Entry level VW T-Cross could be the pick of the range
The T-Cross was set apart by the typical Volkswagen brand hallmarks, from sturdy on-road characteristics to a solid interior (even though certain surfaces were not all that plush), bolstered by punchy engines and attractive styling.
As expected, the model carried a more premium price tag versus rivals. While this was largely warranted from a quality and substance perspective, the level of standard specification, it was felt, could have been more generous.
That criticism was given further credence when players such as the Haval Jolion and Chery Tiggo 4 Pro came to town, offering a much longer list of goodies at prices that upstaged the German.
However, loyal fans continue to appreciate what the T-Cross represents. Even brand impartial shoppers without an allegiance concede to the strength of the Volkswagen emblem, its proven reputation in South Africa and the fact that its local manufacturing operations contribute greatly to the economy.
Though it is getting on in years, the T-Cross remains an important vehicle for the Volkswagen brand locally, boosting the compact end of the portfolio alongside the Polo Vivo and Polo. In 2027 the range will gain the Tera, which would realistically replace the T-Cross in Mzansi as the most attainable Volkswagen crossover.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
7 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Porsche and Aston Martin hike US prices to pass on cost of Trump tariffs
US tariffs have pummelled global carmakers, forcing companies such as GM, Volkswagen, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz to book billions of dollars of losses, issue profit warnings, slash forecasts and raise prices. Japanese carmaker Nissan reported a $535m (R9.69bn) loss on Wednesday, hit by US tariffs, restructuring and lower sales volumes. British sports car maker Aston Martin said it made incremental price increases in the US since last month, issuing a profit warning citing a hit from import tariffs and prolonged suppressed Asian demand. While bigger carmakers have so far held off, other sectors have seen price hikes as companies have looked to pass on the additional cost of tariffs. Analysts said larger carmakers could also increase prices in the second half of the year. 'Into the second half we are looking to gain additional visibility with regards to the ability of Mercedes-Benz and the rest of the premium original equipment manufacturers to increase prices in the US to offset the impact of tariffs,' JPMorgan said in a note. European carmakers are also getting less optimistic that they could seal extra sector-specific tariff reductions, resigned to dealing with the 15% rate. Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius told analysts on Wednesday the group was assuming tariffs would remain at 15%, throwing cold water on hopes companies may be able to negotiate individual deals. 'For all intents and purposes that global deal for now is it,' said Källenius, also president of Europe car lobby ACEA. Any side deals were 'very uncertain'. Volkswagen said last week it was hoping investment commitments could help it negotiate lower US tariffs. But Blume, also head of VW, suggested there would not be a separate US deal for the automotive sector. 'I agree with Ola Källenius' assessment that there will not be a separate automotive deal,' Blume said.
The Citizen
9 hours ago
- The Citizen
Kyalami Festival of Motoring gearing up as highlight of August
Tickets for the annual automotive showpiece are now on-sale. South Africa's biggest automotive showpiece, the Kyalami Festival of Motoring, returns to form at the end of August, with ticket now being available. Taking place from 29 to 31 August, the eighth edition of the now annual event will have vehicles exhibited from amongst others Toyota, Volkswagen, Isuzu, Suzuki, Mahindra, Subaru, Chery, BYD, BAIC, GAC, LDV, GWM Haval and MG. For some, it will mark the official debut of the exhibited product on South African soil ahead of the start of sales either at the end of the year or early next year. As before, the ever popular hot lap track driving experience returns, as does the self-driving opportunity on the in-field handling track, the 4×4 experience at the top section of the circuit, plenty of activities ranging from simulators to go-karts, plus a drifting showcase. In addition, early bird ticket buyers, i.e. before 00h00 on 3 August, will stand a chance of winning prizes worth R16 000. First: 2x VIP hot laps; Second: 2x VIP Experiences (minus hot lops); Third: 2x double passes to the Santam 'chill' pod As usual, the three-day event will be split into four sections, green, blue, yellow and red, and provide more than enough on-site non-motoring entertainment, as well as food stalls. Now loaded into ticket prices, per person, amount to the following: General Access: R295; General Access [children under four]: Free; General Access [children 4-12]: R82; General Access [pensioner 65+]: R260 Weekend Pass [all three days]: R700; Weekend Pass [pensioner 65+]: R665 Hosted by Santam, VIP Hospitality prices are as follows: Premium Hospitality with one hot lap: R4 200; Premium Hospitality with no hot lap: R2 200; Chill pod for kids under 5: Free Chill pod for kids under 5-12: R350; Chill pod for kids 12+: R850 Limited parking will be stationed at designated areas around the track, or alternatively, via a Park and Ride service departing from the Mall of Africa. Closing and opening times across the weekend are from 08h30 to 18h00. More information is provided at
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
South Africa's 20 best-selling SUVs in the first half of 2025: Chinese and Indian models gain ground
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro is South Africa's top selling Chinese vehicle, and second overall in the SUV rankings. Image: Supplied More than half of all passenger vehicles sold in South Africa are SUVs or crossovers, and their popularity continues to grow as buyers gradually part with their trusty hatchbacks and sedans. In 2024, SUVs accounted for almost 52% of the passenger vehicle market, up from 45.2% in 2021, the year in which these high-riders overtook hatchbacks as the most popular body type. But what are the most popular SUV models in South Africa? We strung together the Naamsa numbers from the first half of 2025, and some interesting trends became apparent - with Chinese and Indian-built models dominating the scene. South Africa's top selling SUVs in the first half of 2025. Image: Jason Woosey / IOL Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Of the 20 top-selling SUVs in South Africa, six are the products of Chinese brands and nine are imported from India, under the Toyota, Suzuki, Kia, Hyundai, and Mahindra brands. However, the Prospecton-built Toyota Corolla Cross emerged as South Africa's most popular SUV product by a healthy margin, with a monthly average of 1,596 units in the first half of 2025. The Cross received a facelift in early 2025, and its popularity continues to grow, with an impressive volume of 2,132 units recorded in June. It is one of just two locally produced SUVs in the top 20, the other being its Fortuner sibling. The Toyota Corolla Cross is the country's top-selling SUV. Image: Supplied China has two strong contenders, with the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro and Haval Jolion taking the second and fourth spots for the first half of 2025, with respective average monthly volumes of 1,216 and 1,064 units. Suzuki's Indian-built Fronx was the third best-selling SUV product in the first half, outselling its Toyota Starlet Cross sibling with a monthly average of 1,077 versus 865. The Omoda C5 has gained significant traction since 2024, as has India's Mahindra 3XO, which received a significant upgrade last year. Interestingly, only one European-built SUV made the top 20, with the Volkswagen T-Cross taking 12th place with a monthly volume of 520. Manufacturers losing ground to importers The crux of that matter is that importers are gaining traction in South Africa. Overall new light vehicle sales for the first six months of 2025 (all segments) are 13.6% ahead of the same period in 2024, according to Naamsa. However, while imports increased by 25.6%, with independent importers seeing a 33.4% rise, the local manufacturers saw their sales drop by 14% year to date. Chief executives such as Toyota's Andrew Kirby speak of a slow but steady deindustrialisation of the South African motor industry, and this is particularly evident when it comes to South Africa's top-selling vehicle type, the SUV. That being said, local manufacturers have come to rely on export contracts for vehicles such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Volkswagen Polo, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. IOL Motoring
