2022 SOUTH AFRICAN CAR OF THE YEAR SEMI-FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
The South African Guild of Mobility Journalists’ prestigious Car of the Year (COTY)
competition is the oldest car competition in the country, with its inaugural event taking place in
1986. Over the years, the COTY competition has evolved based on changes in the automotive
industry.
“The impact of COVID-19 on the automotive industry has also seen changes in car launches and the
allocation of fleet vehicles over the last year, necessitating modifications to the 2022 COTY
competition,” says Graham Eagle, Chairman of the 2022 COTY committee.
This year has also seen the increased importance of online scoring by Guild members. As in 2021,
this year will also not see a physical event where winners will be announced; the winners will be
announced on the Guild’s digital platforms.
Today, the SAGMJ’s COTY committee has announced the semi-finalists for the 2022 SA Car of the
Year competition. The 39 semi-finalists represent ten categories launched between 31 March and 31
December 2021. Four contenders tied with identical scores in the final 35 th semi-finalist position and
were all included. A total of 65 new vehicles launched in South Africa during this period were
considered for this year’s COTY competition.
For the first time in the competition’s history, the decision was made that vehicles launched with
both regular and new energy derivatives would be entered into both their relevant vehicle category
and the New Energy Category. Vehicle ranges that only launched a new energy derivative were also
included in the ever-growing New Energy Category.
The recently announced 25 juror and trainee juror teams will vote for the 2022 COTY competition
finalists in ten categories. The categories are: Budget, Compact, Compact Family, Midsize, Premium,
Luxury, Performance, New Energy, Adventure SUV and 4X4 Double Cab.
“This year’s COTY competition showcases a wide variety of excellent vehicles across all categories,
which will be judged by our experienced, well-trained expert juror group,” adds Eagle.
The SAGMJ is proud to announce the semi-finalists for the 2022 COTY competition.
Toyota dominates with seven semi-finalists competing in five categories, but there is also strong
representation by Audi and Hyundai. Surprisingly, the Performance Category has nine contenders,
the most in many years. This year there are no contenders in the Budget category.
Shortly the jurors will narrow the field of semi-finalists to worthy finalists. They are given eight
weeks to assess vehicles, after which the final scoring will commence, determining the 2022 SA Car
of the Year.
“The overall 2020 SA Car of the Year winner remains the most coveted of all automotive competition
titles in South Africa and enjoys international recognition,” concludes Eagle.