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: Toyota SOMI 2024

Yesterday's State Of Motoring Industry held at the iconic Kyalami racetrack saw Toyota South Africa go through the numbers of new vehicles sales in the country as well as analyse their own market share. Being one of the countries best selling brands for the better part of the last two decades, the Japanese manufacture is a leader in motoring in the country. Their plant in Prospecton Durban which now produces the Corolla Cross, among other models has also also adapted their production line to assemble hybrid cars. This segment has enjoyed a steady growth over the years but with full electric cars slowly coming into the market, it would be interesting to see what plans Toyota SA had to introduce their very own EV models to the market and they did not disappoint. 

Toyota took this opportunity to display some of their new models that would be hitting out shores during 2024 and 2025. Lets take a closer look at the models and their anticipated local launch dates:

Land Cruiser 70 Series

A legend in the off roading world and one that comes with the age old saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" but it did need an upgrade so Toyota have tinkered with the 70 Series to upgrade to the engine which is now the 2.8 GD-6, with a new 6-speed auto, a first for the model, updated cabin with infotainment system. The model will be launching in February. 

Land Cruiser Prado

Probably one of the most anticipated models worldwide hits our shores in April this year. The new Land Cruiser Prado has a modular design and square silhouette.  Based on the LC300 platform the car is big, and is powered by the same 2.8 GD-6 engine and 8-speed auto gearbox. The Prado will debut in three variants, being the First Edition and then followed by the TX and VX-R models. 

Toyota Hilux 48V

A game changer for one of South Africa's most loved bakkies see's the introduction of a mild hybrid model which launches in March this year. the 48V volt mild-hybrid electric package offers an additional 12kW and 65Nm of torque through the motor generator to the engine, it has regenerative braking, advanced stop/ start all to aid in fuel saving. There have been adjustments made to make the car more fuel efficient such as reducing the idle speed to 600rpm and improved acceleration which is assisted by the electric motor. The 48V will be available on all Hilux 2.8 Auto Raider, Legend as well as Fortuner 2.8 models. 

Toyota bZ4X

Toyota have confirmed the introduction of their first full electric model, the bZ4X, based on Toyota's eTNGA platform, a dedicated BEV platform. . It has striking styling, lots of angles, features dark contrast fenders for visual drama. The car which will be offered in FWD and Dual -Motor AWD with specs still to be confirmed. The car will have a 400km range in eco mode. 

Toyota GRS III

This model had huge traction online when launched globally with many locally asking if we would see it in SA, well brace yourself as its set to land on our shores in March this year! It's a menacing looking bakkie with the face grafted from the iconic Tundra with customised Dakar-bred styling. Wide-Tred body and bespoke GR interior make this one stand out from the crowd. Performance is boosted over the regular Hilux 2.8 GD-6 with power now at 165kW and 550Nm of toque. 

Lexus RZ

Another first see's Lexus introduce their first EV also coming in 2025, this model offered exclusively with dual motor AWD has  powerful motor that produce 150W to the wheels and kW to the rear. Lexus pioneered advanced Steer by Wire tech which gives you better control with the handling. The range varies between 375km and 450km.

Bucket Seat: Toyota GR86

When building a great sports car, one of the fundamentals behind the design is to give the car perfect balance. Some would argue that power is all that matters but without balance, you're not going to be able to do those high speeds or do it comfortably. When Toyota first launched the 86 coupe, it was brought in as an affordable sports coupe for the purist, powered by a 2.0L Subaru sourced 4cylinder Boxer engine. It wasn't the fastest but with its design and low center of gravity, it proved to be quite a hit with many purely coming back to the fact that they managed to obtain a perfect balance and feel with the car. I got the opportunity to spend a week with the second generation 86 coupe which now dons the Gazoo Racing badge to see if they've managed to keep that balance and feel, along with a little bit more oomph from that new engine. 

DESIGN

The team at Subaru and Toyota again joined forces to produce a new look to the 86, while keeping the shape generally the same, the car has grown in length and width. The front styling is more distinctly Toyota with the rear very Subaru. The design is sleep with the front end having larger front headlamps with LED tech and day time running lights. The hood is more slanted and has a big gaping grille to allow for cooling to the engine bay. There is two angular air scoops with a black border that's directed at the front wheels for brake cooling with a matching air outlet behind the wheel arch, while these are functional, they add a very sporty look to the car. Certain angles when looking at the 86, it gives off Porsche Cayman vibes which isn't a bad thing if you ask me. The rear end is also very neatly designed with various height changes coming down from the back winds shield that tapers onto the boot lid, a nice little scoop style spoiler wraps around the curved edge with a solid black line that runs across the width and ties into the rear lights which have LED inserts for the indicators. The bottom diffusor is blacked out with twin round tailpipes on either end and like the previous generation 86, it features reflectors at the center. 18-inch 10-spoke blacked out rims adorned the GR86 which provides a great contrast to the bright red colour it is. The interior almost looks like a carbon copy of the old until you start inspecting it closely, you'll find that the design is actually better with a larger tub and great use of materials and textures adding to the sporty look. 

PERFORMANCE

The new GR86 is powered by a 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated boxer engine from Subaru that generates 174kW and 250Nm of peak torque, all which is fused to a 6-speed manual short shifting gearbox that will have you grinning like Eskom just announced no load shedding over the long weekend. Look, I can't guarantee you the no load shedding part but this car will bring you tonnes of enjoyment. When I was talking about balance in the start of this review, getting behind the wheel of the GR86 will tell you all you need to know about it, it's effortless in steering which is perfect as your one hand will be on the gear knob and the other maneuvering the wheel around the bends. Yes! That is just how good this car is, I very rarely found myself having the need to be ten-to-two with it because of its sporty nature and high torque, when going at it around the twisty's this car just comes into its element. Toyota's catch phrase for it is "born to perform" and my word does it live up to it. The D4-S dual injection engine allows for more aggressive throttle performance which gives it a grunt of note. It's quick off the mark and picks up speed on the straight well, it's top end speed isn't the greatest but as I found when driving the car, straight roads isn't it's play ground, throw some bends in and it will be leaving the competition in it's dust. 

COMFORT

It's a sports car, so its not meant to be comfortable, it's low to the ground which means getting in and out can be tricky for someone like me but you know what, i didn't care one bit. The sport seats are nice though, snug fit with extra padding means you and the front passenger have a nice comfortable chair to be in, to make it more fancy, they threw in two setting seat warmers! The dash is well laid out, lots of plastic used, I presume for weight saving purposes, while it is good quality plastic, I feel that could have changed things up with the introduction of some suede here and there. There's a large touch screen infotainment display that has built-in mobile apps that is only accessible via USB, this is located in the large center storage compartment. There's dual zone climate control which is controlled by the three dials below the screen, these have built-in LCD's that display the temperature and fan speeds. The flick switch type controls below are for the other AC controls such as demister and aircon modes. The three pedals and finished off in machined steel with large holes to complete the racing car look. The GR badge is prominent on the bottom of the wheel with multi-function controls for radio and telephone. The instrument cluster is digital with the rev counter large and in center to give you that ultimate Adrenalin boost when revving this bad boy up. The rear seats, if I could call them that isn't design for human seating if I'm being honest, apart form the space being really limited, it's not really comfortable as the front seats. It's better used for additional storage should the boot not be big enough. The back rests do drop to extend the luggage hold. While the boot is shallow, with the seats dropped I did manage to get two sets of golf clubs in there. 

VERDICT

I love this car, while many may dub is as a baby Supra I think that is doing an injustice to it. The GR86 has its own character and appeal. The amount of fun this car can bring you as a motoring purist is unparamount. I think due to it being a fiesty little sports car with brilliant handling, it gives you the type of exciting driving that you don't need to being going extremely fast. The near perfect weight distribution is adds to the thrill of the balance, the design of the car is sculpted for speed and with the GR badge added to the mix, it's got heritage behind it. While Subaru opted not to bring in their version of the car to our shores, I can understand why, with the Toyota badge on it along with the Gazoo Racing backing, this model would be the clear winner in sales. I don't know what else to tell you about this car but I'll tell you this, the night before I was handing it back, I just got off my couch at 8pm and decided to take a 60km drive up the North coast in Durban, just to make sure I got one last good joy ride out of it. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.4L flat-four petrol boxer engine
Gear Box	6-speed manual
Torque	250Nm
Power	174W
0-100km/h	6.4 seconds
Price	R733,500*

*base price 

 

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: Toyota Corolla Cross Xs Hybrid

It's probably the most important car that Toyota SA has produced in a long time at it's plant in Prospecton, Durban. If you're a local to the city you would know that the area is basically now a mini Toyota City with the motor manufacturing giant occupying majority of the industrial area in Durban's famous south basin. While the plant was famous for producing the Corolla and Hilux over the decades, it's now got a new golden child coming off the production line and that is the all-new Corolla Cross. Toyota, very clever with their thinking opted to make a cross-over version of the much loved Corolla making it the 3rd variant in the offering from the Corolla badge, with the Hatch and Sedan being the other two. What makes the Cross so special is that it also comes with a Hybrid engine option and it's produced locally as well, making it the first model to be locally produced with a Hybrid engine. Exciting times for the plant as they will gain major brownie points in terms of produced low emission vehicles and could pave the way for other Hybrid or EV cars to be produced in South Africa. I recently got to spend some time with the entry level Corolla Cross Hybrid, the Xs and here are my thoughts on the car. 

DESIGN

I'm a massive fan of what Toyota have done with the new Corolla, the sharp edges, sweeping design, futuristic head lights and well rounded off rear end is very attractive, so when I heard about the Cross, I thought it would be much of the same but I was wrong. The design of the Cross seems to be very conservative when compared to the corolla. No sweeping lines, not sharp edges just a no thrills, no fuss design and while it might not jump at you in the pictures, in the metal is does look a big better. I can understand the thinking behind this decision by the design team seeing that it is a brand new model and one they expect to get a lot of sales from, but personally I would have liked a bit more flair to it, I wasn't that wrong in my thinking because shortly after its introduction, Toyota released a list of styling enhancements for the Corolla Cross, to give it that certain something extra to make it stand out. The interior remains exactly the same as the rest of the Corolla range and for me that is perfect because the interior is one of the best on the market given the pricing, its stylish and form functional which is most important in a car like this. 

PERFORMANCE

So the first question I got when people saw me driving this car was, "how's the fuel economy"? And it's quite a valid question in the greater scheme of Hybrid engines. Given the ever rising fuel price, the cost of fully electric vehicles, these Hybrid vehicles are the best option for many to counter the high prices at the pump. When it came to the Corolla Cross Hybrid, from the time I got the car, the average was sitting at 5.0L per 100km, the highest it went up to was 5.5L per 100km, which for my style of driving is unheard off, I tend to be a bit heavy on the foot and even though the car was fitted with that infamous CVT gearbox that groans more than an angry mother-in-law, the car seemed composed at every opportunity and delivered the right amount of power the wheels when needed. The great thing about the Hybrid engine is the silence on start-up, you'd have to check your instrument cluster to realise the car is running, the car uses electric power until it feels that the electric motor can't deliver adequate power required and then the petrol engine kicks in. While many say it can do a max of 50km/h before the engine starts, at times I managed to get up to 80km/h on electric power. A great feature is also the coasting mode where you'd be doing a constant speed on the high-way, like 120km/h and the combustion engine switches off and the pace is maintained by the electric motor. This all aids that great average economy and saves you on your pocket without having you at the pump as you would with a normal car. 

COMFORT

Another thing people asked if the batteries had any negative impact on the car, given that they weigh a lot, people might think this would hamper the balance and even take up space. The answer to both those questions are no, you don't even know the batteries are there thanks to a great design from Toyota. Remember they've been producing Hybrid cars longer than any other manufacturer so they know all the tricks to this technology, in fact they're the brand I trust the most when it comes to Hybrids. Many tried and have failed with the power re-generation, hence they had to swap over to plug-in hybrid models but with Toyota and Lexus, this has never been the case. Coming back to the comfort factor of the Corolla Cross, it rides just as well as the hatch and sedan, its honestly one of the best in its class, being a cross-over you'd expect the ride height to be increased, I mean I did but it remains the same as the others, it might be slightly higher but its definitely not noticeable when you're behind the wheel. In saying that, you'd not going to be venturing up Sani Pass in this thing but rather around town and picking up the kids from school, and for that its perfect. There's no compromise on creature comforts in the cabin with you still getting dual-zone climate control, a big fancy touch screen infotainment center that has built in mobile applications for ease of use. A full multi-control steering wheel and premium feel leather seats, loads of safety stuff including an array of airbags. The cabin space is more than adequate for a family of five, the luggage capacity is huge as well. 

VERDICT

At the beginning of this review I said this car was going to be very important for the brand and its already proving to be, with sales hitting new highs for the brand in this segment. It's over-took the Corolla sedan sales which was a tough act to beat but with such an attractive price tag versus what you getting, its a no brainer for many to opt for this. As mentioned, with the various styling packs available now, it gives customers a chance to individualize there Corolla Cross,  I played around quite a bit on the online configurator and think I've settled on my ideal styling for it, now I got to make some money to buy one. This particular entry level model will set you back about R413,000 and truth be told its perfect for your everyday needs but then you look and see the top of the range Xr model is R440,000 so if its in your budget, it might be worthwhile paying that little extra to get the car fully loaded with everything on offer. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.8L  Hybrid Electric
Gear Box	Automatic CVT
Torque	142Nm
Power	72kW
Top Speed	170km
Price	R413,000