The is the. The Volkswagen Golf 6 1.4 TSI Comfortline was announced the 2010 South African Car of the Year at a gala banquet in Johannesburg last night, taking the crown from last year’s winner, the Honda Accord 2,4 Executive.
The Golf saw off stiff competition from the likes of:
Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.4i Turbo Petrol
Audi Q5 2.0 T S tronic
Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 LS
Hyundai i20 1.6 GLS
Suzuki Alto 1.0 Litre GLS
Toyota Prius 1.8 ECVT Advanced
Volkswagen Golf VI 1.4 TSI 90 kW Comfortline
Volvo XC60 3.0T Geartronic
All of the finalists underwent an arduous two-day test session at the Gerotek test facility near Pretoria. Elements of this test session included assessments of such criteria as manoeuverability, high speed dynamics, ease of control (including parking) and fuel economy through a variety of road conditions.
The finalists were also scrutinized on build quality, aesthetics, practicality and ergonomics, as well as considerations towards the cost of ownership (value-for-money, spare parts) and environmental friendliness.
After the panel of 30 judges and the members of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists had tallied then points, the Volkswagen Golf 6 1,4 TSI Comfortline took the overall honours.
“To say that we are delighted with the 2010 Car of the Year Award bestowed upon Golf would be an understatement. We are absolutely thrilled. It is a tremendous honour for Volkswagen to have its global icon and best selling model, the Golf, named as the South African Car of the Year. Volkswagen believes that the sixth generation Golf is the best Golf ever,” said David Powels, Managing Director of Volkswagen of South Africa.
The South African Car of the Year award joins such accolades as the 2009 World Car of the Year and International Engine of the Year Awards, which were bestowed upon the Golf 6 and TSI engine respectively.
