WIEL names its 16 best vehicles

“Even though some 2009 winners again made the grade, it does not mean that little has changed in those segments, but because these vehicles could hold their own against newer competitors,” said the magazine's editor François Rabe.

According to Rabe, the results are based on the editorial team's extensive formal and informal evaluation of hundreds of vehicles during the course of 2009.

“During 2009 a number of familiar brands and model ranges were discontinued in this market. Some Chinese makes have withdrawn - and returned - and some manufacturers have stopped imports of low-volume sellers,” Rabe said.

Spoilt for choice

“Despite this, buyers have so many options - in terms of model mix and diversity South Africans still has one of the most diverse choices in the world. Our market is very sophisticated when compared to global standards. In the year ahead we will add at last 50 brand new models to that choice,” he said.

The evaluation was based on the magazine team's knowledge and experience of each model range measured against a mix of criteria consisting of the level of quality, safety, dynamics, practical features, design, resale value and elements like back-up and service support.

“In order to make a recommendation as to the ‘best' vehicle in any given category, we looked at each range on a holistic basis, not just what it looks like and how it drives,” said Rabe.

The 2010 class winners are:

Supermini. Winner - Hyundai i10, runners-up, Chevrolet Spark and Renault Twingo

Small family car. Winner - Ford Fiesta, runners-up Honda Jazz and Hyundai i20

Family car. Winner - VW Golf 6, runners-up Kia Cerato and Toyota Corolla

Hot hatch. Winner - VW Scirocco, runners-up Clio Renaultsport and Mini Cooper S JCW

Medium car. Winner - Mazda6, runners-up Honda Accord and VW Passat

Premium car. Winner - Mercedes C-Class, runners-up Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series

Luxury car. Winner - Mercedes E-Class, runners-up Jaguar XG and BMW 5-Series

Large luxury car. Winner - Mercedes S-Class, runners-up BMW 7-Series and Porsche Panamera

Small MPV. Winner - Mazda5, runners-up Toyota Verso and Renault Scenic

Large MPV. Winner - Kia Sedona, runners-up: Hyundai H-1 and Mercedes Vito/Viano

Small SUV. Winner - Audi Q5, runners-up R Freelander and VW Tiguan

Medium/luxury-SUV. Winner - LR Discovery 4, runners-up Toyota Land Cruiser 200 and Range Rover

Bakkies - single cab. Winner - Toyota Hilux, runners-up Nissan NP200 and Ford Ranger/Mazda BT-50

Bakkies - Double cab. Winner - Nissan Navara, runners-up Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger/Mazda BT50

Performance car. Winner - Porsche Cayman, runners-up Mercedes C 63 AMG and Nissan 370Z

Supercar. Winner - Nissan GT-R, runners-up Porsche 911 and Audi R8

Convertible/roadster. Winner - Mazda MX-5, runners-up Porsche Boxster and Jaguar XK

Footnote:
The full results with a brief summary and technical description of each category appears in the February issue of WIEL.