By: Denis Droppa, Motoring Editor
Congratulations to the Volvo XC90 for winning our prestigious Best of the Best award for 2015.
The Swedish SUV was voted this publication’s favourite vehicle of the year by our team of print and online journalists after considering more than 70 all-new or upgraded models launched in South Africa this year. The Volvo was announced as the winner at an awards banquet held in Johannesburg on Monday evening, with Michelle Naude and Brent Ellis accepting the trophy on behalf of Volvo Cars South Africa.
The XC90 also won our Best Adventure Vehicle category, beating finalists like the Audi Q7, Ford Everest and Suzuki Vitara. In the end it was a close contest between the Volvo and the Audi, but our judges gave the XC90 the nod because it marked Volvo’s ascendance into a higher league.
For the first time, we believe, the Swedish brand is able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the German marques in terms of perceived quality, particularly in its beautifully-appointed cabin.
The second generation of this classy SUV makes an art form of interior design, and the typical Swedish minimalism now has a seductively upmarket execution. It’s also gone very high tech with an all-digital instrument panel and a tablet-style infotainment interface. All the car’s navigation, entertainment and computer functions are bundled into the touchscreen, where you swipe to select different menus, making it intuitive and quick to learn if you’re familiar with using tablets or smarphones.
The swankier new cabin is large and practical, and four or five full sized adults will easily fit inside the XC90, while there are two fold-up kiddie seats in the boot to turn it into an occasional seven-seater.
The XC90 continues Volvo’s tradition of high safety and earned a maximum five-star score in the 2015 Euro NCAP crash tests.
It comes standard with the IntelliSafe package which bundles together safety features such as Road Sign Information, Lane Departure Warning and Electronic Stability Control. It also has a new Auto Brake at Intersections feature which automatically stops the XC90 should you turn into the path of an oncoming car at a junction.
As part of a vast range of extra-cost options the XC90 can be equipped with a Techno pack which comprises heated front seats, head-up display, Adaptive Cruise Control & Lane Keeping aid, Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Parking Camera, and hands-free tailgate opening.
Drive in the XC90 range comes from a choice of 2-litre engines, either diesel or petrol, which are assisted by turbos or superchargers (or both). Volvo, like many other automakers, has opted for downsized engines boosted by turbos or superchargers in the interests of saving fuel. However, once you press the throttle any misconceptions about the limited cubic capacity are swept aside in a free-revving flow of pace.
A very cushy ride quality is matched with good handling for a large SUV, while permanent all-wheel drive and a geneous ground clearance make for useful offroad ability. An all-round class act by the Swedes.
Congratulations Volvo!
OUR PREVIOUS BEST OF THE BEST WINNERS
2014: Mercedes-Benz C-Class
2013: Volkswagen Golf
2012: BMW 3 Series
2011: Range Rover Evoque
2010: Jaguar XJ
2009: Nissan GT-R
CATEGORY WINNERS IN OUR BEST OF THE BEST 2015 AWARDS
BEST BUDGET CAR
Opel Corsa
Opel’s “Wir leben autos” (we live cars) tag line is evident in the fifth-generation Corsa’s impressive build quality and general execution. It’s roomy for a B-segment hatchback, refined, and the cabin’s taken a big step forward both in look and feel.
It’s also well-stocked with gizmos and safety. The Corsa’s offered in three trim levels: Essentia, Enjoy, and Cosmo, with all versions coming standard with features like daytime running lights, electric windows and mirrors, six airbags, ABS brakes, tyre-pressure monitoring and stability control.
Powering the entry-level models is a gem of a 1-litre turbo three-cylinder petrol engine that mates great fuel economy with good all-altitude performance, while there’s also a lively 1.4 turbo version.
New suspension gives the new Corsa very tidy handling along with a notably plush ride for a small car, while the power steering has a normal mode as well as a super-light City setting for those with frail arms.
The other finalists were: Honda Jazz, Mazda2, Suzuki Celerio, Toyota Aygo, and Volkswagen Up!
BEST FAMILY CAR
Ford Fusion
Carrying on where the now extinct Mondeo left off, the Fusion is Ford’s take on the semi-premium saloon segment.
The spacious, well-equipped sedan offers an alternative choice in a segment dominated by German models, and beats them all in the features-for money stakes.
It comes with high-tech features like Pre-Collision Assist with Head-Up Display that detects a potential collision and automatically applies the brakes if the driver doesn’t respond to warnings. There’s also Traffic Sign Recognition, which provides the driver with real-time speed limit in the instrument cluster display; and an automatic parking feature that will guide you into a parallel-parking or alley-docking bay without you having to operate the steering.
The Fusion is very refined and solid, and has stand-out styling. The Aston Martin-like grille and sleek design gives it real road presence and emotional appeal, in contrast to the often sterile styling that characterises family sedans in this league.
The other finalists were: BMW 3 Series upgrade, Citroën Cactus, Ford Tourneo Connect, Kia Grand Sedona, Peugeot 308, VW Passat.
BEST PERFORMANCE CAR
Audi RS6 Avant
This is Batman’s family car. With space to lug people and labradors, coupled with Ferrari-frightening pace, quattro traction and livid looks, the Audi’s new fire-breathing station wagon is the best example of a supercar and family car rolled into one. Its appealingly bipolar personality extends to its driving characteristics. The 412kW turbocharged 4-litre V8 unleashes in an angry fury when the mood is right and the road is clear, blasting from 0-100km/h in just four seconds. But the car can be suave and sensible too and the appeal of the RS6 is how unruffled and relaxed it can feel in day-to-day driving on its air suspension, ensuring swift but comfortable progress through the real world of busy and bumpy roads.
The other finalists were: BMW i8, Jaguar F-Type R AWD, Mercedes AMG-GT, Porsche Boxster Spyder, VW Polo GTI.
BEST LUXURY CAR
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé
Formerly known as the CL, Merc’s new S-Class Coupé is the same technological tour de force as the four-door S-Class, but wrapped up in a drop-dead gorgeous two-door body. Here’s a 5-metre long grand tourer brimming with an opulent interior, and high-tech features including night vision, and superlative Magic Ride suspension. It also has Magic Body Control that leans the whole car into a corner like a motorcycle, making the handling surprisingly sharp for the car’s size.
And there’s no shortage of performance too, and the high-performance S63 and S65 versions are real silk-coated sledgehammers.
The other finalists were: Audi A6/A7 upgrade, Maserati Ghibli, Mercedes V-Class.
BEST STYLING - READERS’ CHOICE
BMW i8
Our readers were pretty adamant in their choice, with BMW’s hybrid-powered sportscar getting more than double the votes of its nearest competitor. The styling of BMW’s sedans and SUVs may be on the conservative side, but in designing its full-blown sportscar the German carmaker didn’t pull any punches. With its sleek shape and gullwing doors, this beautiful Beemer scores high on the turn-head-o-meter, drawing admiring stares and paparazzi-like levels of snapping cellphones wherever it goes. It has the go to match the show too, and its 1.5-litre turbo engine coupled with electric drive gives it a 4.6 second 0-100km/h time.
The other finalists were: Jaguar F-Type R AWD, Audi TT, Mercedes S-Class Coupé, Mercedes AMG-GT and Mazda MX-5.
Star Motoring