News24 | These are the 2026 SA Car of the Year finalists...

• The 2026 South African Car of the Year finalists have been revealed.
  
• This year, there are 18 finalists up for the coveted title, seven of which are Chinese cars.
  
• Notable vehicles include the VW Golf, Jetour T2, BYD Shark bakkie, Audi A5, BMW 2 Series, and the Land Rover Defender OCTA, to name a few.

The South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) has announced the 18 finalists for the 2026 South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the competition, since its inception in 1986, recognising the very best new cars in South Africa’s local market.

The guild says its experienced jurors have recognised vehicles that offer true distinction through innovation, specifications, value for money and customer relevance.

Selected from more than 55 new and qualifying vehicles launched in 2025, the 18 finalists represent the best in their respective segments of the 2026 SA COTY awards.

Shortlisted after extensive consideration by SA COTY’s expert jury, each vehicle was assessed for quality, safety, performance and suitability for South African conditions, and will now advance to a rigorous three-day evaluation at Zwartkops Raceway in Tshwane.

The 2026 SA COTY finalists represent a diverse mix of vehicles, from affordable compact hatchbacks to family-focused lifestyle SUVs and performance SUVs, ensuring buyers across multiple price points can choose class-leading cars that suit their needs.

This year, one-third of the finalists are Chinese brands, reflecting their growing influence and the increasing presence of new-energy vehicles competing for category wins and the overall title. Notably, there are no Toyota models in the list, despite several updated models launched in 2025; none of them were new-generation models, and only refreshed ones.
Traditional brands like Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Volkswagen and Volvo continue to dominate several segments, setting the stage for another intense rivalry that reinforces their strong position in the local market.

The 2026 SA Car of the Year Finalists, in alphabetical order, are:

“Reaching our 40th anniversary is an extremely proud milestone for the SAGMJ’s Car of the Year competition, sponsored by Old Mutual Insure for the third consecutive year,” says SA COTY Chairman Thami Masemola. “It reflects decades of independent testing, informed debate and a shared commitment to recognising vehicles that meet South African motorists’ needs.

“These 18 finalists represent the very best new cars of 2025, to be rigorously tested and selected by South Africa’s most trusted motoring jurors.”

Presodhini Naicker, Executive of Marketing and Communication at Old Mutual Insure, congratulates COTY on this milestone: “We congratulate all the finalists of the 2026 COTY competition on reaching the final round. As a long-standing supporter, we value SA COTY’s credibility, consistency and relevance”.

Naicker adds, “For four decades, the competition has empowered consumers to make informed vehicle choices, and it continues to provide a credible platform through which we can meaningfully advance our road-safety message. This alignment speaks directly to our commitment to protecting what matters most, not only vehicles, but the people who use them.”

What happens next?

In early March 2026, the competition moves to the actual testing phase at Zwartkops Raceway and surrounding routes in Tshwane. Over three days, the jury will physically assess finalists under real-world road conditions, on the racetrack, and, where applicable, on dedicated off-road courses for vehicles with off-road capability.

The South African COTY competition is among the few globally to retain hands-on testing, adding a distinctive and authentic dimension to the judging process.

Following the test days, the jurors’ scores will be compiled and submitted to the final scoring round. At this stage, Lightstone Auto data will be used to calculate segment share based on sales volumes and to assess

specification-adjusted pricing against direct competitors within each segment.

The public vote

The Motor Enthusiast’s Choice public vote returns for a third consecutive year, giving the public a chance to participate in the initiative.

“For 40 years, the SAGMJ-organised SA Car of the Year competition has celebrated the cars South Africans love. The 2026 COTY will continue this tradition, creating excitement as jurors search for the very best vehicles on local roads,” concludes Masemola.

The 2026 SA COTY winners will be revealed at a gala event in Johannesburg during the first week of May.

News24 Motoring editor Janine van der Post is one of the 25 SA Car of the Year jury members. Listen out for the first Driving with J9 News24 Motoring podcast this Sunday, 1 February, as we will be talking about the finalists for this year’s competition (and everything you need to know about the 2026 Formula 1 season).