Latest news with #TheCitizenMotoring
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Lofty price in tough segment not doing Renault Duster any favours
Petrol engine replacing the frugal diesel mill remains a sticky point for solid crossover. The Renault Duster has always been a bit of a dark horse. One of those vehicles that quietly built a cult following while everybody was chasing Japanese and German nameplates. The Duster was never flashy and never premium. And quite honestly nobody cared. It just worked. It was the rough-edged SUV you could actually afford. Now, in 2025, the Renault Duster has cleaned up, and grown into something that's more refined, while retaining most of its no nonsense roots. But the pricing has jumped up too and put the Duster into territory that is overflowing with choice. This said, what is the Duster like to drive? The elephant in the room The derivative The Citizen Motoring spent a week with was the Intens EDC 4×2. It's the middle-of-the-range model in terms of price, but the top-of-the-range in terms of spec. The Zen 4×4 MT costs more but offers a lower level of spec. If you need, or want, 4×4 capability, then this the compromise that must be made. The new Renault Duster features attractive rugged styling. Picture Mark Jones Let's get straight to the engine and drivetrain. It's probably the most controversial topic around the new Duster. Why? Because anybody who knew the previous Renault Duster, knows how brilliant the 1.5-litre 80kW/250Nm turbodiesel was. Punchy and ridiculously light on fuel. But the world has changed, and Renault don't offer this engine anymore. Today the Duster comes with a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine making more power at 113kW but the same torque at 250Nm. The new Duster's powertrain is paired with a seven-speed EDC dual-clutch transmission that sends the power down to the front wheels only. The box does it job. It's smooth and responsive enough without any jerkiness in traffic. And this is where the Renault Duster excels. In the suburbs and in traffic. The irony I know for a Duster, but not everybody wants to compete with a Toyota Hilux going up the side of a mountain on Sunday morning. ALSO READ: VIDEO: Renault Duster lives up to reputation as solid off-roader Petrol not as frugal as diesel Part two of the controversy is directly linked to fuel consumption. The previous turbodiesel offered numbers that saw owners getting under five litres per 100km. Renault says you should get 6.5L/100km with the new one. But the reality was I averaged closer to eight, with the car settling at 7.8 litres per 100km. I think that in a world where the Chinese can't get much below 10 litres per 100km for most of their very popular SUVs, this new petrol turbo's return is not bad at all. Being of the inside of the new Duster is a better place to be than the old one. There is still a lot of hard plastics around, but the cabin does feel more upmarket. You have a new 10-inch floating infotainment screen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Plus, you get an updated digital cluster with clean graphics and customisable views. In the centre console you have USB-Cs, a wireless charging pad, and actual climate control buttons that are easy to use. The Duster features a digital instrument cluster. Picture: Mark Jones Renault Duster is a tight spot In terms of tech and safety, the Intens spec Duster features a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, keyless entry and start, LED headlights, and tyre-pressure monitoring into the mix. Cruise control is standard, and the rear-view camera is clear and helpful. ALSO READ: Smart new Renault Duster facing a tough battle against rivals I so desperately want to love the new Renault Duster. And I really like this Intens 4×2 EDC way more than I did the Zen 4×4 with manual box. But at R519 999, once again, there is just too much choice out there like the Toyota Corolla Cross and Chery Tiggo Cross to name only just two of the many crossover SUVs in this segment. The real problem for Renault is that too many of their competitors make a stronger bid for your money. And they will probably get it too. The Renault Duster is backed by a five-year/150 000km mechanical warranty, three-year/45 000km service plan and six-year anti-corrosion warranty.
The Citizen
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
PODCAST: Chery Tiggo Cross HEV game changer in the making
Chinese hybrid goes up against South Africa's best-selling new energy vehicle the Toyota Corolla Cross. Ambitious Chinese carmaker Chery launched an all-out onslaught on South Africa's number one manufacturer Toyota by rolling out the Tiggo Cross HEV. The Chery Tiggo 4 has made huge strides to rank as one of Mzansi's favourite passenger cars. Now the Tiggo Cross HEV, which stands for hybrid electric vehicle, has entered the battlefield against the country's best-selling new energy vehicle, the Toyota Corolla Cross HEV. In typical Chinese fashion, the war starts with the pricing. At R439 900 the entry-level Chery Tiggo Cross HEV in Comfort guise undercuts the most affordable Corolla Cross in Xs guise by a whopping R54 500. Chery Tiggo Cross HEV makes a Pitstop In this week's episode of The Citizen Motoring's Pitstop podcast, we discuss the Tiggo Cross. Road Test Editor Mark Jones has driven the Chery after also spending lots of time in the Corolla Cross earlier this year, pits the two against each other. The Chery Tiggo Cross HEV is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine hooked up to electric motor and 1.83kWh battery pack. The combined power output is 150kW and 310Nm which goes to the front wheels by a dedicated hybrid transmission. This is much more than the Toyota Corolla Cross' combined power output of 90kW/142Nm. During our high-performance test, the Chery Tiggo Cross HEV clocked 8 seconds in going from 0 to 100km/h. The Corolla Cross came in at just over 12 seconds. ALSO READ: 10 things you need to know about the new Chery Tiggo Cross HEV Frugal sipper Chery claims that the Cross HEV will only sip 5.4 litres per 100km and for the first few days we've had it on test are getting close to this number. Mark reckons it will settle in the high fives, maybe 6L/100km at the most. This is fractionally higher than what we achieved in the Toyota Corolla Cross HEV.
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
VW Polo or T-Cross? How to choose between hatch and crossover
Hatchbacks more affordable than its SUV counterparts, but less flashy. The VW T-Cross (right) is the crossover version of the Polo hatchback. Pictures: Supplied Choosing between a crossover SUV like the Volkswagen T-Cross and its hatchback sibling the VW Polo is not an easy choice. The market has become crossover-obsessed as these cars feature SUV-like styling and lofty driving positions. They've become practical and attainable status symbols. Yet hatchbacks continue to deliver exactly what most drivers need at a lower price. Using AutoTrader pre-owned sales data, we compared similar crossovers and hatchbacks produced between 2019 and 2023 to determine whether the pros of owning a crossover outweigh the cons. Crossover versus hatchback Many of B-segment hatchbacks have a crossover counterpart like the Peugeot 208 and 2008, Suzuki Baleno and Fronx and Renault Clio and Captur. For this comparison, The Citizen Motoring has weighed up two star performers in the Volkswagen stable. The VW Polo remains one of South Africa's most popular hatchbacks and one of the few survivors in the ever-shrinking B-segment. With an average listing price of R273 189 the Polo is on average R63 836 cheaper than its crossover counterpart, the VW T-Cross. The T-Cross did offer a lower average mileage of 59 238km compared to the Polo's 67 628km. Both had an average registration age of four years. ALSO READ: Volkswagen Polo now made exclusively in South Africa The VW Polo and T-Cross base models are both powered by the TSI 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine that produces 70kW of power and 175Nm of torque. But the T-Cross consumes 0.6L/100km more than the VW Polo's claimed 5.3L/100km. It also has a shorter fuel range (678km vs 755km) and emits more carbon emissions. Should it matter to you the VW T-Cross also accelerates from 0 to 100km/h 0.7 seconds slower than the Polo. VW Polo and T-Cross equally safe While the T-Cross offers a 34-litre bigger boot than the 351-litre boot of the VW Polo, both vehicles seat five occupants. Both carry the same safety ratings, with Euro NCAP awarding each a five-star score. The VW T-Cross provides a marginally more spacious interior. Still, the average small, young family is unlikely to notice, making the VW Polo the more sensible choice for used car buyers. 'When you look at the data side by side, the value equation speaks for itself,' said George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader. 'In many cases, hatchbacks offer lower purchase prices, better fuel economy, and comparable safety and tech to their crossover counterparts, without compromising everyday usability. This isn't about steering consumers away from crossovers, but helping them make decisions that suit both their lifestyles and their wallets.'
The Citizen
13-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Why M50 is now the most M car money can buy in BMW X3 stable
293kW of power and 580Nm of torque get this fast SUV from 0 to 100km/h in just 4.66 seconds. If BMW's new X3 20d xDrive M Sport is the sensible choice in the range – 'frugal and fast' – we called it a few weeks ago, then the X3 M50 xDrive should simply be called 'fast'. Because it really is. And who cares how much fuel it uses! The new G45 BMW X3 now wears a M50 badge instead of the M40i badge from the previous generation X3. And just in case you were wondering, it still runs the same engine. Which is a 3.0-litre straight-six, turbocharged petrol unit from before. But now with 48V mild hybrid technology onboard, and it offers more power and torque that the model it replaces. For 2025, the BMW X3 M50 delivers 293kW and 580Nm. The X3 M40i churned out 285kW and 500Nm. This means the engine in the X3 M50 is the most powerful six-cylinder in-line petrol powerplant yet fitted in an BMW M Performance model. ALSO READ: New BMW X3 ticks all the boxes with versatile powertrain line-up M Performance car But the X3 M50 is not a full-blown M car. It's a M Performance car. So what does this mean? In BMW-speak this means that the BMW X3 M50 would normally be the middle of the performance options in their range of vehicles. Now, this is where you need to pay attention. It's not middle-of-the-range anymore. This M Performance X3 is it. There will be no new hardcore BMW X3 M. Not as in maybe later this year or the next. Or some other time down the line. We have been told that's it. Last year's 375kW/650Nm, super car chasing X3 M is done. But before you feel shortchanged, this X3 M50 is the most M car you can buy for the money. Talking of which, you will need to part with R1.5-million to park it in your garage. Think twice before taking on this badge when the traffic light turns green. Picture: Supplied For this money though you do get the likes of a M Sport suspension with variable sport steering, M Sport brakes, 20-inch M light-alloy wheels and an M Sport differential integrated into the rear axle all as standard fitment. An adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers offers a level of agility and dynamism that a family SUV should not offer. All the usual M goodies Further M-specific design features abound; you have a full M interior, M kidney grille with horizontal bars and BMW Iconic Glow contour lighting. There are also large quad exhaust tailpipes, that you expect to bark out the performance credentials of the BMW X3 M50, but disappointingly so, the soundtrack is rather subdued. ALSO READ: Frugal and fast BMW X3 20d proves that diesel is not dead yet What isn't disappointing is that this X3 M50 really gets up and go when you jump on the gas. Thanks to that small injection of electricity from the mild hybrid system, it outguns the old M40i. And anything else that the competition is offering now. Activate Launch Control. Build some boost. Let the brake go. And bam, 100km/h came up in just 4.66 seconds during The Citizen Motoring's test. You will be doing over 200km/h not long after, and before you know it the car will on the speed limiter at 250km/h. You will have a big smile on your face. And this is exactly why you would buy the BMW X3 M50 over the X3 20d. BMW X3 M50 test data
The Citizen
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
GWM P300 is hard to ignore when you are bakkie shopping
This improved double cab beats Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Nissan Navara in sprint race. A bakkie is a bakkie is a bakkie. Right? In most cases, yes. But when it comes to the leisure side of owning a bakkie, a bakkie is not always just a bakkie. In almost all cases it's a personal choice and not a business one. And this means your bakkie must do more than just haul goods. It must offer a high level of spec and comfort. It must be powerful enough to tow your toys around. And it must also look good parked in your driveway. Today's bragging rights go to the Great Wall Motors' updated P-Series bakkie, that now wears a GWM P300 badge. The model you see here is the top-of-the-range P300 2.4TD LTD 4×4. And in typical Chinese fashion, it has a ton of spec and is exceptionally well priced at R699 900. But we know that this does not automatically translate into a bakkie that you would want to own. Some Chinese bakkies offer even better value, but they are not pleasant to drive or live with on a daily basis. The GWM P300 2.4TD is not one of those bakkies! ALSO READ: VIDEO: GWM P300's tailgate makes it easy to climb on a bakkie New engine does the trick The starting point is probably the all-new 2.4-litre turbodiesel that has completely transformed this GWM P300 over the old 2.0-litre P-Series turbodiesel. The simple numbers of 135kW and 480Nm don't tell the full story. On paper it is outgunned by he 2.0-litre bi-turbo Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux 2.8-litre, and even Nissan's 2.5-litre Navara. It's out on the road where it is a different story. The P300 badge has replace the P-Series moniker. Picture: Mark Jones I know 0-100 km/h times are not the only ways the qualities of a bakkie should be measured. But every manufacturer on earth sets a 0-100 km/h benchmark time for their products. And here I can tell you that with a time of 10.85 seconds in The Citizen Motoring's test, the GWM P300 is quicker than the likes of a Ranger Wildtrak X, a Nissan Navara Pro-4X, and even the Toyota Hilux GR-S. It's only the Toyota Hilux GR-S that gets past the P300 after 100km/h, and this Toyota makes a proper 165kW. Where the GWM P300 continues to score highly is in that is offers an intelligent 4WD System that is equipped with Electronic Differential Locks, Off-Road Expert Mode, a Front Winch, and Crawl Control. Plus, a smooth shifting nine-speed automatic transmission for everyday convenience. ALSO READ: New P300 ups GWM's premium bakkie onslaught significantly more Loads of features A towing capacity of 3 500kg puts it on par with all its competitors. The suspension is double wishbone at the front and leaf spring rigid axle at the rear. Is it as smooth as say the Ranger? No. It's a bit firm, but it's streets ahead of the P-Series it replaces. Inside the GWM P300 there has been a step up in terms of quality and spec. Leather seats that are heated and ventilated up front, a heated leather steering wheel, and ambient lighting do duty. In front of you there is 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. A 7-inch digital instrument cluster that feeds you all the key driving info. Push-button start, wireless charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto complete the package. The cabin features lots of creature comforts. Picture: Mark Jones On the safety front with the P300 you have the likes of Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist & Lane Departure Warning, right down to Intelligent Cruise Assistance and various other Collision Avoidance Systems. With all this said, the GWM P300 2.4TD LTD DC 4×4 is impossible to ignore at R669 900. GWM P300 test results
