YOUR UBER HAS ARRIVED

So similar you could accuse them of match-fixing, although there are subtle differences

Ray Leathern

Thanks to its competitive pricing and stronger engine, I’d take the Quest

Damian Adams

Comfier interior and slick infotainment sways it to the Honda for me

Sean Parker

It’s a fact that budget-orientated sedans are not the sort of cars to get petrolheads excited. However, they are the automotive equivalent of the trusty Leatherman. Their practicality, sturdy yet economical drivetrains and long-term-ownership propositions make them the sensible choice for all sorts of buyers out there, including young families, empty-nesters, as well as serving as the needs of ride-share fleets.

We’ve extensively sampled the budget-beating Toyota Corolla Quest as part of our long-term test fleet and subjected the 1,8 Exclusive with the six-speed manual to our road-test regimen in the May 2020 issue. Since then, this current-generation Quest has earned its second-consecutive win in the CAR Top 12 Awards and plenty of other accolades besides.

Like the Volkswagen Polo Vivo, Toyota HiAce and Nissan NP300 have shown, re-engineering an old favourite to lower costs and slot it in below a sophisticated replacement makes a lot of sense in South Africa.

It’s a tough effort to beat, yet, the new Honda Ballade – also a recent member of our long-term test fleet – looks poised to challenge the Quest at its own game. Built