If you follow Saudi automotive news, you probably caught the announcement: the organizing committee behind the Kingdom’s National Automotive Sector Award just pushed back the nomination deadline for its 14th edition. It’s not just a scheduling tweak — it’s a signal of how fast the local car market is moving right now, especially with new brands and EV categories crowding the field. Here’s what actually changed, why it matters, and how to use the award’s results wisely if you’re comparing options like the cheapest cars in Saudi Arabia right now.

Why the committee extended the nomination window

According to the organizing committee, the extension is a direct response to how much has been happening in the local market lately. Several dealers rolled out new models over the past few weeks and wanted them included in this year’s competition before the door closed — so the committee gave everyone a bit more room.

There’s a second reason too: the extension opens participation to companies and organizations outside the traditional dealership network, letting them apply for the “Special Awards” category. That’s a meaningful shift from earlier editions, which stayed mostly within the usual circle of manufacturers and agents. It suggests the award is trying to grow into something broader than an industry-only celebration — more of a market-wide checkpoint that includes voices from outside the showroom floor.

Who’s backing the award this year

The award runs with support from the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, the official body overseeing motorsport in the Kingdom, and this year’s strategic sponsor is “GP” Finance. That pairing isn’t a coincidence — financing has become the backbone of car buying in Saudi Arabia, with most new (and a growing share of used) vehicle purchases going through some kind of installment plan rather than straight cash.

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) is the regulator overseeing finance and leasing companies behind most of these installment offers you see at dealerships today, and its oversight is part of why financing terms are supposed to follow consistent consumer-protection standards across providers — even when the headline numbers on a showroom banner look almost identical from one dealer to the next.

The updated timeline for the 14th edition

Here’s what to expect over the next few months:

• Mid-July 2026: the official candidate list goes live across all categories, and public online voting opens.
• Mid-November 2026: the closing ceremony, where winners across all 24 awards get announced.

If you want to actually participate rather than just read the headlines later, mid-July is your window to vote. The gap between voting and the final ceremony also gives the committee time to combine public input with expert technical review before locking in results.

Eight categories, 24 trophies what’s new

This year’s edition spans 8 main categories covering traditional combustion vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrids, and a dedicated motorsport achievement category, adding up to 24 total awards. The inclusion of EV and hybrid categories specifically reflects where the Saudi market is heading a shift that lines up with Vision 2030’s broader push toward energy diversification and reducing dependence on a single type of powertrain across the economy.

Splitting the award into this many categories also means a bigger spread of winners: rather than one overall “best car” that lumps together a compact hatchback and a full-size SUV, each segment gets judged against genuinely comparable rivals.

What this award actually tells you as a buyer

An award like this gives you a general signal about which brands are active, competitive, and well-regarded in the Saudi market right now — useful context, especially if you’re weighing an unfamiliar name against an established one. But retail experts are consistent on one point: official recognition is a helpful reference, not a replacement for checking the actual car in front of you.

That distinction matters more than it sounds. A trim can win “best in category” as a general model line while the specific unit you’re about to buy has a rebuilt front end from a prior accident, or worn suspension from a previous owner who drove it hard. That’s exactly why an independent inspection before buying — new or used — stays the real safeguard, no matter how many trophies a model has picked up. The Ministry of Commerce also publishes consumer-rights guidance on warranty obligations that’s worth checking alongside any award result, official or otherwise.

This is also part of why more Saudi buyers are cross-shopping brand-new releases against inspected, nearly-new alternatives available through platforms like Carly, where every vehicle comes with a documented technical report instead of a sales pitch — and without the long waitlists that sometimes follow a splashy new launch. If you’re weighing that decision against a financed new purchase, it’s worth reading up on car financing in Saudi Arabia before you commit either way.

Well-Inspected Options Available in the Saudi Market

To compare newly launched models with ready-for-delivery alternatives from Carli—complete with a 12-month extended warranty—here are the top available choices:

• Toyota Land Cruiser GXR-4 2023: A premium full-option SUV available in excellent pre-owned condition, with a 7-passenger seating capacity.
• Hyundai Santa Fe 2025: A brand-new family SUV that seats up to 7 passengers; comes in the mid-option trim with Carli’s warranty and fully-integrated premium features.
• Kia Sportage LX 2023: A meticulously inspected pre-owned option, perfectly suited for small families in the crossover segment; seats 5 passengers and comes at an excellent cash price.
• Mazda CX-9 2022: A 7-seater family vehicle offering comprehensive equipment and features within the certified pre-owned category.

Every car on this list has been through Carly’s 150-point inspection, comes with a 12-month warranty, and can be returned within 7 days if it doesn’t match what you expected. If you’d rather run your own independent check first, accredited centers like Saudi Fahas offer standalone technical reports on any vehicle, regardless of where you end up buying it. Carly acts as your facilitator to financing options rather than a direct lender, which means more flexibility in choosing terms that actually work for you.

Frequently asked questions

How are the award results calculated?

 Through a combination of technical evaluation by an expert committee and public online voting, which opens in mid-July.

Does the award reflect sustainability trends?

 Yes — dedicated categories for electric and hybrid vehicles were added this year, in line with Vision 2030’s clean-energy goals.

When does public voting start?

 Mid-July 2026, right after the final candidate list is published.

When is the closing ceremony?

 Mid-November 2026, when winners across all 24 awards are announced.

Why was the nomination period extended? 

To give dealers who launched new models recently more time to enter, and to open the “Special Awards” category to organizations outside the traditional dealer network.

Who oversees the award?

 It runs with support from the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, with strategic sponsorship from “GP” Finance this year.

Does winning an award guarantee a good used-car deal later?

 No — a trophy reflects the model’s overall standing, but the condition of any individual used unit still depends entirely on its own history, which only an independent inspection can confirm.

What’s the most important step before buying, award or no award?

An actual technical inspection of the specific vehicle you’re buying — that’s what protects the real value of your purchase, regardless of how the model line performed at any award ceremony.