Oly’s partnering with Drive Car of the Year

3:30 minute read

Published on February 27, 2026

Oly loves cars. Driving them. Admiring them. And, most importantly, helping you get a great deal on the one you’ve got your eye on. That’s why Oly’s geared up to be partnering up with Drive to sponsor the Drive Car of the Year 2026.

This partnership is a natural fit because Oly’s an expert in making the cars in the Drive Car of the Year more accessible to punters like your good self. How? By helping reduce some amount of tax you pay through the magic of novated leasing.

Tesla with Drive Car of The Year 2026 logo and Oly logo.

How does novated leasing work?

If you’re new to the world of novated leasing, here’s the gist of things: it’s a tax-effective payment, organised through your employer, that gets you behind the wheel of your dream car. Whether it’s a family-mover to haul the kids around or a convertible fit for a road-trip Oly doesn’t really mind. If it’s the vehicle you want, then chances are it’s all good (there are a couple of conditions, like it can’t be a motorbike, hold more than one tonne (that’s roughly the weight of a small hippo) or carry over 9 passengers, then it’s good to lease). Things like that.) Now here’s the nifty part: some of your car payment is taken out of your pre-tax salary. With eligible electric vehicles, it’s 100% pre-tax. This could reduce your taxable income. Which means that you may be able to score some handy tax savings.

Keen to see just how much you could save? Crunch the numbers with Oly’s handy novated lease calculator.

Any other benefits?

In addition to a shiny, sparkling new set of wheels, there’s another big plus to taking out a novated lease: the convenience. You now only have one regular payment that covers most things like, petrol or charging, servicing, insurance and rego. Which means less stress, easy budgeting and no bill shock for you!

More about the Drive Car of the Year

Aussies love their cars. In 2025, around 1.1million Aussie’s got behind the wheel of a new car. And for over 20 years, the Drive team has made it their mission to judge, test and show how the options stack up against each other in their annual awards. The Drive team rate everything from rugged, petrol-powered SUVs to refined electric vehicles made for city living.

For the 2026 edition, the finalists list has been whittled down to 53 vehicles across 16 categories. Now, for a car to get the nod and earn the prestigious Drive Car of the Year accolade, they must not only beat all the vehicles in their category but also outshine all other competitors.

Needless to say, it’s a big ask. Past winners have included the Ford Ranger in 2023 and the KIA EV9 in 2024 (which was the first electric vehicle to win the accolade). Oly can’t wait to see which manufacturer and model will take the Drive Car of the Year for 2026.

A partnership that’ll go the distance

Oly's excited for the announcement of the Drive Car of the Year winners, as each car is put through its paces. If you spot a car you love on Drive.com.au, see how an Oly novated lease could help get behind the wheel and potentially save you thousands. Oly has helped with novated leasing for small and medium businesses, so more SME workers can enjoy the perks of novated leasing. For too long, novated leases were a benefit only big corporations could offer, but Oly has changed the game by making them accessible as a genuine SME employee benefit. No matter how small the business they work for.

Oly is always ready to chat through everything novated lease and answer your questions. So you can get into the driver’s seat with confidence.

Get a quote with Oly today.

Ready to drive?

You don’t need to work for a big company to get big benefits, but to be eligible for an Oly novated lease you do need to be:

- Employed full-time, part-time or self-employed

- Earning a set salary (AKA not unemployed, retired, or a ride share driver)

- Looking for a car for personal use

Fill out this form to kick things off, then check your inbox for a link to create your Oly login to apply online (hint: check your spam/junk folder).

Things you need to know

This general information doesn’t take your personal circumstances into account. Please consider whether this information is right for you before making a decision and seek professional independent tax and financial advice. Conditions and fees apply, along with credit assessment criteria for lease products. The availability of benefits is subject to your employer’s approval. Oly may pay and/or receive commissions in connection with its services.

Oly One Mastercard

This material is general information only. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should therefore consider the appropriateness of the information in light of your own objectives, financial situation or needs before deciding whether the card (Oly One) is right for you. We recommend you consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determination (TMD) before making any decision regarding the new card (Oly One).

Oly One Card is a prepaid, reloadable Mastercard and is issued by EML Payment Solutions Limited ABN 30 131 436 532 AFSL 404131. Oly Pty Ltd ABN 69 674 252 629 is an Authorised Representative of EML Payment Solutions Limited Australian Financial Services Authorised Representative number 1313775 and participates in the promotion and distribution of the Card. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

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