2019 in Reviews: The Cars and The Monsters

Not all cars are created as equals, but that doesn’t mean that small city cars are any less important than luxurious speed monsters to our eyes. 2019s reviews cover the whole spectrum, from budget wheels to extremely expensive exotica, and they were all subjected to the same critical eyes. In this recap, we bring you the highlights and let-downs of our review roster for the past year.

Martin Pretorius

30 Dec 2019 · 19:04Automotive News

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Hatchbacks and sedans.

We’re talking about unassuming workaday machines here – the kind that gets you to work and your kids to sports practice. And, while these market segments seldom produce anything truly eye-opening, there were still some very good cars which found their ways into a generally pedestrian marketplace. Some of the better ones might even surprise you!

Audi A1

A very recent arrival to our shores, the new Audi A1 is a small car that made a very big impression on Ané Theron: “Usually I prefer sensible SUVs because of their everyday practicality, but after the sheer joy of driving the A1 40T FSI all week, I didn't want to go back to the proverbial automotive suburbia. If you can afford to spend a fair bit of cash on a small German car, the A1 is the one. Trust me.”

BMW 3 Series (G20)

In spite of the new BMW 3 Series being loaded with (optional) self-driving technology, it’s also the most driver-focused one in many generations. “We feel that, while it's crammed to the brim with tech, it echoes the driver-orientated approach of the years gone by, something that many felt was lacking from the last few versions of the company's best-selling sedan.”

Ford Mustang

We made a nice video to tell you all about the latest Ford Mustang. It’s still an old-school muscle car with the V8 soundtrack to match, but there’s also a lot of modern technology to bring this cruiser into the 21^st Century.

Ford Figo

Even though the Figo is Ford’s local entry-level model, it’s also available with a decent amount of bells and whistles. We drove a hatchback Figo in range-topping Titanium trim, and found it to be good value. “The little Figo is more than agreeable, and in a way is managing to stand on its own two feet, away from the Fiesta on which it is based. There's just enough tech in it to keep it relevant and fresh by today's standards and the new engine should prove to provide many years of hassle-free motoring.”

Honda Amaze

Unashamedly unassuming and without being particularly brilliant in any specific area, the Honda Amaze nonetheless offers decent value for money, and should lure a new generation of customers to the Honda brand. “That’s where the Amaze really excels: wooing new buyers into Honda showrooms. It may yet prove wise to keep these ugly ducklings around.”

Jaguar I-Pace

It’s part-crossover, part-sports hatchback, and all-electric. Our video review looks at everything the I-Pace has to offer, and illustrates how we need to think differently to make electric vehicles work.

Kia Rio

Ané Theron reviewed the updated Kia Rio in range-topping TEC Auto trim, and found many virtues in this compact hatchback. “The Rio is superbly comfortable, spacious, well-bolted together and laden with convenience features. While not cheap, it does carry a better warranty than its main rival, the VW Polo, and is rather nice to look at as well. It's hard to find fault with the Rio if stylish, reliable motoring is what you're after.”

Lexus RC350

We reviewed Lexus’s sporty coupé and found it to be an individualist’s choice – and very far removed from its German opponents. “Vehicles like the RC350 F Sport are a rare opportunity for drivers to express themselves in a unique way”, says Lawrence Minnie. It might not appeal to everyone, but should prove to be very attractive to those who want something out of the ordinary.

Mazda3

While there are some glaring flaws in the new Mazda3’s package, it remains a very likeable car, and it’s really good-looking as well. Chad Lückhoff summarised his review thus: “There are elements that I wish were different, but as a package, the Mazda3 is a tough one to beat. It offers a mature drive that is practical, safe and stylish with the added peace-of-mind that comes with Mazda's renowned reliability.”

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Much like the old one, the new Mercedes-Benz CLA occupies its own niche in the marketplace: that of a fairly conventional but sleeker-looking alternative to other premium brands’ entry-level 4-door models. But is it still relevant, now that there’s an equally new A-Class sedan, with better cabin space and a less-confrontational design?

Mercedes-Benz B-Class

We enjoyed spending time with the latest B-Class, and found it to address some of our issues with its A-Class sibling. “By going from A to B, it embraces its smaller sibling’s dynamic character, takes great strides in comfort and technology, and sprinkles a dash of extra practicality on top. It’s everything we enjoy about the equivalent A-Class, and fewer of the things we don’t.”

Nissan Micra

Nissan quietly added new derivatives to their latest Micra range, with extra in-car tech and more safety features. (Another new model also adds more power, but this review covers the top-trim variant with the smaller engine) The enhancements may be subtle, but they certainly expand the new Micra’s appeal even further.

Opel Corsa

Our review of the Corsa’s new range-topping GSi derivative reminded us that this is still a very appealing car – if only the ride quality was a bit better, it would make a lovely (if not terribly sporty) daily driver that looks the business.

Peugeot 108

Our review of the little Peugeot 108 found that it makes for a perfectly capable city car with excellent safety features and amazing fuel economy, but also found it lacking in some other areas. “Just for its focus on safety at the price (and its attractive face), we’ll give it the thumbs up. But buyers who frequently do long trips, are in a hurry, or carry more than one large passenger, probably shouldn’t sign on the dotted line…”

Renault Kwid

Even before its recent facelift, the Renault Kwid proved to be popular among local buyers. We reviewed an ABS-equipped example in this video, to try and figure out why they sell so well, and came up with some thought-provoking answers.

Renault Sandero

The Sandero has always been very popular for the value for money it offers. In Stepway Plus form, this small hatchback scores some additional features which make it even more appealing. “Overall, the Renault Sandero Stepway is a nice surprise. It has a modest image that has been nicely enhanced with styling and safety add-ons”, says Stuart Johnston.

Suzuki Ciaz

In her review, Ané Theron called the updated Suzuki Ciaz a business sedan on a budget. It’s easy to understand why, because, in her words, “The Ciaz is a fabulous first or second car for a young professional who values their budget, but who doesn't want to skimp on quality, and it looks a little different from everything else that's out there.”

Suzuki Ertiga

After reviewing the Suzuki Ertiga, we found it to be very good at its intended purpose: transporting up to 7 people in comfort, without breaking the bank in the process. “Its virtues far outweigh its unfashionable body type, and its broad spread of positive attributes means that those few people who end up buying an Ertiga will definitely not regret their decision.”

Toyota Corolla Hatch

Probably one of the nicest surprises of this year, the new Corolla Hatch has excellent driving dynamics, a very capable little engine, and really arresting looks. Its only real downside lies in its compromised boot space: “The new Corolla surprises and delights. While the Auris was a good, sensible choice, the new Corolla Hatch brings oodles of sparkle, and offers the driver and passengers functionality as well as excitement.”

The Storming Performers.

We’ve also had a good-sized helping of high-performance machines pass through our hands in 2019. The sheer speed on offer is mind-blowing in itself, but it’s the ease with which these stormers make their performance available that really impressed us. There were still some hairy-chested beasts among them, though...

Audi RS4 Avant

The spec sheet reads like any speed freak’s naughtiest dream: a twin-turbo V6 engine with oodles of power and a mountain of torque, an 8-speed automatic gearbox to keep that engine on the boil, and permanent all-wheel drive to send every single pony to the tarmac. It’s very, very quick on any surface, but its no-fuss competence may leave hooligans yearning for more drama.

BMW M2 Competition

We’ve been privileged to sample a slew of high-performance BMWs this year, but the M2 Competition is undoubtedly the most driver-focused one of them all. With its slightly detuned M3 engine, track-biased suspension, and the appropriate cosmetic enhancements, this pint-sized monster could be a handful for a timid driver, but that only makes it all the more appealing.

BMW M5 Competition

The BMW M5 Competition retains the virtues of the “regular” M5, but turns them all up to 11. “The Competition model builds on the M5 foundation but manages to do so without compromising the appeal of the regular M5 – its manageability and flexibility. It's a 4-door cruiser with enough space for several sets of golf clubs, and yet it will still rocket to 200 km/h in a fraction over 10 seconds”, says Chad Lückhoff.

BMW M850i

It might not be a full-blown M-car, but this large luxury coupé still has a fearsome turn of speed. That it’s so easy to drive fast and so opulent on top of everything else simply boggles the mind. “It’s a serious machine, and represents the current state of the petrol-powered performance car art. There’s really almost nothing else quite like it...”

Lexus RC-F

Chad Lückhoff found the perfect blend of performance, handling, and charm in the revised Lexus RC-F. It certainly pushed all the right buttons to make him want one: “The RC-F is a memorable car for all the right reasons. The quirks just make it that little bit special, and add a character that is sorely lacking in many of its European counterparts. It has a wonderful soundtrack, more than enough poke to get you into serious trouble, and as much comfort as you could ever want in a sports coupe.”

Mercedes-AMG E53

It might occupy the second tier as far as AMG-badged E-Classes are concerned, but that doesn’t mean that the E53 Coupé doesn’t do all the proper AMG things: it pops and bangs and gurgles, packs a serious punch, and looks the business. “Considering the sheer speed always on tap, and the genuine usability of all that performance, it makes one wonder if there’s really any need for a V8 at all.”

Nissan GT-R

Highly evolved after 11 years in production, the latest Nissan GT-R experiences a slight shift in focus, to become a proper GT car instead of just a high-performance machine. That doesn’t mean that it’s become slower, mind you...

Subaru WRX

Blurring the lines between a conservative family car and an all-surface cruise missile, the latest Subaru WRX is still the great all-rounder it’s always been. There are some issues with the specification levels of the cars sold in South Africa, though.

Volkswagen Golf R

It’s been updated for the umpteenth time, which left us wondering what’s really new for the 2019 edition of the Golf R. This video tries to figure out the mystery, and demonstrates that a GTI ClubSport may just be the better car.

Toyota Supra

Some purists might bemoan the new Supra’s mixed genetic make-up, but that doesn’t diminish the astounding driving pleasure to be found behind its steering wheel. In fact, the only way anyone could say that they don’t like the Supra, is if they haven’t driven one yet. Spending time with the Supra was one of our highlights for 2019, and this review explains why.

Recommended next:

Shop new or used family sedans and hatchbacks here.

Shop new or used coupés and cabriolets here.

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2019 in Reviews: The Cars and The Monsters

Hatchbacks and sedans.

The Storming Performers.

Meet the team