It is no secret that South Africa’s roads are falling apart. With a big hole here and a big hole there, there are suddenly potholes everywhere. Urban cars that handle potholes like a pro are needed now more than ever. Here are our top five recommended cars that laugh when they see a pothole coming.
Not only will you feel like you own the roads in an urban setting, you will also own the dirt roads, off-road trails, muddy beaten tracks and more. Potholes are child’s play to the ISUZU D-Max Diesel Double Cab. Its robust suspension as a 4×4 vehicle is designed to absorb bumps and impacts so you don’t feel a thing. Its tyres also have impressively thick sidewalls, so rim damage is not a concern. Further to this, its ground-clearance is spectacular, allowing the under-plate to sail high above potholes, even on impact. The ISUZU D-Max dares potholes to challenge it.
Boujee and badass, the Ford Ranger Tremor makes potholes its pet. The Tremor’s suspension is designed for hardcore off-roading, which makes rugged urban roads an easy feat. The vehicle also has Bilstein Dampers that make what should be a jagged ride, a remarkably smooth one. The Tremor is fitted with larger, all-terrain tyres, which provide better cushioning for when it aims for the potholes. And, if you upgrade your Tremor to Platinum, your Ford Ranger will come with additional underbody protection, including a fuel tank guard, for the times when potholes are more like manholes.
Japanese-engineering excellence proves itself superior in South Africa. The Toyota Fortuner is a remarkable car that handles potholes like a pro, as well as other rough-road conditions. Its body-on-frame construction provides a robust foundation that absorbs pothole impacts like they’re nothing. Furthermore, its double-wishbone front and four-link rear suspension systems ensure the vehicle navigates potholes like a professional. And, while the standard tyre option is more urban-friendly, the later models offer Continental Cross Contact ATR tyres, which giggle in the face of South Africa’s potholes.
Electronic Air Suspension is the reigning glory of the Land Rover Defender. With adaptive dynamics to its soft suspension, its ability to handle potholes is off the charts. The vehicle also comes equipped with Terrain Response, which allows the driver to adjust the vehicle for optimal performance on multitude roads. In South Africa, the Terrain would probably be set to ‘bumpy’ most of the time. More so, when you encounter a particularly bad road that is basically one big pothole, the Rock Crawl mode comes in handy. Along with its durable chassis, all-wheel drive system and pothole alert technology, the Land Rover Defender is not here to play.
South Africa has recently opened its doors to BYD’s Shark 6, Sealion 6 and Sealion 7 hybrid models. Any of these are great on our holy roads, with superior suspension systems and thick-walled tyres. However, what South Africa now yearns for is BYD’s Yangwang U9. With its DiSus-X suspension system that combines Intelligent Damping and Hydraulic Body Control, it can literally jump over obstacles like potholes. The advanced suspension system also allows the vehicle to adjust its ground clearance whilst maintaining stability at a speed up to 120km/h. BYD, if you’re reading this, South Africa needs your U9 ASAP!
These are the cars that handle potholes like a pro; vehicles that have the ability to drive over (or into) them. Alternatively, get a tiny car that can dodge them easily. But that is a topic for another day!
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