SA Roadtests
South Africa
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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive
South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Many of the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.
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Posted: July 18, 2022
The numbers
Prices: R336 999 (W8 diesel). Others range from R234 999 to R316 999
Engine 1: 1197 cc, four-cylinder turbopetrol
Power: 81 kW at 5000 rpm
Torque: 200 Nm between 2000 and 3500 rpm
0-100 km/h: n/s
Top speed: 175 km/h
Car magazine Fuel Index: 7.6 l/100 km
Engine 2: 1497 cc, four-cylinder turbodiesel
Power: 85.8 kW at 3750 rpm
Torque: 300 Nm between 1500 and 2500 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 12.3 seconds
Top speed: 175 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 6.3 l/100 km
Tank (all): 42 litres
Luggage: 257 - 650 litres
Standard tyre: 215/55R17 Bridgestone Turanza
Spare: Full size steel
Turning circle: 10.6 metres Ground clearance: 180 mm
Warranty: Five years / 150 000 km, with roadside assistance
Service plans: Three years / 50 000 km for W4, Five years / 90 000 km for W6 and W8Thanks to a recent revamp, some things changed while others remained the same; body, suspension, braking, six-speed manual gearbox and engines. Redone inside. And one new model - slotting in at just above entry-level - so say “Welcome” to W4 Special Edition (SE). Its R10 000 price bump buys alloy wheels and a nine-inch touchscreen setup, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, to replace the basic radio with CD player and Bluetooth.
Standard equipment at W4 level includes two airbags, powered windows and mirrors, fabric upholstery, standard air conditioner, ABS disc brakes front and rear with EBD and stability control, ISOFix mountings with top tethers, and electric power steering. There is only one engine; a 1.2-litre turbopetrol machine developing 81 kilowatts and 200 Newton-metres.
W6, for R27 000 more, ups the game with satnav, keyless access, rear window wiper, cruise control and multi-function steering wheel. The engine choice expands to include a 1.5-litre turbodiesel putting out 85 kW and 300 Nm. This motor adds R20 000 to prices of relevant model lines.
W8: R50 000 more money in each case and same engines, but kit upgrades include five more airbags, dual zone climate control, automatic lights and wipers, parking distance control, reversing camera, cornering brake control, emergency braking assistance, hill hold, leatherette upholstery and panoramic glass sunroof.
Interiors across the range are now all-black because it looks more luxurious and doesn’t show kid marks quite as clearly. Dash and instruments remain unchanged.
The test machine was a W8 diesel so I can comment only on that. Like most small engines, performance can be quite peppy but the gearbox needs rowing to get the best out of it. Handling is sure-footed; steering (three modes – comfort, normal and sport) is precise; the gearbox is butter-smooth, with the lever at a comfortable reach; the RHD handbrake works cleanly and feels solid; there are two USBs and a 12-volt socket; HVAC controls are easy to use; there’s adequate storage throughout the cabin and both visor mirrors are lit.
Don’t-likes: The storage box in the centre console gets in the way of comfortable handbrake operation and the clutch pedal is situated too far to the left, leaving no clear spot in which to park big left feet.
The boot loads at 84 cm over a lip that’s either six- or 19 centimetres deep, depending on whether the base board is raised for hidden storage or lowered for maximum packing space. There are no lights, bag hooks or lashing rings. The seatback splits 40:60 and folds flat when the board is in its upper position.
Headroom scores a comfortable 8/10 for tall backseat riders but knee- and foot space is tight. Amenities include two map “pockets” consisting of elastic straps, an armrest with cup holders, three head restraints, full belts and a second, centrally placed courtesy lamp. The floor is almost flat so the middle child can get reasonably comfortable.
XUV 300 is packed with cool features and is reasonably priced. Co-pilot loved it but I’m not convinced – those “don’t-likes” would spoil it for me.
Test unit from Mahindra South Africa press fleet
We drove the previous model in 2019
This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is thoroughly researched, given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.
I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.
If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.
Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles. And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.
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SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8