Expert Commercial Vehicle Reviews
Featured ReviewDriven: the new eActros 400Molsheim in eastern France isn't a place you'd immediately associate with heavy trucks – its reputation leans more toward fine wine and Bugatti hypercars. But the historic town has also been home to a Mercedes-Benz Trucks factory since 1967. And that’s exactly where we headed to drive the company’s latest electric truck, the new eActros 400.
23 Feb 2026| Charleen Clarke
Driven: the 2025 DAF XDC 410 FAD 8x4 tipper
During the recent Road Transport Expo in England (branded as RTX), we had the opportunity to hop behind the wheel of the new DAF XDC 410 FAD 8x4 tipper – and we discovered that it offers a level of refinement that would have been unthinkable in this class a decade ago.26 Jan 2026|Charleen Clarke
Driven: the Renault Estafette GendarmerieI’ve got to be honest: spending time in a police vehicle has never been high on my list of priorities. But, for a bunch of totally ridiculous reasons, a jaunt in a cop car (err…make that police van) was my favourite test drive of 2025. Here’s why…
05 Jan 2026|Charleen Clarke
Driven: Farizon SVFarizon is not a household name in South Africa – not yet, anyway. But the Chinese manufacturer is expanding aggressively, and its new SV electric van is destined for South Africa.24 Nov 2025|Charleen Clarke
Driven: the Volkswagen CrafterLike many celebrities, the Volkswagen Crafter has received a bit of a nip and a tuck. In the case of the van, this means it is now even safer and more comfortable.21 Oct 2025|Charleen Clarke
Driven: the WindroseThe Chinese are famous for launching vehicles with unusual names. Two of our personal favourites are the Great Wall Wingle and the GAC Trumpchi (which, we are sure, was available in orange). And recently, we got the opportunity to take a very short spin in the interestingly named Windrose.
29 Sep 2025|Charleen Clarke
Driven: MAN eTGX 4x2 BL SA Polar ExpressWe have driven a number of electric trucks before – but never one that had completed a 3,400-kilometre journey from the Arctic Circle in Sweden to Munich. That changed when we flew to Munich to drive the aptly named Polar Express.26 Aug 2025|Charleen Clarke
Driven: the Kia PV5Kia – a company that is synonymous with making stylish and funky passenger cars – has set its sights on the commercial vehicle market. Over the next couple of years, it will be launching a number of striking electric vans. The first is the PV5 – and we jetted to South Korea to drive it.29 Jul 2025|Charleen Clarke
Driven: Scania R 400E A4x2NBWe managed to secure test drives in no fewer than six vehicles – including the Scania R 400E A4x2NB electric truck.
04 Jul 2025|Charleen Clarke
Driven: South Africa’s first e-busLocal is lekker. That’s what the sign proclaimed on the MAN Lion’s Explorer E, the country’s first locally engineered, homologated, and produced electric commuter bus. But can this homegrown electric vehicle really compete with its international rivals?26 May 2025|Charleen Clarke
Driven: NQR 500
Tow trucks in South Africa carry a bit of a reputation – and not always a flattering one. But regardless of public perception, they remain an essential part of our transport ecosystem. So, what is it actually like to drive one? We got behind the wheel of the Isuzu NQR 500 tow truck to find out.29 Apr 2025|Charleen Clarke
Driven: the EFL 10T HVAnd now for a truck test with a difference! What’s it like to drive a seriously heavy-duty forklift? We experienced the EFL 10T HV during the IFOY Test Days in Dortmund, Germany.
31 Mar 2025|Charleen Clarke
Driven (sort of): the UD 6TW12And now for something completely different! Normally, our truck reviews begin with us firmly planted behind the wheel. Not this time. The UD 6TW12, a 1960s workhorse, is long retired – and, unfortunately, no one was about to hand us the keys. Instead, we admired it at the UD Experience Centre in Japan and found ourselves wondering: what would it have been like to drive one of Japan’s earliest heavy-duty trucks? 24 Feb 2025|Charleen Clarke
