Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
One of the best-selling family of vehicles in the South African market, Toyota’s Land Cruiser range has been growing its reputation for go-anywhere, rugged reliability since the early ‘50s. Led by the mighty 300 SUV and complemented by the venerable 70 pick-up, it’s the Land Cruiser 250 (or Prado as it’s known in our part of the world) that continues to entice in terms of a middle-ground.
14 years after the current Prado was introduced, the all-new fifth-generation car is expected to arrive in South Africa in the first half of 2024. Longer and wider than the outgoing model, the big news is that the Prado now shares its modern platform and its 2 850 mm wheelbase with the Land Cruiser 300. In the smaller of the two packages, this means that the 250 gains interior space compared with the previous car, as well as narrower overhangs, front and rear. Toyota claims an impressive 31-degree approach angle and 22-degree departure angle for the new Prado. Also significant is a claimed 30 % increase in torsional rigidity.
Highlights of the car’s cabin include a 12,3-inch infotainment display, as well as similar-sized digital instrumentation.
Available in 5- or 7-seat configuration, at global launch the new Prado will be available with a selection of powertrain configurations, including for the first time, hybrid technology.
Suzuki Swift
With its long-established reputation for honest, value-packaged and notably efficient motoring, the Swift is arguably the best product that Suzuki currently produces.
Showcased in concept form at the recent Tokyo Mobility show, the next-generation Swift looks set to arrive in South Africa towards the middle of 2024. While the production model’s exterior styling is expected to broadly mimic that of the show car, this Japanese brand will also look to introduce as many of its newest driver assistance systems and infotainment solutions as possible to one of its best-selling vehicles.
There’s also talk that the Swift may be offered with a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine that incorporates mild-hybrid technology.
Mini Cooper
Ahead of its mandated all-electric future, the all-new Mini will arrive in South Africa in 2024, likely with a choice between a traditional turbopetrol motor or one of two battery-electric setups, each delivering considerably more range than was available in the first Mini SE. To this end, there’s talk that the new flagship Mini SE will feature a 54.2 kWh battery to offer a claimed range of up to 402 km.
Still instantly recognisable in terms of its famous exterior styling, the new Cooper will be complemented in our market by a similarly box-fresh Countryman derivative.
Boasting an altogether sleeker profile compared with the outgoing car, the big news in terms of the new Mini is its simplified, neater cabin that includes a frameless round central touchscreen display running BMW’s newest operating system.
Renault Captur
So unavoidably delayed was the introduction of the new generation Renault Captur into South Africa that an update of this otherwise impressive product is already scheduled to arrive before the middle of 2024.
Based on the current Clio (which is also being updated), the Captur is Renault’s entry into the ever-popular compact crossover segment that includes the likes of the Volkswagen T-Cross (also set for an update in 2024). Notably, both the Clio and Captur showcase a refocus by this French brand on interior material choice, as well as overall build quality.
Currently, the local range is made up of an entry-level Zen derivative, including 17-inch steel wheels, and a flagship Intens model that offers a broad selection of standard specification. This includes alloy wheels and the option of a contrast-colour roof.
The car will likely still be offered with the current range’s impressive 1.3-litre, four-cylinder turbopetrol motor and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen’s global best-selling vehicle, the all-new third-generation Tiguan features a full selection of LED lighting technologies – including light bars, front and rear – and will be offered with a set of the brand’s latest “ID.Light” adaptive headlamps.
A longer wheelbase compared with the current Tiguan allows for 37 litres more luggage space compared with before, but also a slight increase in rear passenger legroom.
Highlights of the new Tiguan’s interior include the placement of the car’s transmission lever onto the steering column to free up space on the centre console, the adoption of ambient lighting throughout the cabin and the fitment of the brand’s newest infotainment display and operating systems. The smallest display will be 12,9-inch in size, while top-of-the-range derivatives gain a 15-inch item.
Expected that the initial batch of cars that will launch in South Africa will feature the same engine line-up as in the current Tiguan range. This will include a 1.4 TSI petrol motor powering the front wheels only, a 2.0 TDI and 2.0 TSI with 4Motion all-wheel drive and eventually the new Tiguan R with its powertrain borrowed from the Mk8 Golf R.
