SA Car of the Year: 30 semi-finalists revealed as competition marks 40th anniversary
The Alfa Romeo Junior is one of a number of NEVs selected as a semi-finalist for the Car of the Year.
Image: Supplied
The South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) has revealed the semi-finalists for the 2026 South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition, marking a significant moment as the programme enters its 40th year since its inception in 1986.
Anticipation has been building across the industry, particularly among manufacturers who launched new products during 2025. In total, 55 vehicles qualified for consideration this year, reflecting one of the most diverse entry lists in recent memory.
Large cross-section
The field includes compact hatchbacks, budget-friendly sedans, SUVs, high-performance models and bakkies.
Notably, the increase in new-energy vehicles introduced to the South African market during 2025 has added further depth to the competition, underlining how quickly the local automotive landscape is evolving.
From that initial pool, 30 vehicles have been named as semi-finalists for the 2026 title. They are in alphabetical order:
Alfa Romeo Junior; Audi A5; Audi RS Q8; BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe; BYD Dolphin Surf; BYD Shark; Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV; Chery Tiggo 9; GWM Haval H7; Honda Amaze; Hyundai Alcazar; Hyundai Santa Fe; Jaecoo J5; Jetour T2; Land Rover Defender OCTA; Leapmotor C10 REEV; Lexus GX; Mercedes-AMG CLE 53; Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid; Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E; MG Cyberster; MG ZS Pro; MINI Aceman; Omoda C7; Opel Grandland; Renault Duster; Suzuki Dzire; Volkswagen Golf 1.4TSI; Volkswagen Tayron; Volvo EX90.
Established European, Japanese and Korean brands sit alongside a growing contingent of Chinese manufacturers.
The Defender Octa is one of the semi-finalists for the Car of the Year.
Image: Supplied
Sponsor
Old Mutual Insure returns as title sponsor for the 2026 competition, with the insurer again positioning the awards as a showcase for progress in vehicle safety, engineering and overall quality.
Reaching the semi-final stage alone is widely regarded as a meaningful endorsement, particularly in a year defined by fierce competition and a high volume of new launches.
According to COTY chairman Thami Masemola, who has overseen the competition since 2024, the milestone anniversary adds extra weight to this year’s judging process.
The standard of entries continues to rise as brands compete not only on price and performance, but also on technology, efficiency and user experience in a market where buyers are more informed and more demanding than ever.
The next phase will take place in January 2026, when the 25-member COTY jury selects the finalists from the semi-finalist list. Finalists will then undergo an intensive two-day evaluation in March, where vehicles are tested and scored within their respective categories.
Category winners and the overall 2026 South African Car of the Year will be announced in May.