Page 88 - Car South Africa (February 2020)
P. 88
Do you own one of these cars? If so, we’d like to know what you think. Email us at CAR@ramsaymedia.co.za
long-term
FORD RANGER DC MAZDA3
2,0 SiT XLT 4x4 10AT 03 2,0 ASTINA AT 04
/06
/06
Driver: Ian McLaren IanM_CARmag Driver: Ryan Bubear Ryan_Bubear
6 155 km 10,54 L/100 km 4 276 km 7,79 L/100 km
+ smoother transmission post-software update + classy exterior styling
consumption’s taken a knock narrow rear portals
A recent trip by features writer 10,0 L/100 km to the new figure Like any motoring enthusiast worth weekend rolls around, I fight off
Wilhelm Lutjeharms to visit the listed above. I shouldn’t have their salt, I’d take a well-sorted thoughts that some sort of cross-
Bloodhound land-speed record much trouble returning this closer hatchback over a bloated, high-rid- over might be better suited to the
project during the crew’s test run to 9,0 L/100 km. ing crossover pretty much every day task of transporting my family from
programme at Hakskeen Pan (see I recently put the XLT’s stand- of the week. The Mazda3 has thus A to B. That sloping roofline and
page 58) brought my Ranger’s ard tow hitch to use as I needed to proven an ideal vehicle for my daily chunky C-pillar conspire to create
mileage to within touching dis- clear a storage unit. Although this commute, lapping up heavy traffic deceptively constricted rear door
tance of its first scheduled service. exercise didn’t test the Ranger’s and flowing from corner to corner openings. Squeezing my five-year-
Happy to be reacquainted with 3 500 kg (braked) towing capacity, once the congestion finally clears old daughter’s child seat onto the
the friendly and efficient team at I was grateful for the vehicle’s and the tarmac turns twisty. bench feels like a game of Tetris.
Halfway Ford in Goodwood, Cape large side mirrors and planted With its low-slung seating While it’s simple to secure the
Town, I delivered my 2,0 SiT to ride quality. I appreciate the in- position and pointy front-end, the child seat thanks to the accessible
the workshop a day ahead of its clusion of tie-down points in the Japanese firm’s midsize hatchback Isofix anchors, I frequently whack
15 000 km service to avoid a rush generous load bay, as well as the is the antithesis of the typical the back of my head while folding
the following morning. EZ lift system that makes closing roly-poly crossover, even if its natu- my six-foot frame in half to strap
Upon collection of my valeted the tailgate a breeze. A rubberised rally aspirated 2,0-litre engine isn’t in my little girl. My wife, too, has
Ranger, I was informed the soft- coating (costing R5 000 from a quite punchy enough to allow the knocked her noggin once or twice
ware associated with the vehicle’s dealership) would go some way full exploitation of a chassis boast- while simply alighting from the
10-speed automatic transmis- towards avoiding scratches. ing an obvious depth of engineer- passenger seat. It seems there’s a
sion had been updated. In the It was interesting to recently ing. In short, it’s relaxing to pilot on price to pay for that unusually low
days that followed, I noted much revisit the VW Amarok package af- bustling highways and downright roofline and sleek styling.
smoother reaction times and a ter having lived with a Ranger for fun to hustle down your favourite But when Monday arrives, all
more settled cruising manner three months. The former remains stretch of deserted asphalt. is forgiven. The Mazda3 feels as
from this drivetrain. the benchmark for comfort and And, from where I’m standing, though it’s been designed around
Wilhelm clearly acquired a compliance; however, the more it looks fantastic, too. This Soul its driver, proving ergonomically
taste for speed-record attempts generous interior dimensions of Red Crystal example has slotted spot-on for the fortunate person
and my average consumption the Ford mean it’s better suited to seamlessly into my life … from at the wheel. I’d happily sacrifice a
suffered, climbing from below ferrying a small family. Monday to Friday, that is. Once the dash of practicality for that.
86 CAR FEBRUARY 2020 CARmag.co.za
