Thrilling 2025 Car of the Year Semi-Finalists

EXCITEMENT: With 30 qualifying contenders, stakes are higher than ever driven by intense rivalry among automakers

By Ali Mphaki

Many were called, but only a few will be chosen. Already out of the 55 new models launched this year, the wise jurors of the SA Motoring Guild of Mobility Journalists/SA Car of the Year have whittled the number of semi- finalists contenders to 30.

Spare a thought for the 25 new models that failed to make the cut, especially in a year where the annual competition celebrates its 40 years of existence.

For those chosent so far, there is excitement all around going forwards towards the two-day intensive testing process to select the finalists next month in January.

The finalists will then be subjected to a further intensive two-day intensive testing process in March, scoring each contender to determine category winners and ultimately crown the overall winner to be announced in May 2026.

Looking at the semi- finalists,  it’s patently clear the Car of the Year  competition has never been this stffest, what with contenders a mix of traditional and emerging Eastern brands, not forgetting many new-entrants joining or returning to the South African market.

The entries span compact hatchbacks, family SUVs, performance saloons, and bakkies.

As chairman of the COTY competition, Thami Masemola explains:

“The announcement of the semi-finalists is always a heartwarming and exciting period. It represents the very best of innovation, engineering, and safety in the South African automotive landscape.”

Masemola adds that there is a tremendous honour to be part of this “significant” milestone in the COTY competition, which has become a widely recognized name among the motoring public and broader automotive industry.

Of importance, notes Masemola is the surge of new energy vehicles entering the South African market in 2025, which has further expanded options, giving prospective customers an unprecedented spoil-for-choice selection.

Here are the 30 semi-finalists in alphabetical oder;

Alfa Romeo Junior

Audi A5

Audi RS Q8

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

BYD Dolphin Surf

BYD Shark

Chery Tiggo 7 PHEW

Chery Tiggo 9

GWM Haval H7

Honda Amaza

Hyundai Alcazar

Hyundai Santa Fe

Jaecoo J5

Jetour T2

Land Rover Defender OCTA

Leapmotor  C10 REEV

Lexus GX

Mercedes AMG CLE 53

Mercedes AMG E53 Hy rid

Mercedes AMG GT 73 SE

MG Cyberster

MG ZS Pro

MINI Aceman

Omoda C7

Opel Grandland

Renault Duster

Suzuki Dzire

Volkswagen Golf 1 4TSI

VW Tayron

Volvo EX90

As can be seen, the 30 semi-finalists span 22 brands and multiple vehicle segments.

The winner of the COTY 2024 was the luxurious BMW 7-Series with second place going to Suzuki Fronx and the third place to BMW M2.