Hyundai Tucson, the WOW car of the year

It was with these very specific things in mind that the panel of judges made their final decision. The ten judges comprised SA’s top female motoring journalists, namely Melinda Ferguson (City Press, Kaya FM), Janine-Lee van der Post (Wheels24), Mabuyane Kekana (Metro FM, Success SA), Lindsay Vine-Smyth (Ignition), Carrie-Anne Jane (TopCar), Liana Reiners (Leisure Wheels), Vuyi Jabavu (Driving in Heels) and myself, Ané Theron from AutoTrader.

Votes were awarded to our favourites in every section, and from these finalists, an overall winner was voted for. Our winning car, the Hyundai Tucson, received the most votes from this list of winners in each category:

Budget buys: Kia Picanto
Hatchbacks: Audi A3
Family Sedans: Audi A4
Luxury Sedans: BMW 7 Series
MPVs: Kia Sedona
Green Cars: Volvo XC90 T8
Compact Crossover / SUV: Hyundai Tucson
Large Crossover / SUV: Volvo XC90
Convertibles: Mazda MX-5
Lifestyle Bakkies: Ford Ranger
Sports Cars: Ford Mustang

Personally, I was torn between the family-friendly Kia Sedona, the glamorous and green Volvo XC90 T8, and the efficient Audi A3. But in the end, the refined Tucson won me over with its punchy engine and overall refinement, as well as generous standard specification levels.

“Judges voted, based on things such as good value for money, practicality, comfort and performance,” says Juliet McGuire, WOW Editor and the driving force behind the awards. “The reason these awards are so important is because they’re the only awards that are catered to women and voted for by women. These judges are at the top of their game within the motoring journalism industry. It’s also interesting to see what the public would consider the best of the best.”

Reader’s Choice

She continues: “This was the first year whereby a point system was used in the voting process and I couldn’t be happier with the results. It is a true reflection of what the leading female motoring journalists in this country deem to be the best. The Reader’s Choice section of the awards is also a first for the WOW awards. Usually, we include it in the total votes, but I felt we should keep them separate as to see what exactly our readers are thinking when it comes to the best cars on the market.”

WOW readers were able to vote for their personal favourites via the Women on Wheels website. The overall Reader’s Choice Award went to the versatile and luxurious Range Rover Sport, which received the most votes from this list of category winners:

Image Source: Women on Wheels

Budget buys: Volkswagen Polo
Hatchbacks: Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Family Sedans: Audi A4
Luxury Sedans: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
MPV’s: Mercedes-Benz V-Class
Green Cars: BMW i8
Compact Crossover / SUV: Mercedes-Benz GLC
Large Crossover / SUV: Range Rover Sport
Convertibles: Ferrari 488 Spider
Lifestyle Bakkies: Toyota Hilux
Sports Cars: Ford Mustang