WH car specialist Juliet McGuire rounds up newly launched cars to suit every budget – from a zippy favourite to a stylish sedan and super-luxe bakkie…
Hyundai i20
The popular i20 has undergone a slight facelift and upgrade and a new model has been added to the range in the form of the i20 Active. It is to the i20 what the Volkswagen CrossPolo is to the Polo. The Active has a slightly higher ground clearance and looks a bit more SUV-like. Don’t be fooled, it’s just for looks – we don’t recommend you hit any mountain slopes in this car. But at least you’ll look like you can! Price: i20 from R229 900, i20 Active R279 900
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Ford Fiesta
A fierce rival to the Volkswagen Polo, the Fiesta is Ford’s top-selling passenger car. And it’s no wonder, it’s been Britain’s favourite car for 40 years. This eighth-generation Fiesta is more spacious and features more tech than ever before, including keyless entry and a power start button, hill launch assist, auto headlights and rain-sensing wipers. With both the Polo and Fiesta seeing new models launched this year, it will be interesting to see whether the Polo will retain its crown here in SA. Price from R261 900
Opel Grandland X
You cannot deny the popularity of SUVs the world over and, of course, it’s due in large part to their practicality. The Grandland X is the biggest SUV in Opel’s current line-up and it arrives as Opel is trying hard to regain its customers’ confidence. Opel is in SA to stay and this Grandland X will no doubt become a popular option among SUV-buyers, even if it is a tad expensive. Price from R429 000
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Renault Sandero Stepway Plus
Renault has launched a new flagship derivative for its Sandero range. The Sandero Stepway Plus replaces the Dynamique and is exclusively available in two new colours: Dune Beige and Cosmos Blue. The price might say it’s a budget car, but the features list says otherwise. It comes standard with a seven-inch (18 centimetre) MediaNav touch screen with navigation, cruise control, rear park assist with a rear parking camera and electric windows and mirrors. Price from R206 900
Volkswagen Arteon
Perfect for a business commute, Volkswagen has launched its flagship sedan in South Africa. It’s unique, it’s stylish and, being a sedan, it stands out in a crowd of popular SUVs. It competes with a very tough line-up which includes the likes of the Mercedes- Benz C-Class and Audi A4/A5, but Volkswagen is not a brand that is often overlooked so it should prove to be a popular choice. Price from R599 900
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Volvo XC60
If there is one thing you want in a family vehicle, it’s safety, and the XC60, apart from currently being the 2018 World Car of the Year, is one of the safest cars ever made – it received the highest score of all new cars tested in the Euro NCAP safety test. Not to mention that the previous model was the best-selling Volvo in South Africa. With features such as all-wheel drive, hill-descent control and hill-start assist, the Volvo XC60 gives you the ultimate in control. Price from R664 000
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
If you want to drive a bakkie, but want more of an elegant, premium version, the Mercedes-Benz X-Class is perfect for you. This is Mercedes-Benz’s first bakkie and it’s turning heads wherever it goes. It might sport a superior badge, but that doesn’t mean it can’t get dirty. In fact, the X-Class can tackle just about any terrain with ease. Plus, it comes with active brake assist, lane keeping assist and seven air bags (as standard). 4×4 models from R696 785
