Volkswagen Claims Three Wins in CAR Magazine’s 2025 Top 12 Best Buys Awards
March 2025
The 25th edition of CAR magazine’s annual Top 12 Best Buys awards acknowledged Volkswagen’s continued strive to offer South African motorists a compelling combination of quality, innovation, efficiency and safety.
Published in the April 2025 issue of South Africa’s longest-standing automotive magazine, this publication’s annual Top 12 Best Buys awards recognise the best value proposition in twelve clearly defined segments, including entry-level, performance and so-called New Energy Vehicles (NEV). Significantly, the awards are voted on by the experienced editorial team, with no outside influence.
“While a compelling asking price and difficult-to-ignore standard features list will always entice, for us, a value proposition encompasses the broader ownership experience, including after-sales service and the availability of replacement parts, as well as brand legacy and its impact on resale values,” said Ian McLaren, editorial director of CAR.
Recognising a vehicle range rather than a specific model, the venerable Polo Hatch claimed top honours in this year’s Top 12 Best Buys Small Car category.
“Even in an automotive landscape where SUVs and crossovers are largely holding sway, the Polo remains a respected and relevant fixture,” said the publication.
The recently introduced all-new Tiguan earned Volkswagen Group Africa a third award in CAR magazine’s 2025 Top 12 Best Buys feature. In awarding this best-selling VW the best Midsize SUV title, the publication noted, “One of the most eagerly anticipated releases in recent years, the third-generation Tiguan has built upon the impressive perceived quality and sophisticated road manners of its predecessor, successfully evolving to incorporate advanced driver assistance technology and more future-focused design in a package at once familiar and fresh.”
On the eve of Polo’s 50th anniversary celebrations, Volkswagen has sold more than 20 million examples of this model. Volkswagen Group Africa’s Kariega plant is currently the sole global supplier of Polo GTI and is responsible for all Polo units for the South African, European, and Asia Pacific markets.
Recently updated to introduce new lighting and infotainment technology, the popular T-Cross was voted the best Compact Crossover. “The T-Cross has rightfully gained many plaudits for being the most refined and sophisticated member of its segment since its introduction in 2019.”
Explore the modern Polo, T-Cross, and Tiguan ranges here