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CAR DOCTOR How does the car of the year competition work?

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The docs shines his exam light on Mzanzi’s top-car smack down – the AutoTrader SA Car of the Year competition – and answers questions about those ever popular SUVs.
The docs shines his exam light on Mzanzi’s top-car smack down – the AutoTrader SA Car of the Year competition – and answers questions about those ever popular SUVs.

T-boz: Please explain to me how a million rand car can compete with a R100 000 car in the Car of the Year competition?
First, there are no new R100 000 cars for sale. The cheapest new car on the market is a Renault Kwid at R132 500. Second, contestants are measured against their rivals and, to a much lesser degree, to other finalists. So, for the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class to get a high score, it has to be considered better than the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series, its direct competitors. Note that the Audi and BMW can’t be finalists because they were introduced to the market in 2013 and 2011 respectively. But they’re still on sale and that makes them rivals to the A-Class. Third, it’s not a popularity or sales numbers contest. If that were the case, Toyota or VW would win every year, while BMW drivers would perform drive-by shootings because their cult didn’t win. Something else to keep in mind is that the competition has scientific and factual elements, but ultimately it’s decided by the Guild of Motoring Journalists, not robots. Therefore, subjectivity can’t be ruled out. To see the list of finalists and for more info on the competition, enter this into your web browser: bit.ly/SACOTY19.

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The Hyundai Kona, a finalist in the this year’s AutoTrader SA Car of the Year competition

Bakssie writes: I am looking for a reliable used 4x4 SUV with low fuel consumption – diesel or petrol. It should have an automatic transmission, a spacious interior (seven seats would be nice) and be inexpensive to maintain. My budget is R250 000 to R300 000 and the amount will be financed. Do you have recommendations?
There are two distinct types of sport utility vehicles or SUVs: Those based on double-cab bakkies and the more refined passenger-car-type SUVs. The latter often provide a more comfortable ride, but they’re not as tough as those built on proper bakkie platforms, also known as ladder-frame chassis. Examples of the bakkie-based type are the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Everest, Isuzu mu-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Chevrolet Trailblazer. On the softer side you’ll find the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, Volvo XC90 and Audi Q7, among other models. The seven-seater Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Chevy Trailblazer meet your requirements, but make sure you buy a 4x4 and not a 4x2, if that’s an important criterion. Avoid the 3.6-litre petrol Trailblazer, since that engine can be quite thirsty. Also, if you will be driving on poor dirt roads often, pick the Trailblazer or one of the other bakkie-derived SUVs, such as the Pajero Sport.

Paul: How does the new Honda HR-V differ from the old and what other cars should I consider in that segment?
It’s a facelift of the 2015 model, so the changes aren’t dramatic but mostly cosmetic. It has a more sleek and attractive visage than before and the 1.8-version gains a rear camera for safe reversing. With its exceedingly spacious interior, good build quality and decent fuel consumption, the HR-V is a compelling option, but it’s not without flaws. These include excessive tyre noise and a fussy infotainment system. Worthy rivals abound, such as the Nissan Qashqai, Toyota C-HR, Mazda CX-3, Kia Soul and Hyundai Creta. Also check out the new Reanult Duster.

  • The doc sits on the panel that chooses SA’s car of the year
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