Bucket Seat: Range Rover Velar 300D Dynamic HSE

I always maintained the Range Rover Velar was for men who secretly like the Evoque but didn't want to buy the Evoque for fear of their masculinity being in question. Not that there is anything wrong with the Range Rover Evoque, but it is a bit small and you will struggle to get a set of golf clubs in the boot. So maybe the designers down at Range Rover figured they'd make something that has the sleek lines of the Evoque but with more space and hence the Velar came about. Of course that reasoning is totally made up in my head and they probably needed a mid-sized SUV to fit their line up. Not too long ago I got to spend a week in the Velar 300D in Johannesburg, the Range Rover Velar 300D is part of the luxury midsize SUV lineup from Land Rover, and it perfectly balances sophisticated design with advanced engineering. The car is a looker of note and while it not have the bulky presence of its bigger brother the Range Rover Vogue, it still commands respect on the roads when driven. 

DESIGN

The Velar’s design is sleek, minimalist, and futuristic, with smooth lines and a floating roof that makes it instantly recognizable. Its flush door handles, slim LED headlights, and coupe-like profile give it a unique stance that sets it apart from other SUVs in its class. The 300D comes with 21-inch alloy wheels as standard, with options to upgrade to even larger 22-inch alloys for a sportier look, this is standard when ordering the Velar with the R-Dynamic kit. The rear design is equally impressive, featuring dual exhaust outlets and a clean, minimal tailgate with striking taillights. The Velar stands out as one of the most attractive SUVs on the road, balancing elegance with an athletic edge. The profile of the Velar is to be admired, hence during my time I parallel parked this beauty on every occasion I could, preferably in front of a cafe, so I can sit and sip on my coffee while admiring the lines of the car and watch as passers by gazed into its charm. I quite like the paint work Range Rover is doing with their cars, this model came in Varesine Blue and had the details finished of in a bronze colour that really enhanced the look of the car. The interior design has gone completely minimalist, and its practically a carbon copy of the rest of the Range Rover range, just adapted to suit the size of the car. 

PERFORMANCE

The "300D" refers to the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six diesel engine, which combines decent power with good fuel efficiency, appealing to those who prefer a more efficient yet still powerful engine option.The 300D engine is a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel, delivering 221kW of power and 650 Nm of torque. With this engine, the Velar accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 6.5 seconds, impressive for a vehicle of its size and weight. The eight-speed automatic transmission is smooth and responsive, making everyday driving a breeze, whether in the city or on the highway. One of the standout features is the inclusion of mild-hybrid technology, which helps to improve fuel efficiency and emissions, especially during stop-start traffic. In terms of fuel economy, the Velar 300D achieves around 8 liters per 100km on highways, with slightly higher figures in city driving. While it's not a full off-roader like the classic Range Rovers, it retains a good deal of Land Rover’s Terrain Response system and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) capabilities, meaning it can handle moderate off-road conditions and weather challenges with ease. The Velar is designed with luxury and comfort in mind, and that is immediately evident once behind the wheel. The adaptive air suspension provides a smooth, float-like ride, soaking up road imperfections and making long journeys relaxing. The steering is precise, and while the Velar’s focus is not on sports-like agility, it is still composed around corners, with minimal body roll for a vehicle this size. In city driving, the Velar feels nimble enough despite its size, and active driver assistance features (such as lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors) enhance the driving experience, making tight city streets easier to navigate.

COMFORT

Step inside the Velar, and you’re immediately greeted by a plush, luxurious interior. Premium materials such as leather, brushed aluminum, and high-quality plastics are found throughout. The seats are extremely comfortable, with the option of heating, cooling, and massage functions for both the driver and passengers, this is an optional extra. Unlike previous models which featured a dual touch screen, the minimalistic design of the cabin now incorporates a 11.4-inch infotainment touch screen,. This controls pretty much everything in the cabin, from the radio, to the GPS as well as climate control.  The UI, which at first glance looks pretty simple to operate can become a bit complicated when diving into the options and controls of the cars full capabilities but still, to do the important stuff is quite easy and with the built-in wireless mobile app connectivity, you will be projecting your phone most of the time. The Velar comes with a Meridian sound system, ensuring passengers enjoy top-tier audio quality. Additionally, the system includes navigation with real-time traffic updates, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and various connected services like remote vehicle monitoring through the Land Rover app. The cabin is quiet thanks to excellent sound insulation, and the Velar's panoramic sunroof adds to the open, airy feel. In terms of space, both the front and rear seats offer ample legroom, and the cargo capacity is decent for its class, offering 558 liters of boot space, which can expand with the rear seats folded. The driver's display is a fully digital 12.3-inch TFT unit, which is customizable to show everything from maps to vehicle information.

SAFETY

The Velar, like any other car from the Land Rover stable features a host of safety features, starting with the 360 camera system, it gives the driver a complete overview of the car and its surrounds, so navigating this car at low speeds is made easier with this. Adaptive cruise control is pretty intuitive and responsive when in use, it monitors the cars around you and not just the ones in front, this is also aided by the lane-keeping assist which keeps the car in line when you on the open road. There is park assist to help you get into those tricky spots or, if you like me want to admire the cars side view, and parallel park it everywhere, you can let the car do it for you! Other key safety features include Autonomous Emergency Braking: Detects potential collisions and applies the brakes if necessary. Blind-spot monitoring, Rear cross-traffic alert, Lane departure warning, Traffic sign recognition and Driver condition monitoring. The Velar has earned high marks in various safety tests, making it a secure choice for families.

VERDICT

The Range Rover Velar 300D stands out for its combination of elegance, luxury, and practicality. While it's not designed to be a hardcore off-roader, it offers more than enough capability for most drivers and excels in providing a plush, tech-laden cabin, refined on-road manners, and a design that will turn heads. For those in the market for a luxury SUV with a powerful yet efficient diesel engine, the Velar 300D is a solid choice. It’s an ideal vehicle for individuals or families who value style, comfort, and technology in their driving experience.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	6 cylinder, 3-litre Turbo Diesel
Gear Box	Automatic
Torque	650Nm
Power	221kW
Fuel Economy	7.3L per 100km
Price	R1,991,100*

*base price

Bucket Seat: Ford Ranger Platinum

The words "luxury" and "bakkie" should never be mentioned in the same sentence, a bakkie is meant to be rugged and tough, something that gets messy and have a multitude of uses but none of that includes princess treatment for its occupants. But here I am, about to tell you about a double cab bakkie that is rugged, that is built tough, can take on just about any challenge but all the while, keeping its occupants in complete luxury with premium finishes and technology galore. Which bakkie can offer this? Well the range topping Ford Ranger Platinum of course! Yes, Ford South Africa have decided to extend the Platinum name plate onto the Ranger and with it, comes all the bells and whistles that we've come accustomed to with the Everest Platinum. During my time with the bakkie, I drove into one of the more elite estates in Durban and the Ranger felt at home, hence I dubbed it "The Estate Bakkie", I think it could catch, anyway, lets get into the crux of it. 

DESIGN

While the design of the Ranger is pretty much standard over the range, each trim is characterized by the exterior features, that make a massive difference in terms of overall aesthetics. Don't believe me? Look at a base Ranger without the Matrix LED headlamps, ya, thought so. Just looking at this Ranger Platinum, gives you a feel that it is special and sets itself apart from the others, it's almost like that meme of that guy from the 1700's looking down upon you. It's so fancy that even the name of the colour palates are fancy, my test car was finished off in "Agate Black" and yes, it didn't look like an a normal black as it stood there glistening in the sun light. The Ranger Platinum has a host of shiny details that give that premium look from the outside with its main eye catcher being the Platinum grille with chrome surround, other noteworthy details are the Matrix LED headlamps, LED tail lamps, LED front fog lamps, colour coded door handles, side steps, mud flaps for both the front and rear. While we at the rear, the rear bumper is accent coloured as well. The load box or bin as we call it has a nice finish and as an added extra you could have an automated roller cover. Added to the looks department is a classy rear sports bar with sports hoop and chrome roof rails.  The Ranger Platinum sits on massive Goodyear Wrangler tyres which have 20" diamond cut alloys inside them, very attractive looking rims for an attractive looking car. Now, like the Everest, there are a number of Platinum badges around the car to make it known this is a Platinum model, if you follow me on TikTok, you can view the video on the official count on this one and see how it compares to the Everest. 

PERFORMANCE

Powering the Ranger Platinum is the same V6 turbocharged 3.0L V6 diesel engine that I had in the Everest Wildtrak earlier this year. While the performance figures are the same, with it delivering 184kW and 600Nm of torque, the output does feel a bit more composed in the Platinum, not sure if it has anything to do with the suspension of the comfy seats. It has the same 10-speed automatic gearbox with e-shifter and rear wheel driven with optional 4WD and low-range for rough terrain. On the road feel, its a lot more sturdy than other Rangers I've driven, doesn't feel bouncy when doing high speeds and overall a very smooth ride. It is a nice looking car with nice features so I didn't really want to take it off-road and get it dirty but hey, I am doing a test on it so I treated it to some light gravel venturing in the cane fields and boy did it eat it up like a charm. That V6 just comes alive when you hand it a challenge, the driving modes are easily selectable from the jog shuttle control behind the gear selector, where you can choose one of seven, yes it has seven driving modes, namely Normal, Eco, Tow, Slippery, Mud, Sand and Rock Crawl. Then there is the off-road controls which you can control the diff lock, traction and select your high and low gears as well as engaging four wheel drive. Most off these though are pre-programmed into the driving modes, so if for example you're doing rock crawl, the 4-wheel low range would be engaged along with it, so even as a novice you could easily navigate most obstacles that come your way with the car. Ford claim a 10.1L per 100km fuel consumption with the Ranger Platinum, but with me having just 7 days with it, and a V6 in front of me, it's safe to say I didn't really achieve that figure. 

COMFORT

It's not like the Ranger Platinum doesn't shine in other departments but this is where it shines the most, on the interior. I mean, quilted leather seats with heating and ventilated, along with steering wheel heating, in a bakkie? Come on man! It almost feels as if you're stepping into one of those off-roaders form the UK that's name is very close to Ranger. Choice of materials used in the cabin are very premium, even the fake dark wood trim on the dash looks believable and not like a cheap plastic knock off. There's ambient lighting to illuminate the cabin at night, though I don't know if you can choose the colour on this as I couldn't find any settings on the SYNC menu. The digital cluster is different from the other Rangers as it features the 12.4-inch screen which only the Ranger Raptor has. This screen is fully configurable via controls from the multi-function steering wheel which are easy to use even when driving. Focal point in the cabin is the 12-inch iPad style multi-function touch screen infotainment center. The UI from FORD SYNCE 4 is pretty neat with the ability to give you option to display your mobile apps wirelessly but still have native controls present for easy access to the vehicles data when needed. There is even controls for your climate control on the screen should you wish to use that instead of the analog controls located below it. It is dual zone climate control with vents in the second row for the rear passengers, the front seats are electronically adjustable and the Matrix LED head lights are adaptive. There is a wireless charging pad as well as USB Type C ports for charging devices. There are 12V power points in the center storage and back with the bin featuring one as well as a 3-pin Euro plug. The auxiliary switch bank is located just behind the sunglasses case on the roof and can accommodate up to 6 additions. The sound system is a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen system which provides the perfect quality for any type of music. 

TECH & SAFETY

With a car like this, safety is a paramount with the Ranger Platinum having dual front, front side, curtain, driver far side and driver and passenger knee airbags. For the road it comes with dynamic stability control which incorporates ABS, load adaptive control which assesses the weight of the load to manage the roll over mitigation, if you're towing something, it has trailer sway control to make sure whatever you're towing stays in line with the vehicle, by the way the maximum towing capacity of the Ranger Platinum is 3500kgs. The Ranger Platinum comes with 360 camera views with 4 cameras that project multiple views to assist you with everything, there is even an additional camera port should whatever you're towing have a camera too. Key driving aids include adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane assist and evasive steer assist to avoid collisions. It even has post collision braking which stops the car after impact should the drive be unconscious at the wheel. A handy feature for a big car like this is active park assist 2.0 which is fully autonomous and can parallel and alley dock your car with perfection making use of the PDC's. There's loads more which you can read about in the brochure but I think I covered the important ones. 

VERDICT

I know I joked about the Ranger having 20 odd derivatives in my Ford Puma review, but with it being made locally, it really was an opportunity for Ford South Africa to showcase what they can do and make it known there is a Ranger for everybody, even if you're living on a fancy high-end estate and just want to look cool for your neighbors. The Ranger Platinum has a steep price tag but if you really go through what you're getting, you will soon find there is no other brand that can offer you all of this in a bakkie, apart from it's twin that is made in the same factory as this but it does come at a higher cost. The trend in motoring is a weird one as we see the shift from sedans and hatches to crossovers, SUV's and bakkies. I was never really an advocate for bakkies being a family type vehicle simply because they were big, didn't offer the same level of comfort and were a hassle to park. I also felt that most people who bought them, rarely used them for the purpose they were made for but clearly my thinking was short sighted as sales still continued to rise and demand for something like this became more relevant. I'm glad that Ford has heeded their call as this is a masterful example of what can be made. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	3.0L Turbocharged V6 Diesel
Gear Box	10-speed automatic
Torque	600Nm
Power	184kW
Fuel Consumption	10.1L per 100km
Price	R1,120,100*

*base price

 

 

Bucket Seat: KIA Sportage Diesel

As most of you know, I was given the opportunity to get acquainted with the new KIA Sportage over the December break and while I loved that car to bits, I said what would make it even better was the introduction of a diesel motor to the line-up. Now I'm not saying they took my advice as they probably had this pre-planned but they recently introduced their 1.6L turbodiesel engine in three trims to the KIA Sportage line-up, namely, the LX, EX and GT-Line Plus. I had was given the GT-Line Plus model to spin around the east coast for a week, to see if my assumptions were true about adding a diesel option to their line up and while I don't want to seem smug, I will go through this review limiting my smugness over this car and what it has to offer. 

DESIGN

It's just a change in engine so the great KIA futuristic design remains the same, it's quite different from the rest of the KIA line up and to be honest, I quite like how it stems away from the generic SUV look that the current segment has with the competitors. The boomerang LED daytime running lights are a great design feature that give the car more dimension and has many offshoots from it, like housing the main headlamps, linking the slim line grille and contouring the lines from the bonnet and bottom half of the bumper. It also looks from its profile as the starting point of the cars design. KIA's wheel design also is big and bold with large flat surface which does add structural stability to the wheel but also looks great at the same time. The interior is probably one of my favourite from a lot of brands let alone the SUV segment. From the layout to the material choices, it just makes sense and looks the part too. 

PERFORMANCE

Getting to the crux of the matter, that 1.6-litre turbo diesel motor, the 4-cylinder unit that is mated to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox produces 100kW of power and 320Nm of torque. The GTLine Plus model that I had came with paddle shifts on the steering. That, for a mid-sized family SUV is the perfect power production and will really blossom on the open roads. Urban driving, of which I did a lot of isn't too bad, as with me it was mainly going to work and back as well as the odd trip to go shopping and enjoy some recreational time with it gave me an average fuel consumption of about 7.3 litres per 100km. Looking at the brochure, KIA claim the Sportage diesel can give you 4.9 litres per 100km, this is probably done under ideal conditions but coming back to my first statement about where you'd really see the beauty of this engine on long distance trips. With good driving, one could easily get over 1000km on a single tank of juice with the Sportage. This with a full cabin and luggage in the boot. I was a bit disappointed to see KIA opting to give this model the normal gear selector and not the radial one I had in the petrol one over the December break. Not that it's a major issue but it looked pretty cool. 

COMFORT

I already spoke about the well designed interior but the choice of materials used in the cabin feel super luxurious, from the leather/ suede seats and dash to the high gloss piano black finishes on the dash and center console. The dual screen command center that splits between the instrument cluster and infotainment screen is great and easy to use. Mobile apps are a standard with still a need for cable connectivity which isn't the worst thing as wireless does tend to drain the battery life. There is a wireless  charging pad for the mobile device should that be required. There is two USB ports for the driver and front passenger,both have their own zone climate control with seat heating and cooling. The rear passengers also get seat heating as well as USB B ports which are mounted on the side of the back rests of the driver and front passenger seats. Other standard features for the GT-Line Plus include deluxe scuff plates, alloy pedals, electric tailgate, lane follow assist with lane keep assist, LED interior lighting, panoramic glass sunroof and forward collision avoidance assist. The Sportage has a 54-litre luggage capacity, decent amount for a small family but more importantly for me, can fit a full set of golf clubs with ease. 

VERDICT

Overall, the KIA Sportage diesel option is the ideal SUV option for someone like me, the diesel engine offers optimal performance with great fuel consumption. It's by no means a high performance car but for the segment its in and compared to the the competition, it does stand out the best. The creature comforts of the car make it more appealing if the design wasn't enough to by. Even with the model being almost a year old it still manages to turn heads everywhere you go. It's the perfect vehicle to load up the family or a group of friends and go for a much needed road trip. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.6L 4-cylinder turbodiesel
Gear Box	7-speed automatic
Torque	300Nm
Power	100W
Fuel Economy	4.9L per 100km
Price	R735,995

 

Bucket Seat: Range Rover Evoque

Range Rover has always been one of the preferred brands of the Land Rover Stable, offering something a bit more on the luxurious side while still staying true to its off-roading roots. In 2011 they unveiled something new to the market, a short-wheel based compact SUV in the Evoque, it was a dawn of a new heading for the brand as most of the design philosophy going forward was to be based on this "baby SUV". While this had the purist in shock, many welcomed the change to the brand, giving the cars a fresh new identity and ultra modern looks. The Evoque had a hard time winning over the older chaps but it wasn't aimed at them, it was aimed at the youth and something about the car appealed more to the females, hence it got a reputation for being a "ladies car". A Range Rover to go shopping, yoga, pilates and other female related activities. The introduction of the convertible Evoque didn't help to butch its image at all, in fact it just sent it further down that road as an SUV for the females. While many men would laugh off the Evoque as a proper SUV, I was forced into one at a Land Rover Off-Roading course and I was pretty much blown away when I realised it could do pretty much everything a Discovery 4 could do at the time. Obviously with the lower ride height and bigger rims, there were certain ways you had to approach obstacles with the Evoque and not just drive straight over them like you would in a Defender but it really showed me it was still and Landy by heart. Recently I got the chance to spend some time in the latest generator Evoque, another key model in their stable as this is echoing in the next design language change in the Range Rover stable. 

DESIGN

The overall design of the new Evoque is very pleasing to look at with no more rigid shapes and angular lines, the car is completely smoothed out with beautiful curves and almost zero creases. The details on the exterior of the car really make the car stand out from the rest and gives the car so much more character. Finished off in "Nolita Grey", the Evoque looked stunning as it almost has a matte like finish that just makes the design stand out more. It had Rose Gold accents to certain parts of the body work that made it pop in the sun, a brilliant contrast to the overall colour of the car. Like the original model, the roof is blacked out that gives the overall car a nice two-tone paintwork. The Evoque is one seriously stylish car and I can see what many would say it is rather feminine but at the same time, the new sporty design language of the car makes it look rather sleek so maybe its more of a unisex car now? The interior has received a major overhaul with majority of the buttons being done away with and the use of TFT touchscreens making up most of the controls. Like the exterior, the interior is also very stylish and modern, which makes it extremely pleasing to look at. 

PERFORMANCE

The Evoque comes with three engines to chose from, a 2.0L Petrol a 2.0L Diesel and a 1.5L PHEV, I had with me the 2.0L Diesel which would have been my choice from the three to start with. Doing long distance travelling, the diesel always seems to out perform the other two, also with a full load the extra torque does come handy. The 4-cylinder TurboCharge Diesel motor churns out 147kW giving it a top-speed of 213km/h with a 0-100km/h time of 8.5 seconds. The car handles extremely well, being so nimble you hardly feel you're driving around in an SUV. The Coupe like styling cuts through the air like a normal sedan would but with a greater ride height so visibility is much better for the driver. The is very little road noise once you're in the cabin and minimal body roll when taking bends and corners at high-speed. While I did say the Evoque is a very capable off-roader, I never got the chance to put it through its paces during my time there due to the bad weather but never the less, it managed to successfully complete the tasks we had set out for it, that is taking us to and from the golf course. 

COMFORT

Like any Range Rover, the Evoque is extremely comfortable, stepping into this one it is noticeably smaller than its siblings but you will find that it is not that cramped as you'd think it would be. Yes, while travelling with a lot of stuff isn't the best given the size of its luggage being only 471L but with a drop off the seats this increases to 1156L. The leather seats are premium with perforations for heating and cooling. The car come with three-zone climate control, all of which is easily accessible on the touch screen controls. The user-interface has a very classy look to it and is extremely easy to use, connecting your mobile phone to it is also simple enough as it has wireless functionality for both CarPlay and Adroid Auto. There is a wireless charge which is located underneath the floating center console making great use of space in the cabin. All the materials in the cabin are soft to touch and are of great quality. The car comes with a Meridian sound system which is nothing short of superb, offering clarity and bass when required. 

VERDICT

While many still will turn their head when given the choice of the Evoque, this little SUV remains a quality offering for the consumer. It's the baby Range and as you saw from the new Range Rover Sport which was launched last night, much of it is based on this model. It's the perfect car for a small family with adequate space and perfectly spec'd engines. The options list to make the Evoque unique to you is endless which a wide variety of textures, trims and paints to chose from. What I like about the new Range Rovers is that they all come with the flush door handles that pop-out when the car is unlocked. Giving the car that extra luxurious look. The car is a stunner and when you see one on the road it does catch your attention. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0L Turbo Diesel
Gear Box	9-Speed Auto
Torque	430Nm
Power	147kW
Top Speed	213km
Price	R1,150,000*

*Price as standard. R1,203,280 as tested.