After months of deliberation, the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists has finally issued a verdict on the South African Car of the Year (COTY). Ford and Kia reigned triumphant with the Ranger clinching overall honours. Here are the winners!
In December of 2022, a shortlist of 35 vehicles contending the local market was selected to battle for overall honours. At the beginning of the year, 21 of those managed to make it through to the final stages of the competition.
Our very own Editor Damian Adams and Editorial Director Ian McLaren played a key role in determining the winners along with 25 other jurors. Here was the shortlist that went into a rigorous regiment of testing:
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- Alfa Romeo Tonale
- Audi RS3 Sedan / Hatch
- Audi e-tron GT/RS e-tron GT
- BAIC Beijing X55
- Chery Tiggo Pro 8
- Ford Everest
- Ford Ranger
- Haval H6 Hybrid
- Hyundai Tucson
- Isuzu D-Max
- Jeep Grand Cherokee L
- Kia Sorento
- Kia Sportage
- Mercedes Benz S-Class
- Nissan Qashqai
- Opel Mokka
- Renault Clio 5
- Toyota RAV4 E-four
- Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge
- VW Taigo
During the evaluation days, different tests were conducted to review aspects such as the vehicle’s design and engineering, technology, powertrain, practicality, safety, ride and handling, value for money and overall excellence and ingenuity. Value for money, an important criterion, will be further scrutinised in a follow-up study conducted by Lightstone Automotive.
Related: 21 finalists of the 2023 SAGMJ Car of the Year comeptition
Following the test days, the individual juror scores were tallied and combined to form the raw scoring, after which the automated scoring process started. Thereafter, the scores results were formally audited.
“Our jury worked tirelessly to find the winners of this year’s competition,” Mabuza concluded. “The test days allowed the jurors to immerse themselves in everything the finalists had to offer, contributing to the tough decision of who will be crowned the COTY 2023 winner. This year’s COTY winners will be announced on the 1st of June.”
As a recap, here are the 2022 winners.
The Ford Ranger Double Cab 4×4 managed to take overall honours, as South Africa’s 2023 Car of the Year Overall winner. Here are the other victors in various categories:
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Compact Family Category: BAIC Beijing X55
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Midsize Category: Kia Sportage
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Premium Category: Kia Sorento
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Adventure SUV Category: Ford Everest
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Double Cab 4×4 Category: Ford Ranger
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Luxury Category: Mercedes Benz S-Class
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Performance Category: Audi RS 3
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New-energy Category: Volvo XC 40 P8 Recharge
- 2023 SA Car of the Year: Ford Ranger Double Cab 4×4
For the first time in the 37-year history of the COTY competition, a leisure double cab 4×4 bakkie was crowned South Africa’s Car of the Year for 2023: The Ford Ranger.
Mabuyane Mabuza, Chairperson of the 2023 COTY Competition, said that this remarkable achievement is a testament to the automotive industry’s commitment to producing high-quality double cabs that offer unrivalled performance while seamlessly blending comfort, safety, and cutting-edge technology.
“Over the past decade, the popularity of SUVs and Double Cabs has skyrocketed at the expense of sedans. Double cab bakkies have become a common choice for everyday commuting, family adventures and various work applications, providing a popular solution for South Africans’ mobility demands,” says Mabuza.
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