The Tata Sierra and TVS Apache RTX 300 bagged the Car of the Year and Bike of the Year honours, respectively, at the 2026 Autocar India Awards held on Thursday in Mumbai.
- Beyond Car of the Year, Sierra won 3 more awards in other categories
- TVS took home a total of 3 honours, including Bike of the Year
- Mahindra named Manufacturer of the Year for the third year in a row
As an overall package, the Sierra impressed the jury with its premium, well-appointed cabin, a wide spread of powertrain options and a design that turns heads. The new Apache RTX 300 is the first adventure bike from the Hosur-based brand and offers punchy performance, great features, a very capable chassis and big bike looks at a stellar price point, thereby earning it the trophy.
Best Design and Styling of the Year
Tata Sierra
The Sierra, with its blend of retro design and modern styling, also won the Best Design and Styling Award, beating a strong field of contenders that included the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, Mahindra BE 6, Mahindra XEV 9e, Vinfast VF6, and Volvo EX30.
4-wheeler Variant/Update of the Year
Citroen Aircross X and Basalt X (joint)
Next, the Citroen Aircross X and Basalt X shared the 4-wheeler Variant/Update of the Year title, edging out shortlisted opponents including the Kia Carens Clavis, MG Windsor Pro, Renault Kiger facelift, and Renault Triber facelift. The win recognised their rejigged variant lineups that added several new features while keeping prices aggressive.
Value for Money Car of the Year
Vinfast VF6
Considering the contenders it faced, including the Skoda Kylaq, Maruti Suzuki Victoris and BMW iX1 LWB, the Vinfast VF6's Value for Money Car of the Year Award win stands out even more. The jury was impressed by its knockout pricing, along with robust build quality, a well-balanced ride and handling and strong performance.
Viewers' Choice Car of the Year
Tata Sierra
Another honour for the Sierra came in the form of the Viewers' Choice Car of the Year, decided by the public through online voting.
Viewers' Choice Bike of the Year
Aprilia Tuono 457
The Aprilia Tuono 457 won the Viewers' Choice Bike of the Year award for its accessible yet punchy performance, big bike feels thanks to its smooth and characterful motor paired with upright ergonomics and superb handling.
Scooter of the Year
TVS Ntorq 150
The funky-looking and peppy TVS Ntorq 150 has earned itself the Scooter Of The Year award by offering zippy performance, great features without sacrificing comfort and practicality, unlike its peers, while also coming in at a more affordable price. For this category, aside from the winner, the nominees were Aprilia SR 175, Hero Destini 125, Hero Xoom 125, Hero Xoom 160, Honda Activa e:, Honda QC1, River Indie, Suzuki Access, TVS Ntorq 150, TVS Orbiter and Vida VX2 Plus
Electric 2-wheeler of the Year
Ultraviolette X47
The Ultraviolette X47 - crowned Electric 2-wheeler of the Year - debuts tech never before seen on an Indian two-wheeler, including radar-based safety aids and offers an amalgamation of real-world usability while offering great comfort, unlike its sporty sibling, the F77. Other nominees in this category include BMW CE 02, Honda Activa e:, Honda QC1, Matter Aera, Revolt RV BlazeX, River Indie, TVS iQube 2.2, TVS Orbiter and Vida VX2 Plus.
Import Bike of the Year
Honda CB1000 Hornet SP
The Honda CB1000 Hornet SP comes loaded to the gills with top-spec chassis parts, a reworked Fireblade engine, genuine real-world usability and beautiful build quality, all while costing less than bikes one or sometimes even two segments below it, thus earning it the Import Bike of the Year award.
Other two-wheelers nominated for this award were BMW CE 04, BMW F 900 GS, Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono, Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally, Ducati Panigale V4 S, Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, Kawasaki Versys 1100, Suzuki GSX-8R and Triumph Daytona 660.
2-wheeler Variant/Update of the Year
Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z
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The Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z was updated with more power and features as well as better brakes and tyres, better suiting its sporty intentions with just a nominal price jump, thereby earning it the title of Two-wheeler Variant/Update of the Year.
Performance Bike of the Year
Ducati Panigale V4 S
The latest Ducati Panigale V4 S has become the benchmark in its category thanks to its powerhouse of an engine, sublime chassis and litany of electronic aids that make its colossal power output relatively easy to use, earning it the Performance Bike of the Year honour. Other bikes nominated in this category were Aprilia Tuono 457, Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono, Ducati Panigale V4 S, Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, Suzuki GSX-8R and Triumph Daytona 660.
Performance Car of the Year
Skoda Octavia RS
Pairing scintillating performance with everyday usability, the Skoda Octavia RS claimed the Performance Car of the Year title. Other nominees in the category included the BMW M5, Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance, Mercedes-AMG CLE 53, and Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Performance SUV of the Year
Defender Octa
Standing out for its speed, good agility and all-terrain versatility, the Defender Octa earned the Performance SUV of the Year honour, with the Mini JCW Countryman All4 as the only other contender.
Sportscar of the Year
Porsche 911 Turbo S
Titled Sportscar of the Year, the Porsche 911 Turbo S, the iconic model's most powerful variant yet, delivered explosive acceleration and leech-like grip, edging past contenders such as the Ferrari 12Cilindri, Lamborghini Temerario, Lotus Emira and Maserati MCPura.
Performance EV of the Year
MG Cyberster
Claiming the Performance EV of the Year Award, the MG Cyberster impressed with its scissor doors, convertible roof and strong performance at a very attractive price, ahead of contestants like the Lotus Emeya and Maserati GranTurismo Folgore.
Luxury EV of the Year
BMW iX1 LWB
Shifting focus to zero-emission vehicles, unlike the Cyberster, the BMW iX1 LWB faced a long and varied list of contenders, including the BYD Sealion 7, Maserati Grecale Folgore, Mercedes-Benz G-Class Electric, MG M9, Tesla Model Y and Volvo EX30. Its spacious rear seats and aggressive pricing helped it secure the Luxury EV of the Year Award.
Midsize EV of the Year
Kia Carens Clavis EV
In the Midsize EV of the Year category, the Kia Carens Clavis EV, with its spacious three-row seating layout and well-sorted electric powertrain, received the award, beating the Hyundai Creta Electric, Kia Carens Clavis, Mahindra BE 6 and Vinfast VF6.
Premium EV of the Year
Mahindra XEV 9e
Blending world-class refinement with an engaging drive and a spacious, feature-packed cabin, the Mahindra XEV 9e took home the Premium EV of the Year Award, ahead of the Tata Harrier EV and Vinfast VF7.
Luxury Sedan of the Year
Toyota Camry
With sharper styling, a more upmarket interior, and a more fuel-efficient powertrain, the ninth-generation Toyota Camry was named Luxury Sedan of the Year, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe being the only other contender in this category.
Executive SUV of the Year
Skoda Kodiaq
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The Skoda Kodiaq, offering the advantage of a third-row seat over its Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line counterpart, along with a premium interior and potent petrol engine, secured the Executive SUV of the Year Award.
Midsize SUV of the Year
Tata Sierra
Awards kept coming for the Tata Sierra, which went on to claim the Midsize SUV of the Year title, in a segment that also saw the launch of the Maruti Suzuki Victoris last year.
Compact SUV of the Year
Hyundai Venue
Based on a larger platform leading to improved rear-seat space, as well as a premium-feeling cabin, the new-generation Hyundai Venue won the Compact SUV of the Year title, ahead of the Kia Syros and Skoda Kylaq.
Person of the Year
Sudarshan Venu, TVS Motor Chairman and MD
TVS Motor Chairman and MD, Sudarshan Venu, was awarded person of the year for leading TVS to new heights through a diversified new portfolio, all the way from entry-level EVs to ultra-premium motorcycles coming under the reborn Norton portfolio.
Manufacturer of the Year
Mahindra
Mahindra continued its streak, claiming the Manufacturer of the Year Award for the third consecutive year.
Here is the complete list of the winners:
With inputs from Dinshaw Magol.
Lenny D'sa
Dipan Sur
Glenn Noronha
