The 2025 South African Car of the Year contest is in full swing with the announcement of 17 finalists that will all be competing for the grand prize.
The competition, which is staged by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) and sponsored by Old Mutual Insure, is now in its 39th year, having been launched in 1986.
The vehicles, voted for by the jurors from an initial list of 29 semi-finalists, represent a variety of segments, from entry-level SUVs to performance cars and bakkies. Besides the coveted overall prize, category awards will be handed to those vehicles that perform exceptionally within their segments.
2025 Car of the Year Finalists (in alphabetical order)
- BMW 5 Series Sedan
- BMW M5
- BMW X3
- Ford Mustang GT
- GAC GS3 EMZOOM
- GWM P500 HEV
- Jaecoo J7
- Mahindra XUV 3XO
- Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class (E 220d)
- MINI Countryman
- Mitsubishi Triton
- Omoda C9
- Suzuki Swift
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- Volvo EX30
The 17 finalists will be put through their paces during an “intense” three-day evaluation process that's due to be held in Gauteng in early March.
The local contest is one of just a few COTY contests in the world where physical testing takes place. The score sheet for each vehicle has a variety questions across all important aspects, from practicality to ergonomics, technology, performance, road handling and value for money. Jurors are urged not to judge the finalists in relation to each other, but rather to their natural peers within their respective segments.
The jurors consist of highly experienced motoring journalists as voted for by the members of the SAGMJ as well as by the COTY committee.
"The culmination of the COTY competition is its most thrilling phase. Using their expertise and experience, jurors meticulously evaluate every aspect of the cars. Their discernment determines the crème de la crème that caters to diverse market needs and elevates local mobility standards," said SA COTY Chairperson Thami Masemola.
In order to qualify for COTY, a vehicle must be new to the market, launched between the cut-off dates at the beginning and end of 2024.
The past few years has seen a variety of winners, with the BMW 7 Series taking top honours in 2024, the Ford Ranger in 2023 and Toyota Corolla Cross in 2022.
The 2025 competition will also have a Motor Enthusiast’s Choice award, which is a public vote. Details of this will be announced on the SAGMJ’s social media outlets in the coming month.
Previous South African Car of the Year winners
- 2024: BMW 7 Series
- 2023: Ford Ranger
- 2022: Toyota Corolla Cross
- 2021: Peugeot 2008
- 2020: Jaguar I-Pace
- 2019: Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- 2018: Porsche Panamera
- 2017: Opel Astra
- 2016: Volvo XC90
- 2015: Porsche Macan S Diesel
- 2014: Porsche Cayman S
- 2013: Porsche Boxster
- 2012: Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS
- 2011: VW Polo 1.6 TDI and BMW 530d
- 2010: VW Golf 6 1.4 TSI Comfortline
- 2009: Honda Accord 2.4i Executive
- 2008: Mazda 2 1.5 Individual
- 2007: Honda Civic 1.8 VXi
- 2006: Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI
- 2005: Volvo S40 2.4i
- 2004: Renault Mégane 1.9 dCi
- 2003: VW Polo 1.4 TDI
- 2002: Audi A4 1.9 TDI
- 2001: BMW 320d
- 2000: Renault Clio 1.4 RT
- 1999: Alfa Romeo 156 T-Spark
- 1998: Ford Fiesta Fun
- 1997: BMW 528i
- 1996: Audi A4 1.8
- 1995: Opel Astra 160iS
- 1994: Opel Kadett 140
- 1993: BMW 316i
- 1992: Nissan Maxima 300 SE
- 1991: Opel Monza 160 GSi
- 1990: BMW 525i
- 1989: Toyota Corolla GLi Executive
- 1988: BMW 735i
- 1987: Mercedes-Benz 260E
- 1986: Toyota Corolla GLi
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