There is certainly no shortage of SUVs in South Africa today, ranging from the smallest little hatchback-based crossovers to the biggest, bundu-bashing 4×4 7-seaters made to conquer continents off-road. But what if you are not at one of these extremes and all you want is a comfortable 5-seat SUV with a suitably elevated driving position and sports-utility styling?
Yes, every manufacturer probably thinks that they sell the best vehicle, but what does “best” mean, anyway? To get the best of anything would cost far more than normal people can afford and would you take that R2-million luxury SUV onto a gravel road at all? Probably not.
The family SUV has a lot going for it. In many ways, it is the perfect vehicle. Enough space for five people to stretch out in, a large, 855-litre boot to swallow all their luggage, 190 mm of ground clearance to clear those middelmannetjies en route to the Bushveld lodge and more than enough luxuries to keep the trip to your destination comfortable and enjoyable.
SUVs might be very popular vehicles, but the traditional SUV with its heavy 4×4 system, dual-range transmission, and other specialised, off-road gubbins are just unnecessarily complicated, heavy, and expensive.
SUVs can be very expensive. Many of them carry the baggage of often-unnecessary 4×4 drivetrains, superfluous equipment, and premium branding that inflate their prices way beyond what the average South African motorist can afford.
All most people in South Africa want nowadays is an affordable SUV, but they just seem to be so expensive, don’t they? What if you want the expected comfort, safety, and security features but without the heavy all-wheel-drive systems and premium badging that only serve to drive up the price? Is there an affordable SUV in South Africa that does not leave you feeling short-changed? Yes, there is.
Many people think that they need all-wheel drive in their lifestyle vehicle while, in fact, a 4×2 SUV with full traction control is more sensible. Why, you may ask. Isn’t having the whole hog of features, including 4×4, low range, and great ground clearance preferable?
So, you’ve decided that the family car is no longer up to the job of hauling the brood off to holiday anymore because you have started to discover that some of the most memorable hidden gems for a breakaway are on the other end of a dirt road.
What do you want in an SUV? There was once a time when an SUV was a hulking, heavy-duty 4×4 with a transfer case and dual-range transmission to transport passengers well beyond where the roads end.
There is a lot to recommend the Landwind 5 as the best SUV for an outdoor adventure, like its stylish appearance, raised ride height, modern drivetrain, or luxury features.
