The BMW X3 has been crowned the 2025 South African Car of the Year at the 39th edition of the prestigious awards hosted by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists and sponsored by Old Mutual Insure.
This year’s competition featured 17 finalist vehicles across different segments, with a notable presence of crossovers and SUVs, reflecting their growing popularity in the local market. A panel of 27 jurors tested the finalists at Zwartkops Raceway in Tshwane, scoring them across multiple criteria. The results were verified by an independent auditor before being announced at a gala dinner.
The BMW X3 not only took the overall title but also won the premium category, praised for its build quality, technological features, driving performance, and value for money. It is manufactured locally at BMW’s Rosslyn plant in Tshwane, contributing to local employment.
Other category winners included the Suzuki Swift as Budget Car of the Year, the Toyota Prado in the Adventure Utility category, and the Mahindra 3XO as the Enthusiast’s Choice. The BMW M5 G90 won both the Performance and Jurors’ Choice awards, while the BMW 5 Series claimed the Luxury category and the VW Tiguan won the Family category.
The SA Car of the Year competition continues to highlight automotive excellence, with the BMW X3 setting a benchmark for innovation, specification, and value in the local market.
