THE Mercedes-Benz A-Class is the 2019 South African Car of the Year!
This was an extremely meaningful win for Mercedes-Benz, which last won the South African Car of the Year in 1987 with the Mercedes-Benz 260E.
The runners-up were the Porsche Cayenne and Volvo XC40. Porsche last won in 2018 with the Panamera, while Volvo’s XC90 won the crown in 2016.
According to the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists, the jury members were full of praise for the A-Class during the tests. The judges, who are all motoring journalists, were impressed with its interior comfort, stunning design, innovative technology, road handling, excellent safety features and engine that offers the best blend of efficiency, performance and driving fun.
For the first time in the competition’s 34-year-long history, members of the public could also cast a vote at the AutoTrader website. There were 55 000 consumer votes and the public vote yielded exactly the same result – they also chose the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Besides Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Porsche and Suzuki drove away with awards too after the Swift was named the best compact car and the Jimny as the top choice in the lifestyle utility category.
The COTY 2019 category winners
- Urban compact category winner: Suzuki Swift
- Medium sedan/hatch category winner: Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- Premium sedan category winner: Lexus ES 250
- Lifestyle utility category winner: Suzuki Jimny
- Leisure SUV/crossover category winner: Porsche Cayenne
Past winners
, 2018 Porsche Panamera
, 2017 Opel Astra
, 2016 Volvo XC90
, 2015 Porsche Macan S Diesel
, 2014 Porsche Cayman S
, 2013 Porsche Boxster
, 2012 Hyundai Elantra
, 2011 VW Polo 1,6 TDI and BMW 530d
, 2010 VW Golf 1,4 TSI Comfortline
, 2009 Honda Accord 2,4i Executive
, 2008 Mazda 2 Individual
, 2007 Honda Civic 1,8 VXi
, 2006 Audi A3 Sportback 2,0 TFS
, 2005 Volvo S40
, 2004 Renault Mégane 1,9 dCi
, 2003 VW Polo 1,4 TDI
, 2002 Audi A4 1,9 TDI
, 2001 BMW 320d
, 2000 Renault Clio 1,4 RT
, 1999 Alfa Romeo 156 T-Spark
