Car of the Year gets a re-shuffle and adds categories
For the first time since its inception some 34-years ago, categories have been introduced in the AutoTrader South African Car of the Year competition. There are 5 categories and they look like this:
- Urban Compact (small hatch and sedan).
- Medium Family (hatchback/medium sedan and MPV).
- Premium (executive and premium sedans).
- Leisure SUVs and Crossovers.
- Lifestyle Utility (bakkies, 4x4s and bakkie-derived sports utility vehicles).
Renaults fantastic new Duster vying for top spot in the competitive Crossover Category
After suffering much backlash in the media, the Car of the Year competition has seen a fresh new approach, spearheaded by the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists. The new direction has brought excitement back to the competition.
In order to a category, a car must finish in one of the top six overall places, so no winners are guaranteed.
This year, for the first time, members of the public an have there say in the competition. However, it remains, largely a competition judged by the Guild and its members.
The cheeky Suzuki Swift, which we have on test this Christmas, is in the running in the urban compact class.
George Minnie from the main sponsor, Autotrader says: “These categories will be of great interest to members of the public. If someone intends buying an urban compact vehicle, for instance, a win by either the Nissan Micra or Suzuki Swift will certainly influence his or her choice of vehicle,” he explains.
The actual testing of the finalists takes place in March next year. The winners of the categories and the overall winner will be announced at a gala event in April 2019.
