Africa-Press – Cape verde. The 2025 finalists for the 2025 SA Car of the Year competition have been announced, and it’s quite an interesting list!
The 39th edition of the annual event is organised by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ), a non-profit organisation of automotive media specialists.
At the end of last year, 29 models were revealed as the semi-finalists in the 2025 Car of the Year (COTY) competition sponsored by Old Mutual Insure.
The 29 semi-finalists were thoroughly assessed by the Guild’s elected expert Jurors, who are recognised leaders in their respective fields, and narrowed down to the final 17.
The next step is for the finalists to undergo an intense three-day evaluation process in Johannesburg later in March, during which the jury members will test the cars’ capabilities.
“The prestige of the South African Car of the Year competition has made a comeback, with numerous Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) regarding the 2025 event as a significant highlight of the South African automotive industry. This has placed considerable pressure on the COTY committee and respected Jurors to elevate the standard of excellence that the competition provides,” said Thami Masemola, chairman of COTY.
“Additionally, South African car buyers will eagerly await the announcement of the best vehicles launched in South Africa throughout 2024, enabling them to make informed purchasing decisions.”
The finalists showcase a diverse range of vehicles, from compact hatchbacks to family-sized SUVs and performance saloons, ensuring that buyers at various price points can find cars of class-leading excellence.
Intense rivalries will emerge across multiple categories of the 2025 COTY competition. The Performance category features three long-anticipated competitors from BMW, Ford, and Mercedes-AMG, all vying for coveted category honours.
The newly launched Mitsubishi Triton and GWM P 500 HEV will aim to repeat Ford’s victory in 2023 when the Ranger became the first bakkie in history to be crowned the overall winner. As the first Hybrid bakkie to ever make COTY finalist, the P500 HEV is one of four new-energy vehicles, alongside the BMW M5, Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E performance, and Volvo EX30. The latter is the only full EV that made the finalist list this year.
One of the longest automotive rivalries in South Africa has been rekindled in the luxury sedan category, with the BMW 5 Series fighting it out with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is set to strive for a fourth COTY trophy for the Japanese manufacturer, following previous victories in 1986, 1987, and 2022.
Despite four Chinese cars being finalists, the popular Suzuki Swift might be a fierce competitor for this year’s title. Having received global acclaim and a coveted position as a finalist for the 2025 World Car of the Year, this budget-friendly hatchback is aiming high. And as one of the best-selling passenger cars in our local market, it has a lot of good things going for it.
The 2025 SA Car of the Year Finalists are (in alphabetical order):
“Rapid technological advances intensify the annual competition, with innovative features becoming commonplace, even in entry-level vehicles, showcasing the evolution of automotive technology”, says Mabuyane Mabuza, chairman of the SAGMJ.
In early March, the competition enters the testing phase at Zwartkops Raceway in Tshwane, where the jury will physically assess the vehicles. The South African COTY competition is one of the few in the world where physical testing with all the finalists still takes place. Subsequently, the final scoring round incorporates data from Lightstone Auto, utilising automated scoring based on market segment sales volumes and spec-adjusted competitor pricing.
“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,” concluded Masemola.
The Motor Enthusiast’s Choice (public vote), which returned in the 2024 COTY competition, has become more relevant.
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