And the winner is... the Volvo XC90 in the 2016 WesBank / SAGMJ Car of the Year competition
The 2016 edition of the competition has revealed another SUV winner in the form of the Volvo XC90, the second vehicle to claim the title for the Swedish marque and a true reflection of how the SUV as a derivative has grown in popularity.
On the podium
In second position we saw the big Ford Fusion, an American sedan and perhaps something we would have seen as a winner a decade ago when sedans were so popular. In third spot is the excellent Mazda2 hatchback, another very complete car from a brand that is growing well locally.
The surprise exclusion
Among the surprises left from the podium in our eyes was perhaps the BMW i3, a vehicle that we feel, really move the game on, which is the spirit of the competition.
Autodealer approved
Autodealer was involved in the evaluation and judging process for the competition. The big Swede did impress us throughout the evaluation days not just because it is the first all-Volvo-developed-Volvo in a while but because the XC90 is now held in the same regard and in many instances higher regard than its rather accomplished German peers.
It is expensive though...
Sure, the Volvo is an expensive car, with pricing starting at a shade over R800 000 which will have many people asking about its relevance. However in the Swedes defence, in terms of the rules of the competition it does excel while the popularity of SUVs in general cannot be ignored.
What Volvo had to say
"We are absolutely delighted with our victory," comments Volvo Car South Africa Managing Director, Greg Maruszewski. "With the all-new XC90 we are not only re-writing the rules of a post-modern luxury driving experience but reinventing our brand as well. Our ethos, 'Made by Sweden', expresses our intrinsic Scandinavian roots, love for people, heritage and attitude to building some of the world's most desirable - and safest - luxury vehicles.
To read our full write up on the XC90, click here.
Here is a list of the previous Car of the Year winners:
1986 Toyota Corolla Twin Cam
1987 Mercedes-Benz 260E
1988 BMW 735i
1989 Toyota Corolla GLi Executive
1990 BMW 525i
1991 Opel Monza 160 GSi
1992 Nissan Maxima 300 SE
1993 BMW 316i
1994 Opel Kadett 140
1995 Opel Astra 160iS
1996 Audi A4 1.8
1997 BMW 528i
1998 Ford Fiesta Fun
1999 Alfa Romeo 156 T-Spark
2000 Renault Clio 1.4 RT
2001 BMW 320d
2002 Audi A4 1.9 TDI
2003 Volkswagen Polo TDI
2004 Renault Mégane 1.9 dCi
2005 Volvo S40 2.4i
2006 Audi A3 Sportback 2.0T
2007 Honda Civic 1.8 VXi Sedan
2008 Mazda2 1.5 Individual
2009 Honda Accord 2.4 Executive
2010 Volkswagen Golf 6 1.4 TSI
2011 BMW 530d and Volkswagen Polo 1.6 TDI
2012 Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS Executive
2013 Porsche Boxster
2014 Porsche Cayman S
2015 Porsche Macan S Diesel
