Suzuki Auto South Africa has announced its fourth-generation Swift – already a recipient of the coveted 2025 Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan (RJC) Car of The Year award – has been selected as a finalist in the 2025 South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition.
Launched locally to widespread acclaim in November 2024, the new Swift is shaking things up in the competitive AB-segment with its sporty styling, frugal 1.2l three-cylinder engine and engaging driving dynamics courtesy a recalibrated suspension system and lightweight but rigid ‘HEARTECT’ platform. Also raising eyebrows are its best-in-class safety features including six airbags, ESP, ABS, EBD, BAS and ISOFIX anchor points.
Organised by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ), the 39th edition of this prestigious competition will evaluate the Swift and 16 other finalists on an extensive list of criteria including design, technology, engineering, innovation, safety, performance and handling. The latter will be put to the test during the next phase of judging in March, when the jurors and their chosen vehicles descend on Tshwane’s Zwartkops Raceway.
Following this assessment, the competition’s final scoring round will begin after which an overall 2025 COTY winner will be crowned at a gala event scheduled for later in the year.
“What a fantastic way to see in 2025. We are thrilled and honoured to have the new Swift chosen as a finalist in what is one of our country’s most respected automotive awards,” says Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager of Suzuki Auto South Africa.
“Making it this far speaks volumes about the car’s abilities and we hope the jurors continue to be impressed by what the little Swift has to offer as they enter the final throes of this competition. Everyone here at Suzuki is holding thumbs for what lies ahead!”
This exciting news follows an announcement on 8 January that the Swift was picked as a Top 10 finalist in the 2025 World Car of the Year, and Top 5 finalist in the 2025 World Urban Car (vehicles no longer than 4.25 metres) presented by the World Car Awards.
Established in 2004, the latter recognises outstanding vehicles on sale globally and evaluates them based on a comprehensive list of measures. For this year’s awards, 96 automotive journalists from 30 countries around the world assessed eligible models sold between January 2024 and March 2025 in two or more continents. Finalists will be narrowed down to the Top 3 in March, with the winners set to be announced in April.
