Feature
All the crossover models launched in SA during 2023
Here's what was launched and enhanced during the past year, and each model's pros and cons
Despite the economic downturn, crossovers continue to be a popular choice among SA buyers for their practicality and raised ground clearance. No less than 19 new or enhanced crossovers were launched in SA during the past year:
Ford Puma
Ford has returned to the popular mid-size crossover segment after focusing much on its bakkie and SUV offerings. The new Puma is aimed at customers who seek luxury items wrapped in a sporty coupe silhouette. Power is from a 1.0l three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 92kW and 170Nm.
Prices: R569,900 — R613,900
Warranty: four years/120,000km
Service plan (opt): five years/90,000km.
Pros — High level specification
Cons — Pricey
BMW X1
BMW polished its good-looking entry-level SUV into a winner. Two trim levels are on sale, the xLine and M Sports, and engines are a 1.5l three-cylinder petrol, a 2.0l four-cylinder diesel an full electric iX1.
Price: R788,045-R1,245,000
Warranty: two years/unlimited km
Maintenance plan : Five years/100,000km
Pros — Sophisticated, frugal, good looker
Cons — None
BYD Atto 3
Chinese debutant BYD launched the well-equipped and fully electric Atto 3. It is powered by a 150kW and 310Nm motor linked to a 49.92kWh or larger 60.48kWh battery, offering 320km and 420km of driving range, respectively.
Price: R768,000 — R835,000
Warranty: five years/100,000km
Service plan: five years/100,000km
Pros — High level specification, electric
Cons — Pricey, range anxiety, unknown entity
Renault Captur
The new Renault Captur has the expected list of luxury and safety items and more, such as a steering wheel warmer that is handy in winter.
Price R479,999-R499,999
Warranty: five years/150,000km
Service plan: three years/45,000km
Price: R499,999
Pros — Refinement, frugality
Cons — Nothing sticks out
Cherry Tiggo 8 Pro Max
The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max, with more power from a 2.0l turbo petrol, is a performance seven-seat bargain. It has gained more luxury and sets itself apart with some cosmetic changes and a quartet of exhaust tips.
Price: R669,900
Warranty: five years vehicle/10 years, engine for the first owner
Service plan: five years/60,000km
Pros — Price, fits seven passengers
Cons — High fuel consumption
Cherry Tiggo 7 Pro Max
Chinese Chery also extended the Max treatment to the five-seater Tiggo 7 Pro that injects more power and features, including all-wheel drive underpinnings as standard.
Price: R529,900-R609,900
Warranty: five years vehicle/10 years engine for 1st owner
Service plan: five years/60,000km
Pros — Price, practicality,
Cons — high fuel consumption
Nissan X-Trail
The stalwart range returned in new-generation form this year packing new technologies and more room for passengers in five or seven passenger guise, and in front and all-wheel drive. Power is from a 2.5l four-cylinder petrol engine with outputs of 135kW and 244Nm.
Price: R794,900
Warranty: six-years/150,000km
Service plan: three years/90,000km
Pros — Functional, luxurious
Cons — Pricey at the top
Hyundai Tucson N Line AWD
The Hyundai Tucson range benefited a new range-topper in the N Line. It features bolder styling cues and is powered by 2.0l diesel engine with outputs o 137kW and 416Nm paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Price: R815,900
Warranty: five years for the vehicle/150,000km vehicle; drivetrain seven years/200,000km.
Pros — Frugal diesel performance, practical
Cons — Noisy engine
Suzuki Fronx
The Suzuki Fronx offers trending features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and head-up display. The rest of the features such as air conditioning, electric windows add to the enjoyment of urban travel in a tough-looking little cookie.
Price: R288,900-R344,900
Warranty: five years/200,000km
Service plan: four years/60,000km.
Pros — Affordable, well equipped, fun to drive
Cons — Not entirely family friendly
Opel Grandland
The range-topper benefited from aesthetic and specification upgrades in 2023. Expect new adaptive IntelliLux LED pixel headlights, a digital driver display, wireless charging and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. Power is by a 1.6l petrol turbo engine with 121kW and 240Nm, feeding the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.
Price: R599,900-R720,900
Warranty: five years/100,000km
Service plan: five years/100,000km
Pros — Well specified
Cons — Expensive
Toyota Urban Cruiser
This best-seller morphed into a better looking and better specified bargain crossover in 2023. The new range gets 17-inch steel wheels, bi-halogen headlamps and Toyota Display Audio touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as part of features.
Pricing: R337,600-R379,100
Warranty: five years/100,000km
Service plan: five years/100,000km
Pros — Price, practicality, brand strength
Cons — Pricier than the car it replaces
Suzuki Jimny 5 door
The Jimny is a popular buy for its endearing looks and great off-road ability. The introduction of the four-door version means families no longer need to choose between rear passengers or luggage for long trips.
Price: R429,900-R479,900
Warranty: five years/200,000km
Service plan: four years/60,000km
Pros — Price, Practicality
Cons — Slow
Lexus UX
Revisions introduced in 2023 include an improved operating system, better handling and new colours inside and out. It remains a single range hybrid-electric drivetrain of a 135kW and 188Nm four-cylinder 2.0l petrol engine and a single-speed CVT transmission driving the front wheels in all models.
Price: R857,900-R1,005,200
Warranty: seven years/105,000km vehicle, eight years/195,000km hybrid battery
Maintenance plan: seven years/105,000km
Pros — Hybrid frugality, build quality
Cons — Costly, not that fast
Fiat 500X
The new 500X also debuted during the year with new technologies and an open-top derivative. It looks even better thanks to aesthetic tweaks, and is available in Cross, Sport and a Cross Sport EST (extended soft top) trims.
Price: R509,900-R580,900
Warranty: five years/100,000km
Service plan: three years/60,000km.
Pros — Looks good, functional, sporadic
Cons — A bit unrefined, not a full cabrio
Suzuki Grand Vitara
Suzuki launched its new Grand Vitara range in two model derivatives. Features to be had include 17-inch alloy wheels, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reversing camera, automatic climate control, cruise control and a leather multifunction steering wheel.
Price: R347,900-R542,900
Warranty: five years/100,000km
Service plan: four years/60,000km
Pros — Price, family friendly
Cons — Small dealer footprint
Nissan Magnite EZ-Shift
Nissan started marketing the Magnite EZ-Shift range this year. These models are fitted with an automated manual transmission (AMT) mated to a 53kW and 96Nm producing 1.0l three-cylinder motor. You can still get conventional manual and a CVT if you want.
Price: R227,900-R358,800
Warranty: six years/150,000km
Service plan: three years/30,000km
Pros — Handsome, affordable
Cons — Build quality
Maserati Grecale
The Grecale finally went on sale during the year. It is a midsize premium crossover built to compete with the likes of Porsche’s Macan, Audi Q5 and Alfa Romeo Stelvio comprising three petrol-powered models and an electric Folgore version that’s still to come.
Price: R1,990,000-R2,920,000
Warranty: three years/unlimited km
Service plan: five years/100,000km
Pros — Exotic
Cons — Pricey
Citroën C3
French brand Citroën surprised with the new C3 crossover SUV. It’s a competitively priced alternative to the likes of Renault’s popular Kiger and Nissan Magnite. It’s powered by a 1.2l naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine with 61kW and 115Nm managed through a five-speed manual transmission only.
Price: R229,900
Warranty: five years/100,000km
Service plan: three years/60,000km
Pros — Affordable, functional
Cons — Single model, no automatic
Omoda C5
The Omoda needed little introduction when it debuted in 2023. The bold “diamond matrix” grille and wedge-shaped roofline did all the marketing work. It’s powered by a 1.5l petrol turbo engine with 115kW and 230Nm on tap and a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Price: R442,900-R609,900
Warranty: five years for the vehicle/10 years, engine for the first owner
Service plan: five years/70,000km
Pros — High level of specification, bold looks, price
Cons — Unproven reliability