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  • Chery Omoda sub brand
    Uploaded 2 weeks ago

    Chery Omoda sub brand

  • The Kia Sonet vs The Hyundai Venue vs The Suzuki Grand Vitara
    Uploaded 1 day ago

    The Kia Sonet vs The Hyundai Venue vs The Suzuki Grand Vitara

  • The dangers of running out of fuel
    Uploaded 3 days ago

    The dangers of running out of fuel

  • Guide to Buying Your First Car and Financing it in South Africa
    Uploaded 4 days ago

    Guide to Buying Your First Car and Financing it in South Africa

  • Introducing the Haval H6 GT: The New Flagship SUV with Coupe-Inspired Design
    Uploaded 4 days ago

    Introducing the Haval H6 GT: The New Flagship SUV with Coupe-Inspired Design

  • Let’s get out of town: Kia Sorento or Hyundai Staria
    Uploaded 4 days ago

    Let’s get out of town: Kia Sorento or Hyundai Staria

Chery Omoda sub brand

Uploaded 2 weeks ago

Chery Omoda sub brand

Chery Omoda sub brand

The Omoda C5 is a sporty compact SUV in size and is fitted with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

The Chery Group has launched a new brand named Omoda which is the result of a clean slate approach by the group’s designers, engineers and technicians which gave these experts free reign to create a new model line-up. The first model in their offering is the Omoda C5

What is it?

Omoda is the luxury arm of Chery, which is kind of trying to be what Lexus is to Toyota and while they are marketed and branded Chery in other markets, in South Africa they aim to be their own entity, devoid of any Chery branding.

The Omoda C5 is a sporty compact SUV in size and is fitted with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

In your face design

The design is very modern and comprises sleek, sporty styling and a sloping roof that rests on darkened pillars for a floating look.

The multi-dimensional grille cannot be missed as it overpowers the front end. Contained in the grille are upright mounted front headlamps and thin T-Sharp designed daytime running lights. The mix of flowing curves and sharp lines continues along the side profile. The rear design reminds of SUVs from other Chinese manufacturers and includes a dual stacked roof spoiler and multi-dimensional lights, which Omoda call X-wing lights due to their use of sharp lines and multiple LEDs.

Many of these unique design elements are further enhanced with contrasting red highlights on the Elegance S-model such as on the inside planes of the alloy wheels, the front skirt, side mirrors and stacked rear wings. The designed is backed up by funky colours which include three two-tone options.

Luxury, modern interior

When designing the interior engineers were able to experiment with a unique human and machine interface while incorporating popular features such as voice commands and a seamless digital interface.

The futuristic experience starts with dual high resolution 10.25-inch digital displays that are customisable. These screens, one in the centre console and one behind the steering wheel flow into each other and allow for multiple manners of displaying vehicle, safety and infotainment information. Smartphone mirroring capability courtesy of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be done wirelessly while your phone rests on a felt lined wireless charging platform. Below this platform is a hidden storage space and a variety of USB and power outlets.

Below the central screen is a multi-touch air conditioning panel which conveys climate control information through the use of the digital display. The climate control system is self-cleaning and has a high-grade filtration system built in to ensure clean interior air. To the right of the climate control system is a start button and the C5 can also be started remotely with the key fob.

Upfront the sport seats are extremely comfortable and rear leg room is in line with that of its competitors. Elegance and Elegance S derivatives are fitted with added luxury features such as power adjustment and ventilation of the front seats, leather upholstery, a powered sunroof that is also voice activated, a more powerful eight-speaker Sony sound system, additional ambient lighting and a full 360-degree camera system that offers a panoramic view of the vehicle and a powered tailgate.

Under the bonnet

The Omoda C5 is powered by a four-cylinder, 1,5-litre engine that offers 115kW and 230Nm. A CVT transmission transfers power to the front wheels. The engine has been sourced from the Chery family but retuned to offer slightly more power in this application, however that retune has also ensured smoother power delivery that results in an overall more refined driving experience.

This transmission is programmed with nine steps, which ensures good, smooth, power delivery, without any of the hunting that is common with this transmission format. The result is a smooth relaxing drive. Power is adequate and Omoda claim that the C5 will use just 6,9 litres per 100km. Economy and Sport driving modes allow for the tailoring of power delivery, steering feel and damping to the driver’s preference. 

Chassis engineers have also done a great job with the suspension tuning, which in combination with generously profiled tyres results in great ride quality. 

Five star-safety

All Omoda models on sale locally are fitted with six airbags, Isofix child seat anchors, smart seatbelt pre-tensioning, ABS brakes, tyre pressure monitoring and ESP and EBA.

Standard driver assistance features include front and rear parking sensors. Elegance models add to this offering with a full suite of Advanced Driver Assist Systems that include things like automatic high beam, adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic alert, lane-keep assistance, lane departure warning and forward collision warning. In addition, automatic emergency braking and emergency lane keep assist further reduce the chances of being involved in an accident.

 

Uploaded 1 day ago

The Kia Sonet vs The Hyundai Venue vs The Suzuki Grand Vitara

The Kia Sonet vs The Hyundai Venue vs The Suzuki Grand Vitara

The expansive compact SUV market is constantly diversifying, with new and exciting models to choose from. This evolution is fueled by the ever-increasing demand for versatile vehicles. With good reason, consumers are on the quest for functionality that fits in with all aspects of their lives. 

Many are looking for a balance between work and leisure, with these compact companions perfectly heeding the call to deliver. Three ideal contenders stand out: the Kia Sonet for sale, the Hyundai Venue, and the Suzuki Grand Vitara. 

These personality-packed, pocket-friendly, nimble-sized SUVs will navigate the busiest of intersections to the serene coastal towns with ease. Each offers a compelling range of strengths, from features to fuel efficiency, we explore these SUVs below. 

Dynamism Dynamo: The Kia Sonet 

The Kia Sonet is a firm favourite on our roads due to how well the brand is perceived in the South African market. This crossover compact SUV range carries six variants, fitted with varying petrol engines and transmission options like manual and CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). 

A top selling point is the Kia Sonet’s fuel consumption rate of an astoundingly low 7.0 litres per 100 km for its 45-litre fuel tank. Manual models can go from 0 to 100km in 11.3 seconds, which is reasonable for the overall segment. 

From a feature perspective, the latest generation Sonet is fitted with smartphone integration, an 8-inch touch-screen display, and 16-inch alloy wheels for a finishing touch. The car also boasts safety systems such as its ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution), ESC (Electronic Stability Control), rearview camera, and parking distance warning sensor. 

Standout design and advanced features are highlights of the Kia Sonet for sale. It offers South Africans an all-in-one compact SUV that will deliver on efficiency and economy. 

 

Ingenious Innovator: The Hyundai Venue

The Hyundai Venue is steadily growing in popularity because of how much it offers the everyday consumer seeking space, comfort, and economy on a budget. It is a subcompact SUV, if we’re getting technical, but it competes exceptionally well with its bigger counterparts. 

The range is distinguished by six variants, fitted with either a 1.0L or 1.2L petrol engine. It also comes in manual and DCT (Dual-Clutch Transmission) gearbox options. Base cars in the latest generation produce an incredible 115 Nm at 4000 r/min torque. 

The higher-spec models from the newest offering have distinctive smart safety systems. These include keyless entry, a rear-view monitor, impact-sensing door unlocking, and a parking distance warning. The instrumentation cluster is also a highlight of the Venue, with its 4.2-inch LCD cluster screen, onboard computer, ambient temperature display, and digital clock—all of which are supportive aids for easy handling and improved responsiveness.

With Hyundai, there’s more than just exceptional economic efficiency to consider. The Venue is proof of this with its modern exteriors, contemporary design, and smart driving features, intended to elevate every drive. 

Versatility Vanguard: The Suzuki Grand Vitara

The Suzuki Grand Vitara is a bold SUV that deserves its praise, in our opinion. A formidable competitor in the compact segment, it gives consumers affordable practicality. The latest range consists of five variants, fitted with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and manual and automated transmission options. 

The Grand Vitara is also offered in a 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrain for those in need of a more powerful vehicle off-road. Its impressively low fuel economy rate of 5.6 litres per 100 km makes it vastly superior to others in the segment. 

Further, the features are a real value-add for the price tag, such as its LED projector headlights, LED daytime running lights, an incredible 210mm ground clearance, a reverse camera, and keyless entry with push start. Interior highlights include an infotainment touchscreen display, wireless smartphone compatibility, USB functionality, and voice recognition. 

Suzuki has asserted itself as a brand for budget-bound consumers, but that in no way detracts from their high-quality vehicles. Their compact SUV lineup is highly capable, and their off-road prowess is worth considering. 

Making the Right Purchase Decision

From the colosseum of compact SUVs, you are presented with a dilemma of the ages. Dynamic, innovative, or versatile? Rest assured, with these SUVs, no matter your choice, you are buying quality you can trust. 

The reality of choosing between these three compact SUV champions is that you really can’t go wrong with any of them. With our low prices and these high-quality brands, your choice comes down to your personal preference. From the Kia Sonet to the Hyundai Venue and the Suzuki Grand Vitara, you are guaranteed style, agility, and value for your money. 

Motus Select offers the best prices on luxury compact SUVs like the Kia Sonet for sale—no matter your pick, you walk away a winner.

Uploaded 3 days ago

The dangers of running out of fuel

The dangers of running out of fuel

The best practice is to plan ahead and fuel up at the start of your journey with enough fuel for how far you plan to drive and by doing so avoid any risk to your person, vehicle or safety.

With the rising cost of fuel prices many motorists are pushing their cars to the limit in terms of trying to get the most out of a tank at the risk of running out of fuel.

However running out of fuel is a dangerous situation for a variety of reasons. Firstly, in terms of your personal safety you place your self and passengers at risk by running out of fuel. Being stranded on the side of the road in one of the most dangerous countries in the world could make you vulnerable to criminals. Running out of fuel could also put you at an additional risk of being involved in an accident, especially if you run out in a dangerous place like in the middle of an intersection or on a busy road with no shoulder.

By running out of fuel you also risk damaging your vehicles fuel system or contaminating it. As a car gets older it builds up debris at the bottom of the tank, which is usually blocked by fuel filters, but when you run your car nearly empty or completely empty this debris could move through the system and clog up sensitive components like the carburettor or fuel injection system. This could prevent the car from starting again and result in a costly repair bill.

In addition vehicles with sensitive fuel injection systems like modern direct injection vehicles and many diesel vehicles require a certain amount of pressure before they will start. Running out of fuel could mean that these cars will need to be towed to a service centre in order to purge the system of any air, before it can be started again.

What do you do if you run out of fuel?

If you do suspect that your car is about to run out of fuel, such as if it starts spluttering, turn on your hazards as soon as possible and move to the left of the road or into the emergency lane as soon as possible so that you come to stop out of harms way.

If you were able to come to a stop in a safe location, the best practice is to remain in your car and call for help. If you belong to a roadside assistance programme or if your vehicle’s service plan includes roadside assistance you can give them a call. If not make contact with a friend or family member who could come to your aid.

Plan ahead

If your cars fuel light comes on it generally means that you can drive between 30 and 50km, but it is a good idea to fuel up as soon as possible once this light comes on.

In addition while fuel is generally readily available, fuel stations can run out especially ahead of fuel price increases. It is a good idea to keep your tank topped up as much as possible to give yourself a buffer should fuel not be available.

The best practice is to plan ahead and fuel up at the start of your journey with enough fuel for how far you plan to drive and by doing so avoid any risk to your person, vehicle or safety.

Uploaded 4 days ago

Guide to Buying Your First Car and Financing it in South Africa

Guide to Buying Your First Car and Financing it in South Africa

Your credit record refers to your entire credit history, including all the credit transactions you have ever concluded with a registered financial services provider.

Buying a car, especially your first car is an awesome experience. In addition to being a status symbol for many South Africans a reliable car is a vital mobility tool in South Africa, where public transport is very often erratic and unsafe.

This makes owning a car a necessity for many South Africans, from students to those starting a career as well as anybody who needs to travel to work or transport their children to school. Buying a car is a significant financial commitment and one of the biggest purchases that people will ever make, which is why most South Africans will rely on the services of a financial services provider to finance their vehicle.

Banks and financial service providers use a variety of methods to determine whether individuals qualify for vehicle financing assistance. These methods are based on risk and affordability and an individual’s credit record and credit score are one of the most popular barometers of these factors.

Your credit record refers to your entire credit history, including all the credit transactions you have ever concluded with a registered financial services provider.

Your credit score is affected by your credit record and your reliability when it comes to paying back loans on time.

These two factors will be used by banks to determine how much credit you can be given and the related interest rate that will be charged.

Establishing a credit record or credit score can only be done by applying for credit. One of the most popular ways of starting out on this journey is via an account at a retail store. However, poor finance management can very easily see this account turn into a source of bad credit and do more harm than good for those looking to establish a good credit score.

Establishing a relationship with a financial institution is always a good starting point and the opening of a credit card can be a useful first step towards establishing a credit record. Credit cards allow you to buy now and pay later and when used responsibly by meeting the required monthly payments, a credit card can be a useful tool in building a positive credit record.

Once established, there are a number of ways to maintain your credit score or improve it. These include paying on time every month, as even paying a few days late can have an effect on your credit score. Reducing the amount you owe is a great way to improve your credit score and that is best done by paying off the loans with the highest interest rate first. Where possible avoid revolving debt such as credit cards and avoid applying for unnecessary additional loans or extra credit cards as this could lower your credit score.

Remember that outstanding debt will stay on your record, so if an account is overdue it will negatively affect your score and making some payments or paying it off won’t clear your credit record but will improve it. Information about your payment profile can stay on your record for up to five years.

When thinking about buying a car it is important to be honest with yourself and only shop for a car that suits your needs and budget. Saving up for a deposit will also assist greatly in reducing your monthly premiums and getting finance approval.

A well-managed vehicle loan agreement will also count as a valuable reference in future when you need to finance other big-ticket items like a new car or a house so it is best to buy what you can afford rather than over extend yourself and end up in a bad credit situation.

When calculating your monthly budget, it is important to keep other running costs associated with owning a car in mind. Apart from the monthly repayments you will need to budget for insurance, fuel and maintenance.

Car finance calculators are a great way of finding out exactly how much a particular car will cost on a monthly basis allowing shoppers to refine their search to cars that meet their budget.

Uploaded 4 days ago

Introducing the Haval H6 GT: The New Flagship SUV with Coupe-Inspired Design

Introducing the Haval H6 GT: The New Flagship SUV with Coupe-Inspired Design

With the launch of the H6 GT, Haval are reaffirming their commitment to their South African customers, by offering a robust line up of SUVs at various price points.

As part of the continual expansion of their SUV offering, Haval has added the Haval H6 GT to their model range. This model takes up the position as the flagship of the range as Haval believe it appeals perfectly to their typical customer.

The striking SUV is visually in sync with the power it offers. The H6 GT blends a coupe inspired design with the practical accolades of a modern SUV. Standout styling combines with the latest features such as semi autonomous driver assistance and a powerful engine, resulting in a vehicle that ticks every box.

The design of the H6 GT includes a more streamlined body, wheel arch cladding as well as a variety of black accent and carbon fibre touches. The fastback rear is enhanced by a roof mounted spoiler and a lip spoiler. A sloping roof that incorporates a panoramic sunroof is a cornerstone of the sportier design.

19-inch alloys in a black finish, gloss black roof rails and exterior mirrors and a subtle yet noticeable aerodynamic kit with aero side skirts and a sporty rear diffuser bolster the sporty look and feel.

Under the bonnet

Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that features a mighty 155kW at 6000rpm and 325Nm at 1500rpm. Drivers are able to tailor the power delivery via various modes with race mode for example unlocking a sportier exhaust tone as well as more aggressive throttle and transmission response.

Power is transferred to the road via a seven-speed DCT gearbox to a torque-on-demand four-wheel drive system. 

Inside story

The H6 GT is built around a beautifully crafted interior that offers sophisticated comfort with sporty green trimming and stitching along with Alcantara inserts. Generous interior space ensures room for up to five adults and their accompanying luggage.

Branded and heated seats, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless charging and a 12.3-inch central display ensure comfort and convenience in operation. An advanced camera system is in place and facilitates functionality such as a 360-degree camera, Adaptive Cruise Control with intelligent cruise, Intelligent cornering, traffic jam assist, pre-collision warning with automatic emergency braking for pedestrian and cyclists, lane departure alert, lane keeping assist and blind spot detection with rear cross traffic alert.

Model 

With the launch of the H6 GT, Haval are reaffirming their commitment to their South African customers, by offering a robust line up of SUVs at various price points. Includes a five-year/100 000km warranty and a five-year/60 000km service plan.

Uploaded 4 days ago

Let’s get out of town: Kia Sorento or Hyundai Staria

Let’s get out of town: Kia Sorento or Hyundai Staria

The two most popular style of holiday vehicles for families are SUVs and MPVs and comparing two of the main contenders in the form of the Kia Sorento and the Hyundai Staria is a great way of helping motorists determine which is the best type of vehicle for their needs.

The new motus.cars advertising campaign showcases that whatever car you’re searching for, you can find it on motus.cars and is centred around lifestyle choices and milestones. One of the key messages of this campaign is “Let’s get out of town” and highlights vehicles which are perfect for those motorists who enjoy road trips with their family.

Motorists looking for a vehicle that allows them to get out of town have a wide variety of models and body shapes to choose from. The two most popular style of holiday vehicles for families are SUVs and MPVs and comparing two of the main contenders in the form of the Kia Sorento and the Hyundai Staria is a great way of helping motorists determine which is the best type of vehicle for their needs.

While these vehicles are similar in terms of pricing and size, they do offer some unique features that could make your getaway that much more enjoyable.

The case for the Kia Sorento

The fourth generation of Kia’s large family SUV is designed and engineered to take on everything that life throws at it. With new standards for space, efficiency, and quality, the Sorento is the flagship of Kia’s South African SUV line-up.

The exterior has been redefined with sharper lines, high tech details and elongated proportions resulting in a more confident and mature presence. The front evolves with a new interpretation of Kia’s tiger nose grille and LED daytime running lights. In profile the proportions are subtly adapted to make it appear longer. At the rear new vertical tail lamps wrap around the side of the body. Trim on the sporty lower rear bumper embodies the appearance of dual tailpipes and like the front features a skid plate to add to its tough aesthetic.

Inside an attractive cabin introduces premium quality materials, cutting edge infotainment technologies and a stunning new design that provides owners with a more striking, desirable, and comfortable experience. The intuitive, tech-oriented cabin is fitted with premium quality materials and cutting-edge infotainment.

The Sorento is based on Kia’s this generation N3 platform which provides superior space for people and cargo through intelligent packaging.

The Kia Sorento is an attractively styled SUV that boasts a spacious interior with high quality finishes and seating for up to seven passengers. Although with all seven seats in place loading space is somewhat limited. With the third-row stowed luggage capacity increases to 821 litres, allowing the car to accommodate up to five people in comfort along with a significant amount of luggage. Controls in the side wall of the boot allow users to fold down the second-row seat backs remotely at the touch of a button. The new platform maximises space in all three rows, offering more head, leg, and shoulder room than many rivals.

The 2.2-litre Smartstream diesel engine produces 148kW and 440Nm of torque and is paired with Kia’s new eight-speed wet double clutch transmission which is designed to offer the smooth shifting characteristics of a conventional automatic as well as enhanced fuel-efficiency. Performance is excellent and the Sorento returns a very respectable fuel economy figure of as low as 6.8 litres per 100km.

For those looking to head off the beaten track the Sorento offers good ground clearance and an all-wheel drive system that ensures just about any road can be traversed on your out-of-town journey.

Aided by fully independent suspension the Sorento delivers improved cabin insulation which reduces the effect that road surface imperfections have on the body, noise and vibrations through the suspension and body control and steering responses under cornering. The latest AWD models offer enhanced all-terrain capability thanks to Terrain Mode which carefully controls the cars standard electronic stability control as well as the distribution of torque when navigating tricky terrain such as mud, snow, and sand.

The futuristic Staria

Evoking the streamlined form of a spaceship, the Staria’s sleek exterior is defined by a single stroke running from front to rear, inspired by the curve of light that illuminates the Earth’s horizon when viewed from space. The front is embellished by horizontal daytime running lights and a positioning lamp running across the width of the vehicle. The clean silhouette is further accented by low-set headlamps and Hyundai uses the same body colour for all front parts to maximise the vehicle’s modern and pure style.

Lowered beltlines and panoramic side windows improve overall visibility and create a feeling of openness. The design continues to the rear where a wide window is framed by elongated tail lamps.

The futuristic Staria is certainly eye catching but ultimately the MPV is designed to offer high levels of spaciousness and versatility. Like the Sorento, the cabin offers an array of luxury and safety features and the variety of convenient storage spaces throughout the cabin is most impressive. The cruise ship inspired interior delivers an open and unique atmosphere through its innovative design architecture.

The Staria can comfortably accommodate between 9 and 11 passengers depending on the model. While loading space depends on how many seats are utilised, it certainly does offer high levels of versatility. For example, the rear bench seats can slide forward or backwards to allow for more space which prove extremely practical. For maximum loading space the rear seats can be folded away. When full flat mode is applied to the rear passenger seats the vehicle is perfect for activities that require a lot of room and interior flexibility, such as camping and sports where luggage space is needed for equipment.

Hyundai’s smart infotainment system with an eight-inch touch-screen display is fitted to all derivatives and includes a wide-angle camera rear park assist camera, aided by park warning sensors in both the front and rear bumpers. In Luxury versions the screen also displays a bird’s eye view of the car and its surroundings.

The Staria is fitted with a 2.2-litre VGT turbodiesel engine that offers 130kW and 430Nm. Power is transferred to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. For an MPV performance proved excellent while fuel consumption of 8.7 litres per 100km is acceptable given the vehicles size.

Ride quality is great too, but the Staria unfortunately does not offer the go anywhere capabilities of the Sorento.

The Staria offers the highest levels of passive an active vehicle safety thanks to six airbags and three-point seat belts and headrests on all seats as well as smart features such as Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist in top of the range derivatives.

Which is better suited for your next road trip

So, which one is better suited for your next road trip, the Kia Sorento or the Hyundai Staria? Both vehicles are similarly priced in both the new and pre-owned market.

Ultimately making the right choice for your journey or current lifestyle depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you are looking for the spaciousness of a seven-seater SUV with the ability to go just about anywhere, the Sorento might be the right choice for you. If you prioritise versatility and space, the Staria might be the better option. Either way, both vehicles are great choices for a fun and memorable road trip with your loved ones.

 

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