2026 World Car Awards Finalists Revealed
The shortlist for the 2026 World Car Awards has been officially announced, revealing the top three finalists in six major categories. The winners will be revealed on April 1, 2026, during the New York International Auto Show.
In the prestigious World Car of the Year category, the three finalists are BMW iX3, Hyundai Palisade and Nissan Leaf. Interestingly, two of the three finalists are fully electric vehicles, while the Hyundai Palisade continues with conventional petrol and diesel powertrain options.
Jury of Global Automotive Journalists Selected the Finalists
The finalists were chosen by a jury made up of automotive journalists from 33 countries around the world. Each category features three shortlisted vehicles competing for the top honor.
World Car of the Year 2026 Finalists
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BMW iX3
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Hyundai Palisade
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Nissan Leaf
World Electric Vehicle 2026 Finalists
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BMW iX3
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Mercedes-Benz CLA
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Nissan Leaf
World Luxury Car 2026 Finalists
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Cadillac Vistiq
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Lucid Gravity
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Volvo ES90
World Performance Car 2026 Finalists
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BMW M2 CS
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Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
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Hyundai Ioniq 6 N
World Urban Car 2026 Finalists
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Baojun Yepp Plus / Chevrolet Spark EUV
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Firefly
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Hyundai Venue
World Car Design of the Year 2026 Finalists
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Kia PV5
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Mazda 6e / EZ
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Volvo ES90
Global Design Experts Reviewed Eligible Vehicles
For the World Car Design of the Year category, a panel of seven global design experts reviewed all eligible vehicles and prepared a shortlist before the final voting process.
The design panel included:
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Anja Bracht
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Marek Djordjevic
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Fabio Filippini
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Antony Grade
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Gert Hildebrand
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Victor Nassif
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Shiro Nakamura
After the design panel’s review, a jury of 98 automotive journalists from around the world voted to determine the final shortlists across different categories.
Winners to Be Announced on April 1
The winners of all six categories at the 2026 World Car Awards will be announced on April 1, 2026, during the New York International Auto Show. With electric vehicles dominating several categories this year, it will be interesting to see which models ultimately take home the awards.
FAQ
When will the 2026 World Car Awards winners be announced?
The winners will be announced on April 1, 2026, at the New York International Auto Show.
Which cars are finalists for World Car of the Year 2026?
The finalists are BMW iX3, Hyundai Palisade, and Nissan Leaf.
How many journalists voted for the World Car Awards?
A global jury of 98 automotive journalists participated in the final voting process.