- 37 new models launched during 2024 in contention
- Diversity of vehicles ranges from compact hatchbacks, family-sized sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and performance saloons
- SAGMJ members to cast their votes, with 20 finalists and competition categories to be announced early in 2025
- SAGMJ COTY is South Africa’s authoritative motoring awards programme focusing on acknowledging excellence in the new car market, with a Jury comprising 26 diverse members representing prominent media titles
- Old Mutual Insure to remain as headline sponsor for the competition, now in its 39th year
JOHANNESBURG: 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.
A selection of new 37 models released over the course of 2024 are in contention for placement as finalists.
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.
The frequency with which new models are released in the contemporary motoring landscape presents a demanding task for the COTY Committee, which oversees the running of COTY: 69 new releases comprising of 243 derivatives joined the local passenger car market in 2024, which means a position in the running as a semi-finalist is an achievement in itself.
2025 COTY semi-finalists in alphabetical order:
- BMW 5 Series Sedan
- BMW M5
- BMW X3
- Chery Tiggo Cross
- Citroen C3 Aircross
- Ford Territory
- GAC EMKOO
- GAC GS3 EZOOM
- 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
Setting the SAGMJ COTY competition apart from other automotive awards programmes, is its focuses on new models, with minor facelifts and special editions of current iterations ineligible. The COTY Committee considers 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,” said 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 installment ranges from B-segment hatchbacks such as the economical Suzuki Swift, to performance hybrid saloons like the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance.
Coming to the market with expressive styling, above-average specification and attractive pricing, the Chinese brands’ collective onslaught has been difficult to ignore.
This edition of COTY sees the largest number of contenders from China yet, featuring the BYD Seal, GAC GS3 Emzoom, GAC Emkoo, Jaecoo J7, GWM P500 HEV, GWM Tank 500, GWM Tank 300, Omoda C9, Jetour Dashing, Jetour X70 PLUS, and Chery Tiggo Cross.
“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.
Observers with a stronger partiality to established Japanese and German nameplates will be encouraged by the presence of familiar marques. This includes the latest-generation Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, BMW 5 Series sedan and Mitsubishi Triton.
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.