2019 AutoTrader SA Car of the Year Finalists announced

By Martin Pretorius

Following intensive deliberation on the part of the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists, the finalists for the 2019 AutoTrader SA Car of the Year competition have been announced in dramatic fashion at The Garden Venue in Johannesburg.  

Whittling the list of 20 semi-finalists (which was chosen with the assistance from a public participation process) down to these final 12 contestants could not have been easy, as each of the nominees had particular strengths and appeal of their own. However, the panel of jurors chose those cars which they deemed the most deserving of this prestigious accolade, and that meant that some semi-finalists unfortunately had to fall by the wayside.

Reflecting the recent trends in our market, this year’s list is dominated by SUVs and Crossovers, and span most of our market’s price range. These finalists originate from around the globe, giving an indication of the sheer variety of excellent vehicles available to local buyers.

"South African motorists have access to vehicles from all over the world and to every conceivable type [of vehicle]. This is reflected in the list of finalists," says George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader. As has become the norm in this contest, the ultimate aim is to reward excellence – and, as demonstrated by the diversity of the finalists, excellence can be found at any budget. There’s something for everyone, from affordable city slickers, through sporty hatchbacks and luxury sedans, to top-tier luxury SUVs, and a host more inbetween.

From the city to the bush

Bringing up the lower end of the price scale is the Suzuki Swift – a brand-new and affordable hatchback which has already garnered accolades from the local motoring press in the few months since its local launch. Slightly more upmarket is the new Nissan Micra, which brings sleek styling and contemporary technology to the game, followed by the sporty new Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which encapsulates the essence of Mercedes-Benz in a smaller package.

High-performance enthusiasts will be happy to see the Honda Civic Type R on the list, as this model represents the current state of the hot-hatchback art. Meanwhile, luxury buyers can have an excellent blend of comfort, features and value in the new Lexus ES. For off-road enthusiasts, the new Suzuki Jimny offers modern convenience features, a reasonable pricetag, and real-world usability, without compromising on its highly-regarded 4x4 abilities. (Suzuki’s local representatives are most likely pretty ecstatic at this moment, because they are the only manufacturer to have two finalists this year.)

SUVs grabbing the limelight

And then we get to the invasion of the SUVs and Crossovers. First off, there’s the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, which greatly impresses with its enticing blend of practicality, style, and excellent driving dynamics. In similar vein, the Volvo XC40 offers buyers the safety and technology of a modern Volvo, but with an added shot of youthful appeal at a lower entry price. The XC40 has already scooped numerous international accolades, so it may just be the car to watch this year.

Moving into even more affordable terrain, the Hyundai Kona is strikingly attractive and strong on value. We can expect a serious fight between the Kona and the new Renault Duster in this year’s contest, just as their buyers will likely cross-shop between these two. Of course, this Duster is also brand-new, and seems sure to expand on its predecessor’s sales success.

Larger SUVs are also well-represented, with the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport striking a nice balance between an advanced four-wheel drive system, high-tech drivetrain, and everyday practicality. Finally, the new Porsche Cayenne sets new standards in the luxury-SUV segment, and adds most of the excellence of the Panamera (the 2018 title holder) to its popular, high-riding nameplate.

The road to victory

Rubin van Niekerk, Chairman of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists believes that each and every finalist is a contender worthy of wearing the 2019 AutoTrader SA Car of the Year crown. Each of these finalists will now be thoroughly evaluated by the Guild’s jurors (all of whom are experienced and respected motoring journalists), with the final testing days taking place in March 2019.

“Each vehicle will be scored against its direct class competitors on aspects such as exterior and interior design, engine and transmission performance, ride and handling, braking, safety features, overall excellence, and affordability,” says van Niekerk. The final results will be announced early in April 2019.

Stay tuned to our website and social media channels, where we will be showing you the vehicles as we review them, and where you will be able to score some nice prizes throughout the final stretch of this competition.

Here’s your list of finalists for the 2019 AutoTrader SA Car of the Year title:

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Honda Civic Type R

Hyundai Kona

Lexus ES

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Nissan Micra

Porsche Cayenne

Renault Duster

Suzuki Jimny

Suzuki Swift

Volvo XC40