The winners of the most prestigious award in the automotive industry in Portugal are now known. THE Dacia Bigster is the big winner of this year’s editionsucceeding the Citroën C3 as holder of the Direct Insurance Car of the Year/Volante de Cristal Trophy.
Dacia’s top of the range gathered the majority of votes from the judging panel, also winning in the Compact SUV of the Year class, with the Hybrid-G 150 4×4 version, which also won the Technology and Innovation award.
This year’s edition had 92 entries, with the cars divided into eight classes, with different models and versions, of which 28 were candidates for the title of winner do Direct Insurance Car of the Year/Volante de Cristal Trophy 2026. The classes were as follows: City, Design, Sports/Leisure, Electric, Family, Plug-in Hybrid, Compact SUV (includes crossovers) and Large SUV.
The jurorsrepresenting the country’s main media outlets, carried out, over the last few months, dynamic tests with the different models in competition. Aesthetics, performance, safety, reliability, price and environmental sustainability focused the attention of these specialized journalists.
Winners of the Direct Insurance classes Car of the Year/Volante de Cristal Trophy 2026
Citizen of the Year – Fiat Grande Panda La Prima
Design do Ano – Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
Sport/Leisure of the Year – Alpine A290 GTS
Electric of the Year – Mazda 6e 5HB 245cv Long Range Takumi Plus
Family of the Year – Citroen’s C5 Aircross Max
Plug-in Hybrid of the Year – Leapmotor C10REEV Design
SUV Compacto do Ano – Dacia Bigster Hybrid-G 150 4×4
Grande SUV do Ano – Xpeng G9 Performance
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION AWARD
The organization once again selected a set of innovative and technologically advanced devices that directly benefit driving and the driver. The different applications were assessed and voted on by the jurors simultaneously with the final vote.
The winner of this year’s edition is Dacia Hybrid-G 150 4×4. This new engine combines a 1.2-liter 48V mild-hybrid engine, with 140 hp, on the front axle, with a 31 hp electric motor on the rear axle. In total, the system offers a maximum power of 150 hp. It is the first system on the market to combine a hybrid solution, LPG dual-fuel and all-wheel drive, resulting in a 10% reduction in consumption and greater savings, thanks to the use of an LPG tank and a gasoline tank.
PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
The Executive Committee of the Direct Insurance Car of the Year/Volante de Cristal Trophy 2026 decided to award the Personality of the Year award to Teresa Lameiras.
With a remarkable career in the automotive sector. Teresa Lameira’s professional career began at Rádio Renascença. The passion for radio remained forever, but Teresa had other challenges ahead. His connection with the automotive sector dates back to 1989, but it was in 2003 that he took over the reins of Marketing and Communications at Seat in Portugal. Disruptive and entrepreneurial, it elevated Seat’s image with the brand’s association with events such as the Golden Globes and several initiatives in partnership with CARAS Magazine. Over almost 20 years, Seat’s numbers in Portugal clearly show the success of this Marketing and Communication strategy. She was also responsible for launching the Cupra brand. Between 2021 and 2025 she was communications and brand director for the SIVA/PHS group.
The IMPRESA group organized the initiative – Seguro Direto Car of the Year/Troféu Volante de Cristal 2026 – through SIC Notícias and Expresso.
More information at
Jurors and Means of Direct Insurance Car of the Year/Troféu Volante de Cristal 2026:
Adriano Oliveira – Business Journal
António Catarino – TSF
Bruno Ferreira – DAZN
Miguel Dias – Automotive Reason
José Caetano – E-Auto / Autoesporte / Automais
José Carlos Santos Silva – Rádio Renascença
José Silva Pires – Steering wheel
Miguel Rodrigues – Cars
Paulo Solipa – RTP
Paulo Tavares – Diário de Notícias
Pedro Amante – SIC
Pedro Ramalho – TVI
Pedro Santos – Correio da Manhã / Record
Rui Cardoso – Expresso
Rui Pedro Reis – SIC Notícias
