By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The BMW 7 Series clinched the coveted 2024 SA Car of the Year (COTY) title at the gala event held on 8 May 2024 in Johannesburg.
In a competition run by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ), the Suzuki Fronx secured second place, with the BMW M2 claiming the bronze medal.
The BMW 7 Series was also awarded the COTY Jurors Excellence Award, attracting the jurors’ admiration for its “exceptional driving experience, vehicle quality and craftsmanship”.
BMW now holds a record seven wins in the competition.
The 2024 COTY competition saw 18 finalists selected from a pool of 80 qualifying vehicles representing several categories.
The category winners of the 2024 COTY competition are:
Budget/Compact: Suzuki Fronx
Compact Family: Toyota Urban Cruiser
Family: BMW X1
Premium: Mercedes-Benz GLC
Adventure Sports-Utility Vehicle: Mahindra Scorpio-N
4×4 Double Cab: Volkswagen Amarok
Luxury: BMW 7 Series
Performance: BMW M2
The Mahindra Scorpio-N also won the Motor Enthusiasts Choice Award, which was determined by public votes in a social media campaign.The SAGMJ COTY competition started in 1986.