Now that the winners of our annual Top 12 Best Buys awards have been revealed (grab a copy of the April 2021 issue of CAR magazine for the full article), we can take a look at the individual categories.
So, the winner in the small car segment? None other than the Volkswagen Polo Vivo, for the third year in a row.
As a reminder, this category includes all small cars priced in excess of R185 000 (below that figure, you’ll find our the budget car category). So, practical fare such as the Ford Figo, Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Grand i10, all the way to compact premium offerings like the Audi A1 Sportback and Mini Cooper.
Edging its bigger and more expensive Polo sibling for the third year running, in the eyes of consumers – and our editorial team – the locally produced Polo Vivo can do no wrong. SA’s best-selling passenger car offers an extensive range of models: four engine options and two transmission choices, plus the boosted 1,0-litre TSI GT; all in a vehicle that strikes a fine balance between value for money and sophistication synonymous with VW.
Our Mswenko choice (pictured), based on the 63 kW Comfortline derivative, sits pretty in the middle of the range and offers all the necessary mod-cons such as a reverse camera and cruise control, to give it a touch of flair. Still, we’d love to see the three-year/45 000 km service plan you get as standard on the Polo…
