CAR magazine has announced its 2026 Top 12 Best Buys awards winners. Be sure to keep an eye out for the April 2026 issue for the full feature.
Established in 1957, CAR is South Africa’s longest-running and leading automotive platform. The brand built its reputation by providing South African consumers with relevant, unbiased, and comprehensive car-buying advice, supported by independent road test data and measurements.
Since 2000, CAR’s annual Top 12 Best Buys awards feature has distinguished itself by recognising vehicles across the South African market’s 12 most popular segments. Drawing on first-hand experience with every vehicle available in our market — from budget cars to double-cab bakkies and luxury vehicles — the focus of these awards goes beyond perceived build quality and efficiency to include value for money, aftersales support, dealership networks, and resale values for each category winner.
Proudly sponsored by Discovery Insure, Engen Xtreme and SVI Engineering, this year’s CAR Top 12 Best Buys awards once again recognised our top choices in each respective segment — Budget car, Budget crossover, Small car, Compact crossover, Midsize SUV, New-energy vehicle, Premium midsize SUV, Adventure SUV, Large SUV, Luxury, Performance, and Double-cab bakkie — before crowning our Company of the Year.
- Budget car (<R260 000) — Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL+ manual
- Budget crossover — Kia Sonet
- Small car — Volkswagen Polo
- Compact crossover — Kia Seltos
- Midsize SUV — Volkswagen Tiguan
- New-energy vehicle — BYD Sealion 6 Premium
- Premium midsize SUV — BMW X3
- Adventure SUV — Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
- Large SUV — BMW X5
- Luxury — Range Rover
- Performance — Porsche 911 Carrera T Coupé
- Double-cab bakkie — Ford Ranger
- Company of the year — Chery Group South Africa
“With so many new players in the South African market, and, indeed, ever-increasing pressure on value-for-money new-car purchases, I’m proud that CAR remains the trusted source of buying advice,” said CAR Editor lan McLaren. “Including a key focus on aftersales promises, dealership network and what’s offered throughout a respective range of vehicles, the annual Top 12 Best Buys awards provides South African motorists with invaluable consumer advice, showcasing where CAR’s experienced editorial team would spend their own money.”
“It’s a privilege to have Discovery Insure, Engen Lubricants and SVI on board as sponsors of this year’s Top 12 Best Buys Awards. Including proudly South African innovations and product offerings, each brand aligns with CAR’s aim of helping fellow South Africans make positive buying decisions,” McLaren concluded.
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