The BMW X3 has officially driven off with top honours at the 2025 South African Car of the Year (COTY) Awards, earning both the overall Car of the Year title and the Premium category win. As a standout model built right here in Mzansi at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn, the X3’s latest accolade cements its status as a local and global favourite.
Hosted by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) and sponsored by Old Mutual Insure, the COTY Awards celebrate innovation, performance, and excellence in the automotive industry. Now in its 39th year, the competition saw a fierce lineup of contenders, but the X3 stood tall, thanks to its powertrain flexibility, precision engineering, and local production pride.
The X3 wasn’t BMW’s only winner. The new BMW 5 Series Sedan scooped up the Executive category award, while the performance-bred BMW M5 claimed top spot in the Performance category. The M5 also took home the coveted Juror’s Choice Award and finished third overall—a true triple threat.
BMW’s production facility in Rosslyn has been producing the X3 since October 2024, rolling out both plug-in hybrid and internal combustion variants to meet global demand. With a third production shift recently reintroduced, it’s clear that demand for this proudly South African model is accelerating. “This award recognises the legacy of excellence built into our operations in Plant Rosslyn,” said Danny Bester, Director of BMW Group Plant Rosslyn.
Peter van Binsbergen, CEO of BMW Group South Africa, added: “The overall Car of the Year win for the BMW X3 reinforces our focus on delivering quality products that resonate with South Africans. We’re proud of our team and the ongoing trust our customers place in BMW.”
The win adds to an impressive 2025 trophy cabinet for BMW Group South Africa, which also includes multiple wins at the CAR Magazine Top 12 Best Buys and the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards—spanning everything from luxury sedans to electric vehicles and high-performance M cars. The X3’s reign is well earned—and it’s only just getting started.
