Toyota South Africa Motors recently hosted its inaugural Matsuri event at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. We drove 4 new models that look set to further cement the Japanese brand’s standing in SA…
The Toyota Matsuri (Japanese for ‘festival’) event showcased the company’s future product direction and served as a strategic launchpad for several key models designed to strengthen Toyota‘s position in the competitive SUV and lifestyle segments.
With the official launch of these key models set for the day after the festival, the event offered a great opportunity to assess Toyota‘s latest product strategy through both on-track and off-road testing. These are the vehicles we sampled…
The Toyota Hilux
The updated Toyota Hilux retains the robust, dependable driving dynamics of its predecessor while introducing a heavily revised, more contemporary package.
Visually, the exterior updates successfully modernise the bakkie without sacrificing the commanding height, wide stance, and aggressive road presence that local buyers demand.
Inside, the cabin benefits from Toyota‘s new horizontal dashboard layout, which significantly elevates the overall design language. Think Toyota Prado, but adapted to bakkie buyers’ needs and expectations.
The front seats deliver exceptional comfort, effectively minimising the fatigue typically associated with piloting a large double-cab.
However, the overall interior execution feels slightly conservative. The digital instrument cluster lacks the expansive, fully digital layout of the Ranger and Tasman, for example. Yet, the larger infotainment screen and updated user interface offer a welcome step forward in everyday connectivity. It is a calculated modernisation that prioritises traditional ergonomics and reliability over cutting-edge avant-garde design.
The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ
Representing a highly anticipated addition to the local lineup, the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ is said to bring rugged off-road engineering to a more accessible price point in the market. Positioned as a compact alternative to the larger Land Cruiser models, the vehicle features a distinctive boxy silhouette, upright glass, and short overhangs that pay clear homage to its traditional Cruiser heritage.
While the tall and narrow proportions might polarise buyers, the mechanical credentials are impressive. The vehicle comes equipped with low-range gearing and a rear differential lock to ensure serious off-road capability from launch.
On a specification note, LED lights are standard throughout, and the VX especially does not lack in comfort features.
On the road at the Matsuri event, the driving dynamics and cabin refinement felt functional rather than premium. The 2.7-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine may be a dependable, proven powertrain, but it feels underpowered against modern turbocharged competitors.
Pricing starts at R714 000 for the GX derivative and tops out at R761 400 for the VX, offering a compelling entry into the legendary Land Cruiser family.
Read more: Toyota Land Cruiser FJ Price & Specs
The Toyota RAV4
The new Toyota RAV4 stands out as a highly polished contender in the compact-SUV segment. The exterior styling represents a significant evolutionary leap over the previous generation, with sharp character lines that are particularly effective when specified in the two-tone red or grey paint finishes paired with a contrasting black roof.
A notable addition to the range is the inclusion of a sunroof, addressing a long-standing omission in the local specification.
On track during the Matsuri festival, the flagship GR-Sport showcased exceptional cabin refinement, responsive infotainment tech, and a genuinely premium interior environment. While some might lament the absence of a turbocharged petrol engine to match the aggressive Gazoo Racing aesthetic, the vehicle relies on Toyota‘s proven 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain. The system prioritises seamless efficiency and linear power delivery rather than outright sports car performance, though the revised chassis dynamics ensured an engaging, planted, and stable driving experience through Kyalami’s challenging corners.
Read more: Toyota RAV4 Price & Specs
The Toyota bZ4X
As Toyota‘s pioneer entry into the South African battery-electric vehicle market, the bZ4X delivers a highly familiar transition into electric mobility. Sized similarly to a RAV4, the all-wheel-drive electric SUV stands out for its mechanical refinement and instantaneous power delivery.
Straight-line acceleration exercises at Kyalami demonstrated impressive traction and immediate torque, while the overall driving feel is relaxed and refined.
Although its sleek, sloping fastback roofline gives it a distinctive profile, it arrives locally as a single, highly specified all-wheel-drive model priced at R1 182 800, rather than spawning separate coupe body styles.
Beyond tarmac performance, the bZ4X surprised during the off-road evaluation, utilising its advanced terrain-management software to handle steep hill climbs and loose surfaces with poise.
The bZ4X represents a well-considered electric option for buyers seeking traditional SUV practicality with zero local emissions.
Read more: Toyota bZ4X Price & Specs
