Every Car of the Year winner in South Africa’s history - TopAuto.co.za

Eish, remember when a Datsun 1200 could take on anything? We dive into every single SA Car of the Year winner, from the classics to the… well, the interesting choices. South Africa's Car of the Year award has been crowning automotive champions since 1966. We’re unpacking every winner, looking at what made them special, and whether they’re still lekker on the road today. Prepare for a trip down memory lane – and a few surprises. ## The OG Winners: When Cars Were Still Built to Last Back in the 60s and 70s, cars were *cars*, bru. Proper steel, engines you could actually work on, and none of this kak touchscreen nonsense. The first ever SA Car of the Year in 1966? The Auto Union 1000. A little pocket rocket. Then you had the Ford Cortina (1972 & 1974) – a car your dad probably learned to drive in. These weren’t about luxury; they were about getting you from point A to point B, reliably. And they did it. These cars were built to withstand anything. Load shedding? Didn’t even flinch. A gravel road to the family braai? Bring it on. They weren’t fast, they weren’t fancy, but they were *solid*. You don’t see that kind of build quality anymore. Honestly, a modern Corolla wouldn't last a weekend in the Karoo like those old Cortinas did. ## The 80s & 90s: The Rise of Japanese Reliability (and Some Local Grit) The 80s and 90s saw the Japanese manufacturers really flex their muscles. Toyota started racking up wins – the Corolla (1978, 1986) became a mainstay. Suddenly, everyone wanted a Toyota. They just… *worked*. No drama. No constant trips to the Dis-Chem for painkillers after a bumpy ride. But it wasn’t a total Japanese walkover. We had some local contenders too. The Mazda Rustler (1983) showed some South African grit. And let's not forget the BMW 325i (1988) – a proper driver’s car, even back then. It was a bit more posh, though. You’d see those parked outside Sandton City, not at the Nando’s drive-thru. The Honda Accord (1990) also entered the fray, proving that Japanese engineering was here to stay. ## The Noughties: Luxury Creeps In – And SUVs Start Taking Over The 2000s… this is where things started to get a little… different. Suddenly, it wasn’t enough to just have a reliable car. You needed leather seats, fancy sound systems, and a badge that impressed the neighbours. The BMW 3 Series (2000) won, continuing the premium trend. And then the SUVs started their slow creep into dominance. The Ford Everest (2004) was an early sign of things to come. People started wanting space, height, and that feeling of invincibility. It’s a bit befok, isn’t it? Trading a lekker, nimble car for a big, lumbering beast. But hey, each to their own. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2007) kept the luxury flame alive, but the writing was on the wall. ## The 2010s: Double Cabs Rule the Roads (and the Awards) Jislaaik, the 2010s. The decade of the bakkie. The double cab bakkie, specifically. The Toyota Hilux (2010, 2017) and Ford Ranger (2012, 2019) absolutely dominated the awards. Why? Because South Africa. We need a vehicle that can do it all – take the family to the coast, haul building materials, and handle a farm road without complaining. It makes sense, right? We’re a practical nation. But let’s be real, a lot of these double cabs never see a single piece of wood or a bag of cement. They’re status symbols. A way of saying, “I’m a hard worker… or at least I look like one.” The Isuzu D-Max (2011, 2013) tried to muscle in, but the Hilux and Ranger had a stranglehold on the market. ## Recent Winners: Electric, Hybrid, and Still a Lot of Bakkies More recently, we’ve seen a bit of a shake-up… sort of. The Toyota Corolla Cross (2022) won, signaling a shift towards more fuel-efficient options. And the electric and hybrid vehicles are starting to make an appearance, though they haven’t quite taken the crown yet. The Toyota Hilux (2023) *still* managed to win, proving that the bakkie’s reign isn’t over. It’s a slow burn for electric, bru. Range anxiety, charging infrastructure… it’s all a bit of a headache right now. But things are changing. The future is electric, whether we like it or not. ## So, What Does This All Tell Us About South African Car Buyers? We’re a practical bunch, that’s for sure. Reliability is key. We want a vehicle that won’t leave us stranded on the N1 during peak hour. But we also like a bit of luxury and status. The rise of the double cab bakkie proves that. We want to *look* like we can handle anything, even if we’re just driving to Checkers for a braai. We’re also a bit conservative. We stick with what we know. Toyota and Ford have built a reputation for reliability, and South African buyers reward that loyalty. We’re not quick to embrace new technologies unless they’re proven to work. ## The Future of SA Car of the Year: What’s Next? The Car of the Year award will continue to reflect the changing needs and preferences of South African drivers. Electric vehicles will become more competitive as the infrastructure improves and prices come down. But the bakkie isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. It’s too ingrained in our culture. Ultimately, the winner of the SA Car of the Year award will be the vehicle that best balances practicality, reliability, and desirability. And, let's be honest, a bit of that South African *gees*. So, is the future electric, or will the trusty bakkie continue to reign supreme? And more importantly, will manufacturers *finally* figure out how to make a car that doesn’t need constant trips to the garage? Click here to find out which cars are leading the charge in fuel efficiency and could be the next Car of the Year contender.