BMW iX3 crowned World Car of the Year 2026 as EVs lead the way
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
- Industry News
- 2 April 2026
Hyundai’s big SUV, the Palisade, is a vehicle whose name should bring comfort to South Africans as palisade is something we are very familiar with in terms of family safety.
The same goes for the Hyundai Palisade, which is a vehicle with a protective nature for all its occupants.
The Palisade, which made its local debut here in 2021, has undergone a very subtle update in terms of looks, but more serious in terms of features.
The big multi-seater with all-wheel drive credentials is known for its luxurious and spacious interior combined with the best creature comforts. It is also a vehicle with a price tag of more than a million rand, bringing it straight into the fight against competitors from Toyota, Lexus, Land Rover Discovery, Range Rover and the Teutons like VW, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
What’s new?
From the outside, the front now boasts a new grille. Gone is the shiny chrome-dominated centre portion, which is replaced by a black and chrome one that now forms a unit with the light cluster connected to the bonnet. The main LED lights have moved to the light cluster on the sides underneath the bonnet line.
At the back, the changes are more restricted to the bottom part under the closing-line of the boot lit with a new cluster in which the fog lights, reverse lights and reflectors are housed with a new rear diffuser accommodating the tailpipes.
From the side, the new 20-inch-wheels, with a new design, are the most noticeable as well is the repeat indicator lights in the side mirrors.
In terms of features, the new Palisade now boasts a multi-collision brake to slow the vehicle down, heated steering, parking camera with surround view, Infinity Surround Sound system, lane keep and follow assist, forward collision avoidance assist, forward collision avoidance junction turning, blind spot collision avoidance assist (blind spot view monitor), adaptive cruise control and automatic window up and down for all windows.
Engine:
The updated model will still only be available with the familiar 2.2-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel-engine with 124 kW and 440 Nm connected to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which has also reworked.
Model range:
Palisade R2.2 7-seater Elite AWD AT (R1 099 900) and the Palisade R2.2 8-seater Elite AWD AT (R1 099 900).
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
Retail new vehicle sales continue to surge in South Africa despite global and regional conflicts, local floods and droughts.
South Africa’s new vehicle market delivered a standout performance in March 2026, extending its domestic growth trajectory to the strongest level seen in nearly two decades.
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