Land Rover Freelander TD4e S
R377 500
This is the first SUV in South Africa to offer stop-start technology – where the engine switches itself off automatically when the car is at a standstill in order to save fuel and reduce emissions, then switches itself on again automatically as soon as you touch the accelerator. Land Rover claim an 8% reduction in CO2 emissions and up to a 20% saving in fuel. Be that as it may, having your car’s engine suddenly die on you takes quite a bit getting used to, though you soon learn to trust its ability to start up again. It can also surprise you by starting up when you don’t expect it to, but this is in order to provide power for things like the air-conditioner, which you have to admit is good thinking.
Aside from being the first stop-start SUV in South Africa, the Freelander TD4eS is a lovely vehicle to drive. I found it terrific on the open road, with superb steering and an engine that pulls like a steam train. It’s no slouch off-road either, being equipped with Land Rover’s ground-breaking Terrain Response system and having 210mm of ground clearance as well as a wading depth of 500mm.
Land Rover Freelander TD4eS
4-door awd compact SUV with 2,2-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine and 6-speed manual gearbox; 0–100km/h in 11,7 seconds; top speed 181km/h; consumption 6,7l/100km (15km/l); seats 5; luggage 264–1112 litres, airbags 7
Volkswagen Golf GTi DSG
R331 800
You’ve got to take your hat off to the Golf GTi. Not only did the original version launch the now hotly contested hot hatchback segment, but every version since then has dominated this segment. And the new sixth generation GTi just continues the trend.
Ensuring that it does so is an engine that produces 8kW more power than in the previous GTi while reaching its maximum torque at lower revs – resulting in terrific acceleration and greater flexibility. The version reviewed was also fitted with VW’s excellent DSG automatic gearbox, which changes gears faster than a conventional automatic, in the process often evoking a sporty ‘pop’ from the engine that fits the GTi image to a T – as does the great exhaust note.
In similar vein, the new GTi boasts a sporty low ride height, a sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel and sport front seats. Working in conjunction with a fancy diff lock system and electronic stability control, the specially revised suspension provides awesome, sport-style roadholding as well.
To top it all, the new GTi is quieter and more streamlined than its predecessor and boasts superior materials inside.
VW Golf GTi DSG
5-door fwd hatchback with 2-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and 6-speed automatic gearbox; 0–100km/h in 7 seconds; top speed 240km/h; consumption 8,8l/100km (11,4km/l); seats 5; luggage 208–1008 litres; airbags 7
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