Every new crossover launched in South Africa during 2023

Despite the economic downturn, crossovers continue to be a popular choice among South African buyers for their practicality and raised ground clearance. No fewer than 19 new or enhanced crossovers were launched in the country during the past year:

Ford Puma

Ford has returned to the popular mid-size crossover segment after focusing much on its bakkie and SUV offerings. The new Puma is aimed at customers who seek luxury items wrapped in a sporty coupe silhouette. Power is from a 1.0l three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 92kW and 170Nm. 

Prices: R569,900-R613,900

Warranty: four years/120,000km

Service plan (opt): five years/90,000km.

Pros: High level specification

Cons: Pricey

BMW X1

BMW polished its good-looking entry-level SUV into a winner. Two trim levels are on sale, the xLine and M Sports, and engines are a 1.5l three-cylinder petrol, a 2.0l four-cylinder diesel an full electric iX1.

Price: R788,045-R1,245,000

Warranty: two years/unlimited km

Maintenance plan: Five years/100,000km

Pros: Sophisticated, frugal, good looker

Cons: None

BYD Atto 3

Chinese debutant BYD launched the well-equipped and fully electric Atto 3. It is powered by a 150kW and 310Nm motor linked to a 49.92kWh or larger 60.48kWh battery, offering 320km and 420km of driving range, respectively.

Price: R768,000-R835,000

Warranty: five years/100,000km

Service plan: five years/100,000km

Pros: High level specification, electric

Cons: Pricey, range anxiety, unknown entity

Renault Captur

The new Renault Captur has the expected list of luxury and safety items and more, such as a steering wheel warmer that is handy in winter.

Price R479,999-R499,999

Warranty: five years/150,000km

Service plan: three years/45,000km

Price: R499,999

Pros: Refinement, frugality

Cons: Nothing sticks out

Cherry Tiggo 8 Pro Max

The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max, with more power from a 2.0l turbo petrol, is a performance seven-seat bargain. It has gained more luxury and sets itself apart with some cosmetic changes and a quartet of exhaust tips. 

Price: R669,900

Warranty: five years vehicle/10 years engine for the first owner

Service plan: five years/60,000km

Pros: Price, fits seven passengers

Cons: High fuel consumption

Cherry Tiggo 7 Pro Max

Chinese Chery also extended the Max treatment to the five-seater Tiggo 7 Pro that injects more power and features, including all-wheel drive underpinnings, as standard. 

Price: R529,900-R609,900

Warranty: five years vehicle/10 years engine for first owner

Service plan: five years/60,000km

Pros: Price, practicality,

Cons: High fuel consumption

Nissan X-Trail

The stalwart range returned in new-generation form this year packing new technologies and more room for passengers in five or seven passenger guise, and in front and all-wheel drive. Power is from a 2.5l four-cylinder petrol engine with outputs of 135kW and 244Nm.

Price: R794,900

Warranty: six-years/150,000km

Service plan: three years/90,000km

Pros: Functional, luxurious

Cons: Pricey at the top

Hyundai Tucson N Line AWD

The Hyundai Tucson range benefited from a new range-topper in the N Line. It features bolder styling cues and is powered by 2.0l diesel engine with outputs of 137kW and 416Nm paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Price: R815,900

Warranty: five years for the vehicle/150,000km vehicle; drivetrain seven years/200,000km.

Pros: Frugal diesel performance, practical

Cons: Noisy engine

Suzuki Fronx

The Suzuki Fronx offers trending features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and head-up display. The rest of the features such as air conditioning, electric windows add to the enjoyment of urban travel in a tough-looking little cookie. 

Price: R288,900-R344,900

Warranty: five years/200,000km

Service plan: four years/60,000km.

Pros: Affordable, well equipped, fun to drive

Cons: Not entirely family friendly

Opel Grandland

The range-topper benefited from aesthetic and specification upgrades in 2023. Expect new adaptive IntelliLux LED pixel headlights, a digital driver display, wireless charging and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. Power is by a 1.6l petrol turbo engine with 121kW and 240Nm, feeding the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

Price: R599,900-R720,900

Warranty: five years/100,000km

Service plan: five years/100,000km

Pros: Well specified

Cons: Expensive

Toyota Urban Cruiser

This best-seller morphed into a better looking and better specified bargain crossover in 2023. The new range gets 17-inch steel wheels, bi-halogen headlamps and Toyota Display Audio touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as part of features.

Pricing: R337,600-R379,100

Warranty: five years/100,000km

Service plan: five years/100,000km

Pros: Price, practicality, brand strength

Cons: Pricier than the car it replaces

Suzuki Jimny 5 door

The Jimny is a popular buy for its endearing looks and great off-road ability. The introduction of the four-door version means families no longer need to choose between rear passengers or luggage for long trips. 

Price: R429,900-R479,900

Warranty: five years/200,000km

Service plan: four years/60,000km

Pros: Price, Practicality 

Cons: Slow

Lexus UX

Revisions introduced in 2023 include an improved operating system, better handling and new colours inside and out. It remains a single range hybrid-electric drivetrain of a 135kW and 188Nm four-cylinder 2.0l petrol engine and a single-speed CVT transmission driving the front wheels in all models.

Price: R857,900-R1,005,200

Warranty: seven years/105,000km vehicle, eight years/195,000km hybrid battery

Maintenance plan: seven years/105,000km

Pros: Hybrid frugality, build quality

Cons: Costly, not that fast

Fiat 500X

The new 500X also debuted during the year with new technologies and an open-top derivative. It looks even better thanks to aesthetic tweaks, and is available in Cross, Sport and a Cross Sport EST (extended soft top) trims.

Price: R509,900-R580,900

Warranty: five years/100,000km

Service plan: three years/60,000km.

Pros: Looks good, functional, sporadic

Cons: A bit unrefined, not a full cabrio

Suzuki Grand Vitara

Suzuki launched its new Grand Vitara range in two model derivatives. Features include 17-inch alloy wheels, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reversing camera, automatic climate control, cruise control and a leather multifunction steering wheel.

Price: R347,900-R542,900

Warranty: five years/100,000km

Service plan: four years/60,000km

Pros: Price, family friendly

Cons: Small dealer footprint

Nissan Magnite EZ-Shift

Nissan started marketing the Magnite EZ-Shift range this year. These models are fitted with an automated manual transmission mated to a 53kW and 96Nm producing 1.0l three-cylinder motor. You can still get conventional manual and a CVT if you want. 

Price: R227,900-R358,800

Warranty: six years/150,000km

Service plan: three years/30,000km

Pros: Handsome, affordable

Cons: Build quality

Maserati Grecale

The Grecale finally went on sale during the year. It is a midsize premium crossover built to compete with the likes of Porsche’s Macan, Audi Q5 and Alfa Romeo Stelvio comprising three petrol-powered models and an electric Folgore version that’s still to come.

Price: R1,990,000-R2,920,000

Warranty: three years/unlimited km

Service plan: five years/100,000km

Pros: Exotic

Cons: Pricey

Citroën C3

French brand Citroën surprised with the new C3 crossover SUV. It’s a competitively priced alternative to the likes of Renault’s popular Kiger and Nissan Magnite. It’s powered by a 1.2l naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine with 61kW and 115Nm managed through a five-speed manual transmission only.

Price: R229,900

Warranty: five years/100,000km

Service plan: three years/60,000km

Pros: Affordable, functional

Cons: Single model, no automatic

Omoda C5

The Omoda needed little introduction when it debuted in 2023. The bold “diamond matrix” grille and wedge-shaped roofline did all the marketing work. It’s powered by a 1.5l petrol turbo engine with 115kW and 230Nm on tap and a continuously variable transmission.

Price: R442,900-R609,900

Warranty: five years for the vehicle/10 years, engine for the first owner

Service plan: five years/70,000km

Pros: High level of specification, bold looks, price

Cons: Unproven reliability