The 2023 South African Car Of The Year Winners Announced
The 2023 South African Car Of The Year Winners Announced. The highly anticipated Old Mutual Insure South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition culminated in an electrifying event held in Johannesburg, where, after months of meticulous evaluation, the overall champion and category winners were revealed as the shining stars among the impressive field of 21 finalists.
For the first time in the 37-year history of the COTY competition, a leisure double cab 4×4 bakkie was crowned South Africa’s Car of the Year for 2023: The Ford Ranger. Mabuyane Mabuza, Chairperson of the 2023 COTY Competition, said that this remarkable achievement is a testament to the automotive industry’s commitment to producing high-quality double cabs that offer unrivalled performance while seamlessly blending comfort, safety, and cutting-edge technology.
“Over the past decade, the popularity of SUVs and Double Cabs has skyrocketed at the expense of sedans. Double cab bakkies have become a common choice for everyday commuting, family adventures and various work applications, providing a popular solution for South Africans’ mobility demands,” says Mabuza.
Old Mutual Insure, as the COTY sponsor, one of the most established insurers in South Africa and a leading provider of vehicle insurance solutions, also applauded the winners. “Well done to the Ford Ranger 4×4 and the category winners of the 2023 COTY contest,” said Garth Napier, Managing Director of Old Mutual Insure. “We are proud to align with their commitment to excellence and congratulate them on their well-deserved success.”
“The Ford Ranger’s triumph represents a milestone for the industry, setting a new benchmark and symbolising a noteworthy accomplishment for one of South Africa’s primary export products. Proudly representing our nation across global markets, this victory showcases the ingenuity and craftsmanship of South African automotive manufacturers,” adds Mabuza.
The deserving category winners for this year’s COTY competition are:
Compact Family Category: BAIC Beijing X55
Midsize Category: KIA Sportage
Premium Category: KIA Sorento
Adventure SUV Category: Ford Everest
Double Cab 4×4 Category: Ford Ranger
Luxury Category: Mercedes Benz S-Class
Performance Category: Audi RS3
New-energy Category: Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge
2023 SA Car of the Year: Ford Ranger Double Cab 4×4
