The South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) has announced its list of semi-finalists for the 2025 Car of the Year (COTY) competition, sponsored by Old Mutual Insure.
During 2024 a total of 70 new passenger models were launched in South Africa comprising of 243 derivatives. Out of these introductions 37 new models, which were launched during the course of 2024, have been identified as semi-finalists for the 2025 Car of the Year competition.
The next step in the COTY process will see SAGMJ members vote for their favourites, culminating in a list of 20 finalists, which will compete for overall honours in their respective categories as well as the 2025 Car of the Year title.
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.
Following the announcement of the COTY 2025 finalists later 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 Car of the Year title.
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