Bucket Seat: Volkswagen Tayron 1.4 TFSI Life DSG

Volkswagen recently launched the 7-seater SUV variant that is based on the new Tiguan, called the Tayron. Previously this model was known as the Tiguan Allspace but the company took the decision to give this model its own name plate, which perhaps makes it more marketable but at the same time gives a clear difference between the Tiguan and the Tayron. It is available in 3 guises, namely standard, Life and R-Line, the kind folk at Volkswagen SA sent through the Life DSG model for me to spend some time with and while some might say its just a Tiguan with extra seats, in this review I'll tell you why that isn't the case with key design differences between this and its smaller sibling.

DESIGN

The Tayron looks like a grown-up Tiguan  longer, smoother lines, a broad grille that integrates with slim LED headlights and a distinctly horizontal face that gives it a planted, premium stance. This being the Life model, meant that I didn't get any sporty features to enhance the cars aesthetics but rather a more soft and gentle family car vibe to it. While many might say this is just a bigger Tiguan, there are key design differences to make it different to its smaller sibling, like the elevated engine cover which is more flat and not angled downwards to the front like the Tiguan. Also the lights on the Tayron are more squared off and larger than the Tiguan. The Tayron also features an illuminated VW logo's for both the front and the back of the car with the back looking particularly sweet when glowing in red in the dark. While the overall shape prioritises usable interior length rather than dramatic styling flourishes. From a South African perspective it reads as contemporary and conservative  appealing to buyers who want something modern without being flashy. 

PERFORMANCE

The Tayron is currently only available in the 1.4 TFSI engine, it uses VW’s 1.395-litre turbo four which is utilized in many of their other models, it produces roughly 110 kW and 250 Nm which for a sizable car like this might seem a bit low but as in the previous model, it proved to be quite sufficient.  The 7-speed DSG/dual-clutch gearbox is the standard transmission and pairs well with the engine for smooth, efficient progress. Fuel economy as claimed by VWSA sit around 7.6 L/100 km for the 1.4TSI  not hyper-frugal but respectable given the size and the 7-seat packaging. That gives a real world range of about 700+ km on the 55-litre tank in mixed driving  handy for South African road trips between major centres. The Tayron is tuned more for composed, comfortable cruising than sporty, body-leaning corner carving. Front-wheel drive 1.4TSI models are the most common local offering — predictable handling, light steering at low speeds for city manoeuvres and composed suspension that soaks up typical suburban and rural South African road surfaces. If you need heavy towing or spirited four-wheel work, the larger 2.0TSI / diesel AWD variants (not the 1.4) are better suited; the 1.4 is aimed at daily family duties.

 COMFORT

Interior quality is a clear step up from the old Allspace. Materials feel modern and well-finished VW has applied soft-touch surfaces where they matter, a tidy centre stack and a driver-centric digital cluster on higher trims. Seat comfort front and second row is generous; the wheelbase gives good knee room in row two and the seats can be adjusted to prioritise second-row comfort or boot space. Third row and luggage: the third row is adult-usable for short journeys and fine for children the Tayron’s 7-seat boot is quoted at about 345 litres with all seven up, and folding the third row expands capacity significantly (up to around 850 L in some configurations and much more with the second row folded). That makes the Tayron one of the more adaptable 7-seat SUVs in its class for family-holiday duties and weekend runs. 

Other handy design elements include good visibility from higher seating, numerous storage cubbies, USB ports across rows and available heated front seats make it well suited to local conditions and family life. Higher trims add acoustic glazing, panoramic roof options and premium-feel appointments. The Tayron uses Volkswagen’s current touchscreen systems which is a large central display that includes  wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless phone charging trays and multiple USB-C ports. The layout is modern and the UI is similar to other new VW models, so it’s familiar to buyers coming from Polo/Tiguan. Driver aids and safety on the Tayron include  lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and a full suite of airbags as standard on local derivatives. Structural safety and active assist features put it on par with rivals important for family buyers prioritising safety on South African highways and urban environments. Depending on the model trim you choose, there is also a host of extras you can select when configuring your car. 

VERDICT

The Volkswagen Tayron 1.4 TFSI 7-seater is a convincing successor to the Tiguan Allspace: spacious, well-built and full of relevant technology for modern South African families. The 1.4 TFSI variant is the pragmatic choice — punchy enough for daily driving and long trips, reasonably economical, and well priced for what it offers. If you want a comfortable, safe and versatile family SUV with a strong dealer network and modern tech, the Tayron is worth a test drive. If you regularly tow heavy trailers, need true off-road capability or want the ultimate performance, it's best you wait for the larger 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines when they become available locally. 

SPECIFICATION

Engine	1.4L Turbo Petrol
Gear Box	DSG Automatic
Torque	250Nm
Power	110kW
Average Fuel Consumption	7.6L per 100km
Price	R853,800.00

 

Bucket Seat: Toyota Corolla Hybrid

There's certain cars that are just all round winners in the market, a car that no one can fault and they just work. One of those cars is the Toyota Corolla, I don't need to dive into the heritage of this model from the Japanese motor manufacturing giant as its roots are firmly set in SA having being assembled at the Prospecton plant for many years. It's the ideal family car, with a spacious interior, comfortable ride and engines that match everyone's preference, and building on this Toyota have expanded their engine offering with a Hybrid model in the current line up. A very smart move by them, offering one of the most affordable hybrid sedans on the market. I had the opportunity to spend a week with this model, taking it on my daily commute as well as my long distance work travels and it performed its duty diligently every time. Join me as I delve into my time spent with this car as I get to explore everything that it has to offer. 

DESIGN

I'm a big fan of the design on the new Corolla, it's very modern approach to the latest Toyota design language that see's them use lots of smoother lines and lots of curves. The angular details and trims give the car a sporty edge, while there are similarities to the sister company Lexus noticeable in certain areas, but it still remains distinctly Toyota. The sculptured outer body is equally matched by an attractive but practical interior. That is ultimately the Corolla's goal, to be a practical and affordable sedan for the masses. It's design brief is to be not controversial but appeal to almost everyone and I think Toyota have been doing this very well with the previous models but this one they did tinker on the wild side a bit with the car have a very modern edgy look. The car looks fantastic and I don't think anyone can fault its appearance, the colour I had on test was Glacier White, which for me is the best colour in the range as it really brings out all the lines of the car and has that speckled metallic finish that makes it look extra great in the sun. 

PERFORMANCE

This is the real star of the car, the 1.8-litre petrol combustion engine mated with the electric motor that generates a combined power output of 103kW with 142Nm of torque. The 4-cylinder engine is the perfect size for the cars body and size, the electric motor helps with the take off and coasting which in-turn lowers fuel economy allowing the Corolla Hybrid to achieve a claimed 3.9 litres per 100km. Having had the car for a week, and doing some long distance traveling with it, which included some light gravel road travels, I managed to get the economy down to 4.4-litres per 100km which is not bad given that trying to achieve the claimed figure in most cars is near impossible most of the time. Power delivery is instant with the electric motor being on standby since the time you switch the car on, once the required power is increased, the combustion engine kicks in to take over. At coasting speeds the combustion engine does take a backseat to allow the electric motor to assist with the cruising of the car and this is done without the driver or occupants even knowing. Toyota's hybrid tech is still one of the best on the market and I still haven't driven another manufacturer that has a better system than Toyota and Lexus. 

COMFORT

Do I really need to elaborate on this? It's a Corolla! These cars are known for their spacious interiors, comfortable, no fuss ride quality and it gets better with the Hybrid model as its based on the XR model which comes with leather seats and an extra silent engine. The tech that is standard in the new Corolla is brilliant, with standard features normally coasting you a few extra thousand bucks in other cars. Safety is of paramount interest in the Corolla with it coming with active guidance cruise control, lane departure warning, active steering and front and rear PDC's. There is a reverse camera too just to make sure of your parking. 5-airbags as standard with Toyota Safety Sense. It has a smart key with smart entry tat allows you to unlock and lock the car with smart sensors on the door handles. 

VERDICT

It's a no brainer for me, being a Corolla owner, having the option to get a hybrid power unit just makes sense. It's the perfect family car for people on a budget, its super comfortable and the reliability is second to none. With its good looks and sporty appearance, stunning interior with large touch screen infotainment unit that has built-in wireless mobile applications as well as details on the power units, there's nothing more you need in a car. Pricing is a bit steep but compared to the other cars on the market, this is a winner if you're looking for an affordable hybrid car that has a great name behind it. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.8-litre petrol with hybrid electric
Gear Box	CVT Auto
Torque	142Nm
Power	103kW (combined)
Fuel Economy	3.9 litres per 100km
Price	R548,200

Bucket Seat: 2022 Hyundai Creta Executive

The Hyundai Creta is probably one of the more popular compact SUV’s in the local market with the first generation doing remarkably well with sales. It offered the consumer a mid-to-large cabin with decent luggage capacity with great fuel economy and that is what the recipe of the Creta is in a nutshell, fast forward to the last model on the market, it’s definitely gotten better in looks and packs quite a bit of tech offering but still has those core values of the original model. I had the opportunity to spend almost 2 weeks with the Creta in which I traveled over 2,300km with it, so I got to know the car pretty well with my time with it, here are my thoughts on it.

DESIGN 

The revised Creta design sees major design changes to the front of the car that sports an almost identical face to that of the new Tucson. The bold new grill which incorporates the new headlights is a striking feature that catches your attention almost immediately, bold borders outline the shape which tapers off to the bottom to join the bottom bumper. The car which was in a metallic red/ maroon suited the car perfectly even with the silver brushed aluminium accents. The car has a great body design with clever lines adding to the bulk look, making it more of a crossover design than SUV.  The rest of the body is pretty similar to the previous model with subtle design tweaks to enhance the appearance. The biggest change on the rear sees the shape of the rear lights change a bit, still sticking to that C shape but with the top line extended, making it look like J now I suppose. They did well to break the design with distinct characteristics, such as the greys, blacks and borders, would have liked to have the roof in a full black colour since there was no panoramic roof offering. The inside remains pretty similar to the pre-facelift model with the cabin being very spacious, and comfortable place to sit in. 

PERFORMANCE 

Powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine, there’s nothing to write home about in-terms of performance but after travelling around most of KZN and parts of the Free State, the true beauty of this car showed itself on the long open road giving me close to 650km on a single tank of fuel! With the engine producing 84kW and 144Nm of torque, it isn’t bad when you require the power and it does brilliantly when coasting, this is also helped a lot by the IVT gearbox that works like a charm, and isn’t as annoying as the CVT boxes found in the other cars. Being a small car, I expected the car to struggle at higher altitudes while cruising at high speeds but to its credit, the car managed to cope quite well, with my cruise control set to 120kph, the Creta breezed as I travelled through the N5 in Free-State. Where you did notice the climate taking a knock on the car was when the range started to drop dramatically, with the box type shape and not very aerodynamic, it was obvious it wasn’t managing well with the dry air outside but like I mentioned, getting close to 650km from a 45-litre tank is pretty good in my books and I while still doing decent speeds. 

COMFORT 

This for me is a critical talking point when it comes to SUV’s in the same segment as the Creta. While the offering may seem great, the manufacturers tend to add cheaper quality materials in the cabin to lower the prices of the cars and while I did complain about the previous model Creta being very plastic, not much has changed in this model but what I can say, the quality of plastic is good (not sure if that’s even a thing you can say), it’s still hard and sounds like crap when you knock on it but it will last you a long time so it’s pretty robust, rest assured it won’t crack or melt in extreme hot temperatures. The seats are great and comfy, sitting for 7 hour straight and I had no complaints, and even no back pains at my old age. The Creta doesn’t have climate control, just you conventional type aircon but it does have a very cool 8-inch touchscreen infotainment unit which has built-in mobile apps which has wireless connectivity. There is two USB ports up front with a 12V power port and a wireless charging mat in this Executive model. The rear passengers have a bench type seat with vents for the air conditioning and one USB port for charging there devices. The cabin is very roomy with lots of headroom, even for a tall guy like myself which helps as you tend to feel claustrophobic in smaller SUV’s like this. The boot space is decent, you can get a set of clubs in there with no issue, and lots of bags as I found out on my multiple trips. Should you require more space, you can drop the rear seats which fold in a 60/40 split for additional loading capacity when required. 

VERDICT 

I wasn’t hugely impressed when I drove the previous model Creta, while the styling was different and they spec’s the interiors colours brilliantly, it didn’t really do much for me. This revised model though, is almost the complete opposite. I guess spending over 30 hours of driving with it meant I got the experience the car more and had time to digest what the car is all about. When taking all of this into consideration and looking at the price tag, you have to say Hyundai have done a great job with the Creta. Even with the entry model with the manual transmission, it’s a very decent offering to what else you have in the market at the moment. Overall, I quite enjoyed my time with the Creta, it’s a weird little car but it works and is great value for money, I suppose that’s the most important thing at the moment for most buyers and you certainly won’t go wrong with this model.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.5-litre
Gear Box	IVT
Torque	144Nm
Power	84kW
Fuel economy	6.3L/ 100km/h
Price	R469,900

 

Bucket Seat: Ford Figo 1.5 Titanium

When I first got told I was scheduled the Ford Figo, I was a bit skeptical of it. I mean the only time you would catch me driving an A-Segment car is if I hired one. That's no disrespect to the segment, it simply doesn't appeal to me but that's just my preference. The A-Segment market has grown in leaps and bounds over the years and over the past year or two so some major advancements in terms of tech and options available for these cars. It's a market for a first time buyer or a student that needs something small to go around with, it was hardly what you would call a family car but after driving Ford's new Figo I may have to rethink my stance.

Style

I initially thought I was getting the hatch, but once it arrived I saw it was the sedan. The styling of the car seemed a bit weird for me. The hatch looks great but the sedan looks like the boot is an after thought which is mostly the case in these hatch come sedan cars. Previously Ford had their Ikon which this car will be replacing in the line up and that was a purpose made sedan so the lines flowed and complimented the car. While the Figo Sedan isn't an eyesore, the fact that it looks much better as a hatch would make the version with a boot seem a bit off. It's not horrendous by any chance but I feel they could have done a better job with the rear lights. The front half of the car looks really good. The new big chrome grill and big head lights really give this car a sense of presence even though it's a small car. 

Performance

Styling on cars like this isn't everything, performance is what matters the most the 1.5l Sigma petrol engine was nothing much than astonishing to me. Even with the 6 speed PowerShift automatic transmission, it was incredibly responsive and damn light on fuel! It incorporates Ford's "Drive Green" initiative which sees its CO2 emissions at 142g/km and tested fuel consumption of 6L/100km which I almost matched. Something that is very rare! Talking figures, the maximum power output is 82kW and maximum torque 136Nm which is quite impressive. While take off did seem a bit sluggish, compared to other cars in its segment, this is by far on of the strongest engines I've come across. 

Comfort

Whilst the car is small, it was extremely spacious, granted at my seating position an adult wouldn't be able to sit in the back seat, perhaps a child would but if at a squeeze you could get four adults in there. The ride is smooth and solid, which is aided by the 14" alloy wheels. The seats aren't leather but comfortable none the less. The cars interior is styled perfectly, taken from the previous generation Fiesta, the car see's the main center cluster follow the same design with the information screen located at the top. It displays everything from time and date, audio options, aircon settings and media. 

Tech

The car comes with Ford's SYNC Bluetooth and voice control system. It's great that they've kept this standard across all their models. It's really easy to set up and the voice control activated menu is a great alternative to manually searching for things or making calls. It helps driver concentration and improves your driving experience. The audio system has 4 speakers with an auxiliary port and the deck has CD/MP3 playing capabilities. It has  

Storage

Small car, small boot right? Nope, somehow Ford managed to get this right with remarkably spacious boot. You can get at least 3 full size luggage bags in there with space for smaller items. The car has a cubby for the front passenger and a center compartment for other items. The cup holders and of a decent size and there is a tray below the climate control aircon for additional items needed for storage. 

Verdict

I was quite surprised by this car, it's small, it's nippy and a pleasure to drive. While finishes might not be of that of a luxury sedan, for it's price it isn't bad at all. The car is comfortable, spacious and offers a lot that many of it's competitors don't. Taking all of this into consideration, it is not only a perfect car for first time buyers or students but also small family's. It has sufficient space, it's safety record is second to none with drive and front passenger airbags with side curtains, it has ABS, ESP and hill launch assist which prevents the car from rolling on an incline from a standing stand. 

Specifications

• 1.5 litre Sigma Petrol 
• 6 speed PowerShift automatic gear box
• 82kW
• 136Nm torque
• Consumption: 6ltr/ 100km
• Price: R209,900

Bucket Seat: BMW 320d & 318i

Late last year BMW released their face lift to their 3 Series, it was an important milestone for the company as it marked the 40th year of production for the popular sedan as explained in my review of the 320i. Although not much was revised in terms of styling of the cars, 90% of the range received brand new engines and of this I spoke very highly about the 320i, I fell in love with that over the 7 days I had it, it honestly seemed like the perfect fit for my life and driving style. This year however I was given two other variants that got me thinking and could eventually sway may decision.

I got a call in the second week of the year, the BMW 320d and 318i were both available for test, of course I said yes to both. On one had you got the intro level diesel engine and the other, the much talked about 1,5ltr engine that had everyone raving about. The 3 Series is BMW's money maker, it's the most sold in volume and iconic in it's very own right as it was for most part of it's 40 years the entry level range to the German Motor manufacturers stable, so it was good to see that the latest variant was living up to the values of its predecessors.

Style

320d - First up, the 320d rolled in for a week, the colour, Jatoba Metallic which was a brownish, charcoal colour with a full creme interior that matched it to perfection. The car sporting the Luxury package with high gloss wood finishes, chrome edges and elegant  smoked 17" rims made it look like a proper luxury saloon. That's the thing with BMW, yes the optional extra list can go a bit but you can customise your car so well with it. Making your own unique and to your taste.

318i - In what was almost a spitting image of the 320d I had the week before, the 318i was almost exactly the same. The differences came with the rims and of course, single exhaust pipe as the diesel model had twin. The rims being the standard alloy colour didn't suit the colour as well as the smoked rims did, so that took me a while to get used to. Other than that, the car looked immaculate.

Comfort

Going inside the car, the colour combinations of dark wood and creme leather and carpets was pleasing on the eye. The ride quality on the 320d and 318i were no different to that of the 320i I had last year. For a sedan aimed at the working class market, buyers of the car are getting premium finishes that one can also find in the 6 or 7 series. That's what I like about BMW, no matter the model, there is a consistency in quality that you won't find in other manufacturers. Same goes for ride quality, as it's unparalleled to its competitors but maintained throughout the range.

Performance

320d - the 2ltr 140kw diesel engine was impressive in terms of power and performance, plenty of torque with minimal turbo lag from the Twin Power turbo plant. Improved fuel economy which saw it's average consumption dropped to 4.0 ltr per 100km in ideal conditions, I managed 6.3ltr per 100km and I'm sure I could get it down to 5 if I drove it diligently but with all that torque, it would have seemed a waste to do so.

318i - While engine used in this car is shared with a Mini Cooper, don't be fooled by what it can do. Yes it is a bit sluggish on take off but it more than makes up for it when you on the road as it picks up paces quite quickly after passing 60kph. I was very impressed with the pulling power and the way it managed to carry the heavy body of the car even with a full load of passengers. I had the standard automatic gear box with this one and normally I do feel the ratio's and timings are poor with it but they seemed to have fixed that issue, so no unnecessary high revving and wasting fuel, which ultimately does wonders for its consumption.

Driving

320d - Honestly, driving both cars was a pleasure but with obvious reasoning the 320d did offer the better drive. It was more responsive on acceleration thanks to the torque, more faster but even though the engine has been refined, the sound is unmistakably diesel. It doesn't bother me at all but for many this hinders their choice in purchasing diesel. For me the cost savings speak for itself. Diesel is many places is cheaper than petrol and it doubles your range than what you would get in a petrol engine of the same capacity.

318i - While it did lack power at times, I can't fault the driving experience in the 318i. I was really impressed by by this car. As said before, the engine is more than capable to haul this big sedan around with ease and without using more fuel which is an added bonus. I was told that due to the coastal conditions that this car will perform even better than it would in higher altitude, so you have to take that into consideration as well. 

Extras

Both cars came loaded with the best that the 3 series range had to offer, the lighting package really makes the car look stunning at night with welcome lights below the door handles. The camera package is becoming more and more essential to my needs with the car, not that it makes you lazy when it comes to parking but it provides you with a view of things you wouldn't normally see from your mirrors. If you want to be lazy you can always opt for the park assist feature which firstly scans for an appropriate parking spot then parks your car for you! Other extra's included the Harman Kardon hifi sound system with stereo 7 logic and one extra which I love, the adaptive LED headlights. 

Verdict

Overall after driving both engines, I can't say which one is better as they both have that charm about them and of course their use for a driver. the 318i is perfect for your daily run around, whether its to work or picking up the kids from school and running errands whilst the 320d is great for that was well but on long distance travels it really shows it's class with great speed and even better fuel consumption. If I had to choose, it would be the 320d, it suits my driving style and lifestyle. It's a cruise but packs that punch should you want to open it up a bit every now and then. 

Specifications

	318i	320d
Engine	1.5 Twin Power Turbo	2.0 Twin Power Turbo
Gear box	8 Speed Automatic Steptronic	8 Speed Automatic Sports Steptronic
Power	100kW	140kW
Torque	220Nm	400Nm
Fuel consumption	5.1l per 100km	4.0l per 100km
Top Speed	210kph	235kph
0-100kph	8.9 seconds	7.3 seconds
Price	R464 100	R519 200