BMW X3 Claims the Crown, Suzuki Swift Smiles in Second, and the M5 Just Punches Everything in the Face

By COTY's Least Tame Photographer


What do you get when you gather a bunch of motoring journalists, lock them on a racetrack with 17 shiny new cars, and tell them to “vote responsibly”? You get a 2025 South African Car of the Year competition so tightly fought, it could make a Swift blush. And that’s exactly what happened.


The X3 Marks the Spot

Yes, dear reader. The BMW X3 has officially been crowned the 2025 South African Car of the Year. Locally built in Rosslyn—meaning it’s practically a cousin to your boerie roll. The G45 X3 didn’t just win because of German precision. No, it won because it’s the best mix of all things South African drivers secretly want but won’t admit: class, tech, brawn, and a boot big enough for a week’s worth of biltong and beach chairs.


This is the first time the X3 has grabbed the crown, and it did so while giving a smug nod to its big sibling—the 7 Series—that won it last year. BMW now has so many COTY trophies, they’ve started using them as paperweights at HQ.

Suzuki Swift: Second Place, Full Value

Now, before you shout, “But what about my budget?”—relax. The mighty Suzuki Swift zipped into second place with all the charm of a car that costs about the same as an entry-level fridge... but comes with six airbags and a personality.


Honestly, if budget cars had a high school yearbook, the Swift would win “Most Likely to Get You Through a Recession with a Smile.”


M5 Hybrid: Boardroom on Weekdays, Track Monster on Sundays

In third, the G90 BMW M5 Hybrid came roaring in with its twin-turbo V8 and electric wizardry. Think of it as the Hulk in a tuxedo. One moment, it’s gliding through Sandton traffic in EV mode like it’s on a diplomatic mission, the next it’s bellowing down a track like it just heard someone insult its mother.


It also bagged the Jurors' Choice award—basically the motoring equivalent of “coolest kid in school.”


Category Killers and Massaging Seats

Let’s not forget the rest of the automotive Avengers:

  • VW Tiguan topped the Family category. Massaging seats. For real. So now your in-laws can nag you comfortably.
  • BMW 5 Series cleaned up the Executive category. It’s so polished, even the briefcase in the boot feels underdressed.
  • Toyota Land Cruiser Prado crushed the Adventure Utility class with retro styling and the off-road skills of a mountain goat on steroids.
  • BMW M5, again, smoked the Performance category. Twice the awards, half the emissions. That’s balance.


People's Choice: Mahindra XUV 3XO – Because the People Have Spoken

Ah, democracy. The Mahindra XUV 3XO walked off with the Motor Enthusiast “People’s Choice” award. It’s got screens, gadgets, attitude, and a price tag that doesn’t trigger a panic attack. Basically, it’s the SUV version of that overachiever kid at school who’s good at everything.


So, What Did We Learn?

We learned that:

  • South Africans love a locally built SUV.
  • Swifties exist outside of Taylor fandom.
  • Hybrids don’t have to whisper and sip tea—they can shout and chug unleaded.
  • And that BMW is collecting COTY trophies like Pokémon.


Well done to all the winners, the Guild for not crashing anything (this year), and everyone who thinks massaging seats in a VW is normal.

Let’s do it again in 2026.


THE OTHER FINALISTS