Used-car platform Cars.co.za has announced the winners of its annual 2023/2024 Consumer Awards, detailing the best buys on South Africa’s new-car market in 13 distinct categories, as well as the Brand of the Year.
These vehicles were judged according to feedback from owners on their quality, reliability, and after-sales performances; monthly sales data; and the personal experience of 20 seasoned panelists.
This year, BMW and Suzuki were the front runners with each scooping up three awards. BMW’s battery-powered iX1 and iX had a particularly good showing as they took home the win in the Electric Vehicle and Premium SUV classes.
Ford also returned to the awards for the first time since 2017 and did so with a bang, as it walked away with two first-place medals owing to its beloved Everest Wildtrak and Ranger Raptor.
Kia saw its first victory in the history of the Consumer Awards courtesy of the diesel-powered Sportage EX clinching the Family Car category, and the SUV was also the finalist vehicle with the “highest individual score” as determined by the above criteria, at 81.9%.
Meanwhile, Toyota won the Brand of the Year title for the second consecutive year, with its total tally now sitting at four trophies in this segment, followed by Suzuki with two, and VW with one.
The Brand of the Year is determined solely by market data and the Cars.co.za Ownership Satisfaction Survey’s findings, with the brands’ sales and after-sales service ratings being particularly impactful.
The 13 best cars in South Africa right now
The winners and runners-up of the 2023/2024 Consumer Awards are detailed below.
Click on the underlined names for more information on pricing and model specifications.
Entry-level hatch – Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX
- 2nd place – Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GL
- 3rd place – Renault Kiger 1.0 Zen
Budget hatch – Suzuki Baleno 1.5 GLX
- 2nd place – Toyota Starlet 1.5 XR
- 3rd place – Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Zen
Compact hatch – VW Polo 1.0 TSI 85kW R-Line
- 2nd place – Honda Fit 1.5 Elegance
- 3rd place – Opel Corsa 1.2T Elegance
Entry-level crossover – Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 GLX
- 2nd place – Haval Jolion 1.5T Premium
- 3rd place – Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5 Elite Auto
Compact family car – Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 XR
- 2nd place – Haval Jolion S Super Luxury
- 3rd place – Renault Duster 1.5dCi Intens
Family car – Kia Sportage 1.6CRDi EX
- 2nd place – Haval H6 1.5T HEV Ultra Luxury
- 3rd place – Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0TGDi 390T Executive
Premium crossover – BMW X1 sDrive18d M Sport
- 2nd place – Volvo XC40 B4 Ultimate Dark
- 3rd place – Audi Q3 Sportback 40TFSI quattro S Line
Executive SUV – Mercedes-Benz GLC220d 4Matic Avantgarde
- 2nd place – BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport
- 3rd place – Lexus NX 350h F Sport
Premium SUV – BMW iX xDrive40
- 2nd place – BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport
- 3rd place – Land Rover Defender 110 D250 SE County
Adventure SUV – Ford Everest 3.0 V6 Wildtrak
- 2nd place – Toyota Fortuner 2.8GD-6 4×4 VX
- 3rd place – Isuzu MU-X 3.0TD Onyx 4×4
Performance car – Toyota GR Yaris Rally
- 2nd place – Toyota GR Corolla Circuit
- 3rd place – Honda Civic Type R
Leisure double cab – Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 EcoBoost Raptor 4WD
- 2nd place – Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 Wildtrak 4WD
- 3rd place – VW Amarok 3.0 TDI V6 Aventura 4Motion
Electric vehicle – BMW iX1 xDrive30 M Sport
- 2nd place – Volvo XC40 Twin Motor Ultimate
- 3rd place – GWM Ora 03 Super Lux
Brand of the year – Toyota/Lexus
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