IN the heart of South Africa, a battle of mechanical titans is about to unfold. The air is thick with anticipation as seventeen of the world’s finest automobiles prepare to compete in what has become the Olympics of the automotive world – the 2025 South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition.
From an initial field of 29 contenders, these seventeen warriors have emerged, each bearing the dreams and ambitions of their creators. The stage is set at Zwartkops Raceway in Tshwane, where under the unforgiving African sun, these mechanical marvels will soon face their ultimate test.
“The prestige has returned,” declares Thami Masemola, his voice carrying the weight of tradition as Chairman of COTY. In his words echoes the history of 38 previous battles, each having crowned a champion that wrote its name in the annals of automotive excellence.
This year’s story is one of evolution and revolution. For the first time in the competition’s history, a hybrid bakkie – the GWM P500 HEV – stands among the chosen few, challenging conventions alongside the Mitsubishi Triton. Both aim to follow in the historic tire tracks of the Ford Ranger, which in 2023 became the first bakkie to claim the crown.
The tale takes an electrifying turn with the presence of four new-energy vehicles. The BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance bring hybrid power to the performance category, while the Volvo EX30 stands alone as the pure electric warrior in this year’s contest.
In the luxury arena, an age-old rivalry resurfaces as the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class prepare to dance their elegant duet once more. Meanwhile, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado carries the weight of legacy, seeking to add a fourth trophy to Toyota’s collection that began in 1986.
The chosen seventeen, each a champion in their own right, are:
BMW 5 Series Sedan
BMW M5
BMW X3
Ford Mustang GT
GAC GS3 EMZOOM
GWM P500 HEV
Jaecoo J7
Mahindra XUV 3XO
Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance
Mercedes-Benz E-Class (E 220d)
MINI Countryman
Mitsubishi Triton
Omoda C9
Suzuki Swift
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
Volkswagen Tiguan
Volvo EX30
As March approaches, these contenders will face the scrutiny of the SAGMJ’s expert jurors at Zwartkops Raceway. Unlike many global competitions, South Africa’s COTY stands apart in its insistence on physical testing – a true trial by fire where metal meets road and theories face reality.
The competition has evolved, embracing the digital age with automated scoring from Lightstone Auto, yet maintaining its soul in the hands-on evaluation by expert jurors. Even the public has a voice in this grand spectacle through the Motor Enthusiast’s Choice, democratizing the selection of automotive excellence.
Jerry Anthonyrajah of Old Mutual Insure, the competition’s sponsor, watches with anticipation as the stage is set for this automotive theatre. “These vehicles,” he says, “represent more than just transportation – they are the embodiment of innovation, the future of mobility taking shape before our eyes.”
As the countdown begins, seventeen dreams converge on a single track, each vehicle carrying not just its manufacturer’s hopes, but the potential to reshape South Africa’s automotive landscape. In the coming days, under the watchful eyes of the nation’s top automotive journalists, one will rise above all to claim the throne as South Africa’s 2025 Car of the Year.
The race is on, and history awaits its next champion.
