Suzuki wins big in 2017 at the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards

Suzuki streaked ahead at this year's Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, scooping up not only the most coveted prize of the evening - Brand of the Year - but also Best Budget Car and Best Compact Family Car.

The Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, powered by WesBank, held its second annual event on 19 January 2017, and Suzuki swooped in to win two of the thirteen categories awarded to South African motoring manufacturers plus the prestigious title of Brand of the Year.

Unlike other auto awards, the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards are voted for by the consumer as well as other industry judges. Says Women on Wheels, whose editor Juliet McGuire was a judge at this year’s event, “What makes this such a credible and influential awards programme is that Cars.co.za Consumer Awards is distinguished by two significant factors: it is backed by the biggest provider of vehicle finance in South Africa and, in conjunction with the 13 judges’ scores, the findings of the Cars.co.za’s Owner Satisfaction Survey (in association with Lightstone Consumer) has a substantial (50%) weighting on the final results, excluding the Brand of the Year award, which is based entirely on the Survey data.”

Surveys were sent out during 2016 to actual owners of the different vehicles in each category. Their answers take up 50% of the vote for each model, and the other 50% is taken up by social media influencers, celebrities, motoring journalists and the Cars.co.za team - making this the first motoring award that has a heavy focus on actual consumer experience in the various car models.

The coveted Brand of the Year was selected based on votes from consumers alone, which means Suzuki won this award based on detailed reviews from actual Suzuki drivers.

The other two awards went to the Vitara and Celerio.

• Compact Family Car of the Year | Suzuki Vitara 1.6 GL+

In order to have been eligible for this category, contenders had to meet the following criteria:

• a list price of between R250 000 and R350 000 at the time of semi-finalist voting (September 1, 2016), including the cost of any of the following features (if they were optional): ABS, electronic stability control, a minimum of four airbags, air-conditioning, split/folding rear seats and a service plan.
• The most important judging factors were: balance of fuel economy and performance, space and practicality, design and quality appeal, occupant comfort and safety features.

Runners-up: Nissan Qashqai 1.2 Visia, Renault Captur 1.5 dCi Dynamique

• Budget Car of the Year | Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GL (2017)

In order to have been eligible for this category, contenders had to meet the following criteria:

• a list price of R160 000 or less at the time of semi-finalist voting (September 1, 2016), including the cost of any of the following features (if they were optional): ABS and dual front airbags.
• The most important judging factors were: fuel economy, value for money, practicality and brand strength.

Runners-up: Renault Sandero Expression, Toyota Aygo 1.0 X-Play

Here’s the entire list of winners in all 13 categories:

1. Premium Hatchback Car of the Year - VW Golf GTI DSG
2. Design Pure Excellence Car of the Year - BMW 750Li
3. Executive Sedan Car of the Year - Jaguar XF 25t Portfolio
4. Premium SUV of the Year - Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Inscription
5. Business Class Car of the Year - Audi A4 2.0T FSI Sport S tronic
6. Compact Family Car of the Year - Suzuki Vitara 1.6 GL+
7. Fun Car of the Year - VW Golf GTI Clubsport
8. Lifestyle SUV Car of the Year - Land Rover Discovery Sport TD4 SE
9. Compact Hatchback Car of the Year - Opel Corsa 1.0T Enjoy
10. Budget Car of the Year - Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GL
11. Performance Car of the Year - BMW M2 M-DCT
12. Family Car of the Year - VW Tiguan 1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG
13. Brand of the Year - Suzuki

Volkswagen won three categories: Premium Hatchback, Family Car and Fun Car, and, according to Women on Wheels, “The Cars.co.za Owner Satisfaction Survey had a big impact on the programme; it determined the final results in three of the categories.”

We are so thankful for the loyalty and public endorsement of Suzuki customers.

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