From the editor

Greetings CAR readers. Now that my rst CAR magazine (November 2020) is a distant re ection in the rear-view mirror, I guess it’s time to settle into something approaching the “new normal” for CAR in December. Chatting to this month’s featured columnist Alexander Parker – whose new book, 50 People Who F**ked Up South Africa: The Lost Decade, you have to read – he wanted to explore South Africa’s shifting middle class and what impact that has had on the nation’s buying patterns over the last decade. I’ll let him elaborate further on page 50 but, essentially, SUVS and crossovers (be they full-size or compact) are where the market is at right now. That’s why we’ve gone all-in on leisure-lifestyle vehicles this month.

There’s a erce face-off between Land Rover and Jeep on page 60 as we benchmark the new Defender against another 4x4 with legendary pedigree: the Wrangler Sahara Unlimited. These tests are ably supported by our rst drive of the new short-wheelbase Defender 90 on page 26 and Caravelle on page 30. An epic drive to the Tankwa Karoo awaits on page 32 in three luxury SUVS that have no business being out in the wilds of the Northern Cape.

Now, before you write in to tell us there are no affordable cars featured this month, don’t miss our comparative test between two high-riding hatchbacks that wish they were SUVS; the new Ford Figo Freestyle and upgraded Renault Sandero Stepway Techroad. For vehicles in the R250 000 price bracket, they have a lot to offer cash-conscious consumers. But one presents a little more than the other. Turn to page 70 to nd out the team’s pick.

I nearly forgot about our cover hero: the new Toyota Hilux. You’re de nitely going to want to read about the latest double cab from Prospecton on page 56. It’s funny … long before this magazine came together, Alex Parker mentioned how fortuitous I was to have an ultra-popular model like the Volkswagen Golf GTI grace my rst CAR cover. As we wrapped up our chat, almost as a throwaway line, he jokingly said, “Wouldn’t it be great if you could have a new Hilux on your second cover?” Well, all I can say is thanks for the good juju, Alex. The Toyota legend continues ...