Dream Mom-Mobiles and their More Sensible Alternatives

Us moms are always giving up our little luxuries in life so the kids can generally be better off, be it not buying that pair of sexy heels so the kids can play tennis, or do ballet, or eat! So if you can’t afford the car you really want (how many of us can?) here are those glamorous four-wheel fantasies’ more sensible replacements. Perhaps not as desirable, but fully capable of doing an excellent job, without pushing you into a bottomless pool of debt.

Splurge on the Mercedes-Benz GLS 350d (R 1 290 626)
A status symbol like no other, the V8 turbo-diesel GLS is the ultimate playground-parking-lot-mommy-mobile, with superb off-road capabilities and 620 Nm of torque if Dad needs a testosterone-filled, wild weekend away. The interior is a treat, no expense has been spared and every finish is of the highest calibre. Kids can watch movies or play games via the screens attached to the front seatbacks, if you select that option. The ride is exemplary, and thanks to adaptive / air suspension, you’ll be floating in and out of the school parking lot, looking down at your nose at the other parents. The GLS 350d also comes standard with heated seats, a 9G-Tronic auto ‘box and 9 airbags. But we’re talking megabucks here. The insanely quick GLS 500 is even more expensive at R 1 459 676, and the face-melting Mercedes-AMG GLS63 with 430 kW and 760 Nm will set you back R 2 266 052.

The Sensible alternative? A Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.8D 4x4 LTZ (R 624 300)
The sensible Chevy Trailblazer is an all-round clever solution. Recently face-lifted, the flagship LTZ-variant is super connected, and comes with the latest version of the user-friendly 2.0 MyLink Touchscreen Infotainment system and integrated satnav as standard. Standard voice control means you don’t need to fiddle with buttons. 2017 LTZ-models are fitted with safety tech such as Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Side Blind Alert and Rear-Cross Alert.

Whether you’re picking up the kiddos, embarking on a difficult 4x4-trail (the ‘Blazer has ALL the off-road tech and spec) or going on a shopping trip with six of your best friends, the leather-clad, seven-seat Trailblazer is a safe and luxurious bet. The 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine boasts 500 Nm of torque that makes serious off-roading a cinch for every gender. Flatten the 2nd and 3rd row of seats and you can even fit a large mattress into it! You can watch our video here.

Spend big on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (from R716 708)
One of the most ‘e-telligent’ cars on our roads, the E-Class exudes a quiet opulence. The interior is to-die-for: A large, rectangular flat screen flows into the instrument cluster, forming a high-technology cockpit-feel. Everything can be controlled from a mouse-like button on the steering wheel, that allows for direct scrolling. If you are a successful, executive/professional mom, the E-Class is an executive saloon that will suit your image. The E-Class was also the first car to get an autonomous driver’s license in Nevada, and our locally available E-Class can park itself without any assistance from you.If you prefer being chauffeured, the E-Class is very much suited to the rear passenger(s) with regards to space and comfort, and you can set temperature and the type of airflow to your exact preference.

You can pay half of that for the Toyota Corolla 1.8 Exclusive (R 336 300)
The recently facelifted Corolla is suaver than ever – the 1.8 Exclusive derivative we tested was a sublime drive. The powertrain is quiet and efficient – you don’t even hear it running at standstill, and it’s rev-happy too, with enough oomph for swift overtaking. The interior has been made posher, with more brushed aluminium details and a very grown-up, sophisticated look in general. The boot is gigantic enough for all family members’ luggage to comfortably fit inside. All in all, it’s a very refined vehicle and there’s a good reason it’s such a volume seller. And that reliable Toyota badge means it will hang on to its value if you need to sell it later.

Empty your wallet on the BMW X5 xDrive 40e eDrive PHEV (R 1 117 100)
This eerily quiet X5 will save you oodles of petrol, once you’ve parted with just north of a million bucks - that is if most of your driving is done in town, or if you’re a carpooling mom. If you frequently find yourself in traffic jams, BMW’s petro-electric plug-in hybrid is a fab fuel-saver, as it can run on 100 percent electricity for short distances – it’s not uncommon to drive to work on battery power alone. Zipping silently through the traffic is stupendous – the torque is available immediately. It’s a tranquil, cosseting ride and you will notice up to a 70% percent saving on fuel, if you don’t neglect charging it regularly. That battery does impinge on boot space, though – only 336 litres are available, and it seats only 5 people.

Rather consider the seven-seat Kia Sorento (from R457 995), or the new, more manageably sized Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi EX, at R 487 995 (pictured)
The spacious Sorento is luxurious, comfy extensively specced, but its recently launched smaller sibling, the new Kia Sportage, is quite a looker – having undergone some work recently which is hardly subtle, its new face has a wee bit of Porsche Cayenne and a pinch of Maserati Levante resemblance, methinks. The diesel Sportage will never attain the above mentioned X5 eDrive consumption figures in town, but wait till you hit the road for that 1000km round trip to Granny’s, where you’ll get 5.5 litres per 100 km (according to Kia).
The Sportage 2.0CRDi EX we tested, was fitted with divine dual-toned leather seats (elegant dove grey and black), affording the Sportage a much more classy-looking interior than the outgoing model. It’s a car that exceeds your expectations. Supremely comfortable, spacious, safe, high-tech and handsome, the new Sportage 2.0 CRDi EX (130kW /400Nm) won’t disappoint.

Splash out on the Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet (from R1 586 672)
Us womenfolk love the powerful V8’s gruff and guttural growl, the roof that lifts within a few short seconds, the curvaceous body shape, the blindingly beautiful carbon-fibre interior; not to mention one of the most drool-worthy sets of AMG Sport seats you’ll ever lower your behind onto; onlookers gawking and walking over for further inspection. Cool aluminium pedals beneath your feet, the sudden jolt as 375 kW and 700Nm hurtle you forward when those 8 cylinders take gluttonous breaths of fire... the list of pleasures is endless. The sense of occasion (and self-importance) that comes with driving a car of this stature, is priceless. But the flagship C63 S Cab is a pretty penny…

You can look just as hot in the Ford Mustang 2.3T Convertible auto (795 900)
If you must have a new cabriolet, the turbocharged Ford Mustang EcoBoost 2.3T Convertible auto is a much less expensive exercise, with the same kind of jaw-dropping looks, added cult status, as well as a much more easily digestible price. The Mustang’s safety rating has not been great, so if this is an issue, you can always wait for the soon-to-be-updated version. If you’re a motorhead-mama who absolutely can’t do without the unadulterated roar of a V8-engine, consider the Mustang 5.0 GT Convertible Auto, priced at R935 900 – still a fair bit cheaper than the above mentioned German cabrio.