The BMW iX3 was named the 2026 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) at the New York International Auto Show on April 1. It beat the Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Palisade, the other two front-runners for the 2026 WCOTY award.
- BMW iX3 is also the EV of the year
- Lucid Gravity wins the 2026 luxury car of the year
- Mazda 6e bags the 2026 car design award
Vehicles eligible for the WCOTY award had to be produced in volumes of at least 10,000 units per year, priced below the luxury car level in their primary markets and be on sale in at least two major car markets (China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America and the US) on at least two separate continents between January 1, 2025, and March 30, 2026. The World Car Awards also announced winners in six other categories, which are listed below.
2026 World Urban Car of the Year
NIO firefly
Other contenders: Baojun Yep Plus/Chevrolet Spark EUV, Hyundai Venue
2026 World Luxury Car of the Year
Lucid Gravity
Other contenders: Cadillac Vistiq, Volvo ES90
2026 World Performance Car of the Year
Hyundai Ioniq 6 N
Other contenders: BMW M2 CS, Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
2026 World Car Design of the Year
Mazda 6e/EZ-6
Other contenders: Kia PV5, Volvo ES90
2026 World Electric Vehicle of the Year
BMW iX3
Other contenders: Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric, Nissan Leaf
2026 World Car Person of the Year
Oliver Zipse, chairman, BMW Group
Other contenders: David Craig (General Motors), Tisha Johnson (Slate)
2026 World Car Awards jury
The 2026 World Car Awards jury comprised 98 distinguished automotive journalists from publications worldwide. Autocar India was represented in the WCA jury by editor Hormazd Sorabjee.
“The BMW iX3, with its groundbreaking cockpit design, cutting-edge tech and fantastic range, is set to redefine the EV space,” remarked Sorabjee.
Glenn Noronha
Dipan Sur
Uday Singh
