Johannesburg - South Africa's female motoring journalists have spoken and Hyundai's new Tucson has taken top honours in the 2016 Women on Wheels (WOW) Car of the Year Award, alongside 10 other category winners (listed below).
The competition is judged by 10 female car journalists, namely WOW editor Juliet McGurie as well as Melinda Ferguson, Janine-Lee van der Post, Mabuyane Kekana, Lindsay Vine-Smyth, Ané Theron, Jeanette Kritzinger, Carrie-Anne Jane, Liana Reiners, and Vuyi Jabavu.
According to McGurie, the judges, using a point system, based their vote on aspects such as value for money, practicality, comfort and performance. In addition to winning its category, the Tucson took top honours on account of its overall value and practicality.
McGurie enthused: "This was the first year whereby a point system was used in the voting process and I could not be happier with the results. It is a true reflection of what the leading female motoring journalists in this country deem to be the best of the best."
These were the category winners:
Budget buys: Kia Picanto
Hatchbacks: Audi A3
Family Sedans: Audi A4
Luxury Sedans: BMW 7 Series
MPVs: Kia Sedona
Green Cars: Volvo XC90 T8
Compact Crossover/SUV: Hyundai Tucson
Large Crossover/SUV: Volvo XC90
Convertibles: Mazda MX-5
Lifestyle Bakkies: Ford Ranger
Sports Cars: Ford Mustang
WOW magazine also gave its readers the chance to select their top vehicles in each category as well as an overall winner, and 2016's competition saw 2808 votes and the Range Rover Sport taking top honours.
These were the readers' category choices:
Budget buys: Volkswagen Polo
Hatchbacks: Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Family Sedans: Audi A4
Luxury Sedans: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
MPVs: Mercedes-Benz V-Class
Green Cars: BMW i8
Compact Crossover/SUVs: Mercedes-Benz GLC
Large Crossover/SUV: Range Rover Sport
Convertibles: Ferrari 488 Spider
Lifestyle Bakkies: Toyota Hilux
Sports Cars: Ford Mustang