The TopGear South Africa Magazine Awards, in partnership with WesBank, was recently held in Muldersdrift.
The Awards once again recognised the cars, individuals, and defining moments which made the TopGear South Africa team sit up and take notice over the past year.
The motoring award categories spanned performance, innovation, usability, and, of course, people who positively impacted the industry. The ceremony highlighted the depth and diversity of the South African automotive space, which is fast evolving in response to shifting consumer expectations that now increasingly favour electrification alongside traditional economy and lifestyle versatility.
Similarly, the TopGear South Africa Magazine Awards are keeping pace with the times, bestowing accolades that are relevant in the given year.
Evaluation for the awards takes place throughout the year as the TopGear South Africa editorial team reviews and ranks vehicles based on metrics including performance, ownership experience, quality, design, and innovation.
Other key awards on the night included 4x4 of the Year, Utility Vehicle of the Year, EV of the Year, Crossover of the Year, Hatch of the Year, the Marketing Excellence Award, as well as the Instant Icon Award, which is given to a vehicle the TopGear SA team deems a future icon.
Some of the top award winners were:
Timeless Luxury Award - Rolls-Royce Spectre.
4x4 of the Year - Defender Octa.
Performance Car of the Year - Porsche 911 Carrera T.
Eco Warrior of the Year - Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV.
EV of the Year - Volvo EX30 Cross Country.
Manufacturer of the Year - BYD South Africa.
Marketing Excellence Award - Suzuki Auto South Africa .
Most Improved Car - Opel Grandland.
Crossover of the Year - Renault Captur.
Hatch of the Year - VW Golf 8.5 1.4 TSI.
Utility Vehicle of the Year - BYD Shark 6.
SUV of the Year - BMW X3.
Motorsport Personality of the Year - Chloe Stuart.
Trailblazer of the Year - Stanley Anderson.
Lifetime Achievement Award - Viviene Ward.
Mercedes‑Benz Trucks Classic will open its anniversary year, “130 Years of Trucks,” at Retro Classics Stuttgart from 19 to 22 February 2026, inviting visitors to explore the long and eventful history of commercial vehicle development.
Volkswagen Group Africa (VGA) has appointed Ryan Blumrick as the new Head of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
Tata launched in South Africa in August last year with a four-model line-up and an extensive dealer network, which has now grown to a total of 45 dealers across South Africa with three more dealers added to the network during February.
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I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
Mercedes‑Benz Trucks Classic will open its anniversary year, “130 Years of Trucks,” at Retro Classics Stuttgart from 19 to 22 February 2026, inviting visitors to explore the long and eventful history of commercial vehicle development.
Volkswagen Group Africa (VGA) has appointed Ryan Blumrick as the new Head of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
The Automotive Business Council (naamsa) welcomes the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) and government’s continued recognition of the automotive industry as a strategic pillar of South Africa’s manufacturing economy.
