The new made-in-South Africa Ford Ranger double-cab 4 x 4 has been crowned as South Africa’s Old Mutual Insure South African Car of the Year (COTY) for 2023.
The South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) announced its overall winner in the competition, as well as several category winners, out of a field of 21 finalists late last month.
It is the first time in the 37-year history of the event that a double-cab bakkie has taken top honours.
Chairperson of the 2023 iteration of the COTY competition Mabuyane Mabuza says this “remarkable achievement is a testament to the automotive industry’s commitment to producing high-quality double-cabs that offer unrivalled performance, while seamlessly blending comfort, safety and cutting-edge technology”.
The category winners in this year’s competition are:
• Compact Family Category: BAIC Beijing X55
• Midsize Category: KIA Sportage
•Premium Category: KIA Sorento
• Adventure Sports utility Vehicle Category: Ford Everest
•Double Cab 4 X 4 Category: Ford Ranger
•Luxury Category: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
• Performance Category: Audi RS 3
• New-energy Category: Volvo XC 40 P8 Recharge
The Budget Category had no contenders this year, and while the entrant in the Compact Category was commendable, the SAGMJ says the vehicle did not meet the required percentage to secure a category win.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class also won the COTY Jurors’ Excellence Award, which recognises “the unparalleled driving experience of an extraordinary vehicle and represents the jurors’ raw scores, acknowledging exceptional vehicle quality and craftsmanship”.