Image supplied by cars.co.za
With the finalists announcement in early October and then two days of rigorous testing in early November, the annual Cars.co.za Consumer Awards is now in its final phase where owners have their say. South African motoring customers have until the end of November 2019 to complete their surveys which account for 50% of the final scores.
“The #CarsAwards is designed to be a guide for all new passenger vehicle buyers, not only those who follow motoring publications,” says Cars.co.za Consumer Experience Manager Hannes Oosthuizen.
This public process is one of the key differentiators of awards of this nature, some of which only judge cars based on the professional opinions of motoring journalists.
The #CarsAwards however, has developed a scoring algorithm that collates the data from 21 multi-disciplined media personalities and journalists including TV and radio host Jacob Moshokoa, Carte Blanche reporter Claire Mawisa, tech journalist Nafisa Akabor and seasoned motoring editor Lerato Matebese from Driven Magazine. The scores from these judges are then added together with the scores from the public to form a more holistic view of the South African motoring landscape.
#CarsAwards finalists
17 brands are represented in the list of finalists and Volkswagen leads the 39-strong pack of overall finalists spread over the 13 categories. There are seven VW products across the list of finalists with BMW, Toyota and Ford with 4-derivatives each.
Suzuki Auto have generally scored well at the #CarsAwards in the past and once again, three of their cars make the grade for the 2019/2020 list. One of the newest brands in South Africa and certainly one showing the greatest growth, Haval has also made it into the finalist list with the new H9 Luxury in the Adventure SUV category.
It takes on the seasoned and big nameplates Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuner.
The 2019/20 #CarsAwards finalists in their respective categories are:
Budget CarKia Picanto 1.2 StyleSuzuki Swift 1.2 GLXVolkswagen Polo Vivo TrendlineCompact HatchFord Fiesta 1.0 Trend AutoMazda2 1.5 Individual AutoVolkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI Comfortline AutoPremium Hatch Mazda3 2.0 AstinaMercedes-Benz A200 AMG-LineVolkswagen Golf GTIExecutive SUVBMW X3 xDrive20d M-SportRange Rover Evoque D180 R-Dynamic SEVolvo XC60 D5 R-DesignCompact Family CarRenault Duster 1.5 dCi PrestigeSuzuki Vitara 1.4T GLX AutoVolkswagen T-Cross 1.0 TSI 85kW Highline R-LineFamily CarMazda CX-5 2.0 Dynamic AutoPeugeot 3008 2.0 HDI AllureToyota RAV4 2.0 GX AutoAdventure SUVFord Everest 2.0 Bi-Turbo 4WD LimitedHaval H9 LuxuryToyota Fortuner 2.8GD-6 4×4 AutoPremium SUVAudi Q8 55 TFSI QuattroBMW X5 xDrive30d M-SportRange Rover Velar D300 R-Dynamic HSECrossoverAudi Q3 35 TFSI S LineJaguar E-Pace D180 AWD R-DynamicVolvo XC40 D4 R-DesignLeisure Double CabFord Ranger 2.0 BiTDi Wildtrak 4×4 AutoToyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 Legend 50 4×4 AutoVolkswagen Amarok 3.0 V6 TDI Highline 4MotionBusiness ClassBMW 320d Sport LineMercedes-Benz C300 AMG LineVolkswagen Arteon 2.0 TSI 4Motion R-LineFun HatchMini Cooper S Sports-AutoSuzuki Swift Sport 1.4T Volkswagen Polo GTIPerformance CarBMW M2 Competition M-DCTFord Mustang GT 5.0Toyota Supra 3.0TBrand of the Year
The #CarsAwards is always a glitzy, celebrity-studded affair and this 5th edition of the awards will take place on 6 February 2020. Hailed as the most prestigious award of the evening, the Brand of the Year has been won by two Japanese manufacturers in the past: Suzuki and Toyota who have each won the award twice. All finalist brands will be looking to bag that award in 2020.
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