The Nissan Leaf has been named the overall winner of the 2026 Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY), selected from six category winners after the final round of voting.
The result was decided by 86 women motoring journalists from 55 countries across five continents, who evaluated vehicles over several months before casting their votes. According to the organisers, the final round saw closely contested voting among the shortlisted models across segments.
- Leaf’s practical approach to electrification helps secure WWCOTY 2026 title
- India-bound Mercedes-Benz CLA wins the Best Large Car award
- Lamborghini Temerario wins Best Performance Car award
Autocar India’s Renuka Kirpalani (consulting editor – videos) and Mugdha Mishra (editor – auto media strategy) were a part of the 86 women jurors who selected the category winners.
2026 Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year: category winners
Six models reached the final voting stage.
The overall winner was selected from the category champions across different vehicle segments. According to Marta Garcia, executive president of WWCOTY, “there was significant parity in the voting. Several models received very similar levels of support, which reflects the exceptional quality and diversity of today’s automotive industry. In the end, however, the Nissan Leaf prevailed.”
| Woman's Worldwide Car of the Year 2026 winners by category | |
| Model | Category |
| Nissan Leaf | Compact Car |
| Skoda Elroq | Compact SUV |
| Mercedes-Benz CLA | Large Car |
| Hyundai Ioniq 9 | Large SUV |
| Toyota 4Runner | 4x4 |
| Lamborghini Temerario | Performance Car |
Judges highlighted the Leaf’s practical approach to electrification, praising its comfort, usability and pricing, which makes everyday electric mobility accessible to a wider audience. The jury also mentioned that the car’s layout prioritises interior space and usability rather than complex solutions, which they said delivers one of the most intuitive electric driving experiences on the market.
Mugdha Mishra, said "The Nissan Leaf is the overall winner of WWCOTY 2026 because it impressed jurors with its practicality, efficiency and ease of driving. Its victory also reflects how electric mobility is maturing globally. In the end, what resonated most with the jury was its no-nonsense approach and pragmatic solutions to everyday mobility."