Twice as many used cars are bought in South Africa every year than new ones and the 2019 Gumtree Autos Pre-Owned Awards uniquely acknowledge that reality by giving local pre-owned car buyers an accessible guide for their choices.
The prestigious awards, now in their third year, will be announced on 29 October at a gala event in Johannesburg.
From ‘Budget City Cars < R130 000’ to ‘Large Luxury SUVs’, the expert panel of judges has considered a shortlist of five finalists in 12 different categories.
The judging criteria include interior quality, standard features, durability, performance, both fuel and maintenance economy, and resale value. Only 2017 models with at least six months of depreciation data were considered.
Gumtree Autos’ Jeff Osborne says these are “real world awards for the cars that most South Africans buy using the factors that truly matter to them”.
Volkswagen was the big winner in 2018 – taking five categories – but Osborne believes the competition is getting hotter every year: "There’s a wide range of brands in every category shortlist with the Hatchbacks and the SUVs being the most tightly contested.”
There are also People’s Choice Awards which can be voted for on Gumtree.
2019 Gumtree Auto's pre-owned awards finalists: (all 2017 models)
Budget city cars ( R130 000)
1. Toyota Avgo 1.0 X-Play (5 door).
Image: Toyota
2. Kia Picanto 1.0 Street.
3. VW Take Up! 1.0 (5 door).
4. Renault Kwid 1.0 Dynamique.
5. Toyota Etios 1.5Xi (5 door)
Light hatchbacks ( R170 000 )
1. Ford Fiesta 1.4 Trend (5 door)
Image: Ford
2. Hyundai Grand I10 1.25 Fluid
3. Mazda 2 1.5 Active (5 door)
4. Renault Sandero 900T Stepway Dynamique.
5. Toyota Etios 1.5XS Sprint (5 door)
Medium-sized saloons ( R250 000 )
1. Hyundai Elantra 1.6 Executive (A)
Image: Hyundai
2. Suzuki Ciaz 1.4GLX
3. Toyota Corolla Prestige 1.6 CVT
4. Toyota Corolla Quest 1.6
5. VW Polo GP 1.6 Comfortline
Hatchback ( R260 000 )
1. Audi A1 Sportback 1.0T FSI SE STronic
Image: Audi
2. Kia Rio 1.4LX
3. Renault Clio IV 900T Dynamique (66kW)
4. Toyota Auris 1.6XS5. VW Golf 7 1.0TSI Comfortline
Crossover vehicles ( R315 000 )
1. Hyundai Creta 1.6 Executive (A)
Image: Hyundai
2. Mazda CX3 2.0 Individual (A)
3. Subaru XV2.0i (CVT)
4. Suzuki Ignis 1.2GLX
5. Toyota C-HR 1.2 Plus (CVT)
Entry-level SUV's ( R330 000 )
1. Ford Kuga 1.5 Ecoboost Ambiente (A)
Image: Ford
2. Kia Sportage 2.0 Ignite
3. Mazda CX5 2.0 Dynamic (A)
4. Toyota RAV4 2.0GX (A)
5. VW Tiguan 1.4TSI Trendline (92kW)
Double cab bakkies ( R450 000 )
1. Ford Ranger 3.2TDCi Wildtrak (A)
Image: Ford
2. Isuzu KB300 D-TEQ LX (A)
3. Nissan Navara 2.5dci LE
4. Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 Raider (A)
5. VW Amarok 2.0BiTDi Highline 132kW (A)
Medium-sized SUV's ( R475 000 )
1. Honda CR-V 1.5T Executive AWD (CVT)
Image: Honda
2. Hyundai Tucson 1.6TGDi Elite DCT AWD
3. Mazda CX5 2.2DE Active (A)
4. Toyota Fortuner 2.8GD-6 RB (A)
5. VW Tiguan 2.0TDI Comfortline 4-Motion
Medium-sized luxury saloons ( R475 000 )
1. Audi A4 2.0T FSI S-Tronic (B9)
Image: Audi
2. Lexus IS200T 300 EX
3. Mercedes Benz C200
4. VW Passat 2.0 TDI Luxury DSG
5. Volvo S60 D4 Momentum Geartronic
Performance saloon and hatches ( R575 000 )
1. Audi A3 Sportback S-Tronic (228kW)
Image: Audi
2. BMW 240i
3. Nissan 370Z
4. Subaru WRX 2.5 STI Premium
5. VW Golf R (DSG)
Luxury SUV's ( R615 000 )
1. BMW X4 2.0d
Image: BMW
2. Jaguar F-Pace 2.0Di4 AWD Pure
3. Land-Rover Discovery Sport 2.0 Si4 SE
4. Mercedes-Benz GLC250d
5. Range Rover Evoque 2.0TD4 SE
Large luxury SUV's ( R875 000 )
1. Audi Q7
Image: Audi
2. Land Rover Discovery 3
3. Volvo XC90
4. Mercedes GLE 350
5. Toyota Landcruiser Prado
2019 Gumtree Autos Pre-Owned Awards - Judging Panel:
Charl Wilken (Wilken Communication Management), Adam Ford (Ignition TV/Buyers’ Guide), Roger McCleery (Radio Today), Lerato Matebese (Business Day Motor News), Michele Lupini (Bakkie and Car), Liana Reiners (AutoLive), Zerildi Pieters (Daily Sun), Matthew Kanniah (Blogger), Alan Rosenmeyer (MotorMatters), Sean Nurse (AutoDealer), and Mabuyane Kekana (Kaya FM and Metro FM).