Features / 5 April 2021 / Albert du Toit

The new VW Kombi is in a price battle against South Africa’s favourite SUVs

Volkswagen recently unveiled the latest generation of the Kombi – the 6.1.

The latest generation is available in several styles – Pick Up, Panel Van, Crew Bus, Kombi, Caravelle, and California – and boasts a selection of features and design tweaks to make the offering as attractive as possible.

Exterior highlights include a new grille with chrome elements, six new wheel designs, six new exterior colours, and seven new two-tone finishes.

Inside the higher-specced trims you will find a Discover Pro Media system, while cheaper models receive the Composition Media infotainment display.

The entire range is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, and customers will have a choice between a 5-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG transmission.

This unit will produce between 81kW and 146kW of power, depending on the chosen specification.

Power isn’t the largest concern for minivan buyers, though, as the main benefit of having one of these is space.

As such, the Kombi provides seating for up to eight passengers and a maximum load capacity of 5,800 litres – when all the seats are removed except for the front two.

The Kombi 6.1 has a South African starting price of R725,900, but will reach R907,000 for the top-spec trim.

Each vehicle is sold with a 3-year/120,000km manufacturer warranty, and a 5-year/60,000km Genuine EasyDrive maintenance plan.

The competition

The new VW Kombi is priced in the same bracket as a large portion of South Africa’s most popular SUVs.

Thanks to the meteoric rise in demand for SUVs, the iconic Kombi therefore has some stiff competition on its hands.

Buyers looking for people-haulers can fit them into an SUV if needed, and also receive the benefit of being able to mount pavements and drive off-road.

The list below details the competitors the new VW Kombi may have to take on in the local market.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Starting price – R838,822
Seats – 5
Max load capacity – 1,600 litres
Warranty – 3-year/100,000km warranty and maintenance plan.

Audi Q5

Starting price – R829,500
Seats – 5
Max load capacity – 1,550 litres
Warranty – 5-year/100,000km Audi Freeway Plan.

BMW X3

Starting price – R770,072
Seats – 5
Max load capacity – 1,600 litres
Warranty – 5-year/100,000km BMW Motorplan and On-Call services.

Ford Everest

Starting price – R563,600
Seats – 7
Max load capacity – 2,010 litres
Warranty – 4-year/120,000km comprehensive warranty, 6-year/90,000km service plan, and 3-year/unlimited kilometre roadside assistance.

Honda CR-V

Starting price – R511,236
Seats – 5
Max load capacity – 1,084 litres
Warranty – 5-year/200,000km warranty, 5-year/90,000km service plan, and 3-year/unlimited kilometre roadside assistance.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Starting price – R669,500
Seats – 7
Max load capacity – 2,019 litres
Warranty – 5-year/150,000km manufacturer warranty, 5-year/90,000km service plan, and 5-year/150,000km roadside assistance.

Isuzu mu-X

Starting price – R675,300
Seats – 7
Max load capacity – 1,830 litres
Warranty – 5-year/120,000km warranty and roadside assistance, and a 5-year/90,000km service plan.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Starting price – R849,900
Seats – 5
Max load capacity – 1,554 litres
Warranty – 3-year/100,000km warranty and maintenance plan.

Kia Sorento

Starting price – R679,995
Seats – 7
Max load capacity – 1,662 litres
Warranty – 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and roadside assistance, and a 5-year/100,000km service plan.

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Starting price – R872,862
Seats – 5
Max load capacity – 1,794 litres
Warranty – 5-year/100,000km Land Rover Care plan.

Lexus NX

Starting price – R791,600
Seats – 5
Max load capacity – 1,545 litres
Warranty – 7-year/105,000km warranty and service plan.

Mitsubishi Pajero 5-Door

Starting price – R869,995
Seats – 7
Max load capacity – 1,790 litres
Warranty – 3-year/100,000km warranty, 5-year/100,000km maintenance plan, and 5-year/unlimited kilometre roadside assistance.

Range Rover Evoque

Starting price – R897,662
Seats – 5
Max load capacity – 1,156 litres
Warranty – 5-year/100,000km Land Rover Care plan.

Toyota Fortuner

Starting price – R581,000
Seats – 7
Max load capacity – 1,080 litres
Warranty – 3-year/100,000km warranty, and a 9-service/90,000km service plan.