The Jetour T2 has made South African motoring history after being crowned the 2026 South African Car of the Year (COTY), becoming the first Chinese-branded vehicle to claim the country’s most prestigious automotive accolade.
Announced at a glittering ceremony in Johannesburg, the 40th edition of the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists’ annual competition reflected the rapidly evolving automotive landscape, with seven Chinese brands and 18 finalists competing across six categories.
The Jetour T2’s victory signals a major shift in the local market, where Chinese manufacturers have rapidly transformed from value-focused newcomers into serious contenders capable of challenging established global brands on technology, quality, luxury and innovation.
Beyond securing the overall title, the Jetour T2 also won the Mild Adventure category. The rugged yet premium SUV impressed jurors with its blend of off-road styling, advanced technology and comfort-oriented luxury, outperforming the Hyundai Santa Fe, BYD Shark 6 and GWM Haval H7.
Another Chinese vehicle, the Omoda C7, secured victory in the Family (on-road) category. The crossover SUV stood out for its sophisticated design, comfort levels and technology-rich cabin, beating rivals including the Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV, Leapmotor C10 REEV, Opel Grandland and Volkswagen Tayron.
Volkswagen flew the flag for Europe in the Compact category, with the Golf 1.4 TSI taking top honours. Jurors praised the hatchback’s balance between turbocharged performance, refinement and efficiency. It emerged ahead of the Alfa Romeo Junior, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and BYD Dolphin Surf.
The Adventure category delivered a battle between two heavyweight off-road luxury contenders in the form of the Land Rover Defender OCTA and Lexus GX. In the end, the high-performance Defender OCTA secured the category victory thanks to its combination of extreme capability, advanced technology and immense performance credentials.
Audi enjoyed success in two categories during the competition. The Audi A5 claimed victory in the Premium category, where it competed against the Volvo EX90, Hyundai Santa Fe and Lexus GX. Judges were particularly impressed by the A5’s sleek design, digital cabin experience and premium execution.
The German brand also secured the Performance category title with the Audi RS Q8. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine, Audi’s flagship super-SUV overcame competition from the Land Rover Defender OCTA and Alfa Romeo Junior to take the category laurels.
Speaking after the awards ceremony, SA COTY Chairman Thami Masemola congratulated all category winners and finalists, noting the significance of this year’s competition as the event celebrated its 40th anniversary.
He said the achievements of the winners would become part of the competition’s history, which dates back to 1986 when the awards were first introduced.
The judging process for the 2026 competition began with more than 55 qualifying vehicles launched during 2025. A panel of 25 experienced automotive journalists shortlisted 18 finalists before conducting three days of intensive testing at Zwartkops Raceway in Tshwane.
Vehicles were evaluated on multiple criteria, including engineering excellence, innovation, quality, safety, design, handling, performance and overall suitability for South African driving conditions. The final scores were then supplemented by market intelligence from Lightstone Auto, the competition’s official data partner.
Lightstone Auto’s contribution included sales performance data and specification-adjusted competitor pricing, ensuring that value and market relevance formed part of the final assessment alongside the jury’s driving evaluations.
Paul Marshall, Managing Director at Lightstone Auto, said the competition continues to represent the benchmark for automotive excellence in South Africa, adding that the inclusion of objective market data strengthens the credibility and relevance of the awards.
The public also had an opportunity to participate through the 2026 Old Mutual Insure Car of the Year Motor Enthusiast “People’s Choice” Award, which was won by the Chery Tiggo 7.
The SUV proved popular among consumers thanks to its bold styling, generous specification levels and strong value-for-money proposition in an increasingly competitive segment.
This year’s event also marked the final chapter of Old Mutual Insure’s sponsorship of the South African Car of the Year competition. The insurer described its partnership with the awards programme as meaningful and impactful, highlighting the competition’s role in promoting road safety, mobility innovation and consumer awareness.
Presodhini Naicker, Executive of Marketing and Communication at Old Mutual Insure, said the company was proud to have supported a platform that celebrates engineering excellence while empowering South African motorists with valuable automotive insights.
South African Guild of Mobility Journalists Chairperson Mabuyane Mabuza praised the continued support from vehicle manufacturers, distributors and industry stakeholders over the past four decades.
She noted that the competition remains one of the country’s most respected automotive benchmarks and continues to evolve alongside South Africa’s changing mobility landscape.
The 2026 edition of the South African Car of the Year competition may ultimately be remembered as a watershed moment for the industry. The Jetour T2’s historic victory not only underlines the growing influence of Chinese automakers in South Africa, but also highlights how rapidly the competitive order within the automotive world is shifting.
For consumers, it signals a future where traditional brand hierarchies matter less than innovation, value, technology and overall product excellence.
