Top 20 Tested New Cars in South Africa for 2023
2023 saw a number of manufacturers introducing new models or updated and face-lifted vehicles to the South African market.
We tested a substantial amount of them, and have put together a list of our favourite 20 for 2023 voted by Ziyaad, Nabihah, and Isa Plaatjes.
To view all the vehicles which we tested this year visit our Motoring page, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow iloveza.com on Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads, and Let's Torque ZA on Instagram, Facebook, X.
Most of the vehicles are also mentioned by Ziyaad in discussions on a Friday night at 19h00 on Bumper2Bumper on Cii Radio. Missed episodes can be found on the Bumper2Bumper page as well as on Instagram, X, TikTok and iono.fm.
In alphabetical order of manufacturer here are our Top 20 Tested New Cars in South Africa for 2023:
1. BAIC Beijing X55
One of two Chinese vehicle manufacturer on our Top 20 this year, incidently both vehicles featured are direct competitors. BAIC have delivered a vehicle which enters them into a whole new market and has given the brand a huge amount of awareness for South Africans who have not heard of the brand over the past 6 years. The BAIC Beijing X55 is definitely worthy of being named the first Chinese OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) to appear in the South African Car of the Year Awards for Compact Family Car of the Year. From the sporty design, comfy interior, to the cool tech and great performance from the 1.5 litre turbo engine the BAIC Beijing X55 was certainly a Top drive for 2023. Pricing of the BAIC Beijing starts from R429 900 with R30 000 increments on each trim, R459 900 for the Elite which we tested and R489 900 for the top of the range Premium trim.
2. BMW 320d LCI Sedan
The BMW 3 series LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) was launched earlier this year in South Africa and the diesel variant, 320d is definitely the most stylish. It was also a very fitting vehicle to commemorate iloveza.com and Let's Torque ZA's milestone of 100 media test vehicles. I've always said that BMW have perfected the diesel engine in the premium sedan range and this 4 cylinder 2.0 litre diesel engine producing 140kW and 400Nm of torque is back on top of the list of my all time best diesel engines. The LCI has all the new tech including a new instrument cluster and new infotainment screen, and a new gear selector. Fuel consumption is at an all time low with claims of 4.9l per 100km. The best part is that you can leave the showroom with a brand new vehicle for under R1 million, as the BMW 320d LCI starts with a price tag of R960 313.
3. Citroën C5 Aircross
In 2020 we first tested the Citroën C5 Aircross, and this year we had the pleasure of reviewing the updated model. One thing that stood out for us when we had it on test 3 years ago and again now, was the Progressive Hydraulic Cushion Suspension renamed to the Citroën Advanced Comfort Suspension which absorbs the normal discomforts of our South African roads seamlessly. I personally felt a lot more comfortable in the new seats as well, as opposed to the previous C5 Aircross. I still maintain that it could be a strong contender in the market if consumers give it chance. The new Citroën C5 starts from R633 900.
4. Fiat 500X
For the lovers of the Fiat 500 who have grown up and increased the size of their family, the Fiat 500X crossover SUV is the natural addition to the household fleet. The Fiat 500X is equipped with a 1.4L turbocharged (Multair) petrol engine producing 103kW which gives it a nice oomph. The sporty finishes like the 18" alloy wheels, and Alcantara steering wheel are almost Abarth like, and the Sport model which we tested has the fabric sunroof which gives it the EST (Extended Soft Top) name. Pricing of the Fiat 500X is from R509 900.
5. Ford Everest Sport
The Adventure SUV of the Year in this year's South African Car of the Year Awards - the Next-Gen Ford Everest. We can definitely see why, the overall new design, the new features, tech, and the amazing on and off-road comfort and capabilities give the new Everest a package which puts Ford in a whole new category. The Next-Gen Ford Everest starts at R899 000 for the XLT with the Sport priced from R984 700.
6. Hyundai Tucson N Line
Hyundai are making remarkable steps ahead with their innovative designs and features in their new vehicles. The Hyundai Tucson N Line is by far one of the best in their new range. Besides the lines and curves being in all the right places on the exterior, under the hood they have created something special with 2.0 litre diesel which produces a whopping power of 137kW and 416Nm of torque. While we are used to seeing the N Line badge designation on petrol engines, this vehicle is most certainly worthy of the nameplate, and has exceptional fuel consumption, as we managed to get it down to a combined cycle of 4.6 litres per 100km. The Hyundai Tucson will set you back about R598 900 for the base model while the N Line is priced at R836 500.
7. Jaguar F-PACE SVR
We might be a bit late to the party as the Jaguar F-PACE SVR was launched in 2022, but the party continues with this animal. The most tamed wild cat is this 5.0 litre supercharged V8 which roars out 423kW and 700Nm that gets you from 0 - 100km/h in 4 seconds. Nothing is compromised in this vehicle, in fact it's the perfect combination of luxury family and premium performance SUV. This particular model was priced at just under R2 million when we tested it earlier this year, but the new Jaguar F-PACE SVR 575 edition which is the upgraded model will have you in the road from R2 204 400.
8. Kia Sportage GT Line S
Kia was very busy last year and we didn't manage to test the full new fleet so our first test for the year was an amazing start to the year with the Kia Sportage GT Line S. Although the Kia Sportage CRDi - the turbodiesel variant, was launched this year which we tested during the year, surprisingly (as I am a sucker for diesel engines) I still enjoyed the petrol version of this compact crossover SUV. We are seeing more in our roads as a result of the reasonable pricing with the entry level priced from R655 995 and the range topper Kia Sportage GT Line S with a price tag of R816 995.
9. Land Rover Defender 110
I'm always going to be biased when it comes to any Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR) product, but I have to put on my journalistic cap when testing these vehicles and more especially when it comes to our Top 20 list. The New Land Rover Defender 110 won our hearts when we first tested it in 2021 and the updated version have fixed some of the electronic issues we experienced, making it an even more pleasurable experience. Luxury, performance, comfort, and numerous terrain capabilities including snow, which we were blessed with driving through while testing the Defender 110 this year in Johannesburg, make it the perfect modern off-road midsize SUV. The Defender 110 SE base model starts from R1 546 700, while the X-Dynamic HSE which we tested is priced from R1 812 400.
10. Mahindra XUV700
Probably the most underrated brand in South Africa is Mahindra. We tested and enjoyed the Pik Up S11 4x4 Karoo Double Cab which made our Top vehicles list of 2022, and this year we were fortunate enough to drive the Mahindra Scorpio N and the All-New Mahindra XUV700. The XUV700 is the more refined version of the Scorpio N and perfectly suited for the modern active family who are not really looking to go off-road every weekend, but still have the comforts and capabilities of a 7-seater SUV. The entry level 5-seater XUV700 starts from R479 999, while the top of the range Mahindra XUV700 AX7L which we tested is priced from R569 999.
11. Mazda CX-3
One of the few naturally aspirated engine vehicles around come from Mazda. The thrill of the turbo kicking in is always fun on the newer vehicles, but the engineering and drive of a naturally aspirated engine is something I still enjoy. I always enjoy jumping into a Mazda because everything is user-friendly designed and the theme goes throughout the range. It has been a while since I drove a Mazda CX-3 I think 2018 was the last and I was impressed with all the new features this one has, making it a good stepping stone towards the CX-5. The price range is quite big with the entry level Active 6-speed Manual Transmission starting at R397 300, the Individual 6AT (6-speed automatic transmission) which we tested is priced at R520 600 and the top of the range Hikari 6AT sits at R541 900. At the time of publishing this article Mazda had a special offer of vehicles from R370 000 while stocks last.
12. Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC
Our first AMG on test and it was definitely worth the wait. The All-New Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC is a powerful turbo electrified mild hybrid 2.0 litre sedan pushing out 300kW of power with 500Nm of torque. It achieves acceleration from 0 - 100km/h in 4.6 seconds effortlessly. The comfortable Affalterbach performance seats, the elegant sporty design, and features like different drive modes, heads-up display and multibeam LED headlights make a pleasurable driving experience anytime of the day or night, and under any conditions. The Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC is priced at R1 653 400.
13. Mercedes-Benz A200 Hatchback
The New Mercedes-Benz A200 Hatch should be classified as an Extra Hot Hatch. The engine which is co-developed with Renault is a 1.3 litre turbocharged engine producing an insane 120kW and 270Nm, something I never dreamt of seeing in a 1.3 litre engine. While the petrol hatch is all about performance the diesel sedan variant A200d was one of the most fuel efficient vehicles I've tested to date, as we achieved a fuel consumption (combined cycle) of 3.5 litres per 100kms. The features and tech are baby C-Class-ish but still owning the A-Class badge for the younger market. The New Mercedes-Benz A200 hatchback is priced at R791 550.
14. Nissan Qashqai
Nissan launched the Qashqai in 2022 but we had the opportunity to test it at the beginning of this year. The overall design of the All-New Qashqai and the luxury creature comforts that it is equipped with make it a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV market. The Nissan Qashqai pricing starts from R568 200, with this particular model the top of the range Nissan Qashqai Acenta Plus Xtronic CVT priced at R670 600.
15. OMODA C5
The second Chinese automaker on our Top 20 list is from the Chery Group, and is the OMODA C5. The Compact Family SUV which competes with the likes of the BAIC Beijing X55 was surprisingly an excellent drive. I'm not a huge fan of CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) which the OMODA C5 has, but this didn't have that usual sewing machine sound and feel. It was also the first vehicle from China which I managed to get a decent fuel consumption from, and was actually lower than the 6.9 litres per 100km claims. The OMODA C5 comes fully loaded with the latest tech from for the base model R447 900 and the OMODA C5 Elegance which we tested is priced at R507 900.
16. Proton X90
Proton is back in South Africa and this year they launched their flagship SUV the Proton X90. We were fortunate enough to test the entire fleet, Proton X50, Proton X70, Proton Saga, and the Proton X90 back-to-back. My favorite of the range was the flagship Proton X90. The SUV which claims that up to seven adult passengers can be seated comfortably was achieved at the launch at the Festival of Motoring earlier this year. That wasn't the most impressive thing about the X90. Proton have developed a way to tune their 1.5TGDi (Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection) to fit the design and specifications of the X50, X70, and X90 without compromising any power or comfort. The X90 also has a 48 Volt Electric Motor Synergy (EMS) System which assisted in getting the best fuel consumption in the entire range. The captain seats in the second row, and premium luxury features which are usually found in vehicles priced over R1 million are standard in the Proton X90 with the entry level Standard trim priced at R559 900, and the range topper featured in the video above with a price tag of R679 900.
17. Range Rover First Edition
The Year of the Coronation would not be complete without us testing the Range Rover First Edition. Can you put a price tag on luxury like a 3.0 litre twin turbocharged engine, 23" rims, 24-way heated and cooled, massage electric front seats, 11.4" rear seat entertainment screens, powered gesture tailgate, soft door close, ClearSight interior rear view mirror, All Wheel Drive, Electronic Air Suspension with Dynamic Response, Electrical Towing Preparation and so much more? Well apparently you can from R3 246 100. Personally I feel the All-New Range Rover is worth every cent, even if you are going to add a few additional extras or upgrade some of the features and end up with a R3 537 000 price tag, which we had on the model that we tested.
18. Renault Clio V
All hail the manual transmission! The Renault Clio had me feeling like a young man who just got his license. While I enjoyed the power of the Captur and the fuel consumption of the Duster if I were to walk into a Renault dealership today I would probably leave with the New Renault Clio V. The overall sporty design and just feeling those gear changes in the manual transmission had me gaga over this French hatch. The 1.0 litre turbo pushes out 74kW with about 160Nm of torque which is more than enough power to have you zipping around town. The new Renault Clio has three trims; Life, Zen and Intens with the entry level Life priced at R312 999 and the range topper Intens which we tested sitting at R367 999.
19. Suzuki Grand Vitara
Suzuki launched four new vehicles this year, the Fronx, XL6, Jimny 5-Door and the Grand Vitara. While we were privileged enough to attend all the launches, we did not manage to have all on test this year. It probably was for the best because we would have ended up with 4 out of 20 top vehicles being Suzukis. The K15B engine is going strong, one of the reasons why Toyota is also using them in models like the direct competitor to this vehicle, the new Urban Cruiser. While we enjoyed both the Grand Vitara and Urban Cruiser the Suzuki's exterior design was top notch, and the subtle Suzukiness still came through in the Urban Cruiser, so much so that we sometimes forgot we were driving a Toyota. The Grand Vitara is equipped with a touchscreen infotainment screen with a reverse camera, and has the standard Suzuki SUV ground clearance which we love of 210mm. The 1.5 GL MT (Manual Transmission) starts from R347 900, while the model that we tested the 1.5 GLX 4AT (4-Speed Automatic Transmission) featured in the above video is priced at the attractive price of R427 900.
20. Toyota Vitz
Probably the best entry vehicle launched this year was the Toyota Vitz. Even though it is similar to the Suzuki Celerio, there is just some sort of appeal that has got me wanting to start a Vitz mod club and get a Vitz culture going in South Africa. The little hatch is not so little when it comes to the almost 300 litre luggage space and the integrated infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The perfect first car for a student or working person starting from the amazing price of R169 899.
Ziyaad Plaatjes is the Co-Founder of iloveza.com & Let's Torque ZA, the Founder of the After Fajr Grind Academy, a Radio Host for the longest running award-winning Motoring show in South Africa - Bumper2Bumper on Cii Radio, and a Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador, who was named one of Mail & Guardian's Top 200 Young South Africans in the Arts, Entertainment, Film & Media Category.
He is a Bachelor of Commerce Honours graduate and has been running businesses since the age of 13. Ziyaad is a social media fundi and content creator, but has taken on many roles in various industries over the years. With his entrepreneurial skills and vast knowledge he assists individuals and businesses to grow and achieve their goals.
Find him at: Instagram: @ziyaad_86 / @ilovezacom / @letstorqueza / @b2bcii X: @ziyaad86 / @ilovezacom / @letstorqueza / @b2bcii Facebook: iloveza.com / Let's Torque ZA LinkedIn: Ziyaad Plaatjes / iloveza.com YouTube: iloveza.com SoundCloud: iloveza.com TikTok: @ilovezacom / @b2bcii Threads: @ilovezacom iono.fm: Bumper2Bumper Hashtags: #AfterFajrGrind #iloveza❤️🇿🇦 #LetsTorqueZA #B2BCii #WheresDaddyZA E-mail: ziyaad@iloveza.com
