Year: 2026

Lexus LS460: The Ultimate Luxury Barge on a Budget?

Michael Chiffey Jnr
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A very brief overview and ownership of a 2007 Lexus LS460 When the LS460 launched in 2007, it was praised for its modern design and incredible comfort. Being Lexus’s flagship model, the LS had some impressive engine tech. The engine itself is a technical marvel, and I could write an article just on the engine, but that would be incredibly boring. The very sophisticated powerplant was paired to a Lexus first — an 8-speed automatic, which at the time had never before been seen in a passenger car. The LS…

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Got R300k? These are the used cars I’d buy instead of going new

Car and Bike SA
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Got R300k? These are the used cars I’d buy instead of going new If you’ve got around R300,000 to spend on a car, buying new isn’t necessarily the smartest thing you can do with your money. We’ve already looked at the best new cars available for under R300,000, but the used market tells a rather different story. Instead of a small hatchback with an entry-level specification, R300,000 gets you into proper compact SUVs, larger family cars, automatic transmissions, better equipment and, in some cases, cars that originally cost considerably more…

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Got R300k? These Are the Best New Cars You Can Buy in South Africa

Car and Bike SA
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The best new cars you can buy for under R300,000 in South Africa right now If you have R300,000 to spend on a new car in South Africa, you are no longer shopping in a market where the answer is simply “buy the cheapest thing you can find”. There are some genuinely good cars available for less than R300,000 in 2026. In fact, the choice is probably better than it has been for some time, with established names such as Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai and Kia being challenged by newer…

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Toyota Starlet jumps from zero to four stars after six-airbag safety upgrade

Car and Bike SA
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Toyota Starlet Safety Rating Jumps From Zero to Four Stars The Toyota Starlet has gone from a concerning zero-star safety rating to four stars for adult occupant protection in the latest Global NCAP #SaferCarsForAfrica crash tests, following a significant safety upgrade that makes six airbags standard. The result is a major turnaround for one of South Africa’s most popular entry-level cars. When Global NCAP tested the two-airbag version of the Starlet in May, it awarded the hatchback zero stars for adult occupant protection and three stars for child occupant protection.…

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Jetour Confirms 475 kg Payload Capacity for T1 and T2

Car and Bike SA
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Jetour South Africa has confirmed that the approved payload capacity for applicable T1 and T2 models is 475 kg, including the driver. The revised rating also applies to qualifying existing vehicles already on South African roads.

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Toyota bZ4X and bZ4X Touring Launch in South Africa – Pricing, Range, Specs & Features

Car and Bike SA
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Toyota South Africa has officially entered the dedicated battery-electric SUV market with the launch of the Toyota bZ4Xand the new bZ4X Touring. The two all-electric SUVs share the same platform but cater to different buyers, with the standard model aimed at everyday driving and the Touring offering more space, performance and practicality for families and adventure enthusiasts. The launch marks another step in Toyota’s local electrification strategy, joining the Corolla Cross Hybrid and RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid as the brand continues expanding its range of new-energy vehicles. Toyota bZ4X and bZ4X…

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Polo GTI Edition 20 debuts in South Africa with 147kW

Car and Bike SA
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The Polo GTI Edition 20 has been introduced in South Africa as a limited-run derivative, with just 400 units allocated locally. The special edition marks 20 years since the first Polo GTI arrived in the market, while also aligning with broader milestones for Volkswagen, including the Polo’s global 50-year anniversary. At R605,700, the Polo GTI Edition 20 positions itself against compact performance hatchbacks such as the BMW M135i xDrive and Mercedes-AMG A35, although at a notably lower price point. While not directly comparable in outright performance, the Polo GTI continues…

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Renault Triber Express III LCV Launches in South Africa

Car and Bike SA
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The Renault Triber Express III LCV has been introduced in South Africa as a compact, cost-effective solution for small businesses, fleet operators and urban delivery services. Positioned as an entry-level light commercial vehicle, the Renault Triber Express III LCV combines passenger-car comfort with practical load-carrying capability. Renault Triber Express III LCV Load Capacity and Practicality Designed around efficiency and usability, the Renault Triber Express III LCV offers a 1500-litre load area and a payload capacity of 542kg. Rear side access doors improve loading convenience in tight urban environments, while the…

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Lexus RZ 500e launches in South Africa with 280kW AWD from R1.65m

Car and Bike SA
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The Lexus RZ 500e has officially launched in South Africa, marking the brand’s first purpose-built battery electric vehicle (BEV). Pricing starts at R1 649 400, positioning it directly against the likes of the BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV and select derivatives of the Audi Q8 e-tron. Unlike hybrid adaptations, this is a ground-up EV built on a dedicated electric platform. For Lexus South Africa, it signals a structural shift: electrification now defines the product architecture rather than supplementing it. Lexus RZ 500e pricing and range structure The local line-up comprises…

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Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio Returns to South Africa: Giulia & Stelvio Performance Models

Car and Bike SA
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Alfa Romeo has reopened orders for its flagship Quadrifoglio models, the Giulia and Stelvio, in South Africa, extending production through 2027 to meet demand from enthusiasts. The Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio continues to represent the brand’s highest-performance DNA, combining 520hp V6 engines with racing-inspired design and lightweight construction. Said Alfa Romeo CEO Santo Ficili: “We’re reopening orders for the Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio to keep a promise made to customers who value extreme performance and the pure emotions inherent in Alfa Romeo’s DNA.” 520hp Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio V6 Both models are…

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Nissan South Africa Introduces All-New Gravite Amid Rising Chinese Competition

Ray Stewart
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The Nissan Gravite has officially launched in South Africa as the brand looks to regain market share in an increasingly competitive environment dominated by Chinese manufacturers. It has already taken the decision to sell its local manufacturing plant and in the future import product which has been built in its Indian factory. (Ironically, the buyer of the SA plant is the Chery Auto group a Chinese competitor to Nissan). In an effort to try and regain some lost market share Nissan is bringing to South Africa the all-new Indian built…

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