Chery Tiggo 8 wins Carwow Car of the Year 2026

• Chery takes the coveted ‘Car of the Year’ title for its Tiggo 8 hybrid, redefining what a modern family SUV can deliver
• Carwow names Jaecoo as ‘Brand of the Year’ for its bold innovation and rapid rise in the UK market
• ‘2026’s Most Talked About Car’ goes to the Jaguar Type 00 – a symbol of automotive luxury and brand reinvention in the modern era

This year’s awards highlight exceptional vehicles that combine design flair, innovation, and real-world usability across 14 distinctive categories; from smart spending to driving pleasure, technology and comfort. Each winner represents the very best of what modern motoring has to offer, whatever your budget or lifestyle.

In a standout year for global automakers, Chery has taken home the prestigious title of ‘Car of the Year’ for its Tiggo 8 hybrid, a model praised by Carwow’s Mat Watson and expert editorial judges for its versatility, technology and outstanding value. The ‘Brand of the Year’ accolade goes to Jaecoo, recognised for its consumer popularity and rapid growth in the UK. Meanwhile, Jaguar’s Type 00 earns the title of ‘2026’s Most Talked About Car’, captivating Carwow’s audience with its brave design to relaunch the brand.

Carwow has become one of the most influential names in consumer car media. It boasts one of the biggest automotive channels on YouTube; keeping over 10 million subscribers entertained, while the content across Carwow’s website helps thousands of motorists choose the right car for them every year. Carwow’s Chief Content Officer and face of the YouTube channel, Mat Watson, tested and reviewed hundreds of cars to select the most deserving winners, which reflect the needs and desires of every type of driver.

Mat Watson, Chief Content Officer at Carwow, said: “Whether you want practicality, performance or pioneering technology, our winners represent the best choices out there for the year ahead. We’ve seen a wave of innovation, particularly in electrification and smart design, that makes the car market more exciting than ever. Our award winners prove that you don’t need to compromise between head and heart when choosing your next car.”

On the three standout award categories, Mat Watson, Chief Content Officer at Carwow commented:

Car of the Year: Chery Tiggo 8

“Chery’s debut to the UK market couldn’t have impressed me more. The Tiggo 8 is one of those cars that seems almost too good to be true; it’s a premium-feeling SUV with loads of space for seven occupants, a cutting-edge hybrid system, all the luxury kit you could want… yet it costs about the same as a European hatchback. If a Chinese car was ever going to conquer the market, it should be this one. It’s unbeatable value and feels like so much more than a budget family bus.” 

Brand of the Year: Jaecoo

“Jaecoo feels like it’s been selling cars in the UK for no more than five minutes, yet it’s taken the market by storm. It’s already nipping at the heels of the best-sellers and the Jaecoo 7 SUV has topped enquiries charts on the Carwow platform this year. No wonder; Jaecoo cars look cool, pack loads of standard equipment and yet cost far less than alternatives from European, Japanese or Korean brands.” 

2026’s Most Talked About Car: Jaguar Type 00

“Jaguar’s rebrand late last year (2024) accomplished the impossible: it got people really talking about Jaguar for the first time in years. In fact, it was one of the most-read news stories on Carwow for the whole of 2025. And no wonder; out went the traditional image and same-same styling, for a concept model that was truly avant-garde and forward-thinking. Love it or hate it, the Jaguar Type 00 concept definitely made serious waves and, I suspect, the production version will also do so when it is revealed”.