“We believe that any of the cars that made the cut as semi-finalists in their respective categories are worthy of serious consideration by car buyers," says Hannes Oosthuizen – the project manager of the 2024/25 Cars.co.za Awards sponsored by Absa. The 2025 CarsAwards marks the 8th iteration of the programme, which was established in 2015 and hosted its first gala event in 2016.

"Keep in mind that all cars on sale on 1 September 2024 were considered for semi-finalist (top 5) selection in the 2025 CarsAwards, not only cars launched in the past year," he explains.

Furthermore, models that are due for imminent release and which will be priced and made available for test drives before the extended editorial team selects the finalists (top 3) of each category in early October, have been given wildcard entries into their respective segments.

“This was done to ensure the Awards are as representative as possible of the local new-car market when the winners are announced in February 2025,” Hannes says.

How were the top 5 in each category selected?

In the first round of the 2025 CarsAwards (styled as #CarsAwards on social media), the Cars.co.za extended editorial team selected the five best cars in each of the 13 categories by consensus, to ensure that each selection is debated and carefully considered. Attention was paid to the categories' "Filters of Eligibility" and the "Pillars of Success" to reach an agreement on the identities of the semi-finalists.

"The debate and agreement by consensus are a core pillar of our programme," he says. "We debate each eligible vehicle within the context of its category and will not finalise any category’s top 5 line-up until the entire team is in agreement. This means far deeper interrogation and more exhaustive investigation than is typical in a 'secret vote' set-up."

When it comes to the new wildcard entry system, it is important to note that only cars that are due for imminent release and which will be priced and made available for test drives prior to finalist voting in October will be considered in addition to the top 5 in their respective categories.

• Best Budget Car (under R300 000)

Buying an affordable car doesn’t mean you should have to compromise on safety, technology and quality. The winner of this category of the 2024/25 Cars.co.za Awards – sponsored by Absa represents "as much good car as possible" for the asking price. Value is very important, as are low running costs and all such "common sense" considerations. The price cap in this category is R300 000.

The semi-finalists in this category of the 2025 CarsAwards are:

Hyundai Grand i10 1.0 Executive

Kia Picanto 1.2 EX

Suzuki Baleno 1.5 GL

Toyota Starlet 1.5 XS

Volkswagen Polo Vivo 1.4 Life

WILDCARD ENTRIES: Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Exter and Mahindra XUV 3XO (exact variants to be confirmed at finalist selection stage)

• Best Compact Hatch (from R300 000 to R500 000)

While this traditionally strong segment (in terms of sales) is certainly feeling the heat from compact family cars (small crossovers), as well as more affordable hatchbacks these days, it's fiercely contested, nonetheless. In this category, we’re looking for a balanced offering that is excellent across the board.

Cars in this segment must appeal to a very wide audience – from the young professional or family "buying up" from an entry-level car to pensioners "buying down" from something larger and pricier.

Honda Fit 1.5 Elegance Auto

Hyundai i20 1.0T N Line Auto

Opel Corsa 1.2T GS Line Auto

Suzuki Baleno 1.5 GLX Auto

Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI 85kW R-Line Auto

• Best Budget Crossover (R300 000 to R400 000)

The rise of crossover has been one of the strongest trends in the automotive industry for about a decade or so – and there's no sign of it slowing down!

Manufacturers keep finding new product niches and ways of producing crossover offerings based on traditional hatchback platforms. Some of the biggest sellers in the local market can be found here.

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5T Elite Auto

Kia Sonet 1.5 LX Auto

Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GLX Auto

Toyota Starlet Cross 1.5 XR Auto

Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 XR Auto

• Best Compact Family Car (R400 000 to R600 000)

With household budgets stretched to a breaking point, the reasonably affordable compact family car must be able to fulfil many roles – from compact traffic dodger to spacious school-run specialist and even weekend getaway machine. Practicality and spaciousness are important considerations, but so are fuel efficiency, safety, technology and a modicum of lifestyle flexibility.

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max 1.6TGDI 290T Premium AWD

Haval Jolion Pro 1.5 HEV Ultra Luxury

Kia Seltos 1.5 CRDi EX+

Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XR

Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0TSI R-Line

Wildcard Entries: GAC GS3 Emzoom, Jetour X70 Plus and Jetour Dashing (exact specification to be confirmed at the time of finalist voting).

• Best Family Car (R600 000 to R800 000)

The typical family car (also known as a medium SUV) fulfils a wide variety of duties and needs to be a practical, safe all-rounder. The winner of this category should be ideally suited not only for the morning school run, but also the school holiday run to a distant location.

Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0TGDI 390T Executive AWD

Haval H6 1.5T HEV Ultra Luxury

Kia Sportage 1.6 CRDi GT Line Plus

Mitsubishi Outlander 2.5 Aspire

Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4TSI R-Line

• Best Premium Crossover (R700 000 to R1m)

Upwardly mobile individuals use to aspire to own executive sedans, but these days those buyers shop for reasonably attainable machines with prestigious badges in the Premium Crossover segment.

We are looking for an aspirational vehicle that will appeal to the image-conscious driver who places a priority on performance, dynamics, technology and design. The target customers have achieved success and want a car that isn’t only a personal reward, but also one that boldly broadcasts their achievements.

Audi Q3 Sportback 35TFSI Black Edition

BMW X2 sDrive18i M Sport

Lexus UX 300h SE

Mini Countryman S ALL4

Volvo XC40 B4 Ultimate Dark

• Best Executive SUV (R1m to R1.5m)

Most premium brands now offer road-biased SUVs that combine prestige and practicality in a superbly refined package, because such vehicles are increasingly regarded as must-have status symbols by luxury car buyers. Drivetrain performance and refined road manners are priorities, as are a cabin that features upmarket materials and the most up-to-date technology.

Audi Q5 45TFSI quattro Black Edition

Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport

Mazda CX-60 3.3D AWD Takumi

Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4Matic Avantgarde

Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge AWD Ultimate Black Edition

The all-new BMW X3 is the Wildcard entry in this category this year.

• Best Premium SUV (R1.5m to R2m)

Luxurious SUVs may appeal for irrational and emotional reasons such as heightened kerb appeal and status, but at their core they are some of the most sophisticated and capable vehicles on the market.

Blending spaciousness with high-tech off-road equipment, powerful engines, as well as luxuriously trimmed cabins, the apex prestige-badged Premium SUV we are looking for in this category should be tailor-made for image- and practicality-obsessed buyers.

BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport

Lexus RX 500h F Sport

Mercedes-Benz GLE300d 4Matic

Range Rover Velar P340 Dynamic HSE

Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI R-Line

• Best Adventure SUV

In this revised category, we’re looking for the ultimate recreational vehicle to transport a family and all their holiday and lifestyle gear in comfort to almost any destination, on- or off-road. Off-road ability is important, in combination with practicality, comfort, towing ability and long-distance cruising.

Ford Everest 3.0TD V6 4WD Wildtrak

GWM Tank 500 2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4x4

Ineos Grenadier 3.0T Trailmaster Edition

Land Rover Defender 110 D350 X-Dynamic HSE

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2.8GD VX-R

• Best Leisure Double Cab (under R750 000)

While the category name is not new, it now caters for more affordable double-cab derivatives priced below R750 000. Suffice to say, South African consumers love their bakkies, and in this revised category of the 2024/25 Cars.co.za Awards, we are looking for a high-value offering that combines genuine off-road capability (4x4 is required) with comfort (automatic is a must).

Ford Ranger 2.0SiT XLT 4x4 Auto

GWM P-Series 2.0TD LTD 4x4 Auto

Isuzu D-Max 1.9TD LS 4x4 Auto

Mahindra Pik Up 2.2CRDe 4x4 S11 Karoo Dawn Auto

Toyota Hilux 2.4GD-6 Raider 4x4 Auto

• Ultimate Double Cab (above R750 000)

In this immensely popular and fiercely contested category of the market, the search is on for the ultimate all-rounder. From luxurious touring vehicle to hardcore off-roader, capable carry-all, family do-all and lifestyle activity machine, the Ultimate Double Cab bakkie can no longer be too utilitarian and rough around the edges, as they say, but should be a highly sophisticated offering.

Ford Ranger 3.0T V6 Raptor 4WD

Ineos Grenadier 3.0T Quartermaster Trailmaster Edition

Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD AT35 4x4

Jeep Gladiator 3.6 Rubicon

Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 4x4 GR-Sport

• Best Performance Car (under R2m)

While supercars and other “exotics” are mere fantasies for most new-car buyers, there are cars priced below the R2 million mark that offer near-supercar thrills and performance. In this category, we are not only looking for sizzling performance but also driver engagement, whether driven on track or road.

Audi RS3 quattro Sportback

BMW M2 Auto

Honda Civic Type R

Mercedes-AMG A45 S hatch 4Matic+

Toyota GR Supra 3.0T Manual

The new Ford Mustang is the Wildcard entry in this category.

• Best Electric Vehicle (under R1.3m)

The South African electric vehicle market welcomes new arrivals on an almost monthly basis and sales are growing steadily. While many ownership challenges remain, the latest EV offerings boast an increasingly appealing range, performance and prestige. Affordability remains key to unlocking greater market acceptance, and that is why we place the focus on the more affordable offerings in the local market.

BMW iX1 xDrive30 M Sport

GWM Ora 03 400 Ultra Luxury

Mini Countryman SE ALL4

Volvo EX30 Plus Twin Motor Performance

Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor Plus

What happens next?

In the next round of judging, due to take place early in October 2024, the same jury will score each vehicle individually, considering the various criteria that each category prescribes. The top 3 (finalists) will then be announced next month at naamsa’s South African Autoweek in Cape Town, and then be put through back-to-back testing at Gerotek in Gauteng early in November, by the entire 2024/25 Cars.co.za Awards – sponsored by Absa, jury.