South Africa’s best on four wheels celebrated at 2026 Car of the Year awards

South Africa’s evolving automotive future took centre stage at the 2026 South African Car of the Year (COTY) awards, held at the VRTUOSUS Studios in Johannesburg, where innovation, performance, safety and advanced mobility technology once again defined the country’s most prestigious motoring competition.

The awards are organised under the auspices of the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) and proudly sponsored by Old Mutual Insure.

In a year that reflected the marked transformation of the global automotive industry, the Jetour T2 was crowned the 2026 South African Car of the Year, standing out for its bold design, advanced technology, refined driving experience and growing appeal within South Africa’s increasingly competitive adventure SUV market.

The Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI secured second place overall, while the high-performance Audi RS Q8 claimed third place, reflecting the diversity of South Africa’s modern motoring landscape, from practical urban mobility to luxury performance engineering.

This year’s winners also demonstrated the growing influence of intelligent technology, electrification and connected driving experiences across the automotive sector. Vehicles featuring hybrid systems, advanced driver assistance technology, AI-powered infotainment systems and enhanced safety engineering featured strongly throughout the competition.

According to Presodhini Naicker, Executive of Marketing and Communication at Old Mutual Insure, the awards continue to showcase how automotive innovation is evolving to meet changing consumer expectations.

“The vehicles recognised in this year’s competition demonstrate how technology is fundamentally reshaping the driving experience. Today’s vehicles are not only becoming more intelligent, connected and efficient, but are also placing far greater emphasis on safety, sustainability and user experience,” Naicker says.

She adds that the awards have become an important platform for recognising excellence in an industry that continues to play a major role in the South African economy.

“The automotive sector remains one of the country’s most important industries, supporting economic growth, manufacturing, skills development and innovation,” Naicker says, adding that Old Mutual Insure is proud to have been part of a platform that celebrates engineering excellence while also encouraging conversations around road safety, mobility innovation and consumer empowerment.

Beyond the overall podium, the 2026 competition showcased excellence across every major segment of the market.

The Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI emerged as the winner in the Compact category, continuing the iconic nameplate’s long-standing reputation for refinement, accessibility and everyday driving appeal.

In the Family category, the Omoda C7 impressed judges with its blend of modern design, practicality and technology-focused features tailored for contemporary family mobility.

The Jetour T2 doubled its success by also taking top honours in the Mild Adventure category, while the Land Rover Defender OCTA dominated the Adventure category with its combination of off-road capability, luxury execution and commanding performance.

The Premium category was won by the Audi A5, recognised for its sophisticated design language, advanced cabin technology and refined driving dynamics.

In the Performance category, the Audi RS Q8 delivered a commanding victory, demonstrating how high-performance motoring continues to evolve through intelligent engineering and cutting-edge driver technology.

Public enthusiasm for electrified mobility was also evident, with the Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV securing the Public Choice award, reflecting growing consumer interest in hybrid and alternative-energy vehicles.

The competition’s rigorous evaluation process saw South Africa’s leading motoring journalists assess finalists across multiple criteria, including design, engineering, innovation, performance, safety, technology, practicality and value.

For the SAGMJ and its partners, the awards represent more than a celebration of vehicles alone. They reflect the pace of transformation within one of the world’s most dynamic industries and the growing expectations of consumers who increasingly demand safety, connectivity, sustainability and performance in equal measure.

This year marked Old Mutual Insure’s final year as sponsor of the South African Car of the Year competition, concluding a successful partnership that helped elevate one of the country’s most respected motoring platforms while celebrating excellence across the automotive industry. Naicker described the sponsorship journey as meaningful, impactful and an honour to have been part of.

From electrification and intelligent driver systems to performance engineering and everyday practicality, the 2026 South African Car of the Year awards showcased a motoring industry accelerating confidently into the future.

Overall winners
• 2026 SA Car of the Year: Jetour T2
• Second overall: Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI
• Third overall: Audi RS Q8
• Public Choice Award: Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV

Category winners
• Compact: Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI
• Family: Omoda C7
• Mild Adventure: Jetour T2
• Adventure: Land Rover Defender OCTA
• Premium: Audi A5
• Performance: Audi RS Q8