- opular hatchback voted overall Budget Category Winner
- Runner-up in overall honours
- Jury praises best in class safety features
The fourth-generation Suzuki Swift — the country’s best-selling passenger vehicle in April according to the official sales report published by industry body naamsa — drove away a winner at the 2025 South African Car of the Year competition (SA COTY).
Organised under the auspices of the SA Guild of Mobility Journalists and sponsored by Old Mutual Insure, this event is one of the country’s most coveted automotive award ceremonies and one of the few of its kind in the world today that incorporates a physical testing component. A total of 27 jurors put the 17 finalists through a demanding two-day evaluation session at Tshwane’s Zwartkops Raceway in the beginning of March.
After scores were tallied and votes cast, the new Swift was at a gala event on Tuesday night announced as the competition’s overall Budget Category Winner. Launched in South Africa at the end of 2024, jurors lauded the Swift for its best in class safety features which include six airbags, ABS brakes with EBD, Brake Assist Function, Electronic Stability Programme and rear ISOFIX anchor points. In addition, all occupants have access to three point seatbelts (two front, three rear) with audible/visual reminders.
The fourth-generation Swift reaped similar praise at the 2025 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards in February where the Japanese AB-segment contender won the Best Budget Car category for vehicles under R300k. This, coincidentally, was the seventh occasion Suzuki triumphed in this award category and the fifth time it won it outright with a Swift.
“This segment of the market is one of the most competitive arenas for OEMs to play in,” says Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager of Suzuki Auto South Africa.
“Customers are looking for vehicles that are not only affordable to buy, run and maintain but also packed with the latest gadgets, engine technology and safety equipment. They seek good value for money without compromising on standard features. There are many options to choose from with a plethora of capable vehicles all vying for their hard-earned money. So to have the new fourth-generation Swift chosen as SA COTY’s Best Budget Car is not only a massive honour but a real testament to what it offers consumers.”
Physical testing aside, the South African Car of the Year competition also takes into account data from Lightstone Auto that considers metrics such as market share, sales volume, value for money and public perception. Factored into the mix, the Swift emerged as runner-up in overall honours behind the BMW X3 but ahead of the BMW M5.
These impressive local accolades aside, the fourth-generation Swift was also the recent recipient of the 2025 Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan (RJC) Car of The Year award. Jury members commended the hatchback for its stylish exterior design, advanced 1.2l three-cylinder engine and stellar driving dynamics made possible by the vehicle’s recalibrated suspension and lightweight but rigid ‘HEARTECT’ platform.
“We’re humbled to receive recognition from the 2025 South African COTY awards,” says Carpenter. “Winning the Budget Category with the new Swift and seeing it come second overall is a proud moment for us and reflects Suzuki’s dedication to building dependable, accessible and top-quality vehicles. This award belongs to every Suzuki driver, fan and team member who stands behind our brand. We’re grateful for your continued trust and support.”
