2023 Car of the Year finalists announced

The 2023 South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition, sponsored by Old Mutual Insure and presented by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ), is gearing up to crown the country’s ultimate vehicle champion at a gala event in June 2023. The 21 finalists for this year’s competition have just been announced.

The Car of the Year competition has a long-standing history dating back to 1986 and this prestigious event showcases the pinnacle of innovation and excellence in the automotive industry.

The 21 finalists (in alphabetical order by category) are:

Category: Compact
Renault Clio 5

Category: Compact Family
BAIC Beijing X55
Nissan Qashqai
Opel Mokka
Vokswagen Tiago

The finalists in the Compact Family category: BAIC Beijing X55, Nissan Qashqai, Opel Mokka and Wolkswagen Tiago. #SACOTY2023 — *The finalists in the Compact Family category: BAIC Beijing X55, Nissan Qashqai, Opel Mokka and Volkswagen Tiago.*

Category: Midsize
Alfa Romeo Tonale
Chery Tiggo Pro 8
Honda Civic RS
Hyundai Tucson
Kia Sportage

Four of the five finalists in the Midsize category: Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, Honda Civic RS, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage. The fifth finalist, the Alfo Romeo Tonale is pictured right at the top of the article. #SACOTY2023 — Four of the five finalists in the Midsize category: Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, Honda Civic RS, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage. The fifth finalist, the Alfa Romeo Tonale is pictured right at the top of the article.

Category: Premium
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Kia Sorento

Jeep Grand Cherokee L, #SACOTY2023 — *The Jeep Grand Cherokee L and Kia Sorento, the two finalists in the Premium category.*

Kia Sorento, #SACOTY2023 — *The Jeep Grand Cherokee L and Kia Sorento, the two finalists in the Premium category.*

Category: Adventure SUV
Ford Everest

Ford Everest, #SACOTY2023 — *The Ford Everest is the only finalist in the Adventure SUV category.*

Category: Double Cab
Ford Ranger
Isuzu D-Max

Ford Ranger, #SACOTY2023 — *The Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max, the two finalists in the Double Cab category.*

Isuzu D-Max #SACOTY2023 — *The Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max, the two finalists in the Double Cab category.*

Category: Luxury
Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Mercedes-Benz S-Class, #SACAOTY2023 — *The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the only finalist in the Luxury category.*

Category: Performance
Audi RS3 Sedan / Hatch

Audi RS 3, #SACOTY2023 — *The Audi RS 3 (hatch and sedan) is the only finalist in the Performance category.*

Category: New Energy
Audi e-tron GT/RS
Haval H6 Hybrid
Toyota RAV4 E-four
Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge

There are four four finalists in the New Energy category: Audi e-tron GT/RS, the Haval H6 HEV, Toyota RAV4 E-four, and Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge. #SACOTY2023 — *There are four four finalists in the New Energy category: Audi e-tron GT/RS, the Haval H6 HEV, Toyota RAV4 E-four, and Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge.*

“All of these vehicles have already proven to be excellent contenders and we are looking forward to see which deserving vehicle will take home the coveted overall winner’s crown, as well as who the category winners will be,” says Garth Napier, MD of Old Mutual Insure.

“The 2023 COTY finalists showcase cutting-edge innovation and fierce competition in the quest to offer the best mobility solutions. These finalists are the cream of the crop in South Africa, and we cannot wait to see who comes out on top,” adds Mabuyane Mabuza, chairperson of the 2023 COTY Committee.”

In selecting the finalists from an original list of 36 semi-finalists, the COTY Committee and the SAGMJ executive committee agreed that, instead of taking the top 12 scoring vehicles, a score cut-off was applied with the objective of including a broader spectrum of finalists without favouring categories.

“The team looked at a few options, but once the suggestion of a score cut-off was on the table, it just made sense. It evened the playing field,” says Mabuza.

The COTY categories are for Budget, Compact, Compact Family, Midsize, Premium, Adventure SUV, 4X4 Double Cab, Luxury, Performance and New Energy vehicles. The Budget category does not have contenders on this year’s finalist list.

Almost 40 percent of the overall juror votes highlighted the strong competition in the highly contested Compact Family and Midsize categories. The competition in the Premium, Luxury and ever-growing New Energy categories for a spot on the finalist’s list was just as fierce.

“The semi-finalist group was incredibly competitive, with several strong contenders narrowly missing the finalist cut. This year’s finalists include a larger selection of brands, making the competition much more exciting. The COTY Committee is pleased with the vehicle selection of the final round and anticipates a tough decision for our expert jury panel,” says Mabuza.

“As one of South Africa’s most established insurers that has gained a reputation for excellence in the non-life insurance landscape, Old Mutual Insure is proud to sponsor such a prestigious competition that recognises the best in automotive technology. Good luck to the jury and contenders in the final round of voting,” says Napier.

The final round of scoring will commence shortly and continue until the end of March 2023, incorporating data from Lightstone for the competition’s automated scoring, based on market-segment sales volumes and spec-adjusted competitor pricing.

The Motor Enthusiast’s Choice (public vote) will run again this year. Keep an eye out on social media for posts featuring each finalist and be sure to cast your vote by liking your favourite. The finalist with the most likes will be the winning vehicle, and three lucky voters will win an off-road driving course sponsored by Old Mutual Insure and the SAGMJ.

The overall winner as well as category winners of the 2023 SA Car of the Year competition will be announced on 1 June. #SACOTY2023.