Choosing a Car of the Year is not an easy task. With so may brands, models and derivatives now available at prices ranging between R62 000 and R1 000 000-plus from the mainstream manufacturers alone, deciding which new model deserves to be crowned as the best of those launched in the past year is a complex task.
This year, the eight finalists in the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists/WesBank Car of the Year were the budget Kia Rio 1,4 High five-door (R119 995); the more expensive but highly specced Toyota Yaris 1,3 Lux T3 Spirit (R137 320); the Ford Focus 2,0 TDCI Si (R194 900); Citroen’s C4 1,6 HDI Dsl (R179 995); the VW Passat 2,0 TDI Highline Dsi (R252 000); the Audi A3 Sportback 2,0T FSi Ambition (R255 000); the BMW 320d (R269 000); and the Nissan Murano 3,5i V6 4X4 AT (R379 100). The field was evenly split between petrol and diesel engines, while the Nissan was the only sports utility vehicle to make the cut. Because the field consisted of cars from so many different sectors of the market, the judging this year was more difficult than usual.
A group of 48 motoring journalists spent a couple of days evaluating the eight finalists at and around WesBank Raceway. Each car was subjected to a critical static evaluation of its styling, features and build quality before being put through its paces around the racetrack. There was also a short ”Autokhana” which allowed us to get a feel for the cars’ manoeuvrability, and a 22km road loop that tested each of the cars’ behaviour in normal use on tar and dirt roads. Information on fuel consumption, spares prices and service plans were also factored in before a winner could be declared.
For the jurors, the task was complicated by the fact that each car had to be assessed according to how it shaped up, not only against the other finalists, but also against its rivals on the market. Jumping out of a high-performance car like the Audi and then into the Kia for a couple of brisk laps around a racetrack was unlikely to result in a win for the Kia. The judges had to bear in mind that there’s a huge difference in price, and that the cars were designed with different objectives in mind. Like I said, this wasn’t easy.
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. After driving all of the cars extensively, I have a fair idea of what deserves to win, and what doesn’t. Let’s start with the losers, in no particular order.
- BMW 320d. A good-enough car in its way, but I felt this was just another BMW. It handled very well around the racetrack, but the engine didn’t particularly impress me. There are plenty of competitively priced cars around that are equally desirable.
- Toyota Yaris. A well built little car with all the benefits that come with the Toyota badge, but overpriced and underpowered compared to some of its competitors.
- Citroen C4. Packed with handy features, but not very inspiring to drive and very much out of its depth on dirt roads. The price drop from R194 995 to R179 995 adds appeal, but spares are way too expensive, so the Citroen’s still not the Car of the Year in my book.
Next comes the close-but-no-cigar group, cars that appealed to me, but not enough to get my vote as the best new car in South Africa.
Ford Focus. A great car that doesn’t stand out from the pack sufficiently to take my vote.
Volkswagen Passat. A very classy car that I thought was a winner in the beginning, spoilt by irritating turbo lag.
After all this, I’m left with a short-list of three potential winners: the Kia Rio, the Audi A3 Sportback and the Nissan Murano.
The Kia is spacious, well specced, lively enough and well built. On the gravel sections, it felt more planted and rattle-free than cars costing double the money, and at its asking price it’s a bargain. It’s not the most exciting car in the world to look at or to drive, though.
The Nissan Murano impressed with its build quality and handy features, and — despite its bulk and off-road pretensions — it actually seemed to enjoy being thrown around on the tarmac.
My pick as the Car of the Year is thus obviously the Audi A3, a car I didn’t fancy as the winner until I drove it. The unpretentious four-door hatch is, in typically Audi fashion, understated, but an absolute joy to drive. It goes like the clappers, handles like a dream and can still be used with aplomb as a family car.