Test Drives & Comparing Cars
How to test drive properly and compare shortlisted new cars on the things that matter after the novelty wears off.
A test drive is your only chance to find out whether a car suits you before you own it, yet most buyers spend it admiring the touchscreen. Plan the route to include the roads you actually drive: a stretch of highway, a rough suburban street, a tight parking bay. Bring the child seat, the golf bag or the pram. Sit in the back. Check visibility, seat comfort and how easily the boot swallows real luggage.
Comparing two cars works best on paper first and in the seat second. List the things that matter to you, score each car honestly, then let the drive break the tie. The Car4Less compare tool lines up specifications and retail pricing for both cars, so the comparison is transparent.
Articles on test drives & comparing cars
Test Drives & Comparing Cars — questions
The questions people ask about test drives & comparing cars, answered plainly.
What should I check on a test drive?
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Driving position and visibility, ride comfort over rough surfaces, noise at highway speed, steering feel in a car park, how the gearbox behaves when pulling away and overtaking, and whether the infotainment and controls make sense without a manual. Also test the boot with real items and fit any child seats you use.
How long should a test drive be?
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Long enough to cover the kinds of roads you use every day, usually twenty to thirty minutes. A quick lap of the block tells you almost nothing about ride, noise or comfort. If the dealer is reluctant to allow a proper drive, that is worth noting in itself.
How do I compare two cars fairly?
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Compare like-for-like variants at similar prices, then look at fuel consumption, service plan length, warranty, safety rating, boot space, and the features you will actually use. Give each a weight based on your priorities and score them. The Car4Less compare tool lays the specifications out next to each other to make this quick.
Can I test drive a car I found on Car4Less?
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Yes. Car4Less enquiries are handled by a consultant who can arrange a test drive of the model through the franchise dealer network. If you go ahead through Car4Less, the car is ordered as a Programme Car, financed through the Car4Less finance application and delivered once finance is approved and stock is available.
Ready to find your car?
Browse over 1 318 new cars, each available as a Programme Car: financed through Car4Less, with the Payment Saver Plan — up to R3 000 a month back, potentially.