2025 RJC Car of the Year Awarded to New Suzuki Swift

The new Suzuki Swift has won the prestigious 2025 RJC Car of the Year award! Known for its sleek look, modern engine, and exciting driving experience, this fourth-generation Swift reinforces Suzuki’s reputation for innovation and high quality.

Following its recent launch in South Africa, Suzuki Auto South Africa is thrilled to announce that the new fourth-generation Swift has clinched the 2025 RJC Car of The Year award, organized by the Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan.

This marks the fourth time Suzuki’s popular B-segment hatchback has won this prestigious award since its introduction in 2004. Over the past two decades, about 9.54 million units, including the Dzire sedan models, have been sold globally.

The 2025 RJC Car of The Year was chosen from Japanese vehicles launched between November 1, 2023, and October 31, 2024. On November 1, 2024, a panel of 40 jury members, consisting of automotive researchers and journalists, narrowed down the choices to the ‘Six Best’ contenders, with the final winner selected on November 12, 2024. The competition also featured categories for Import Car of The Year and Technology of The Year.

The RJC jury commended the fourth-generation Swift for its eye-catching exterior, advanced 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine, and excellent driving performance, thanks to its recalibrated suspension and lightweight yet sturdy ‘HEARTECT’ platform. Additionally, all new fourth-generation Swift models come equipped with top-notch safety features, including six airbags, ESP, ABS, EBD, BAS, and ISOFIX points.

In South Africa, Suzuki Auto aims for the fourth-generation Swift to continue its success as it competes in the 2025 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards. This is South Africa’s leading motoring awards program, recognizing the best vehicles in 13 different segments of the local market. The Swift 1.2 GLX has been nominated as one of three finalists in the Best Budget Car (under R300k) category, with the winner to be announced in February 2025.

“The fourth-generation Swift is making waves in the competitive B-segment,” says Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager of Suzuki Auto South Africa.

“Its recent win in the 2025 RJC Car of The Year competition is proof of its excellence, and we are eager to see how the new Swift performs at the 2025 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards. We hope our local judges will be equally impressed with what it has to offer.”

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