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Cape Town - The 2016 Women on Wheels Car of the Year competition is under way, and this year sees a couple of changes to the voting process.
There are 11 categories ranging from 'budget buys' to bakkies, and sports cars. An overall winner will also be announced at the end of the competition later in 2016.
What's new?
A new point system has been implemented. In the past, judges selected their top three choices in each category. Models with the most votes ultimately won their respective segments.
The public will also be able to cast their votes via the Women on Wheels website until July 31. The public vote will be tallied and included in the overall decision of the judges.
This year will also mark the first time the public will vote for an overall winner for the title. After voting closes, the public will receive an email with the list of winners in each category. They will then have to vote for the overall winner from said list.
The same will apply to the 10 judges.
'Best of the both worlds'
Wheels24's Janine Van der Post, one of 10 judges, said: "Giving the Women's Car of the Year competition a points system, gives it more clout.
"Female car-buyers make up quite a substantial share of the car-buying market in South Africa, and most times when women want to know opinions about cars, it matters a whole lot more when said opinions or advice comes from people who can relate.
"Women are more interested in fuel efficiency, safety features, how big the boot is and can all the kids fit. Of course, looks and performance figures also matter, but the priority checklist is just different between men and women."
Van der Post says most of the judges are petrolheads, mothers and wives: "At the end, getting an opinion from a woman behind the wheel often gives you the best of both worlds. We want practicality and safety, but we too swoon over good-looking cars and tempting power figures."
Women on Wheels editor, Juliet McGuire, says: "2016's voting system is very different to any of the previous years. I want the voting system to be as accurate as possible and so have decided on a points system."
How it works
McGuire explains that each category will total 20 points regardless of the number of finalists in each category. Each 'winning car' choice can achieve a maximum of 10 points and the runner-up a maximum of seven.
The remainder can be allocated to rest of the finalist in a given category.
"This way we will have a clear winner in each category. If, in the unlikely event that there is a draw, I shall send the two options out to the judging panel again and ask them to vote out of those two," says McGuire.
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The Finalists
1 Budget Buys
Chevrolet Spark
Ford Figo
Honda Brio (Hatch & Amaze Sedan)
Hyundai Grand i10
Kia Picanto
Nissan Micra
Renault Sandero
Suzuki Celerio
Suzuki Swift (Hatch & DZire Sedan)
Toyota Aygo
Volkswagen up!
Volskwagen Polo Vivo (Hatch & Sedan)
2 Hachbacks
Audi A3
BMW 1 Series
Ford Focus
Honda Jazz
Kia Rio
Mazda2
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Mini Cooper
Opel Adam
Opel Astra
Peugeot 308
Renault Clio
Volkswagen Polo
Volkswagen Golf
Volvo V40
3 Family sedans
Audi A3 Sedan
BMW 3 Series
Audi A4
Ford Fusion
Ford Focus Sedan
Honda Ballade
Kia Cerato Sedan
Lexus ES
Mazda3 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Nissan Almera
Toyota Corolla Quest
Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen Jetta
4 Luxury sedans
Audi A6
BMW 5 Series
BMW 7 Series
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Jaguar XF
Lexus GS
Porsche Panamera
5 MPVs
Honda Mobilio
Ford Grand Torneo Connect
Hyundai H1
Kia Sedona
Mercedes-Benz V-Class
Suzuki Ertiga
Toyota Avanza
Volkswagen Kombi
Volkswagen Caddy
6 Green Cars
BMW i3
BMW i8
Infiniti Q50 Hybrid
Lexus RX450 H
Mercedes-Benz 500e
Nissan Leaf
Toyota Auris Hybrid
Toyota Prius
Volvo XC90 T8
7 Compact SUVs/Crossovers
Audi Q3
BMW X1
Fiat 500X
Ford Kuga
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Renegade
Kia Soul
Land Rover Discovery Sport
Lexus NX
Mazda CX3
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Toyota Rav4
Nissan Qashqai
Porsche Macan
Volvo V60 Cross Country
8 Large SUVs/Crossovers
Audi Q7
BMW X5
Kia Sorento
Lexus RX
Mercedes-Benz GLE
Porsche Cayenne
Range Rover Sport
Toyota Fortuner
Toyota Land Cruiser
Volkswagen Touareg
Volvo XC90
9 Convertibles
Audi A3 Cabriolet
BMW 2 Series Convertible
BMW 4 Series Convertible
BMW 6 Series Convertible
Ferrrari 488 Spyder
Jaguar F-Type
Mazda MX-5
Mini Convertible
Porsche 911 Cabriolet
10 Lifestyle bakkies
Chevrolet Utility
Ford Ranger
GWM Steed SE
Isuzu KB
Nissan NP200
Toyota Hilux
Volkswagen Amarok
11 Sports Cars
Audi TT
Audi RS6
BMW M3
Ford Mustang
Jaguar F-Type Coupé
Lamborghini Huracan
McLaren 650S
Mercedes-AMG GT S
Mercedes-AMG C63 S
Nissan GT-R
Porsche 911
And here are the #WOWCOTY judges, a few of South Africa's most influential female motoring scribes.
