South Africa's 2025 Car of the Year is . . .
This marks the eighth time a BMW has claimed the top honour in the competition, staged by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) for the past 39 years and sponsored by Old Mutual since 2023.
The Suzuki Swift took second overall place in the competition, while the BMW M5 hybrid secured third spot.
'Locally-produced at the BMW's Rosslyn facility, the latest X3 is a beacon of the local industry's capabilities and exceptional manufacturing standards. The German sport-utility vehicle edged ahead in the scoring, thanks to its high refinement levels, innovative design, high level of digitisation and relative value for money,' the SAGMJ said.
The organisation also lauded the Suzuki Swift, for upping the ante considerably over its predecessor, particularly in the area of safety, where six airbags are now standard across the range.
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The South African COTY competition is one of a handful in the world that stage physical testing days for the finalists. To that end, the 17 finalists for 2025 were put through their paces back in March, in a three-day evaluation process that included various modules at Zwartkops Raceway and nearby road routes.
Previous South African Car of the Year winners
2024: BMW 7 Series
2023: Ford Ranger
2022: Toyota Corolla Cross
2021: Peugeot 2008
2020: Jaguar I-Pace
2019: Mercedes-Benz A-Class
2018: Porsche Panamera
2017: Opel Astra
2016: Volvo XC90
2015: Porsche Macan S Diesel
2014: Porsche Cayman S
2013: Porsche Boxster
2012: Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS
2011: VW Polo 1.6 TDI and BMW 530d
2010: VW Golf 6 1.4 TSI Comfortline
2009: Honda Accord 2.4i Executive
2008: Mazda 2 1.5 Individual
2007: Honda Civic 1.8 VXi
2006: Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI
2005: Volvo S40 2.4i
2004: Renault Mégane 1.9 dCi
2003: VW Polo 1.4 TDI
2002: Audi A4 1.9 TDI
2001: BMW 320d
2000: Renault Clio 1.4 RT
1999: Alfa Romeo 156 T-Spark
1998: Ford Fiesta Fun
1997: BMW 528i
1996: Audi A4 1.8
1995: Opel Astra 160iS
1994: Opel Kadett 140
1993: BMW 316i
1992: Nissan Maxima 300 SE
1991: Opel Monza 160 GSi
1990: BMW 525i
1989: Toyota Corolla GLi Executive
1988: BMW 735i
1987: Mercedes-Benz 260E
1986: Toyota Corolla GLi
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