Cars.co.za report offers interesting insights
Cars.co.za recently launched Industry Report 2026 at its DealerCon summit, offers insight into the forces shaping South Africa’s vehicle market.
- Dealer News
- 22 September 2026
Suzuki hosted the 4WD To the Max challenge to showcase models in the Suzuki range’s capabilities. The event was held at the ADA Training and Outdoor Centre, which offers multiple training courses.
The range of vehicles used during the event includes a performance-orientated Swift Sport in a timed skidpan challenge to show its Go-Kart like handling skills. The offroad capabilities of the Grand Vitara and the Suzuki Jimny were put to the test on the challenging 4x4 track.
“The idea behind this event is twofold. Firstly, it’s to introduce the country to 4WD To the Max by selecting individuals with high followings on social media who want to watch and participate on the programme showing them how much fun you can have with friends and family.
“Secondly, it’s to introduce people to the Suzuki brand,” says Megan MacDonald, Head of Marketing and PR for Suzuki Auto South Africa.
The different challenges were designed with the specific models in mind. The first challenge was a skidpan exercise to test the quickness and agility of the drivers. This was made easy in the Swift Sport and its potent 1400 engine. The car was impressive by all standards through corners doing handbrake turns on the skidpan for a bit of showing off.
The off-road course we put the Jimny and Grand Vitara AllGrip through had some daunting sections. The Grand Vitara, which is Suzuki’s flagship model, has a host of technology making the driving experience a whole lot easier. It also incorporates hybrid technology that regenerates energy during deceleration for storage in the 12V lithium-ion battery. The Grand Vitara combines off-road driving and comfortable driving.
The Jimny, however, is not as luxurious as the Grand Vitara, but it makes up for it in its ability as a hardcore 4x4, no matter if it’s faced with bends, twists or a steep incline, which is not a problem for the Jimny.
The day was also filled with other competitors who partook in a general knowledge quiz as well as other fun-filled activities.
The Pricing of the vehicles driven at the event:
Suzuki Swift 1.4T Sport auto – R442 900
Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 Hybrid GLX AllGrip – R529 000
Suzuki Jimny 1.5 GLX AllGrip – R397 900
Cars.co.za recently launched Industry Report 2026 at its DealerCon summit, offers insight into the forces shaping South Africa’s vehicle market.
Nissan has introduced the Tekton, a new compact SUV for the South African market. The model is built on the Renault‑Nissan alliance’s CMF‑B platform and is closely related to the Renault Duster, sharing engines and mechanical components.
At the recent DealerCon 2026, hosted by Cars.co.za automotive excellence was celebrated by honouring top executives in the automotive retails industry.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Cars are the ultimate symbol of freedom, independence and individualism. They offer the freedom to ‘go anywhere,’ whenever it suits and with whom one chooses.
Sarah Redshaw
Car recalls often raise concern among owners, but the National Automobile Dealers' Association (NADA) says recall campaigns show that manufacturers are accountable and committed to quality, safety and customer care.
Affordability is driving a structural shift in South Africa’s vehicle market, with SUVs gaining significant ground as consumers increasingly seek competitively priced, well-equipped vehicles.
South Africa’s used car market continued to grow during the first half of 2026, despite pressure on household budgets and a 25 basis point interest rate increase in May.