Motoring

Discontinued in 2013 as a multipurpose vehicle, the Kia Carens makes its return in multi-utility vehicle guise, writes The Citizen’s Jaco van der Merwe.

After moving the goalposts in the bakkie segment last year, Chinese carmaker Changan is again raising the game with another newcomer, writes The Citizen’s Mark Jones.

Kia has finally entered the bakkie market and the highly-anticipated Tasman premium double cab is an important model for the Korean carmaker, writes The Citizen’s Mark Jones.

BYD has taken aim directly at the Toyota Corolla Cross and Chery Tiggo Cross with its new Atto 2 DM-i plug-in hybrid, writes The Citizen’s Mark Jones.

Jedrie Harmse put the QJMOTOR SRT 900 SX bike through its paces on both tar and gravel to discover exactly what this tough adventure tourer is actually capable of.

Chinese manufacturer GAC recently upped its striking Emzoom crossover SUV range to five variants with the addition of the new Nova grade. The Citizen’s Charl Bosch reports.

Motorcycles operate in harsh, unpredictable environments, and even well-maintained machines can develop issues. Jedrie Harmse offers some advice.

Mitsubishi’s local introduction of the Destinator could be considered a strategic move by the Japanese carmaker, writes The Citizen’s Jaco van der Merwe.

Foton South Africa unveiled its new Miler Lite range and Auman 560 6x4 Prime Mover at Nampo Harvest Day 2026 in Bothaville, Free State. The launch added light- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles for transport and agricultural use, reflecting the growing presence of Chinese truck brands in South Africa.

The Changan UNI-S SUV enters the local market with class‑leading specs, undercutting most of its rivals in terms of price, writes The Citizen’s Mark Jones.

Toyota showcased its upcoming new-generation Hilux range at Nampo 2026, with the first South African models expected from June. While the bakkie gains revised styling, improved refinement and mild-hybrid technology on selected models, Toyota has retained the proven diesel drivetrain and workhorse underpinnings that continue to make the Hilux a popular choice in the agriculture sector.

Land Rover showcased the Defender OCTA and Trophy Edition at Nampo 2026, linking modern off-road performance with the brand’s expedition heritage. The OCTA follows the Defender Dakar D7X-R’s Dakar Rally victory, while the Trophy Edition references earlier Camel Trophy-inspired expedition vehicles.

The Defender is Jaguar Land Rover’s best-selling local vehicle by a country mile. With a variety of body styles and powertrains on offer, buyers are spoiled for choice.

The Land Rover Defender 130 launched in 2023 as a capable eight-seater SUV. Recent updates have improved comfort and capability, albeit at the expense of one seat at optimal trim level.

For Farmer’s Weekly’s first review of a motorcycle imported from China, Jedrie Harmse spoke to Henri du Toit, founder of the Proudly Meerkat adventure rider group and a brand advocate for CFMOTO, to get his honest impression of the new CFMOTO 800MTX adventure bike.

Since introducing the Defender in 2020, Jaguar Land Rover has kept its British adventure brand fresh by introducing desirable model editions throughout the past five years. The latest two come in the form of the OCTA Black and Trophy Edition, writes The Citizen’s Jaco van der Merwe.

From the dusty tracks of the Kalahari to the muddy lanes of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Defender has earned its reputation through grit and reliability. Now, that legacy is being celebrated with a modern tribute to the world’s most iconic off-road challenges.

Toyota has applied its familiar mantra of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ in updating the Corolla Cross GR-Sport (GR-S), writes The Citizen’s Jaco van der Merwe.

The Suzuki Across was launched in South Africa in March to become the Japanese carmaker’s flagship SUV ahead of the Grand Vitara. The Citizen’s Charl Bosch reports.

With one bike, an open road, and no fixed plan, Peter Morey proves the best journeys are the ones you don’t overthink. He recently chatted to an old colleague, Jedrie Harmse, about his experiences.