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 37 new 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: 70 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 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
Setting the SAGMJ COTY competition apart from other automotive awards programmes, is its focus on new models, with minor facelifts and special editions of current iterations ineligible. The COTY Committee considers the 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 instalment 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.
