South African Car of the Year

The South African Car of the Year is an annual Car of the Year award organised by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists. The award process is widely regarded for its attention to depth and detail. The vehicles that are selected as finalists are thoroughly tested and driven for a number of days by the journalists before the winner is chosen based upon the journalist's scores.[1]

## Recipients of the award

[edit]

South African Car of the Year Year | Winner

|

2025  | BMW X3[2]
2024  | BMW 7 Series[3]
2023  | Ford Ranger Double Cab 4x4[4]
2022  | Toyota Corolla Cross[5]
2021  | Peugeot 2008[6]
2020  | Jaguar I-Pace[7]
2019  | Mercedes Benz A-Class[8]
2018  | Porsche Panamera[9]
2017  | Opel Astra
2016  | Volvo XC90[10]
2015  | Porsche Macan S Diesel[11]
2014  | Porsche Cayman S[12]
2013  | Porsche Boxster[13]
2012  | Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS[14]
2011  | VW Polo 1.6 TDI and BMW 530d[15]
2010  | VW Golf 6 1.4 TSI Comfortline[16]
2009  | Honda Accord 2.4i Executive[17]
2008  | Mazda 2 Individual[18]
2007  | Honda Civic 1.8 VXi[19]
2006  | Audi A3 Sportback 2.0T FSI[20]
2005  | Volvo S40[21]
2004  | Renault Mégane 1.9 dCi[22]
2003  | VW Polo 1.4 TDI[23][24]
2002  | Audi A4 1.9 TDI[1]
2001  | BMW 320d[25]
2000  | Renault Clio 1.4 RT[1]
1999  | Alfa Romeo 156 T-Spark[1]
1998  | Ford Fiesta Fun[1]
1997  | BMW 528i[25]
1996  | Audi A4 1.8[1]
1995  | Opel Astra 160iS[1]
1994  | Opel Kadett 140[1]
1993  | BMW 316i[25]
1992  | Nissan Maxima 300 SE[1]
1991  | Opel Monza 160 GSi[1]
1990  | BMW 525i[25]
1989  | Toyota Corolla GLi Executive[1]
1988  | BMW 735i[25]
1987  | Mercedes-Benz 260[1]
1986  | Toyota Corolla Twin Cam[1]

## Most wins by manufacturer

[edit]

Total Wins  | Manufacturer  | Years

|
|

8  | BMW | 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2011, 2024, 2025
4  | Opel | 1991, 1994, 1995, 2017
4  | Porsche | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018
3  | Audi | 1996, 2002, 2006
3  | Toyota | 1986, 1989, 2022
3  | Volkswagen | 2003, 2010, 2011
2  | Ford | 1998, 2023
2  | Honda | 2007, 2009
2  | Mercedes-Benz | 1987, 2019
2  | Renault | 2000, 2004
2  | Volvo | 2005, 2016
1  | Alfa Romeo | 1999
1  | Hyundai | 2012
1  | Jaguar | 2020
1  | Mazda | 2008
1  | Nissan | 1992
1  | Peugeot | 2021

## See also

[edit]

* Car of the Year
* List of motor vehicle awards

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "IOL - News for South Africa and the world". iol.co.za.
2. ^ Woosey, Jason (2025-05-06). "South Africa's 2025 Car of the Year is . . ". IOL. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
3. ^ Post, Compiled by Janine van der. "This is the 2024 South African Car of the Year..." Life. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
4. ^ Odendaal, Breyten (2023-12-08). "2023 South African Car of the Year Winners Announced". carsite.co.za. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
5. ^ Venter, Irma. "Corolla Cross announced as South Africa's 2022 Car of the Year". www.engineeringnews.co.za. Retrieved 2022-06-06.
6. ^ "SA Car of the Year: Peugeot 2008 SUV". Gadget. 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
7. ^ Raymond, Charlen. "SEE - All the categorical winners of the 2020 SA Car of the Year competition". Wheels. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
8. ^ "2019 SA Car of the Year: A-Class, Swift, Jimny - all the winners revealed!". wheels24.co.za.
9. ^ Van Der Post, Janine. "Porsche Panamera crowned 2018 SA Car of the Year". wheels24.co.za.
10. ^ "2016 SA Car of the Year: And the winner is..." News24. 8 March 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
11. ^ "Porsche wins Car of the Year, again". Independent Online. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
12. ^ "Porsche wins SA 2014 Car of the Year". Wheels.
13. ^ "2013 SA Car of Year named". Wheels.
14. ^ "Hyundai is 2012 Car of the Year". Wheels.
15. ^ "SA Car of the Year 2011: It's a tie! - CARmag.co.za". CARmag.co.za.
16. ^ "SA Car of the Year gong for Golf - CARmag.co.za". CARmag.co.za.
17. ^ "SA 'Car of the Year' named". Wheels.
18. ^ "Mazda2 is the South African Car of the Year". bizcommunity.com.
19. ^ "Honda Civic wins SA Car of the Year - CARmag.co.za". CARmag.co.za.
20. ^ "Audi A3 Sportback 2.0T FSI® wins the 2006". audi.co.za.
21. ^ "Car of the Year winner announced". cartorque.co.za.
22. ^ "2004 Car of the Year". Wheels.
23. ^ Gavin Foster. "A firm ride with lots of zoom". The M&G Online.
24. ^ "Die Burger, Woensdag 30 April 2003, p. 23: Applause for the Car of the Year". 1.87.
25. ^ a b c d e "history". sabeemer.co.za.