The evaluation programme for the 2024 South African Car of the Year competition, sponsored by Old Mutual Insure has been completed.
The 17 COTY semi-finalists were tested over three days across a variety of disciplines including road and track. Tests included acceleration, handling, braking, wet-surface stability, fuel economy and where applicable, off-road capability.
Throughout the test days, diverse evaluations assessed the vehicle’s design, engineering, technology, powertrain, practicality, safety, ride, handling and overall standard of excellence. While a variety of vehicles were tested simultaneously, COTY semi-finalists are judged against their natural competitors in the South African car market and not against the other semi-finalists, unless their natural competitors also form part of that year’s semi-finalists.
The value for money factor, which forms a crucial percentage of the overall score, comes under additional scrutiny in a follow-up study conducted by Lightstone Automotive.
Lightstone Automotive also supplies critical data such as average monthly sales volumes per product and market segment and specification adjusted competitor pricing to complete the scoring process before the jury’s results are formally audited.
The field of contenders is diverse, ranging across eight categories from affordable compacts to sensible family offerings, ultra-luxurious saloons and snarling performance vehicles.
Affordable entry level vehicles are represented by the Suzuki Fronx and the Citroen C3. The compact family category is being contested by the Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser as well as the Omoda C5. In the family category, the GWM Ora faces off against the BMW X1.
The premium and luxury categories see the Mercedes-Benz GLC and Lexus NX compete for category honours in the premium category while the luxury category is being contested by the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz EQS.
The Volkswagen Amarok is the only contender in the 4x4 Double Cab category, while the Lexus LX and Mahindra Scorpio N are battling it out for honours in the Adventure SUV category.
The performance car category is one of the most hotly contested this year where the Ford Ranger Raptor, Toyota Corolla GR, BMW M2 and Honda Civic Type R are fighting it out for victory.
The public are encouraged to participate and have their say in the 2024 South African Car of the Year competition via the COTY Motor Enthusiast public competition. To vote in the COTY Motor Enthusiast' public competition, visit
www.ominsurecoty.co.za/voting/.
The 2024 South African Car of the Year overall and category winners will be announced on the 8th of May
Credit: Reuben van Niekerk
