The list has been trimmed and will be trimmed again as the build-up to the South African Car of the Year sponsored by Old Mutual Insure continues with the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) announcing 37 that have it through the first round of to be in the semi-final.
The list is indicative of how busy the auto industry has been this year with new model introductions across the board from entry-level to Superformance, comprising 70 new releases made up of 243 derivatives joining the local passenger car market in 2024, which means a position in the running as a semi-finalist is an achievement in itself.
Test action from the 2024 Car of the Year
Check out our site - we have pre-owned versions of nearly all the nominated vehicles
The next step in the journey is a voting process, where SAGMJ members will select their choices, culminating in a finalist table of 20 vehicles, which will compete for top honours in their respective categories – and the ultimate title of 2025 COTY.
2025 COTY semi-finalists in alphabetical order:
BMW 1 Series
BMW 5 Series Sedan
BMW M5
BMW X3
Chery Tiggo Cross
Citroen C3 Aircross
Ford Mustang GT
Ford Territory
GAC EMKOO
GAC GS3 EMZOOM
GWM P500 HEV
GWM Tank 300
GWM Tank 500
Honda CR-V
Honda Elevate
Hyundai Exter
Jaecoo J7
Mahindra XUV 3XO
Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance
Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe
Mercedes-Benz E-Class (E 220d)
MINI Countryman
Mitsubishi Triton
Omoda C9
Suzuki Swift
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
Toyota Starlet Cross
Volkswagen Tiguan
Volvo EX30
A test cycle gets underway in the 2024 competition
Pick your favourite from the list and then check out what we have on offer for you
Setting the SAGMJ COTY competition apart from other automotive awards programmes, is its focus on new models, with minor facelifts and special editions of current iterations ineligible. The COTY Committee considers the inclusion of new derivatives added to existing line-ups, if they are sufficiently differentiated in technical and mechanical make-up.
"An overarching theme of excellence has long defined the spirit of SA COTY – each year the field gets more competitive, as technologies improve and manufacturers strive to be more aggressive with their offerings, hoping to secure consumers' wallets," says Thami Masemola, Chairman of COTY.
Although the past format of COTY awarded a single model, in recent years, the formation of categories in addition to an overall winner, has seen the competition achieve greater relevance in the eyes of the public.
Reflecting the diversity of the new car market, the field of contenders for the 2025 instalment ranges from B-segment hatchbacks such as the economical Suzuki Swift, to performance hybrid saloons like the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance.
"The increase in the number of Chinese marques is well-reflected in these early stages of the 2025 COTY. The public would be right to wonder if the country might see its first-ever Chinese-built COTY," added Masemola.
Following the announcement of the COTY 2025 finalists in January, a rigorous, two-day testing process will be undertaken by the Jury, scoring the contenders to determine category winners and the overall 2025 SA COTY.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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