South Africa's 2025 Car of the Year is . . .

The BMW X3 is South Africa’s 2025 Car of the Year.

The new-generation G70 model, which is built right here in South Africa, beat 16 other finalists for the overall prize.

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.

The organisers also announced category winners, spread across the various segments:

• Overall - BMW X3

• Budget - Suzuki Swift

• Family - Volkswagen Tiguan

• Premium - BMW X3

• Executive - BMW 5 Series

• Performance - BMW M5

• Adventure Utility - Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

“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.

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

Source: IOL