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 35th 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.

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.