World Car of the Year 2026: contenders, dates, categories
World Car of the Year 2026: full contenders list and timeline
World Car of the Year 2026: contenders, dates, categories
Explore the World Car of the Year 2026 contenders, key dates, and categories. See standout models from BMW to Xiaomi and what the shortlist means for buyers.
2025-09-10T10:19:14+03:00
2025-09-10T10:19:14+03:00
2025-09-10T10:19:14+03:00
The organizers of the prestigious World Car Awards have published the list of models that will compete for the 2026 World Car of the Year title. The final results will be unveiled on April 1, 2026, at the New York Auto Show, the 32CARS.RU website notes. The jury includes 90 automotive journalists from leading news outlets across 30 countries, a breadth that gives the award real weight on the global stage.According to the rules, on January 6, 2026, the panel will narrow the field to 10 finalists in the main category and five finalists in each of the following: World Electric Vehicle, World Luxury Car, World Performance Car, World Urban Car, and World Car Design of the Year. By March 3, the three contenders for the title will be named, with the winners announced in the spring.The preliminary roster spans dozens of models that mirror global trends. Among the contenders are the Alfa Romeo Junior, BMW iX3, Honda Prelude, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia EV5, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Nissan Leaf, Skoda Superb, Subaru Forester, Xiaomi SU7, along with a strong showing from Chinese brands whose influence on the world market keeps growing. The lineup reads like a snapshot of where the industry is heading—electrification, design maturity, and a renewed focus on attainable innovation.The WCOTY title matters not only to carmakers but also to buyers. The award considers 2025 debuts already on sale in key markets, making it a useful reference point for anyone deciding which car to choose in the coming years.
World Car of the Year 2026, WCOTY 2026, contenders list, finalists, New York Auto Show, electric vehicles, luxury cars, performance cars, urban car, BMW iX3, Xiaomi SU7, Kia EV5, Honda Prelude
2025
Michael Powers
news
World Car of the Year 2026: full contenders list and timeline
Explore the World Car of the Year 2026 contenders, key dates, and categories. See standout models from BMW to Xiaomi and what the shortlist means for buyers.
Michael Powers, Editor
The organizers of the prestigious World Car Awards have published the list of models that will compete for the 2026 World Car of the Year title. The final results will be unveiled on April 1, 2026, at the New York Auto Show, the 32CARS.RU website notes. The jury includes 90 automotive journalists from leading news outlets across 30 countries, a breadth that gives the award real weight on the global stage.
According to the rules, on January 6, 2026, the panel will narrow the field to 10 finalists in the main category and five finalists in each of the following: World Electric Vehicle, World Luxury Car, World Performance Car, World Urban Car, and World Car Design of the Year. By March 3, the three contenders for the title will be named, with the winners announced in the spring.
The preliminary roster spans dozens of models that mirror global trends. Among the contenders are the Alfa Romeo Junior, BMW iX3, Honda Prelude, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia EV5, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Nissan Leaf, Skoda Superb, Subaru Forester, Xiaomi SU7, along with a strong showing from Chinese brands whose influence on the world market keeps growing. The lineup reads like a snapshot of where the industry is heading—electrification, design maturity, and a renewed focus on attainable innovation.
The WCOTY title matters not only to carmakers but also to buyers. The award considers 2025 debuts already on sale in key markets, making it a useful reference point for anyone deciding which car to choose in the coming years.
