The 2025 South African Car of the Year (COTY) contest is about to heat up, with the physical test days taking place in Gauteng from Tuesday, March 11.

The 17 finalists will be put through their paces during an “intense” three-day evaluation process, which includes various modules at Zwartkops Raceway near Pretoria as well as on-road evaluations on various routes in the area.

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 2025 jury panel, which includes IOL's Jason Woosey, consists 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 2025 finalists, 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 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 past few years have 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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