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 midsize car segment? Well, the Toyota Corolla Quest claimed the title for the second year in a row.
As a reminder, in this category we consider all C-segment vehicles (think Astra and Corolla Hatch) but also premium offerings such as A3 Sportback, 1 Series and A-Class. Since 2019, we’ve scrapped the midsize sedan category due to shrinking sales and simply incorporated the contenders here.
Even if you’ve only ever experienced one from the comfort of the backseat as a ride-share driver dawdled along the highway 20 km/h below the speed limit in a bid to receive a positive review, there’s no denying the ubiquitous Corolla Quest is South Africa’s favourite midsize sedan.
Starting at just R265 200 – undercutting SUV/crossover equivalents by a considerable margin – it is, as the old adage goes, a lot of car for the money. There is just one engine available, the durable 1,8-litre four-cylinder, but it’s a capable unit and private buyers will appreciate the easy-going two-pedal transmission.
This C-segment stalwart boils down to value for money, low cost of ownership and thoroughly vetted aftersales support; in that regard the Corolla Quest remains an excellent choice.
