FOLLOWING weeks of anticipation as to which car would drive off with the prestigious 2016 Wesbank/SAGMJ (South African Guild of Motoring Journalists) award, the Volvo XC90 emerged the winner, beating 11 other nominees vying for the crown.
The other nominees were the BMW i3, Citroen C4 Cactus, Ford Fusion, Honda HR-V, Jaguar XE, Kia Sorento, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Mazda2, Opel Adam, Opel Corsa and Peugeot 308, which are all great cars in their own right.
Announced at a gala event in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, on Tuesday night, the XC90 finished ahead of the Ford Fusion and Mazda2, which were the first and second runner-ups respectively.
The XC90 follows in the footsteps of the Volvo S40, which received the coveted award in 2005. The latest local motoring accolade joins the XC90’s long list of international awards, the total of which now exceeds 60. Other significant awards include the Women’s World Car of the Year, North American Truck of the Year, European Car of the Year, Best SUV (Scottish Car of the Year) and Icelandic Car of the Year awards.
"We are absolutely delighted with our victory," said Volvo Car SA MD Greg Maruszewski. "With the all-new XC90, we are not only rewriting the rules of a postmodern luxury driving experience but reinventing our brand as well. Our ethos, ‘Made by Sweden’, expresses our intrinsic Scandinavian roots, love for people, heritage and attitude to building some of the world’s most desirable — and safest — luxury vehicles."
In our opinion, as reported in our Motor News supplement recently, the Volvo is deserving of the accolade as it has raised the bar in the luxury SUV segment with regards to styling, interior appointments and finishes, a thrifty yet powerful diesel engine, and exemplary safety equipment. During the test days, which took place at the Gerotek testing facility in Tshwane in February, the Motor News team, which is part of the jury in the competition, found the XC90 performed well above expectations in just about all disciplines. It combines the hallmarks of a premium, family SUV with driver enjoyment, which to an extent has eluded some of its nearest competitors in recent times.
At a starting price of R820,200-R1,025,200 for the range, many might argue that the model is slightly too expensive to be considered as the winner of the award. However, the competition’s criteria seeks to award automotive excellence wherein a vehicle is judged on its merits and what it offers its respective segment. With SA being a popular SUV market in general and premium SUVs in particular, pound for pound, the Volvo XC90 offers a great deal of standard equipment and luxury at the price, thus offering excellent value for money among its rivals. It is, unequivocally, a deserving winner of this year’s competition.
Volvo XC90. Picture: INGA HENDRICKS
FOLLOWING weeks of anticipation as to which car would drive off with the prestigious 2016 Wesbank/SAGMJ (South African Guild of Motoring Journalists) award, the Volvo XC90 emerged the winner, beating 11 other nominees vying for the crown.
The other nominees were the BMW i3, Citroen C4 Cactus, Ford Fusion, Honda HR-V, Jaguar XE, Kia Sorento, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Mazda2, Opel Adam, Opel Corsa and Peugeot 308, which are all great cars in their own right.
Announced at a gala event in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, on Tuesday night, the XC90 finished ahead of the Ford Fusion and Mazda2, which were the first and second runner-ups respectively.
The XC90 follows in the footsteps of the Volvo S40, which received the coveted award in 2005. The latest local motoring accolade joins the XC90’s long list of international awards, the total of which now exceeds 60. Other significant awards include the Women’s World Car of the Year, North American Truck of the Year, European Car of the Year, Best SUV (Scottish Car of the Year) and Icelandic Car of the Year awards.
"We are absolutely delighted with our victory," said Volvo Car SA MD Greg Maruszewski. "With the all-new XC90, we are not only rewriting the rules of a postmodern luxury driving experience but reinventing our brand as well. Our ethos, ‘Made by Sweden’, expresses our intrinsic Scandinavian roots, love for people, heritage and attitude to building some of the world’s most desirable — and safest — luxury vehicles."
In our opinion, as reported in our Motor News supplement recently, the Volvo is deserving of the accolade as it has raised the bar in the luxury SUV segment with regards to styling, interior appointments and finishes, a thrifty yet powerful diesel engine, and exemplary safety equipment. During the test days, which took place at the Gerotek testing facility in Tshwane in February, the Motor News team, which is part of the jury in the competition, found the XC90 performed well above expectations in just about all disciplines. It combines the hallmarks of a premium, family SUV with driver enjoyment, which to an extent has eluded some of its nearest competitors in recent times.
At a starting price of R820,200-R1,025,200 for the range, many might argue that the model is slightly too expensive to be considered as the winner of the award. However, the competition’s criteria seeks to award automotive excellence wherein a vehicle is judged on its merits and what it offers its respective segment. With SA being a popular SUV market in general and premium SUVs in particular, pound for pound, the Volvo XC90 offers a great deal of standard equipment and luxury at the price, thus offering excellent value for money among its rivals. It is, unequivocally, a deserving winner of this year’s competition.
Change: 0.40%
Change: 0.47%
Change: -0.49%
Change: 0.53%
Change: 1.03%
Data supplied by Profile Data
Change: 1.71%
Change: 1.28%
Change: 0.40%
Change: 0.00%
Change: 1.64%
Data supplied by Profile Data
Change: -1.27%
Change: 0.00%
Change: 0.05%
Change: -0.08%
Change: 0.35%
Data supplied by Profile Data
Change: -0.02%
Change: 0.21%
Change: -0.06%
Change: 0.53%
Change: 0.70%
Data supplied by Profile Data