BMW iX3 won both World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle.
Lucid, Hyundai, Firefly and Mazda each secured one 2026 World Car Awards category win.
EVs, urban vehicles, luxury models and performance entries all featured in this year’s results.
The 2026 World Car Awards winners put battery-electric and utility-focused vehicles at the centre of this year’s global results, with the BMW iX3 taking the top overall honour and adding a second win in the electric category.
The iX3 was named World Car of the Year, finishing ahead of the Hyundai Palisade and Nissan Leaf in the awards program’s headline category. The result gives BMW the strongest overall showing in this year’s field and places an EV at the top of the global competition.
BMW also won World Electric Vehicle with the iX3, ahead of the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Nissan Leaf. That second award gives the brand a double victory and reinforces the model’s standing as both a category leader and a broader market contender.
Here are all the category winners and the runners-up:
2027 BMW iX3 50 xDrive First Drive Review: Raising the Bar on Every Front
World Car of the Year
– BMW iX3 (Winner)
– Hyundai Palisade
– Nissan Leaf
2027 BMW iX3 | Photo: BMWWorld Electric Vehicle
– BMW iX3 (Winner)
– Mercedes-Benz CLA
– Nissan Leaf
The anticipated BMW iX3 takes the World Electric Vehicle honours ahead of the Mercedes-Benz CLA and the affordable Nissan LEAF. BMW’s design and technology efforts are being rewarded in this tough category.
2026 Lucid Gravity | Photo: Lucid MotorsWorld Luxury Car
– Cadillac Vistiq
– Lucid Gravity (Winner)
– Volvo ES90
In the premium segment, the Lucid Gravity earned World Luxury Car, beating the Cadillac Vistiq and Volvo ES90. The category recognizes high-end execution in areas such as comfort, technology, refinement, and overall premium positioning.
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 N | Photo: HyundaiWorld Performance Car
– BMW M2 CS
– Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
– Hyundai Ioniq 6 N (Winner)
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 N took World Performance Car, ahead of the BMW M2 CS and Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray. The result gives Hyundai recognition in one of the program’s most competitive enthusiast categories and highlights the continued expansion of electrified performance offerings.
NIO Firefly | Photo: NIOWorld Urban Car
– Baojun Yep Plus / Chevrolet Spark EUV
– Firefly (Winner)
– Hyundai Venue
For smaller-format vehicles, the Firely won World Urban Car, topping the Baojun Yep Plus/Chevrolet Spark EUV and the Hyundai Venue. The award reflects strength in compact packaging, city-focused practicality and day-to-day usability.
2026 Mazda 6e | Photo: MazdaWorld Car Design of the Year
– Kia PV5
– Mazda 6e / EZ-6 (Winner)
– Volvo ES90
In design, the Mazda 6e / EZ-6 was named World Car Design of the Year, ahead of the Kia PV5 and Volvo ES90. That result gives Mazda the styling award in a field that also included established premium and mainstream contenders.
