News / 29 January 2026 / Michael Taylor

2026 South African Car of the Year finalists revealed – With pricing

The South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) has announced the finalists for the 40th annual Car of the Year (COTY) competition.

This year’s selection started out with a list of 55 new entries, which was reduced to 30 semi-finalists in December 2025.

This list has has now been shaved down to just 18 finalists, which will compete across various categories as well as for the ultimate title of South Africa’s 2026 Car of the Year.

The models that were eliminated in the latest evaluation include the following:

Chery Tiggo 9
Honda Amaze
Hyundai Alcazar
Jaecoo J5
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53
Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E
MG Cyberster
MG ZS Pro
Mini Aceman
Renault Duster
Suzuki Dzire

The 18 finalists have been assessed by the SAGMJ COTY jury and are now set to undergo a thorough three-day evaluation at Zwartkops Raceway in Gauteng.

“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,” said SA COTY Chairman Thami Masemola.

The competitors have been selected from a diverse mix of vehicles, representing everything from affordable compact hatchbacks to family crossovers, lifestyle SUVs, and high-performance models.

The SAGMJ highlighted that a third of the models competing in this year’s finals are Chinese – an unprecedented statistic that reflects the growing influence of Chinese brands in our market.

However, it also noted that traditional brands still dominate the performance and luxury segments, setting the stage for an intense rivalry as they reinforce their position in South Africa.

The final round of testing will take place in early March at Zwartkops and the surrounding area 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,” said the COTY committee.

Following the tests, the jurors will compile their scores, which Lightstone Auto will use to calculate segment share based on sales volumes.

It will also assess specification-adjusted pricing against direct competitors within each segment.

Importantly, the Motor Enthusiast’s Choice Award will return for a third consecutive year, giving the public an opportunity to vote for their favourite model.

The winners of the competition will be announced at a gala event in Johannesburg in the first week of May 2026.