Ford Ranger wins SA Car of the Year 2023
Enthusiasts and owners alike celebrate as the Ford Ranger achieves the 2023 Car of the Year award. It seems that functionality is South Africans’ new favourite car choice.
The highly anticipated Old Mutual Insure South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition reached its conclusion as the winners were announced in Johannesburg on June 1. It marked a significant moment, with a bakkie clinching the title. This delighted bakkie enthusiasts and Ford Ranger owners in particular.
Mabuyane Mabuza, the chairperson of the 2023 COTY competition, stated that this remarkable achievement showcases the automotive industry’s dedication to manufacturing high-quality double cabs that offer unparalleled performance, while seamlessly integrating comfort, safety, and cutting-edge technology.
“In the past decade, the popularity of SUVs and double cabs has skyrocketed at the expense of sedans. Double cab bakkies have become a common choice for everyday commuting, family adventures, and various work applications, providing a popular solution for South Africans’ mobility demands,” said Mabuza.
Garth Napier, the managing director of Old Mutual Insure, congratulated the Ford Ranger 4×4 and the other category winners of the 2023 COTY contest, saying, “Well done! We are proud to associate ourselves with their commitment to excellence, and applaud them for their well-deserved success.”
Out of the initial 55 vehicles that qualified for the competition, 21 finalists were chosen. These vehicles underwent rigorous evaluation by the jury, and after calculating and correlating the data and points, the category winners were revealed. Lightstone Auto provided automated scoring information, including data-driven insights, online market intelligence, and new vehicle sales data.
Here are the winners in each category:
Compact family category: BAIC Beijing X55
Midsize category: KIA Sportage
Premium category: KIA Sorento
Adventure SUV category: Ford Everest
Double cab 4×4 category: Ford Ranger
Luxury category: Mercedes Benz S-Class
Performance category: Audi RS 3
New-energy category: Volvo XC 40 P8 Recharge
2023 SA Car of the Year: Ford Ranger Double Cab 4×4
The Mercedes Benz S-Class was awarded the coveted COTY Jurors Excellence Award, recognizing its exceptional driving experience, and reflecting the jurors’ high scores, which acknowledges the vehicle’s outstanding quality and craftsmanship.
The BAIC Beijing X55, the first-ever Chinese winner, demonstrated that Chinese manufactured vehicles are on par with those from traditional manufacturers. Chery, another Chinese manufacturer won the “Motor Enthusiasts Choice” award for the Tiggo 8 Pro. It was voted for by the public through a social media campaign conducted by Old Mutual Insure.
Source: SAMGJ / Photos: QuickPic
