The 2023 South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition, sponsored by Old Mutual Insure and presented by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ), is gearing up to crown the country's ultimate vehicle champion at a gala event in June 2023. With a long-standing history dating back to 1986, this prestigious event showcases the pinnacle of innovation and excellence in the automotive industry and here are the top 21 finalists (in alphabetical order by category):
| Category | Finalists |
| Compact | Renault Clio 5 |
| Compact Family | BAIC Beijing X55 |
| Nissan Qashqai | |
| Opel Mokka | |
| VW Taigo | |
| Midsize | Alfa Romeo Tonale |
| Chery Tiggo Pro 8 | |
| Honda Civic RS | |
| Hyundai Tucson | |
| Kia Sportage | |
| Premium | Jeep Grand Cherokee L |
| Kia Sorento | |
| Adventure SUV | Ford Everest |
| Double Cab | Ford Ranger |
| Isuzu D-Max | |
| Luxury | Mercedes Benz S-Class |
| Performance | Audi RS3 Sedan / Hatch |
| New Energy | Audi e-tron GT/RS e-tron GT |
| Haval H6 Hybrid | |
| Toyota RAV4 E-four | |
| Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge |
"Congratulations to our top 21 finalists! All the vehicles have already proven to be excellent contenders and we’re looking forward with anticipation to see which deserving vehicle will take home the coveted overall winner's crown, as well as who the category winners will be,” says Garth Napier, MD of Old Mutual Insure.
“The 2023 COTY finalists showcase cutting-edge innovation and fierce competition in the quest to offer the best mobility solutions. These finalists are the cream of the crop in South Africa, and we can't wait to see who comes out on top,” adds Mabuyane Mabuza, Chairperson of the 2023 COTY Committee.” The final round of scoring will commence shortly and continue until the end of March 2023, incorporating data from Lightstone for the competition's automated scoring, based on market segment sales volumes and spec-adjusted competitor pricing.The Motor Enthusiast's Choice (public vote) will run again this year. The 2023 COTY Committee wishes all contenders good luck. The category winners and the overall winner of the SA Car of the Year competition will be announced on 1 June.