Best cars in South Africa
The latest Ipsos Quality Awards survey has revealed which vehicles in South Africa take the top prize for product, purchase and service quality.
The awards are based on an automotive consumer survey, incorporating data from over 22,000 interviews.
Three different studies are conducted using telephonic interviews completed in a 12-month period and combined speak to nearly 36,000 vehicle owners.
Purchasing experience is measured 10-35 days after delivery; the product quality interviews take place 90 days from purchase; and the service experience is based on an interview 10-35 days after a service or repair at a franchised dealership. ‘
The quality benchmarks and rankings are based on problems per 100 vehicles (PP100).
Ipsos noted that sometimes the sample is too small for certain brands or models, and the relevant manufacturer or distributor is subsequently not listed in the rankings.
Best volume passenger brand
Mazda, which won the gold award in the 2013 study, recorded a PP100 score of 24 in 2014 taking the top prize again in 2014.
Toyota (28) and Opel (29) sharing runner-up position and collected silver awards. Bronze awards went to Chevrolet (35), Ford (37) and Volkswagen (37).
Mazda
Top 5 Car brands
| # | Brand | PP100 |
| 1 | Mazda | 24 |
| 2 | Toyota | 28 |
| 3 | Opel | 29 |
| 4 | Chevrolet | 35 |
| 5 | Ford | 37 |
Mercedes-Benz was ranked as the best luxury brand overall with a PP100 score of 20. BMW (23) was second and Audi (27) third.
The industry average number of problems per 100 cars is around the 40 mark – the same range it has been in since 2011, Ipsos said.
The industry pleasant purchasing experience rate is at 94%, with Audi taking gold awards in both sales and service in the passenger car segment, and Volkswagen cars taking gold for sales and silver for service.
Highest quality cars
Mercedez-Benz was the clear winner in terms of individual car models, with the top 3 highest quality full passengers vehicles coming from the brand.
Namely, the E-Class (with a PP100 score of 10), C-Class coupe (14) and C-Class Petrol (14).
Mercedes E-Class
Top 10 Passenger Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | PP100 |
| 1 | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 10 |
| 2 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe | 14 |
| 3 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class Petrol | 14 |
| 4 | Chevrolet Sonic Hatch | 17 |
| 5 | Mazda 3 Sedan | 18 |
| 6 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class Diesel | 18 |
| 7 | Audi A1 | 19 |
| 8 | BMW 3-Series | 19 |
| 9 | Toyota Auris | 20 |
| 10 | Toyota Avanza | 21 |
According to Ipsos, the C-Class is manufactured locally, “which illustrates the very high standards that are achieved by the local manufacturing industry”.
The Audi Q7 was ranked as the highest recreational vehicle, with a PP100 score of 18, followed by the Toyota FJ Cruiser (21) and the Audi Q5 (21) and Q3 (24).
Audi Q7
Top 10 Recreational Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | PP100 |
| 1 | Audi Q7 | 18 |
| 2 | Toyota FJ Cruiser | 21 |
| 3 | Audi Q5 | 21 |
| 4 | Audi Q3 | 24 |
| 5 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 25 |
| 6 | Mercedes-Benz M-Class | 25 |
| 7 | Renault Koleos | 26 |
| 8 | Volkswagen Touareg | 26 |
| 9 | Ford EcoSport | 29 |
| 10 | Toyota Prado | 33 |
The Toyota Hilux Petrol SC was rated the best quality light commercial vehicle (PP100 score of 18), with the Hilux DC taking the second spot (25).
Toyota Hilux
Top 10 Light Commercial Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | PP100 |
| 1 | Toyota Hilux Petrol SC | 18 |
| 2 | Toyota Hilux Petrol DC | 25 |
| 3 | Ford Ranger Petrol SC | 27 |
| 4 | Volkswagen Amarok Diesel DC | 38 |
| 5 | Toyota Hilux Diesel DC | 41 |
| 6 | Toyota Hilux Diesel SC | 44 |
| 7 | Ford Ranger Diesel SC | 46 |
| 8 | Nissan NP200 | 50 |
| 9 | Volkswagen Amarok Petrol DC | 50 |
| 10 | Chevrolet Utility | 51 |
More on Cars
Self-driving cars can also talk to each other
Connected cars: people need a way to opt out
Loading ...