Following two rigorous testing days in March, motoring journalists have spoken, crowning the BMW X3 as the 2025 South African (SA) Car of the Year (COTY). 

This marks a successive victory for the German manufacturer, as its G70 generation 7-Series took the 2024 title. 

BMW holds the record for the manufacturer with the greatest number of SA Car of the Year titles, with honours dating back to 1988 when the 735i won the competition. 

However, this is the first time the X3 nameplate has been awarded the title.

Produced at the company’s Rosslyn, Tshwane facility in South Africa, the latest X3 is a beacon of the South African 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.  As the Fronx did in 2024, Suzuki managed a commendable effort with a respectable second-place ranking for their B-segment Swift. 

The latest hatchback is the fourth generation of the lineage to be sold in the South African market.

It has upped the ante considerably over its predecessor, particularly in the aspect of occupant safety, where six airbags are standard across the range. 

Completing the podium is the G90 BMW M5. The adaptation of hybrid technology has given this performance saloon a fresh dimension and increased relevance in the era of electrification. 

Jurors were wowed by the vivid acceleration, sumptuous cabin execution and dual-personality afforded by the powertrain, which enables zero-emissions’ driving, complementing the utility of its twin-turbocharged V8 motor. 

The M5 was also deemed the top pick in the special Jurors’ Choice award. 

In addition to the Top 3 overall victors, SA Car of the Year incorporates six main categories namely budget, family, premium, executive, adventure utility and performance.

The BMW X3, Suzuki Swift and BMW M5 are the top finishers in their respective categories premium, budget and performance, respectively. 

In the Family category was the Volkswagen Tiguan, which received the highest overall score. 

The third-generation German model marks a significant evolution over its predecessors, with modern styling, a cleverly-packaged cabin and the availability of amenities not usually associated with the segment, such as massaging seats. 

In the executive class, it was yet another triumph for BMW, with the G60 5-Series making the best impression on the jury for its polished dynamics, luxurious interior appointments and superior value in relation to its direct competitor.

Japanese manufacturer Toyota secured a win in the adventure utility segment with its vaunted latest-generation Land Cruiser Prado. 

The J250 series proved to have charmed the jurors with its retro-themed design character, improved comfort versus its predecessor, effortless off-road ability and stout powertrain. 

Mabuyane Mabuza, chairperson of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ), congratulated all the winners and entrants. 

Mabuza said the COTY expert panel evaluates each finalist on design, technology, engineering, performance, handling, ingenuity and safety. 

For the annual motoring awards, Lightstone Auto contributed essential market intelligence and data-driven insights, including value-for-money assessments relative to market rivals, and each finalist’s category sales performance. 

An independent audit firm formally verified the 2025 competition results to ensure fairness and transparency.

Photo: Heather Erdmann