The winners in the first annual Cars.co.za Consumer Awards will be announced at a glittering event on January 14th. With the finish line in sight, these are the three excellent contenders in the Compact Car category that are battling it out for the prestigious prize. Which one should get the trophy?
For more information on the Cars Awards and the judging panel, head to CarsAwards.co.za
What are we looking for?
We’re looking for a balanced offering that is excellent across the board. Cars in this segment must appeal to a very wide audience – from the young professional or family buying up from an entry level car, to pensioners buying down from something larger and more expensive.
Which Cars are Eligible?
Its listed price must not exceed R250 000 at the time of semi-finalist voting (June 17, 2015). This price must include all accessories/options deemed as requirements for eligibility in this category.
ABS braking – (if not fitted as standard, the cost of this, together with other required options, must not push the price of the vehicle over R250 000 at the time of voting).
ESP (Electronic Stability Control) – (if not fitted as standard, the cost of this, together with other required options, must not push the price of the vehicle over R250 000 at the time of voting).
Dual front airbags – (if not fitted as standard, the cost of this, together with other required options, must not push the price of the vehicle over R250 000 at the time of voting).
Air-conditioning – (if not fitted as standard, the cost of this, together with other required options, must not push the price of the vehicle over R250 000 at the time of voting).
USB/Aux audio support – (if not fitted as standard, the cost of this, together with other required options, must not push the price of the vehicle over R250 000 at the time of voting).
Bluetooth – (if not fitted as standard, the cost of this, together with other required options, must not push the price of the vehicle over R250 000 at the time of voting).
Service Plan – (if not fitted as standard, the cost of this, together with other required options, must not push the price of the vehicle over R250 000 at the time of voting).
Most Important Judging Factors
Balance of Fuel Economy & Power/Performance – (based on Euro NEDC combined cycle L/100 km and engine power/torque band/acceleration.)
Value for money – (comfort features such as a comprehensive info-tainment system, height-adjustable driver seat, rake/reach adjustable steering wheel etc. score valuable points.)
Practicality – (cabin space, boot space, general accessibility, folding seats etc.)
Brand strength – (preference for established brands with a proven track record; includes peace of mind that comes from a large servicing network, resale value, a strong warranty, length of service plan etc.)
Design & quality appeal – (a measure of desirability and upmarket build is a plus)
Ride/handling – (a comfortable daily slogger, but still fun to drive)
Safety – (beyond the Filter eligibility features listed above, incl. extra airbags, Isofix etc.)
Want to have a say?
We appreciate and recognise the fact that owners are the ultimate judges of cars, as they live with them (and the people that provide the backup) on a daily basis. For that reason, we launched a comprehensive Ownership Satisfaction Survey a few months ago to gain insight into what owners say of their vehicles and after-sales service experiences. By completing this survey, you will have real impact on the Awards programme. This year, voting has already taken place in the individual product categories, but your input can still significantly impact the prestigious Brand of the Year category.
The Finalists
Ford Focus Hatch 1,0T Trend
Opel Corsa 1,0T Enjoy
Honda Jazz 1,5 Elegance
Ford Focus Hatch 1,0T Trend
Why is the bigger Ford Focus here you ask, instead of the Fiesta that is roughly the same size as the other two finalists? Essentially, it comes down to our price barrier of R250 000. This Focus offers astonishing value and performance for the money, as well as C-segment features and space at B-segment pricing, something we just couldn't ignore. Powered by the acclaimed 1,0-litre EcoBoost engine, the Focus offers an appealing mix of power and performance. The rest of the package is also excellent as it offers a spread of comfort, info-tainment and safety features that compare well with the smaller, similarly priced cars it competes with here. Included is an excellent audio system, rake/reach-adjustable steering and cruise control. Ford is doing good things and the Focus is a global success story. The brand is increasingly regarded as a viable rival to Toyota and Volkswagen, but it doesn't quite have the same reputation for after-sales-service.
Test Team Opinion
“Ford must have sharpened its pencils an awful lot to offer this much car at this low a price. The Focus offers a very strong spread of talents. I’m not sure this price can last very long!” Hannes Oosthuizen
“Right now the Focus is an outright steal. It’s amazing that so much car is available at the same price as smaller cars in the segment below.” Ashley Oldfield
“The Focus has snuck in here purely on its price. It blasts the others out the water in terms of pricing as you’re getting a big car for small car money. That engine is just lovely too.” David Taylor
Opel Corsa 1,0T Enjoy
Armed with arguably the finest 1.0-litre turbo engine and a myriad of technology, it's hard to overlook the latest generation of Opel Corsa. For the money, the standard features package is comprehensive too, with comfort items for the driver being particularly well taken care of. The Corsa's boot is competitively sized and offers 60/40 folding seats. It's also packed with safety features such as six airbags and ISOfix child seat mounts. Opel has not had it easy over the past few years, but the raft of new product coming out can only mean good things. The Corsa comes with a decent warranty and service plan, and the General Motors dealership footprint is considerable too.
Test Team Opinion
“The new Corsa is one of those cars that don’t immediately bowl you over, but grows on you with time. This bodes well for long-term ownership satisfaction.” Hannes Oosthuizen
“Sharing the same swooping fascia and touchscreen as the uber-trendy Adam, the interior overall is the car’s highlight, with options like a self-parking aid being quite impressive in this segment.” Ciro de Siena
“Opel’s new 1-Litre turbo engine is an absolute gem, and easily the pick of the bunch. The Corsa too makes a good case for itself, especially in the safety department.” Ashley Oldfield
“That engine is easily the best 1,0-litre engine around and the latest Opel Corsa comes to market with some great tech. It’s a modern car that can do it all, for a not-too-silly amount of money.” David Taylor
Honda Jazz 1,5 Elegance
Honda's Jazz has a reputation for owner satisfaction, practicality and reliability. The latest version continues to offer these talents, but in a more modern package. Honda continues to swim against prevailing market trends by sticking to naturally-aspirated motors and, in reality, the 1,5-litre motor is adequate in terms of performance and outputs. In this specification, the Jazz is pricey, but then you have to factor in the spacious cabin, peace-of-mind as well as a comprehensive standard features package that includes a very up-to-date infotainment system, a full complement of airbags and even cruise control. Honda is one of the most trusted brands in the market and the Jazz has always performed brilliantly in customer satisfaction surveys all over the world.
Test Team Opinion
“By most measurable factors the Jazz is one of the best cars on the market, so you can’t go wrong here, especially if your priorities are reliability and all-round versatility.” Hannes Oosthuizen
“With those genius rear seat gymnastics it must be one of the most practical cars on the market. It is the car I recommend most to car buyers, but with its bulletproof reliability record, I almost always recommend a used example.” Ciro de Siena
“The Honda Jazz is a firm favourite around the world. It is impressively practical for a compact hatchback and offers built-in peace of mind with the purchase.” Ashley Oldfield
“The Jazz epitomises what this segment stands for. A compact car with lots of features, huge space and reliability is a strong contender and the Jazz does all of this pretty well.” David Taylor
