It is go time for the 2026 – and 40th – running of the South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition organised by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) and backed by Old Mutual Insure with 30 vehicles making it onto the semi-finalist listing.
"It is a tremendous honour to be part of this significant milestone in SAGMJ's annual COTY competition, which has become a widely recognised name among the motoring public and the broader automotive industry," says Thami Masemola, Chairman of the COTY competition since 2024. "For the 2026 competition, the stakes are higher than ever, driven by intense rivalry for the hearts and minds of South African car buyers."
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For the 2026 COTY competition, 55 vehicles launched in 2025 qualify. The entries span compact hatchbacks, family SUVs, performance saloons and bakkies. The surge in new-energy vehicles entering the South African market in 2025 has further expanded options, giving prospective customers an unprecedented, spoilt-for-choice selection.
"The announcement of the COTY semi-finalists is always a heartwarming and exciting period. It represents the very best of innovation, engineering and safety in the South African automotive landscape. As Old Mutual Insure, our partnership with the Car of the Year competition is rooted in showcasing and encouraging the advancement of safer, more excellent vehicles; a commitment that ultimately benefits all our customers on the road," says Presodhini Naicker, Executive of Marketing and Communication at Old Mutual Insure. "Congratulations to all the contenders who have reached this significant stage!"
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The tidal wave of new Chinese models entering the market has dramatically changed the face of the competition to say nothing of the growing spread of electric options on the market so the 2026 COTY competition features a mix of traditional and emerging Eastern brands, with many new entrants joining or returning to the South African market. In such a competitive landscape, securing a place on the semi-finalist list of the annual COTY competition is an achievement in itself.
Masemola concludes: "We are thrilled for this year's semi-finalists, especially as we celebrate the 40th COTY anniversary. Each year, the competition intensifies with new technology, improved safety, and enhanced user experience, providing meaningful benefits to owners of vehicles across all sizes, from small cars to larger models."
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In January 2026, the COTY Jury will select finalists from the semi-finalist list. They will then conduct an intensive two-day testing process in March, scoring each contender against its peers in its specific class to determine category winners and ultimately crown the overall winner of the prestigious 2026 South African Car of the Year competition. The winners will be announced in May 2026.
The 30 semi-finalists for the 2026 South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition, in alphabetical order, are:
- 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
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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