[ad_1]
SUVs have become a firm favourite for South African motorists, and this is evident in the fact that multiple car brands are planning to launch their latest editions to the local segment – such as the Proton X90 coming at the end of this month – but there’s stiff competition.
Proton unveiled its newest addition to its lineup for South Africa, the Proton X90 Hybrid SUV, at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring on Thursday (24 August) ahead of sales commencing at the end of August.
The flagship SUV will offer four variants – Standard, Executive, Premium, and Flagship – with a price tag ranging from R559,900 to R679,900.
Proton is the only brand that has realised the popularity of the SUV segment in South Africa, as both GWM and Mahindra have also planned exciting new models to compete with the country’s SUV enthusiasts.
Mahindra unveiled its electric concept version of its popular Thar 4×4 – the Thar.e – at the company’s Futurescape event in Cape Town, alongside the next-generation bakkie concept, while GWM is set to launch its latest Tank 300 before the end of 2023.
SUVs have gained immense popularity in South Africa over the years. These versatile vehicles have become a common sight on the country’s roads, and their growing demand can be attributed to several key factors.
South Africa’s diverse terrain and challenging road conditions make SUVs a practical choice. Whether navigating rough off-road trails or tackling pothole-ridden city streets, SUVs offer a higher ground clearance and sturdy build, providing drivers with confidence and safety.
The ample cargo space and towing capacity of SUVs make them ideal for carrying equipment and gear, catering to the needs of outdoor enthusiasts and families that need the room.
Considering the family draw to this segment, it’s unsurprising that Proton decided to launch the X90 as a 7-seater SUV – which will also be the cheapest hybrid 7-seater in South Africa.
While the X90 entry-level Standard retails for R559,000, we added its Executive model to this list as it offers additional features while still being priced under the R600,000 mark.
The Executive will add automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a powered tailgate, leatherette upholstery, a wireless charger, an LCD driver display, a six-way electronic driver’s seat, and a 360-degree camera.
While these are notable features, they are standard in most of the vehicles on this list, making this a highly competitive segment.
All the SUVs competing with the likes of the new Proton X90 – priced under R600,000 – are listed below.
Haval H6 2.0GDIT 4WD Luxury – R560,950
Mahindra XUV700 2.0T AX7 L – R569,999
Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8 4XPLOR – R569,999
Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Premium – R572,900
BAIC B40 Plus 2.0TDi – R574,500
Mazda CX-5 2.0 Dynamic – R575,000
Proton X70 1.5T Executive – R579,900
Kia Sportage 1.6T-GDi LX – R585,995
Proton X90 1.5 TGDi BSG Executive – R589,900
Opel Grandland 1.6T – R599,900
Peugeot 3008 1.6T Active – R599,900
Honda CR-V 2.0 Comfort – R601,100
Read: 5 new bakkies coming to South Africa
[ad_2]
Source link