If I’m being honest, cars don’t get me hot under the collar.

Sure, every now and again I see one and think it looks like a solid set of wheels, but mostly I’m just interested in their ability to get me from A to B in one piece.

Good job, car.

I should mention that it’s a different story when cars are screaming around a dirt track with Table Mountain in the background.

Anyway, some people get their kicks by putting these machines through a number of tests, so we should let you know that there are 12 cars in the running for the 2019 AutoTrader South African Car of the Year award.

BusinessTech have the deets:

George Mienie, AutoTrader CEO, said: “South African motorists have access to vehicles from all over the world and to every conceivable type. This is reflected in the list of finalists.”

The list of finalists includes three hatchbacks (the Nissan Micra, Suzuki Swift and Mercedes-Benz A-Class) as well as one hot hatch (the Honda Civic Type R).

The next step involves the judges putting the 12 cars through the paces, with each vehicle scored in categories like “exterior and interior design, engine and transmission performance, ride and handling, braking, safety features overall excellence and affordability”.

We will only know who wins in early April (wow – high drama), but here are your 12 options:

• Alfa Romeo, Stelvio
• Honda, Civic Type R
• Hyundai, Kona
• Mercedes-Benz, A-Class
• Lexus, ES
• Mitsubishi, Pajero Sport
• Nissan, Micra
• Porsche, Cayenne
• Renault, Duster
• Suzuki, Jimny
• Suzuki, Swift
• Volvo, XC40

12 cars – we made it.

Good luck to them all.

If you’re struggling to make up your mind, be sure to contact local TV / radio car guru, Juliet McGuire. She is available for an instant voice or text chat on TIMON – the gig economy app. 

[source:bustech]