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
Toyota’s Prius needs no introduction. Seen as the gold standard of hybrid passenger cars, this model has now been updated for the South African market.
For 2021, the Prius has been outfitted with some notable upgrades and enhancements to align with other premium Toyota models.
Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) has been adopted, bringing with it an array of safety aids in the form of a Pre-Crash System (PCS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Automatic High Beam assistance (AHB), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) plus Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Lane Trace Assist (LTA).
On the interior front, the touchscreen infotainment system has been updated to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while also benefitting from a higher-resolution display. The core USB, Aux and Bluetooth functionality remains - while playing through a high-quality six-speaker setup. Toyota Connect is fitted as standard – offering in-car Wi-Fi connectivity with a complimentary 15Gb of data – and telematics interface with the MyToyota app.
As before, eight exterior colours are on offer, while Pearl White has been replaced with the new Platinum White Pearl. A black leather interior provides a sense of luxury and practicality.
The Prius offers buyers a comprehensive spec level. Some of the standout features include Heads-Up Display (HUD), Reverse Camera, a high-definition Multi-Information Display, seat heaters with electric lumbar support and wireless (cell phone) charging. Dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror ramp up the convenience quotient.
The proven 1.8-litre Hybrid powertrain continues unaltered – combining an electric motor with Toyota’s 4-cylinder Atkinson cycle 2ZR-FXE engine for a total system output of 90 kW. A dedicated EV-mode enables the vehicle to operate under full-electric power. The Prius is classified as a Full Hybrid (FHEV) and uses a self-charging powertrain to provide electric energy.
Power is transmitted to the front wheels via an integrated CVT transmission.
The Prius 1.8 costs (April 2021) R566 400 and includes a service plan of 6 years/ 90 000 km, a warranty of 3 years / 100 000 km and a Hybrid battery warranty of 8 years / 195 000 km.
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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