The South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) has announced the 25 semi-finalists for the 2024 South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition across eight categories. From 80 eligible vehicles, 30 were nominated, with 25 moving forward to the next phase of the competition.
| Budget and Compact | Compact Family | Family | Premium | Luxury | 4×4 Double Cab | Adventure SUV | Performance |
| Citroen C3 | Omoda C5 | BMW X1 | Lexus NX | BMW 7 Series | Volkswagen Amarok | Lexus LX | BMW M2 |
| Suzuki Fronx | Renault Captur | GWM Ora 03 | Mercedes-Benz GLC | BMW XM | Mahindra Scorpio N | Ford Ranger Raptor | |
| Toyota Vitz | Suzuki Grand Vitara | Mazda CX-60 | Mercedes-Benz EQE | Honda Civic Type R | |||
| Toyota Urban Cruiser | Nissan X-Trail | Mercedes-Benz EQS | Toyota GR Corolla | ||||
| Mitsubishi Outlander |
“The 2024 COTY edition has a competitive lineup across all categories, setting the stage for fierce competition among overall and category winners,” said Mabuyane Mabuza, Chairperson of the 2023 and 2024 COTY Committee and Vice-Chairperson of the SAGMJ.
The next step sees finalists voted for before they undergo evaluation at the hands of the SA COTY Jury. Winners will be announced in May 2024.
Author’s Opinion
Only a few of the semi-finalists will be cut in the next phase, but some categories are already predetermined, like the 4×4 Double Cab segment. Last year’s winner was the Ford Ranger, and this year, the badge-engineered sister bakkie/pickup truck, the Volkswagen Amarok is guaranteed a category win.
In the Premium category, we expect the Mercedes-Benz GLC to take the win, while in the Luxury segment, the BMW 7 Series is the only contender of the four semi-finalists deserving of this award.
We’re backing the Lexus LX in the Adventure SUV category, but the Scorpio N presents a great budget alternative that may work in its favour. In the Performance category, it’s a two-horse race for us between the GR Corolla and Civic Type R, but we’re pegging the Honda for the win.
The Budget and Compact, Compact Family, and Family segments are the toughest and we feel are open to almost any of the semi-finalists – cars in those segments these days tend to lack character and all feel much like appliances. in the Family segment, the GWM Ora 3 is a curious pick as the only EV in the segment. It may be South Africa’s most affordable EV, but we don’t think it’s in with a shot.
