Why did I use “Kind-of” as the heading for this long-term test? Because Suzuki Auto South Africa gave us this silver 1.5 GLX Automatic for exactly one month. Shorter than usual, yet long enough to test its merits…
Long term tests
Usually we test a car for a few days – this category lists the articles where we spent MUCH more time and distance with a vehicle:
Padtoets: 2024 GAC Emkoo 1.5T GDi Executive
Moenie die GAC Emkoo mis kyk nie!
GAC word eintlik uitgespreek as “Gee Ay Cee”, ’n verligting vir vele, wat dalk mag dink dat hierdie sinoniem is tot vloektaal in Afrikaans. Terselftedyd is GAC se twee huidige modelle, naamlik die Emzoom en die Emkoo ook nie veel sagter op die tong nie. Moet egter nie dat hierdie jou wegstoot van die GAC fabrikaat nie. Die Sjinese vervaardiger het veel om te bied.
Long term test: all you need to know about the new Suzuki Swift
Fresh from its November launch in 2024, Suzuki sent us their new Swift model in the top-of-the-range GLX specification. However, this was no ordinary Swift. In fact, Suzuki sent us their “Cartoon” Swift, painted by artist, Justin Nomad, during the media launch of this new urban commuter. We were even more fortunate to have received the car for the entire festive period.
Langtermyn toets: Suzuki Jimny 1.5 GLX AllGrip (5-deur) handrat
Jimny 5-deur ’n wenner
In 2018 het die nuwe vierdie-generasie Jimny die mark met ’n storm getref. ’n Vakansie verlenging was nodig na ons Desember toets met die voertuig, siende dat ons konstant besig gehou is deur aanhangers. Ons mees onlangse Desember toets met die nuwe 5-deur Jimny het ’n gevoel van Déjà vu gebring; en met goeie rede.
Long-term test: 2021 Suzuki Swift GLX
In our increasingly complicated and bewildering modern lifestyles, I find more and more favour in simple things. Easy stuff. There’s a wonderful wholesomeness to a device that only does what it’s supposed to, and thank Heavens we still get automobiles of such a type: like this Suzuki Swift.
Long-term test: Mahindra PikUp S11 Karoo
The gift horse
I’m sure you’ve heard of the adage that one shouldn’t criticise a gift. Well, I shall try to be as diplomatic as possible while still giving you an objective opinion of this double-cab bakkie which Mahindra graciously lent us over the Festive Season.
Long-term test: 2019 Isuzu mu-X 3.0 AWD
The perfect flaw
Anonymity can be a wonderful thing. As 2019 was drawing to a close, I reflected on some of the colourful cars we tested and decided to book something mundane for the holidays. You know, some large bakkie-based SUV with seven seats and a clattering diesel engine. Have you met the Isuzu mu-X yet?
Long-term test: 2019 Volkswagen Amarok V6 TDi Canyon
Undeniably the fastest production bakkie currently being sold in South Africa (yes, we have valid reasons to make this statement), Volkswagen just updated their stellar V6 diesel-powered steed. The manufacturer, who enjoyed one of their most successful years to date, kindly entrusted us with the new special-edition Canyon for a month.
Road Trip: 2019 Renault Duster 4WD Dynamique
The comfort zone
I’m writing a book. Like every author before me, I think the world is just waiting to hear my amusing short stories entitled “The Wrong Car”. These detail the many memorable trips I’ve made with cars which were way out of their comfort zone… which happily doesn’t apply to my recent excursion to southern Namibia with this 4WD Duster.
Long term test: 2018 Honda Amaze 1.2 Comfort
The new wave
Good news, dear reader. Everything is back to normal in one part of my automotive imagination. After years of turbo-diesel automatics, yodeling CVT’s and GreenDream gobbledygook, my overall impression of Honda has been yanked perilously close to its original state by this new 2018 Amaze 1.2 Comfort.