{"id":771313,"date":"2024-05-11T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-11T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=771313"},"modified":"2024-05-11T11:11:22","modified_gmt":"2024-05-11T09:11:22","slug":"the-best-car-in-south-africa-2024-including-budget-bakkies-premium-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/motoring\/771313\/the-best-car-in-south-africa-2024-including-budget-bakkies-premium-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"The best car in South Africa 2024 \u2013 including budget, bakkies, premium and more"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) has announced the winners of the 2024 Car of the Year competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This year, 80 vehicles were presented to the judging committee, which was later reduced to 25 semi-finalists in eight different categories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Only 18 finalists were selected from the 25 semi-finalists, out of which 10 were eliminated, leaving us with the winners in each category. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The eight categories were Budget\/Compact, Compact Family, Family, Premium, Adventure SUV, 4\u00d74 Double Cab, Luxury, and Performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s noteworthy that in 2024, the SAGMJ has decided to eliminate the &#8220;New Energy Vehicle&#8221; category due to the significant surge in electric and hybrid car adoption. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This means that these models will now be competing in their intended segments against traditional petrol and diesel vehicles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The evaluation process for each vehicle involves a thorough assessment and scoring by a jury. In addition, Lightstone Auto provides valuable data-driven insights into each car&#8217;s popularity with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This data is then used by the committee to determine a model&#8217;s market relevance, including its volume and sales share while comparing it to its direct competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, this approach ensures that the best-performing vehicles are recognized and rewarded, taking into account their popularity with customers and their competitiveness in the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having undergone this lengthy process, the SAGMJ announced the overall winners of the 2024 COTY awards:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2024 COTY Winner \u2013&nbsp;<strong>BMW 7 Series<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2024 COTY 2nd place \u2013&nbsp;<strong>Suzuki Fronx<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2024 COTY 3rd place \u2013&nbsp;<strong>BMW M2<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In their respective categories, the 7 Series won the Luxury award, while the Fronx and M2 secured the Budget and Performance titles, respectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, it has been a fantastic year for BMW, with the X1 winning three out of the eight awards and the last one in the Family segment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Toyota Urban Cruiser managed to beat two rivals and won the Compact Family category, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC was awarded the Premium title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An interesting entry in this year&#8217;s competition was the VW Amarok, which won the 4&#215;4 Double Cab category by default as it was the only entry in that segment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s worth noting that the Ford Ranger Raptor, despite being a highly anticipated vehicle, was not allowed to compete in the Double Cab category as it is essentially a variation of an existing model. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, the Ranger had already won the COTY award in 2023. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the Raptor made it to the finals in the Performance category thanks to its twin-turbo V6 petrol engine. Unfortunately, it did not win and the award went to the M2 instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Mahindra Scorpio-N won the Adventure SUV segment and earned the Motor Enthusiast&#8217;s Choice award, which was determined through a public vote on social media. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, the BMW 7 Series received the COTY Juror&#8217;s Excellence Award, which recognizes the jurors&#8217; admiration for its exceptional driving experience, vehicle quality, and craftsmanship based on their input scores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>BMW has won the 38th COTY competition and has set a new record for the most wins overall, having previously won in 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2001, and 2011. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mabuyane Mabuza, the chairperson of the SAGMJ and the 2024 Car of the Year (COTY) competition, congratulated both the winners and all the competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She expressed her delight in seeing the automotive industry&#8217;s commitment to providing modern buyers with high-quality, technologically advanced products in all categories to meet their mobility needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The winners in all eight categories highlight the fierce competition in the industry and the manufacturers&#8217; commitment to producing exceptional products in all price ranges, particularly in the current automotive market following COVID-19,&#8221; said Charles Nortje, Managing Director of Old Mutual Insure, one of the main sponsors of the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are the official winners of the 2024 SAGMJ COTY competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Budget\/Compact \u2013 Suzuki Fronx<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting price \u2013&nbsp;<strong>R297,900<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"625\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/2023-Suzuki-Fronx-header-2-1024x625.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-722128\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/2023-Suzuki-Fronx-header-2-1024x625.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/2023-Suzuki-Fronx-header-2-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/2023-Suzuki-Fronx-header-2-768x469.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/2023-Suzuki-Fronx-header-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Compact Family \u2013 Toyota Urban Cruiser<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting price \u2013&nbsp;<strong>R342,500<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"625\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Toyota-Urban-Cruiser-Hyryder-Header-1-1024x625.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-680395\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Toyota-Urban-Cruiser-Hyryder-Header-1-1024x625.webp 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Toyota-Urban-Cruiser-Hyryder-Header-1-300x183.webp 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Toyota-Urban-Cruiser-Hyryder-Header-1-768x469.webp 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Toyota-Urban-Cruiser-Hyryder-Header-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Family \u2013 BMW X1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting price \u2013&nbsp;<strong>R788,899<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/topauto.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/2022-BMW-X1-xDrive23i-Header-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/topauto.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/2022-BMW-X1-xDrive23i-Header-1-1024x625.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-47576\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Premium \u2013 Mercedes-Benz GLC<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting price \u2013&nbsp;<strong>R1,265,619<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"625\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/2022-Mercedes-Benz-GLC-AMG-Line-Header-5-1024x625.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-726124\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/2022-Mercedes-Benz-GLC-AMG-Line-Header-5-1024x625.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/2022-Mercedes-Benz-GLC-AMG-Line-Header-5-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/2022-Mercedes-Benz-GLC-AMG-Line-Header-5-768x469.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/2022-Mercedes-Benz-GLC-AMG-Line-Header-5.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Adventure SUV \u2013 Mahindra Scorpio-N<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting price \u2013&nbsp;<strong>R477,199<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"625\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/2023-Mahindra-Scorpio-N-Header-9-1024x625.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-700417\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/2023-Mahindra-Scorpio-N-Header-9-1024x625.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/2023-Mahindra-Scorpio-N-Header-9-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/2023-Mahindra-Scorpio-N-Header-9-768x469.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/2023-Mahindra-Scorpio-N-Header-9.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>4\u00d74 Double Cab \u2013 VW Amarok<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting price \u2013&nbsp;<strong>R721,800<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"625\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/2023-VW-Amarok-PanAmericana-header.-1024x625.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-675167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/2023-VW-Amarok-PanAmericana-header.-1024x625.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/2023-VW-Amarok-PanAmericana-header.-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/2023-VW-Amarok-PanAmericana-header.-768x469.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/2023-VW-Amarok-PanAmericana-header..jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Luxury \u2013 BMW 7 Series<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting price \u2013&nbsp;<strong>R2,284,104<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/topauto.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/2022-BMW-7-Series-760i-xDrive-Header-4.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/topauto.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/2022-BMW-7-Series-760i-xDrive-Header-4-1024x625.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-43020\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Performance \u2013 BMW M2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting price \u2013&nbsp;<strong>R1,505,988<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"625\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/2023-BMW-M2-Header-1-1024x625.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-648467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/2023-BMW-M2-Header-1-1024x625.webp 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/2023-BMW-M2-Header-1-300x183.webp 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/2023-BMW-M2-Header-1-768x469.webp 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/2023-BMW-M2-Header-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/motoring\/770535\/the-cars-you-can-afford-on-the-average-salary-in-south-africa-right-now-3\/\">The cars you can afford on the average salary in South Africa right now<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These are the winners of the 2024 Car of the Year competition across eight categories.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":771327,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11119],"tags":[19340,853],"class_list":["post-771313","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-motoring","tag-coty","tag-south-africa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/771313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=771313"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/771313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":771534,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/771313\/revisions\/771534"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/771327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=771313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=771313"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=771313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}