishes that would normally cost you a lot of money in European rivals. The cars drive is a smooth one and leaves you refreshed rather than tired. The design of it is bold and eye-catching, it exudes presence on the roads and it gets the attention it deserves. While we know there is a bigger model available now from Hyundai, I still think this would be the ideal sized SUV for a large family, with the option of having the two extra seats in the rear, mind you much of the luggage space does get compromised with the seats being utilized. I really enjoyed my time with the Santa Fe but I'm still intrigued to see how the larger Palisade goes but I guess I have to wait for that one. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.2L Diesel
Gear Box	8-Automatic DCT
Torque	440Nm
Power	148kW
0-100km/h	7.9 seconds
Price	R769,500

 

Bucket Seat: Audi A4 40 TFSI - With Audi Connect

We live in a connected world, with information available at our finger tips thanks to cellular technology, with the addition of 5G communication networks, this information can be accessed even faster from our phones. It's the one device that majority of the population cannot do without, and with good reason to as you can pretty much run a business from one of them, with the phones we use, they learn from us to adapt to their user, they learn where we go, what we watch, what we eat and what we like now what if this same technology was used in the cars we drive? Well, the guys at Audi have been thinking this to and with that have released Audi Connect, it was first introduced in the new A4 which I had the pleasure of spending the festive season with, getting used to not only the car but all the cool new features that it has thanks to Audi Connect. This technology will be rolled out in future models in their range this year but they decided to launch it in the revised A4 sedan which see's a few changes apart from the new 10.1" infotainment touch screen. 

DESIGN

Spending a month with a car rather than a week really helps you appreciate things that you would normally overlook. While many will see this face-lift A4 and say that just the lights are different which is the noticeable difference yes  but there are subtle elements in the design that have enhanced the look of the new A4. The model I had was finished in Terra Grey Metallic, giving it that bronze sheen in the sun but that cool grey look in the shade. With the headlights now conforming to the new design language featuring the sectional L shaped LED running along the top of the unit, the grille has been expanded slightly with a clear visible gap between the bonnet opening and the grille. The fog lamp duct has been enlarged with a more angular design giving the car a sporty, bulk look to the front end that adds to the aggressive look. New 18" cast alloy wheels boosts the cars elegance as you look at the side profile, also the lines tie up well with the new lights which give the design that continuous flow from whichever angle you look at it. Moving to the rear, the reconfiguration of the rear bumper with the reflectors now running parallel to the rear lights as well as a more bulky diffuser setup which enhances the huge exhaust frames which are finished in chrome. The car really does look regal and elegant whether on the move or standing still. 

PERFORMANCE

I think its been enough time since Audi have changed their naming configuration of their engines as even I am now tired of explaining it to people. The 40 TFSI is powered by a 2.0-litre motor which generates 140kW of power and 320Nm of torque. The engine is fused to a 7-speed S tronic gearbox which has paddle shift should the need arise to switch over into manual mode. While this engine performance figures isn't anything to write home about but it does what it is meant to do and with sublime pleasure. The A4 is a family sedan and built for cruising, long distances as well as the everyday commute. The car manages to give you an enjoyable ride day in and day out, also having to spend a longer time with it, got me to appreciate how well it manages fuel, with me only having to fill the car up three times and doing over 2000km with it. Audi's claimed combined consumption is 6.3l per 100km and if given a proper run in, it is very much achievable with this car. Driving long distances with the A4 was nothing short of a pleasure, having done a few trips in excess of 300km with the car, it makes you want to drive more and doesn't give you that feeling of fatigue you normally would associate with long drives. 

COMFORT

To continue from my last point, a lot of that has to do with the level of comfort in the car, Audi have done a brilliant job on the suspension which elevates the ride quality in the cabin for both driver and passengers. The car did come with the comfort package which is a R20,200 extra but includes electric front seats, seat heaters for driver and front passenger, review camera and storage package which includes handy nets in the boot to keep things from rolling around. The car also had Audi's Sport package which included the much loved flat-bottomed multifunction leather steering wheel. The seats themselves were finished off in leather and extremely comfortable. Dual zone climate control for front driver and passenger as well as ducts for the rear passengers ensured the cabin was comfortable for all. The car also came with the upgraded sound option of the Bang & Olufsen Premium package with 3D sound, glass sunroof. 

AUDI CONNECT

So what's the big deal with Audi Connect you may ask? Well as I said at the start, there is a need for us to be more connected in this modern lifestyle, Audi Connect is an innovative connected car technology that provides you with a range of features to help keep you and your Audi Connected, wherever you are. With the aid of the myAudi mobile app which links specifically to your car by means of your driver ID and a code which comes with the car, the app gives you real time vehicle status report, which includes info like whether the car is locked, if anything is left open such as sunroof or doors, fuel level, last service and even gives you the option to unlock or lock the car via the app. It also includes a host of security features such as theft alarm notifications which will come through to the phone should there be a break in or attempt at one, a valet alert should the car venture out of the specific radius that you set it, or if someone else is driving your car, you can set up Geofencing which alerts you when the car is going into areas where you specified it not to be driven and also speed alert should the person driving exceeds the speed you set on the app, all of this done in real time and sends notifications to you immediately via the car which has a built-in sim card which Audi will give buyers the first year free. 

Safety is a major factor as well so the Connect system also has Audi incident assist which activates should there be a collision, with a menu option popping up on the MMI interface giving you the option to call for emergency assistance or roadside assistance. Emergency all, automatically connects to the Audi Emergency Call Center in the event of a major collision, the car will feed the location, direction it was heading in and the number of passengers to the call center.  With the large infotainment screen, it now features the new MMI 2 menu configuration, the navigation is upgraded with Audi Connect to give you live traffic information, alerting you to possible delays and alternative routes should there be an issue on your preferred way. It also gives you the option to view a satellite image instead of the 2D maps, that way letting you see points of interests and landmarks much easier. Another handy feature is a live weather report, which can give you the forecast for the next days based on your location. Overall its a step in the right direction by Audi to bring their cars up to speed and making use of the technology available in making ones driving experience all that much more better. 

VERDICT

It's difficult to fault a car that does everything just about right, the practicality aspect of car like the A4 will forever be needed in the market which is why I have confidence in it surviving the ongoing trend to shift to SUV's. While this car is more molded to family, there's enough in this package to make it great for leisure and business as well. The refinement of the model year on year by the brand just shows the commitment Audi has in bettering their product offering, while changes come in quickly, they're ensuring that the customer doesn't have to wait an extended period to get something that they have now. Which is why launching Audi Connect now, on a face-lift was so significant, it really is a great offering and one I would personally get if I were in the market for a car of this nature. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0L Turbo-Petrol
Gear Box	7-speed S Tronic
Torque	320Nm
Power	140kW
Economy	6.3L per 100km
Price	R700,500*

* Price as standard

 

Bucket Seat: KIA Rio 1.4 TEC

I won't lie, I'm pretty lucky that I get to drive some amazing cars from top class manufacturers. More often than not, the cars I drive I can't really afford and its always those expensive ones that get you excited but there comes a time when I get a car, knowing that it's in my price range of what I could buy and it just blows my mind, the new KIA Rio did just that. The Korean car market has really come around in leaps and bound, not only proving to be a major competitor to the Japanese market but impacting the global market on a large scale. KIA is one of the manufacturers that has contributed to this success and when you look at their products, you can understand why. Not only are they making cars that can rival the opposition on pricing but also technology, style and quality. After driving the new Rio for 7 days, it was a bitter sweet moment giving it back as I really got attached to the car and this is how it went down. 

STYLE

KIA Motors chief designer, Peter Schreyer who is also one of three presidents of the company has really set the right design language for the brand. While the previous generation Rio was pretty good, the new look is more Euro-centric, by means of clean lines, more square edges and trims but overall very professional looking. The ex Audi design chief has incorporated some of the styling from the German manufacturer in KIA's interior design but added it's own flair to it. The car has new LED headlamps which pronounce the cars front end as well as the LED rear lights add lovely detail to the back of the car. The 1.4 TEC model which I had came with a few extras that really enhanced the car, for starters it had 17" rims, glass sunroof and large touch screen infotainment screen which also had Apply Car Play and Google Android Auto but more about that later. The interior design is very sleek with some similarities to the previous model, many will recognize some of the switched and dials from the old Rio but it still looks great. 

PERFORMANCE

The KIA Rio comes in two engine variants, a 1.2 and 1.4 both of which are available in manual or automatic transmission. Both engines are in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve Double OverHead Cam with CVVT which basically mean you have two separate camshafts, one for intake valves and one for exhaust valves. This coupled with the CVVT design reduces valvetrain inertia which leads to a more responsive output. Some figures from the engine is that  pushes out 74kW and has a Max Torque of 135Nm. For a hatch it size, it is adequate power but on lower gears I did find the engine to be a bit tame. It only really opens up between 4th and 6th. This goes to show with its 0-100km/h time, but one has to realise, while it does look rather smart, this isn't a hot hatch so if it's performance you're after, look elsewhere as this car does everything perfectly apart from that. Another major plus side to that is the economy, I swear I thought this was a diesel at the end of my 7 days, I couldn't fathom how a tiny car like this with me pushing the limits hardly drank fuel. I managed to rack up just over 600km's with it and it still had a range of 100km! remarkable. 

COMFORT

I spoke early about the Audi influence in KIA's design philosophy, while their are similarities I'm sure the brand would like to say they've created their own. The KIA Rio was extremely comfortable, the ride quality is unbelievably soft even with the large rims, For a hatch, I found that very surprising but pleasing at the same time. The car came with leather seats, which were pretty good quality as well. It wasn't that stiff leather that normally makes it hard to slide in and out. Space wise, even though it is a relatively small car, it was rather spacious, even for the rear passengers. The boot space was more than adequate for a smell weekend away. The climate control aircon ensured the cabin stayed at a comfortable temperature. 

TECHNOLOGY

As mentioned before in this post, the car came with built-in Apply Car Play and Google Android Auto. This is relatively new to South African motorists and for me, is the future of in car connectivity. When I say it's relatively new, while Apple Car Play is available for iPhone users, Google is yet to make Android Auto available for the local market, since I am an Android user, I found a loophole to get the app installed onto my device, it wasn't rocket science and in no time I was all set. No idea why but with these services, it requires your phone to be plugged into the USB port, even though the car has Bluetooth connectivity. With Android Auto, the infotainment screen came alive, first thing it does is disables your phones screen so everything you want is available on the cars display, from Maps, to contacts, calls and music! What's even better, Googles voice activated menu is active at all times so you don't have to fiddle around pressing buttons or selecting menus, you can control virtually everything by just talking to the car! It really is the future of in-car entertainment and information, I hope to see other manufacturers make use of this in the future. 

VERDICT

I get to drive some pretty cool cars, pretty expensive ones too but I didn't expect a car of this level to wow me as it did. Yes, it wasn't the fastest but in today's pace and roads cluttered with traffic, who has the time or space to go fast? The new Rio has everything you need in a car and with it being up to date with most of the tech which included reverse came and easy to use cellphone connectivity with Car Play and Android Auto, there isn't much one needs more in that space. The car is comfortable, a great city car and can be equally great for the open road. This honestly is the best car I've driven all year, it's price fits my pocket, it has everything I need and it looks great! 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.4 litre, 4 cylinder, DOHC CVVT
Gear Box	6 speed manual
Power	74kW
Torque	130Nm
Top Speed	176km/h
0-100km	13.2  seconds
Price	R 274,995*

*Excluding Extras