The Opel Astra has scooped the overall prize in our 2016 Best of the Best awards. Our team of motoring journalists chose the German hatchback from over 60 new cars, bakkies and SUVs launched in South Africa over the past 12 months.
The Astra also won the Best Family Car category (see the other category winners below this).
Against a highly competitive field of rivals, judges gave the nod to the new-generation Astra for its impressive sophistication, ride quality, and good value for money. At the same time the car’s become a lot smarter, with some driver-assistance technologies that are traditionally the preserve of more expensive luxury cars.
“Opel has upped its game with a car that’s lighter yet roomier, more interesting to look at, classier inside and packed with new-age gadgets,” said the judging panel. “In standing out against a market of over achievers, the new Astra has done it by ditching some mass in its midriff and gaining some in its cranium.”
The 11th generation of Opel’s mid-sized hatch has shed between 120kg and 200kg compared to its predecessor, depending on derivative, which has benefits to handling and fuel economy.
It cruises silently too, and Opel’s engineers have done a great job on refinement. This extends to the car’s very solid feel, which hasn’t been affected by the diet it underwent. In fact torsional rigidity has improved due to the use of low-weight but high-strength steel.
“The new Astra also ticks all the right boxes in terms of safety and refinement, while the lively 1.6T Sport derivative adds real driver appeal to the equation,” concluded the judges.
http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/special-features/best-cars-of-2016-we-have-a-winner-7126796
