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The South African
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The South African
Chasing the Endless Winter: Ford Ranger Wildtrak X review
Before we get to the excellent new Ford Ranger Wildtrax X, we've got to talk surfing. We must because this reviewer has taken up said pastime after the age of 40 and, sadly, it's now become almost my entire personality. Do you know how to identify a surfer over 40? You won't have to, because they'll tell you all about it at every possible opportunity … I honestly didn't think my affliction was too bad. Until I began to catch my friends' eyes glazing over as I responded to 'what you been up to?' Of course, I have to stop myself from giving a never-ending account of the waves ridden and not ridden this winter. And that's another misnomer to address before we talk Ranger Wildtrak X. Pretty much anywhere in the world, surfing is a winter endevour. So, forget the cult movie Endless Summer. In the Western Cape, it's all about chasing the Endless Winter! There's definitely a wave out there. It's just leaving the climate-controlled comfort of the Ranger that's tricky. Image: File Nevertheless, while everyone is bored to tears by me, at least this Blue Oval stead to chase waves with isn't. Of course, I'm talking about the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X and I genuinely believe it is the sweet spot of the Ranger life right now. Think of it as halfway house between the luxury Wildtrak and kick-your-teeth-in Ranger Raptor. It costs R1 070 500, which, by today's standards, is not an insurmountable amount of money for the ultimate adventure bakkie. Key to its offering is the rear Power Roller Shutter, which has been around for some time. And the new Flexible Rack System (a R19 000 extra). For a surfer, the aforementioned is an absolute game-changer. The rear rack can move anywhere you need along the load bay so you can affix your beloved surfboards. Best of all, it means you don't need to immediately fit a bulky canopy to make your Wildtrak X practical. Ford's Tablet-like screen with hard buttons below still the best blend of new tech and every-day usability. Image: Ray Leathern Truthfully, the 9-foot longboard fitted to the Flexi Rack System is purely for show. My 6-foot shortboard fits inside the Wildtrak X cabin no problem. And that's the board you want to tackle the Western Cape's pumping winter swells. Nevertheless, it's the Ranger's impeccable road manners that win the day as we start our peninsula search. Wow, this bakkie really has blossomed into a full-rounded conveyance. The high-tech cabin is awash with practical stowage areas, soft contact points and all the modern conveniences (mod-cons) imaginable. In fact, it might be a little too comfortable for the perfect surf mobile, come to think of it. Because climbing out of the high-riding, temperature-controlled cabin into freezing gale-force winds to pull on a damp wetsuit isn't exactly enjoyable. But surfers are a different breed, I guess. Part human, 'part seal,' as my wife loves to point out to me as I'm shivering in the corner post-surf. Nevertheless, there's nothing a truly committed surfer won't endure if there's the chance of a perfect wave at the end of it … The best thing about winter wave hunting is the obscure spots you'll find that are completely deserted. Image: Ray Leathern Better still, unlike pulling into the carpark in a rusted-out Corsa Ute, when you arrive in a Ford Ranger Wildtrak X, there are only accepting head-tilts all around. First and foremost, this beast of a bakkie looks the part. It's 30 mm wider than a regular Ranger, as is its increased ride height. The X's grille is bespoke, with just enough styling tweaks to notice, but not so many that it looks aftermarket 'zef.' Standard-fit General Grabber AT3 tyres with white-wall lettering look the part and provide sophisticated ride and stability both on and off the bitumen. Furthermore, there is bespoke Wildtrak X trim all around, a brilliant Bang & Olufsen sound system, tablet-like touchscreen, 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Best of all, all these mod-cons are reliable and predictable in their operation, too. Besides the digital trickery, spend enough time in it looking for swell and you discover just how wonderfully easy it is to drive. There's precious little sawing at the wheel for a tall-riding bakkie, and even substantial undulations on the road pass-by unnoticed as you glide along. Due to its clever construction, it's super easy to adjust the Flexi Rack System for the perfect fit. Image: Ray Leathern A such, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X uses the economical 154 kW and 500 Nm four-cylinder Bi-Turbo motor. Granted, it's not especially economical – we saw 10.9 l/100 km most of the trip – but the motor pulls soundly from low down and is quiet and refined. Most other bakkies as big as the Wildtrak X would suffer from a slow steering rack and three-point turns galore. However, this not the case here. Better still, Ford has fitted a new Trail Turn function that can shorten tight turns by simply nipping the inside wheel's brake. Although this is more of an off-road feature and will wear your ATs out if you attempt it too often on tarmac. But this search for perfect winter waves highlights the Wildtrak X's quick and easy-going nature. Of course, it's a heavy bakkie, but lay into the throttle progressively and you build speed effortlessly. Just what you want scooting from spot to spot along the coast, trying to decipher what the wind, swells and tide are doing. Another quick surf rule-of-thumb I've come to learn, for those who are interested: If there are waves, you surf! Don't leave one spot that's working, thinking there might be something better elsewhere. In the time it takes to explore and return to your original spot, invariably, conditions will have deteriorated. There's millions of waves out there, but it only takes one … Wet and sandy gear? No worries, just lob it in the rubberised load bay and cover up with the Power Roller Shutter. Genius practicality. Image: Ray Leathern So, is the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X the ultimate lifestyle surf vehicle? Absolutely. The Flexi Rack System is unsurpassed and when combined with the Power Roller Shutter, there's no pre- or post-surf situation you won't be prepared for. Many of these same traits will apply to mountain bikers, fishermen, canooists, you name it, and the practical benefits are endless. In this guise, the Wildtrak X absolutely monstered the task of chasing the Endless Winter all around the peninsula. This bakkie clearly walks a fine line between Raptor tough and Wildtrak comfort, but it does so while adding genuine practicality to the mix. I'm just sad I have to hand the keys back to Ford and go back to making do with an inferior solution to my surfing needs. You know, the ones I can never shut up about … Ford Ranger Wildtrak X 2.0 BiT 10AT Engine: 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel Transmission: 10-spd auto 10-spd auto Power: 154 kW 154 kW Torque: 500 Nm 500 Nm 0-100 km/h: 9.5 seconds (estimated) 9.5 seconds (estimated) Consumption: 7.6 l/100 km (claimed/combined) 10.9 l/100 km (tested) 7.6 l/100 km (claimed/combined) 10.9 l/100 km (tested) Price: R1 070 500 Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Business & Finance Archives
By Grant Smee 16-07-25 18:34 Is property really how 90% of millionaires got rich? We unpack the myth and reveal what actually builds wealth in South Africa today. By Sundeeka Mungroo 16-07-25 15:07 Temu recently launched a new 'local warehouse' in South Africa, promising faster delivery for shoppers – but how does it actually work? By Pauline Torongo 16-07-25 14:20 Opening a ZAR account with a regulated forex broker is a smart move for South African traders who want to save on currency conversion costs and trade with peace of mind. By Ray Leathern 16-07-25 08:53 Ever-more aggressive debt collectors in South Africa are coming under scrutiny for their tactics. Here's what they're doing … By Ray Leathern 16-07-25 07:02 From next month – August 2025 – a fourth payment date for SASSA grants will be implanted by the agency. Here's why … By Garrin Lambley 15-07-25 15:25 Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, has called for G20 leaders to address climate action. By Ray Leathern 15-07-25 08:32 South African businesses urged to get on top of new, stricter BEE quotas that come into effect on 1 September 2025. Here's the latest … By Nokwanda Ncwane 15-07-25 07:34 Are you a taxpayer, and have you changed the contact details you used to register on the SARS system? Here's how you can update them. By Ray Leathern 15-07-25 07:02 Even though free basic electricity is available to the needy, illegal ghost tokens created by Eskom insiders are costing taxpayers billions. By Garrin Lambley 14-07-25 21:40 SASSA has reassured social grant beneficiaries that no payments have been suspended or halted due to the ongoing social grant review process. By Garrin Lambley 14-07-25 20:24 Over the next two days, the delegates will have sessions dedicated to the drafting of a communique. Here's more of what to expect. By Garrin Lambley 14-07-25 12:26 Maropene Ramokgopa will host the fourth G20 Development Working Group meeting and the G20 Ministerial meeting on development next week. By Sundeeka Mungroo 14-07-25 11:41 Takealot recently announced that it would be rolling out even more Pick n Pay delivery pickup points around South Africa this year. By Warren Hammond 14-07-25 09:19 Market volatility is rising in 2025. Discover key risks and smart strategies to protect your portfolio and stay ahead. By Ray Leathern 14-07-25 07:02 How bad is the driver's licence print backlog, that the Department of Transport must turn to Home Affairs for assistance? By Rob de Mezieres 13-07-25 07:06 You may not know who they are, but you've probably seen and loved the film and TV ads of producer David Feldman and director Keith Rose. By Megan van den Heever 12-07-25 16:12 The EFF have branded Elon Musk's internet satellite company, Starlink, a 'terrorist' organisation which poses a 'security threat' to SA. By Garrin Lambley 11-07-25 18:05 South Africa will host the second technical meeting of the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) next week. By Sundeeka Mungroo 11-07-25 10:48 South Africa's economy has been underperforming for over a decade now – but how does that translate to how poor South Africans actually are? By Garrin Lambley 11-07-25 08:47 The 2025 tax season kicked off on Monday, 7 July with auto-assessments notices having been sent to a number of South African taxpayers. By Dumani Moyo 11-07-25 08:34 Get the most out of your braai budget. Explore ways to save on your favorite braai foods and compare costs to keep your wallet happy. By Garrin Lambley 10-07-25 17:00 The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has advised taxpayers who disagree with their auto-assessments not to wait to take action. By Ray Leathern 10-07-25 08:33 In just four years, SA's National Traffic Information System (NATIS) has revolutionised online licencing. And there's more to come … By Ray Leathern 10-07-25 07:02 Public Protector warns SASSA beneficiaries still with Postbank that payment contracts will cease at the end of September … By Nick Pawson 09-07-25 18:47 Cape Town's creative community has an exciting new home in a historic part of the city – and it doesn't cost a cent to work there. By Garrin Lambley 09-07-25 16:58 It's comparatively 'easy' to make money – when you have money to start with. Compound interest is indeed the eighth wonder of the world! By Garrin Lambley 09-07-25 11:25 SA's National Treasury has been allocated R91.835 billion over the medium-term expenditure framework, with SARS receiving the lion's share. By Sundeeka Mungroo 09-07-25 11:00 Chinese e-commerce giant Temu has launched a new local warehouse in South Africa, promising great things for shoppers. By Garrin Lambley 09-07-25 10:59 South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter, has extended the due date for EMP201 filing and payment for July. By Ray Leathern 09-07-25 09:43 Every municipality countrywide offers free electricity and water. And yet, recipients of these basic services are dropping. Here's why … By Ray Leathern 09-07-25 07:03 Agency CEO lashes out at reports that recent SASSA grant cancellations without review have been a punitive measure to reduce beneficiaries … By AFP 08-07-25 22:13 Donald Trump says the 1 August due date for US tariffs, on South Africa and other countries, is set in stone. By Bianca Lalbahadur 08-07-25 13:21 The Democratic Alliance leader says South Africa can cushion the 30% tariffs imposed by the US, by doing a few things… By Ray Leathern 08-07-25 07:02 With three quarters of a million blocked ID documents stuck in its verification system, Home Affairs was the site of hundreds of protesters … By Garrin Lambley 07-07-25 13:44 As tax payers eagerly awaited the start of the 2025 tax season on Monday, 7 July, they were plagued by endless online hassles. By Nokwanda Ncwane 07-07-25 11:24 As tax season officially opens on Monday, 7 July, some taxpayers have already received auto-assessments from SARS. What does this mean? By Ray Leathern 07-07-25 07:02 A Republican US Congressman is working night and day to sanction South Africa and cut all US diplomatic ties. Here's what he stands for … By Sundeeka Mungroo 04-07-25 15:21 ATMs in SA could soon become a thing of the past, with studies finding that big banks have reduced ATM numbers drastically over the years. By Ray Leathern 03-07-25 12:11 The SA Revenue Service is trialling key changes to auto-assessment in 2025, including invitations to provisional taxpayers … By Ray Leathern 03-07-25 09:32 With D-day for the South African economy looming, it's understood that BEE and land expropriation remain sticking points to progress … By Garrin Lambley 02-07-25 14:11 Following several challenging years, state-owned airline, South African Airways (SAA), is now in a position to contribute economic value. By Ray Leathern 02-07-25 10:02 On the surface, the Citroen C3 1.2T Max may lack the joie de vivre we expect from the French, but it's still a clever compact crossover … By Ray Leathern 02-07-25 08:32 A R60-billion class-action lawsuit by more than 100 000 former homeowners hopes to take down South Africa's 'big-four' banks … By Ray Leathern 02-07-25 07:03 Elderly residents are urged to take advantage of Free Basic Electricity schemes across the country. Here's how it works … By Nick Pawson 01-07-25 14:44 A new campaign led by South African citrus growers aims to reposition grapefruit as a vibrant summer fruit. By Bianca Lalbahadur 01-07-25 12:50 The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has released the official fuel price adjustments for July 2025. By Pauline Torongo 01-07-25 12:42 Javier Hidalgo strengthens his international leadership profile as new opportunities emerge in Africa, particularly in Botswana. By AFP 01-07-25 11:54 Donald Trump says without American subsidies for Elon Musk's businesses, the Pretoria-born tech mogul would have to 'head back home'. By Ray Leathern 01-07-25 07:02 SASSA Old-Age Grants in July 2025 will be disbursed this week, but there's been upheaval behind agency doors … By Garrin Lambley 30-06-25 13:27 Cape Town-born Reg Bamford was crowned British GC Open Championship for an astounding 13th time on Sunday. By Nick Pawson 28-06-25 21:01 The City of Cape Town recently gave the green light to a set of new informal trading plans in key areas around the metro. By Garrin Lambley 28-06-25 11:05 The latest Henley & Partners Wealth Migration report shows that South Africa continues to be a net loser of high net worth individuals. By Ray Leathern 28-06-25 07:02 Since May 2025, thousands of grant recipients who broke the SASSA income threshold have come face to face with some harsh consequences … By Garrin Lambley 27-06-25 13:07 For the first time ever, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) will trial auto-assessments for a select group of provisional taxpayers. By Dumani Moyo 27-06-25 08:07 Find out where to score the cheapest groceries this weekend as we compare prices at Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay, and Woolworths. By Ray Leathern 27-06-25 07:02 Anyone hoping to access real-time Home Affairs verification technology is in for a rude awakening from next month onwards … By Garrin Lambley 26-06-25 14:44 South Africa's G20 Presidency convened its third Sherpa meeting this week, focusing on a number of critical global challenges. By Garrin Lambley 26-06-25 13:24 South Africa has achieved its first back-to-back primary budget surplus in 16 years, signalling its commitment to fiscal discipline. By Garrin Lambley 26-06-25 10:19 Nearly 4 million pension fund withdrawals totalling R57 billion have been made under SA's two-pot retirement system since its introduction. By Ray Leathern 26-06-25 09:09 SASSA beneficiaries turn an outreach programme meeting into an outlet to air a long list of grievances they have with agency officials … By Ray Leathern 26-06-25 07:02 With 6 800 litres of stowage capacity, the all-new Ford Tourneo Trend LWB Bus is the practical choice in any situation … By Ramadhani Kusaga 25-06-25 10:45 Watch the full version of the 'South Africans are becoming addicted to sports betting' in a minute. By Ray Leathern 25-06-25 09:16 Latest report finds sports betting is starting to overtake the National Lottery for popularity in the R64-billion industry … By Ray Leathern 25-06-25 07:02 Unless urgent interventions take place, South Africa is two weeks' away from living the Trump tariff disaster … By Garrin Lambley 24-06-25 09:49 The latest official data confirms that with one week to go, bad news almost certainly lies ahead for South Africa's motorists. By Ray Leathern 24-06-25 08:56 The Department of Home Affairs is betting big on digital IDs, wallets and e-passports. Here's when they'll supposedly be up and running … By AFP 24-06-25 08:42 Treasury has not specified which projects the World Bank loan will fund, but says the financing plan includes an interest grace period. By Ray Leathern 24-06-25 07:02 An SA F1 GP deal could be clinched this weekend in Austria, as Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie and other officials jet off to Europe … By Garrin Lambley 23-06-25 14:43 SARS has announced the rollout of a new 'Express Access' feature on its eFiling platform ahead of the 2025 tax season. By Garrin Lambley 23-06-25 11:58 It's comparatively 'easy' to make money – when you have money to start with. Compound interest is indeed the eighth wonder of the world! By Garrin Lambley 23-06-25 11:32 The latest official data confirms that bad news almost certainly lies ahead for South Africa's motorists in early July 2025. By Garrin Lambley 23-06-25 10:38 The South African Post Office has unveiled a five-year plan to reinvent itself as a major player in the courier and delivery market. By Ray Leathern 23-06-25 09:08 Sale of loose cigarettes to be banned under the new Tobacco Bill, with informal traders facing hefty fines if caught … By Ray Leathern 22-06-25 07:02 Finally sold in South Africa with a turbo petrol engine, we drive the brilliant Jeep Wrangler Sahara. Can we get an Oorah!? By Ray Leathern 21-06-25 19:02 Here are the seven safest family cars for child occupancy available on the SA used market. Spoiler alert, bigger isn't necessarily better … By Jenna Solomon 21-06-25 15:41 Youth Month highlights the pervasive unemployment issue, but what about the voices of young South Africans with intellectual disability? By Shyleen Choruma 21-06-25 10:23 Researchers uncovered a leak of 16 billion passwords, raising risks of identity theft, phishing, and account takeovers. By Ray Leathern 21-06-25 07:02 The new CEO of SASSA and the National Treasury are at loggerheads already over social grant reviews and verification processes … By Phumlani S Langa 20-06-25 17:09 Nomzamo Mbatha will host with Global Citizen NOW Summit in Sevilla, Spain. Worldwide financial reform will be foregrounded at the summit. By Garrin Lambley 20-06-25 12:48 Deputy President Paul Mashatile has highlighted SA's role as the current chair of the G20 and its commitment to addressing global challenges. By Garrin Lambley 20-06-25 10:42 The latest official data confirms that bad news lies ahead for South Africa's motorists in July 2025, especially for diesel vehicle owners. By Garrin Lambley 20-06-25 10:03 MTN Group is under fire from shareholders after nearly R249 million was paid to its executives and board members during 2024. By Warren Hammond 19-06-25 14:46 Geopolitical violence is escalating fast; June and July 2025 are shaping up to be dangerously volatile months. By Garrin Lambley 19-06-25 12:51 The latest official data suggests that bad news lies ahead for South Africa's motorists in July 2025, especially for diesel vehicle owners. By Fazila Olla-Logday 19-06-25 11:13 As online trading gains momentum across Africa, traders are increasingly seeking reliable brokers that cater to the continent's unique financial landscape. By Ray Leathern 19-06-25 09:29 Financial experts reveal that the South African economy has lost R5 trillion over the last 15 years. Here's why … By Garrin Lambley 18-06-25 12:40 The latest official data now suggests that bad news lies ahead for South Africa's motorists in July 2025. Here's how bad it is … By Ray Leathern 18-06-25 09:49 Government officials and trade unions want to intervene after yet another major factory closure was announced for South Africa … By Ray Leathern 18-06-25 08:10 There are growing calls for government to suspend driver's licence fines in 2025 until the growing printing backlog is cleared … By Gordon Glyn-Jones 17-06-25 16:57 From Soweto exile to the United Nations, Kingsley Mamabolo reflects on resistance, reconciliation and the path to a truly free Africa. His story is now published as a hardcover called: Let Not The Sun Set On You By Garrin Lambley 17-06-25 13:45 The mid-month official data now suggests that bad news lies ahead for South Africa's motorists in July 2025. By Pauline Torongo 17-06-25 13:39 By expanding its FSCA-regulated offering with the inclusion of Crypto, PrimeXBT is one of the first brokers in the region to truly bridge the gap between traditional and digital markets. By Gordon Glyn-Jones 17-06-25 11:31 Theatre director Greg Karvellas reflects on his time at The Fugard, the challenges of storytelling today, and why his latest production of 'Moffie' matters now more than ever. By Ray Leathern 17-06-25 09:21 The CEOs of South Africa's network providers came under fire in Parliament for sub-standard service delivery to the poor … By Ray Leathern 17-06-25 07:39 Lesotho textile factories face widespread redundancies with looming 50% trade tariffs. And there's a knock-on effect for South Africa … By Garrin Lambley 16-06-25 12:41 South Africa-born Elon Musk is comfortably the richest man in the world – even after his recent remarks on X saw his Tesla shares plummet. By Sundeeka Mungroo 15-06-25 17:30 Some CEOs of South Africa's top State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are raking in a whopping R15.5 million a year. By Garrin Lambley 15-06-25 09:22 Woolworths CEO Roy Bagattini has come under renewed scrutiny after selling 700 000 shares in the company, netting more than R38.4 million. By Garrin Lambley 15-06-25 09:09 MultiChoice has reported a major slump in its subscriber base, losing 2.3 million active DStv customers over the past year.
The South African
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
The prodigal son returns: 2025 VW Golf TSI R-Line Plus review
After a period in the wilderness, the 2025 VW Golf TSI is back. It's known unofficially as Golf 8.5 . This refers to the mid-life facelift of version 8, which we only got in South Africa in GTI form back in 2021. Nevertheless, for many diehard fans of 'peoples' cars', the 2025 VW Golf TSI is an as-yet-unseen specimen. And, well, this handsome family hatchback doesn't half cause outright pandemonium wherever it goes. Vee-dub fans follow it around like it's some exotic supercar … As practical as ever and good-looking enough to be hounded by the iPhone paparazzi. And this is just a regular Golf. Image: Ray Leathern Forget the pictures you've seen of the 2025 VW Golf TSI, once you clock it in the metal wearing additional R-Line Plus trim, it's absolutely stunning. Just look at the smooth, taut bodywork contrasting with deep, shapely bumpers fore and aft. This test unit wears the optional IQ Light package, which features VW's full-length light bar and LED Matrix headlamps. At the back, things are more conventional, bar the LED taillights with animated indicators. Optional two-tone 18-inch Leeds alloy wheels fill the arches and enhance the stance nicely. Genuinely, the 2025 VW Golf TSI in R-Line guise is 80% of the way to being a GTI. And 80% of the time there's a well-meaning fan giving it a once-over with an iPhone in the carpark. And it's still 'just a Golf.' This cabin may be highly technical but it's still all about VW's infamous 'intuitive usability.' Image: Ray Leathern Climbing aboard the 2025 VW Golf TSI is akin to being reacquainted with an old friend. As you slide behind the steering wheel, everything is thoroughly digital but still familiar and intuitive. The seats are inch perfect, supportive and comfortable but not over the top. Needing minimal adjustment to find an optimal driving position has always been a Golf strength. Wolfsburg calls it 'intuitive usability' and it takes thousands of man-hours to get right. A large new central screen has some of the best definition we've seen in a family hatchback to date. And hard controls marked Light, Mode, Climate, Parking and Assistance are clustered together lower down on the facia for ease of use. Many of the unloved haptic-feedback buttons of the 8 GTI are gone, replaced instead by conventional buttons on the steering wheel. South Africa had to do without a regular, non-GTI Golf for about four years. We'll never take it for granted again … Image: Ray Leathern Thankfully, moving quickly and effortlessly comes easy in the 2025 VW Golf TSI. Its genius is there's no need to alter or finesse your driving technique. A small, stubby gear shifter is right from the 911 parts bin. 110 kW and 250 Nm of torque from the 1.4-litre turbo petrol drives the front wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Zero to 100 km/h comes and goes in a laudable 8.5 seconds and the top speed is 215 km/h. True to type, the 2025 VW Golf TSI is not about standing starts and spinning front tyres. Sure, there can be a flurry of whinnying rubber when the torque-rich turbo motor kicks in, but for the most part progress is silent and effortless. Likewise, a firmer ride is instantly recognisable on the optional 18-inch rims. At first, the firmness is a little at odds with the package. However, spend enough time behind the wheel and you soon get used to it. R-Line Plus package adds just the right amount of GTI-ness to the regular Golf 8.5. Image: Ray Leathern Volkswagen's stab at a fully digitised family hatchback nails the brief. However, all the electronic trickery doesn't intrude on the overall experience. The firm calls the Golf 8.5 fully digital, insofar as it has auto headlights, wipers, adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping assist (even if the abrupt bong when it engages is a little annoying). You don't really need to do a whole lot from behind the wheel if you don't want to. A price bump to R688 100 as standard – closer to R788 000 when fully optioned like our test unit – may move it out of peoples'-car territory. However, we'd argue the 2025 VW Golf TSI has again been elevated into another realm entirely. It's great-looking, incredibly stylishly, fiendishly high-tech and someone every bit as usable and friendly as it ever was. In our opinion, it's the ultimate all-round family hatchback. And not just because it's one of the few left. We'd reach into our own pockets and buy it every single time … 2025 VW Golf TSI 1.4 R-Line Plus Engine: 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo petrol 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo petrol Transmission: 8-speed DSG automatic 8-speed DSG automatic Power: 110 kW @ 6 500 r/min 110 kW @ 6 500 r/min Torque: 250 Nm @ 1 600-4 300 r/min 250 Nm @ 1 600-4 300 r/min 0-100 km/h: 8.5 seconds (claimed) 8.5 seconds (claimed) Fuel consumption: 7.0 l/100 km (tested) 7.0 l/100 km (tested) Price: R688 100 (standard) Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
Surprise from the Subcontinent: 2025 Citroen C3 1.2T Max review
From the outside, the 2025 Citroen C3 1.2T Max may appear to walk a well-worn path. Take an affordable hatchback platform, jack it up a few inches, slap on some bigger wheels and plastic cladding, and call it a day. And true to form, the Citroen C3 1.2T Max does all those things. However, there happens to be something rather endearing about how this little car carries itself down a road. Having spent some time with the French-designed, Indian-built Citroen C3 1.2T Max Auto, I'm reminded of one compact crossover I held in particularly high regard – the Sandero Stepway. Both cars don't pretend to be something they're not. And yet, they deliver a lot more mechanically than most buyers might expect. It doesn't major in French craziness. But maybe that's a good thing in this day and age. Image: Ray Leathern Unsurprisingly, the new C3's origins tell an interesting story of automotive economics. Built in India for global markets, this approach allows the Stellantis Group to offer European engineering at a competitive price. At R302 900 for the turbocharged Max automatic you see here, subcontinental savings from lower production costs are passed directly to the consumer. Furthermore, at just over four-metres long and 1.75m wide, the Citroen C3 1.2T Max occupies a certain sweet spot between supermini and compact SUV. Granted, the styling is deliberately ordinary. But there's a pragmatism to its proportions that you soon begin to appreciate. Plus, the roof rails, dual-tone paintwork on the Max, and protective wheelarch cladding provide sufficient SUV flavour. Citroen changed its brand identity and logo back in 2022. This marked the start of more pragmatic, cost-effective cars from the French firm. Image: Citroen Better still, it's beneath the skin that the Citroen C3 1.2T Max Auto outshines the competition. Just look at the data, its turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine produces a healthy 81 kW and 205 Nm of torque. The drivetrain was plucked from the brilliant C4 Cactus and it deserves particular praise. In an era where most manufacturers saddle their entry-level models with jerky four-speed automatics or uninspiring CVTs, Citroen has fitted a proper six-speed automatic gearbox. This transforms the daily driving experience, with smooth, predictable gearshifts that never leave you hunting for the right gear. Moreover, the French three pot exhibits a characteristic thrum that's actually quite appealing. 205 Nm of torque available from low revs makes urban driving effortless. And zero to 100 km/h figures around the sub-10-second mark is pretty impressive for this class of vehicle. Furthermore, real-world fuel economy hovers around the 7.4 l/100 km mark when faced with spirited driving. Even though that is a bit thirstier than the 6.3 l/100 km claimed. Most buyers want a standalone touchscreen and pleasant amenities. Boxes ticked for the C3 Max. Image: Ray Leathern Inside, the 2025 Citroen C3 1.2T Max delivers a surprisingly well-equipped cabin. The infotainment system, while not the most sophisticated, still includes all the connectivity features modern buyers expect. Screen graphics and reverse camera definition are on the basic side, as is the appearance of the digital driving display. However, everything works perfectly well and falls to hand effortlessly, which is not to be underestimated these days. Space utilisation inside the Citroen C3 1.2T Max is impressive for a car with such a compact footprint. The rear bench seat accommodates two adults without complaint, while the boot offers sufficient capacity for weekly shopping. Better still, because the interior materials won't win any luxury awards, you don't feel bad lowering the rear row and throwing in a couple of surfboards, for example. Inched-up alloy wheels, plastic body cladding and the contrasting roof indicate this is the C3 Max. Image: Ray Leathern Ultimately, what surprised me most about the 2025 Citroen C3 1.2T Max Auto is its fundamental honesty. This isn't a car trying to convince you of anything. Instead, it's a genuinely competent compact crossover that delivers efficient mobility at a fair price. Granted, it might be down on some of that quirky French charm that defined Citroens of old, but there is engineering integrity here. As mentioned, the parallels with the Sandero Stepway are unmistakable. And praise for an affordable family ferry doesn't come much higher than that. Both recognise buyers who prioritise practicality and value over flashy, insincere features. There's an elevated driving position and decent interior space because that's what the market demands nowadays. However, most significantly, it's the Citroen C3 1.2T Max Auto's drivetrain that's genuinely impressive for the money. 2025 Citroen C3 1.2T Max Auto Engine: 1.2-litre, turbo petrol 3-cylinder 1.2-litre, turbo petrol 3-cylinder Power: 81 kW @ 5 500 rpm, 205 Nm @ 1 750 rpm 81 kW @ 5 500 rpm, 205 Nm @ 1 750 rpm Performance: 0-100 km/h 9.5 sec (estimated) 0-100 km/h 9.5 sec (estimated) Economy: 6.3 l/100 km (claimed) / 7.4 l/100 km (tested) 6.3 l/100 km (claimed) / 7.4 l/100 km (tested) Transmission: 6-speed auto 6-speed auto Price: R302 900 Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
Monovolume: Ford Tourneo Trend 2.0 Diesel LWB Bus tested
The weird thing about the Ford Tourneo Trend LWB Bus – and others like it – is you've got to love its working-class ethics. I, for one, don't know the first thing about commercial vehicles, but I know a good one when it lands up in my driveway. And I just figured out why … I suppose it's because there's not a lot to dissect when you drive a commercial vehicle. They aren't spaceships with eight different drive settings. And, better still, the people who drive Ford Tourneo Trends for work all day aren't rocket scientists. If the vehicle does the job it was intended for, it's good. And that's the end of the story. Multi-function steering wheel, digital display and a touchscreen are par for the course in the all-new Ford Tourneo Trend. Image: Ford South Africa I'm actually being a little modest about my time with working-class vehicles. Because, in my pre-journalism life, I worked in the film industry. I spent hundreds of sweaty hours piggybacking heavy film equipment to and from Cape Town's rarefied film locations. A call time of 06h00 for 'talent' meant the crew had to be on set at 05h00. Which meant I had to collect all the gear and cappuccinos at 04h00. In that instance, you want utter dependability from your vehicle. And my goodness, the Ford Tourneo Trend LWB Bus would have been a godsend 20-years ago. In my day, all we had was flat-bench-seated, un-air-conditioned 'whatchamacallits' that made every one of those 18-hour days feel like an eternity. Seven full-size passengers or 6 800 litres of load capacity, the choice is yours. Image: Ford South Africa Nevertheless, that was then, this is now. And massive monovolumes like the 2025 Ford Tourneo Trend LWB Bus are the norm. First of all, it's absolutely massive, so there's not a lot you won't be able to transport with this beauty. It's 5.4-metres long for goodness sake. There was a time when five metres seemed like an insurmountable length for any vehicle. And perhaps you'll agree that, even in the pictures, this LWB version looks massive. That's because the wheelbase measures 3.5-metres long and it's nearly 2.0-metres tall, too. So, you properly tower over high-end SUVs in traffic. We drove the Ford Tourneo's cousin earlier in the year, the Transit Custom Sport, and we were blown away by its pragmatic practicality. Now, in LWB Bus form, it's truly got every other eventuality covered. Total length load capacity is three metres. So, guess what, remove the seats and you can put full-size pallets, mountain bikes, kiteboards, longboards, you name it. Total load capacity is 6 800 litres! Forget about using it to move house, you can simply move in and use it as a house. 16-inch wheels do look a little small up against that 3.5-metre long wheelbase. Image: Ray Leathern As such, the Ford Tourneo Trend LWB Bus has the commercial chops, but how is it to use every day? Well, it's equipped with manual sliding side-access doors and one generously sized top-hinged rear tailgate. Honestly, the sheer size on offer makes light work of loading stuff in and out. And the movable seats are easy to figure out and slide back and forth or tumble forward. I filled the test unit with all my surfboards and that was that. Didn't need to guess which board would best suit conditions – I just brought them all along. Moreover, the front cabin includes plenty of cleverly considered stowage spaces. Like twin dash shelves and upright slots in the door pockets for multiple one-litre bottles. And an A4-sized folder can fit in the glove box for a delivery driver's paperwork. Best of all, Ford's latest Sync multifunction infotainment system has a top-notch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Even though this is the Trend model, there's climate control, seat heaters and a high-tech digital information cluster ahead of the driver. Once again, the Ford Tourneo puts the agricultural vans I used to pilot back in my day to shame. Commercial-use vehicles don't get much more practical than this. Image: Ray Leathern Under the stubby front end is the Blue Oval's trusted 2.0-litre turbodiesel producing 130 kW and 360 Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels exclusively through a competent eight-speed automatic gearbox. Ford claims an economy return of 7.4 l/100 km, but our real-world figure averaged 8.8 l/100 km. Of course, this will vary greatly depending on how laden your bus is. To drive, the Ford Tourneo is completely inoffensive. It's obviously very long, so you need to take care when parking. But thankfully it's got a full array of sensors and cameras on all sides. All this sophistication, fuel economy and load-carrying capability does not come cheap, at just over R1 million. And, granted, that probably isn't as affordable as some other modest man-with-van comrades out there. But take one for a test drive and you'll quickly realise how ridiculously well priced the Ford Tourneo Trend LWB Bus actually is. If your business needs 6 800 litres of carrying capacity, you'll fork over the money gladly. Better still, if your business does go bust, you can easily live in the back and drive away from the bailiffs smartly, too. 2025 Ford Tourneo Trend 2.0 Diesel LWB Bus Engine: 2.0-litre, turbodiesel 4-cylinder 2.0-litre, turbodiesel 4-cylinder Power: 100 kW @ 3 000 rpm, 360 Nm @ 1 750 rpm 100 kW @ 3 000 rpm, 360 Nm @ 1 750 rpm Performance: 0-100 km/h 10.5 sec (estimated) 0-100 km/h 10.5 sec (estimated) Economy: 7.4 l/100 km (claimed) / 8.8 l/100 km (tested) 7.4 l/100 km (claimed) / 8.8 l/100 km (tested) Transmission: 8-speed auto 8-speed auto Price: R1 104 500 Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
