China's Jetour T2 Wins Car of the Year South Africa 2026 Award

South Africans love a good road trip. We also love our vehicles. For decades, local drivers have stuck to familiar legacy brands when choosing an SUV or 4×4 to explore our beautiful country. However, the local motoring landscape has just experienced a massive shake-up. For the first time in history, a Chinese manufacturer has taken the top prize at the South African Car of the Year competition. 

The Jetour T2 did the impossible, turning heads and possibly changing the local motoring market completely. But what does this historic milestone mean for the future of adventure travel in Mzansi? Let’s look closely at this historic win, explore what makes the winning vehicle so special, and review the rugged contenders that fought hard for the crown.

Understanding the South African Car of the Year Competition

Before we get to the Jetour T2, it’s helpful to understand the true weight of this award. The SA Car of the Year (COTY) competition is the most respected motoring event in the country. Organised by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ), this landmark event recently celebrated its 40th anniversary – it’s the gold standard of local automotive awards.

It’s by no means a simple popularity contest. To win, vehicles must undergo a rigorous, multi-month evaluation process. This year, the competition started with an initial group of 55 qualifying vehicles launched during 2025. A panel of 25 experienced automotive journalists carefully narrowed this list down to 30 semi-finalists, and eventually to 18 finalists across six distinct categories.

The finalists were put through intense physical testing over a three-day programme at Zwartkops Raceway and surrounding public roads. Judges scored each vehicle on a wide range of practical factors, including:

• Exterior design and interior comfort
• Engineering excellence and safety features
• Technology and innovation
• Suitability for South African driving conditions
• Overall value for money and competitive pricing

Winning the ultimate car of the year title means a vehicle has outshined its rivals in almost every measurable way. It sets a new benchmark for what local consumers should expect when buying or renting a vehicle.

The 2026 Winner: Why the Jetour T2 Made History

The Jetour T2 arrived in South Africa with a bold promise: to offer premium, rugged off-road capability without the massive price tag usually attached to high-end 4x4s. The judges clearly felt it delivered on that promise. By taking the overall 2026 South African Car of the Year title, Jetour shattered long-standing consumer hesitation surrounding Chinese carmakers.

Historically, South African buyers have been wary of newer automotive entrants, frequently raising questions about long-term reliability, spare parts availability, and after-sales service. Jetour – a sub-brand of Chery – addressed these concerns head-on. The brand launched with an aggressive footprint of over 55 dealerships nationwide and offered a groundbreaking 10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty for the first owner.

But a great warranty only works if the product matches the promise. Fortunately, the T2 is exceptional. It features a strikingly rugged, boxy design that looks right at home on the rocky trails of the Cederberg or the coastal roads of the Garden Route. 

It balances this tough exterior with a thoroughly modern, tech-focused cabin. Standard features across the range include a massive 15.6-inch infotainment system, ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and an advanced 540-degree view camera system that makes navigating tricky terrain incredibly easy.

With local pricing starting at a highly competitive R569,900 for the Aspire model and moving up to the 4WD Xplora and Odyssey models, the Jetour T2 proved that drivers no longer need to spend a million bucks to get a highly capable, luxury adventure vehicle.

The Rugged Contenders: A Closer Look at the Adventure Categories

At Drive South Africa, we are deeply passionate about exploration. Because we specialise in SUV and 4×4 rentals, we always keep a close eye on the adventure categories. Simply put, we know exactly what makes a great road trip companion. The 2026 competition was incredibly fierce, showing just how much effort manufacturers are putting into vehicles built for the great outdoors.

The Jetour T2 actually claimed a double victory, also winning the Mild Adventure category. It faced incredibly tough competition from both advanced hybrids and traditional layouts, managing to stave off the futuristic Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SUV, as well as two formidable Chinese rivals: the GWM Haval H7 hybrid and the highly anticipated BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid – a seriously underrated bakkie.

For purists looking for ultimate, heavy-duty off-roading capability, the standalone Adventure category was won by the mighty Land Rover Defender OCTA, which outperformed the luxurious Lexus GX.

To give you a clear picture of how the categories shook out, here’s a breakdown of the 2026 winners:

• Overall Winner & Mild Adventure: Jetour T2 – Rugged 4×4 styling, premium technology, and unmatched value.
• Adventure Category: Land Rover Defender OCTA – Ultimate high-performance off-road capability and luxury execution.
• Family Category: Omoda C7 – Stylish, tech-rich crossover perfect for urban and suburban road trips.
• Premium Category: Audi A5 – Recognised for its blend of performance and advanced technology.
• Compact Category: Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI – Excellent fuel efficiency, everyday driving refinement, and second place overall.
• Motor Enthusiast Public Choice: Chery Tiggo 7 – Public-voted favourite offering plug-in hybrid savings and high standard spec.

“The vehicles recognised in this year’s competition demonstrate how technology is fundamentally reshaping the driving experience,” says Presodhini Naicker of Old Mutual Insure, the COTY title sponsor. 

“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.”

If nothing else, four wins in six categories shows just how far Chinese brands have come in South Africa.

What This Means for South African Road Trips

The results of the 2026 SA Car of the Year awards mark a major turning point for local drivers. Chinese manufacturers are no longer just building budget alternatives but engineering world-class vehicles – including EVs – that beat long-established brands on quality and innovation.

This intense competition is excellent news for anyone planning a holiday across South Africa. To stay relevant, traditional legacy brands will have to work much harder to justify their premium pricing. Moving forward, we can expect to see better standard features, longer service plans, and far more competitive pricing across the entire automotive market. 

As vehicle technology improves and off-road capabilities become more accessible, exploring our country’s diverse landscapes will become safer, more comfortable, and more affordable for everyone.

Ready to Hit the Open Road?

The automotive world is evolving rapidly, but the magic of a South African road trip remains exactly the same. From the vast, silent expanses of the Karoo to the lush, winding mountain passes of Mpumalanga, our country is built to be explored on wheels. At Drive South Africa, we make it simple to experience this beauty firsthand. We offer a wide selection of reliable, late-model SUVs, standard 4x4s, and fully equipped specialist 4x4s tailored to your exact travel plans. Whether you need a spacious family vehicle for a coastal getaway or a robust 4×4 for a rugged cross-border expedition into Namibia or Botswana, we have the perfect ride for you.