The Dacia Bigster is the big winner of this year's Car of the Year/Volante de Cristal Trophy, succeeding the Citroën C3. The top-of-the-range model from the Romanian brand, part of the Renault Group, secured three awards. In addition to the Car of the Year 2026 title, it won the Compact SUV of the Year category with its Hybrid-G 150 4x4 version, which also earned it the Technology and Innovation award. This version was decisive for the jury, as it is the most affordable all-terrain vehicle on sale in Portugal and features an innovative powertrain combining a 140 hp 1.2l 48V mild-hybrid engine on the front axle with a 31 hp electric motor on the rear. The system, which can reach 150 hp, combines petrol and LPG tanks to offer impressive range. This year's edition of the Seguro Directo Car of the Year/Volante de Cristal Trophy 2026 saw a record 92 entries across eight categories. The 15 jurors evaluated the candidates based on design, performance, safety, price, and environmental sustainability. Teresa Lameiras was named Personality of the Year for her significant career in the automotive sector.