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.
Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
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
IOL
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
EXCLUSIVE: Durban City FC chairperson Farook Kadodia looking to revive Indian community interest in PSL football
Gavin Hunt and Farook Kadodia Gavin Hunt and Farook Kadodia accept a small fleet of BMW's as part of their partnership with the car brand. DURBAN City FC chairperson Farook Kadodia is looking to revive the interest of the Indian community in South African football with his newly-promoted Betway Premiership side. Speaking exclusively to Independent Newspapers at the announcement of their sponsorship from the BMW Durban South on Tuesday, Kadodia insisted that although this is not something he 'wanted to publicise', but felt he it was important to highlight the need for Indian representation in the local professional league. According to Kadodia, when he first formed Maritzburg United (now changed to Durban City), they were part of three Indian-owned teams in the PSL along with Manning Rangers and Santos FC. 'I come from the days where we used football as a method to demonstrate our stance against apartheid. There used to be an all-African league, an all-white league and then we had a league with players from all racial groups in it," said Kadodia. "I grew up in the sort of mixed fraternity where we fought and struggled together. I think football is a lot like that, because it's a fight to stay in this league. It's tough and you need to have your best all the time. But I'm a football fanatic, I don't think giving up is an option."
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Here is why VW is recalling 253 Polo Sedans. Is yours included?
The cars were made available for sale from 11 August 2022. Volkswagen of South Africa has informed the National Consumer Commission (NCC) of a recall of 253 Polo Sedans. This is an addition to the recall of 18 Polo Sedans that was announced last week. NCC spokesperson Phetho Ntaba said the cars were made available for sale from 11 August 2022 to date. 'The recall is due to incorrectly fitted seat belts on the driver and passenger sides.' ALSO READ: Ford is recalling 2024 Rangers in Southern Africa: Here's why Recall of Polo Sedans NCC is a body that protects consumers by ensuring businesses treat consumers fairly and follow consumer protection laws. The Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 protects consumers from hazards and ensures their well-being and safety by governing product recalls. The NCC can order a recall if a product is deemed unsafe or poses a potential risk to the public. The first recall was made on 17 July 2025, in which VW stated that the affected vehicles were the Polo sedans. The issue is caused by a mix-up of belt webbing. Seat belts in Polo Sedans 'The NCC received another recall affecting an additional 253 vehicles,' she added. According to VW, the recall is due to a fault in the rear right seat belt; both rear seat belts (left and right) require inspection. Due to the manufacturing issue, the seat belts' restraint function may be severely limited in the event of an accident. 'This could lead to serious or fatal injuries for the driver.' ALSO READ: Did you buy a VW Polo in 2025? It's among six car brands recalled over safety defects Visit VW Those who purchased Polo Sedans from 11 August 2022 are advised to contact a VW-approved dealership for a check. If needed, the affected component will be replaced. 'The success of these recalls is dependent on the response by the motorists of these affected vehicles. 'We remind consumers that the recalls are safety critical; therefore, consumers must respond to any recall with urgency.' NOW READ: Chevrolet cars and Honda motorcycles are being recalled: Here is the list
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Gavin Hunt aims to restore Durban City FC's former glory
DURBAN City chairperson Farook Kadodia with club technical director Ernst Middendorp and head coach Gavin Hunt accepted a small fleet of BMWs as part of sponsorship from BMW Durban South facility. | Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers Image: Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers VETERAN Premier Soccer League (PSL) coach Gavin Hunt said he plans on bringing Durban City FC, formerly Maritzburg United, back to match-winning potential as the side returns to Premiership football this season. Hunt was speaking to the media at the BMW Durban South facility, where the Chatsworth-based team unveiled a new partnership with the luxury car brand. A small fleet of BMW cars was gifted to Durban City officials on Tuesday, among which were club chairperson Farook Kadodia and technical director Ernst Middendorp. Stability is one of Hunt's main focus points going into the PSL season, saying that he believes the club still has good bones and just needs to make a few signings to get the ball rolling again. Durban City FC coach Gavin Hunt and Club Chairman Farook Kadodia Durban City FC coach Gavin Hunt and Club Chairman Farook Kadodia accept the small fleet of BMW's sponsored to them by BMW Durban South. Image: Jehran Naidoo Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'They've still got the nucleus of the team from last year (when they won the Motsepe Foundation Championship), and even though I read in the media that they changed everything and people have left, when I got here, the majority of the players were still here," said Hunt. "They must have had a very small squad last year which I like but obviously we need to add in a few numbers. 'The approach is to just concentrate on getting stability and concentrate on being proactive and winning football matches which is always going to be difficult with the market. It's a very difficult market and a very difficult league so a lot of games can go either way. Gavin Hunt, head coach of Durban City FC, says the teams former nucleus is in tact. Hunt's approach going into the season will focus in brining stability to the side. @IOLsport — Jehran Daniel (@JehranD) July 22, 2025 '(You have to) go in smaller steps and set smaller goals, and try to achieve those before you think of the end line or before people make statements about winning this or that. "Lets try and crawl a little before we walk. The time is short so we have to work very hard behind the scenes,' added Hunt. The 61-year-old said he's already got an idea of what the team has and needs in the two weeks he's been at the helm. 'We don't want square pegs in round holes. We want a certain type of player with a character that will fit a club like this. They need to have the right mentality and obviously the ability. We don't just want good players, but the players that we need," he said. 'We are obviously short in certain areas so it's a bit of having a look, trying to train, trying to get a system in place and trying to find a way of playing all at once. You are trying to do a million things and as I said, time is short. "We are going to Joburg next week which will help me a lot because we got a couple of games there. The game will tell you what you need. You can train all day but the game tells you what you need. Gavin Hunt says there is a lot of work to be done at Durban City FC Gavin Hunt says there is a lot of work to be done at Durban City FC. Image: Jehran Naidoo Technical Director Ernst Middendorp speaks with head coach Gavin Hunt Technical Director Ernst Middendorp speaks with head coach Gavin Hunt Image: Jehran Naidoo 'I've been here for two weeks now and can see what we got and what we don't have,' Hunt explained.
