The 2026 World Car Finals announced the Top Three in the World finalists in six world car award categories.
The Top Three in the World finalists in each category are:
World Car of the Year
- BMW iX3
- Power – 286 hp electric motor
- Battery – 74 kWh
- Range – 460 (WLTP)
- Drivetrain – Rear-wheel-drive
- 0-100 km/h – 6.8 seconds
- Charging – DC fast charging up to 150 kW
2. Hyundai Palisade
- Engine – 3.8-litre V6 petrol
- Power – 291 hp
- Torque – 355 Nm
- Transmission – 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain – FWD/AWD options
- Seating – 6 or 7 passengers
3. Nissan Leaf
- Motor – Electric
- Power- 147 hp (standard) / 214 hp (leaf plus)
- Battery – 40 kWh/62 kWh
- Range – Up to 385 km (WLTP)
- Drivetrain – Front-wheel drive
World Electric Vehicle
- BMW iX3
- Power – 286 hp electric motor
- Battery – 74 kWh
- Range – 460 (WLTP)
- Drivetrain – Rear-wheel-drive
- 0-100 km/h – 6.8 seconds
- Charging – DC fast charging up to 150 kW
- Mercedes-Benz CLA EV
- Platform – Mercedes MMA EV platform
- Range – Up to 750 km (WLTP expected)
- Charging – 800V architecture
- Fast Charging – Up to 250 kW
- Drivetrain – RWD/AWD options
3. Nissan Leaf
- Motor – Electric
- Power- 147 hp (standard) / 214 hp (leaf plus)
- Battery – 40 kWh/62 kWh
- Range – Up to 385 km (WLTP)
- Drivetrain – Front-wheel drive
World Luxury Car
- Cadillac Vistiq
- Powertrain – Dual-motor electric AWD
- Estimated Power – 500 hp+
- Battery – Ultium battery platform
- Range – 480 km (estimated)
- Seating – 3 rows / up to 7 passengers
- Platform – GM Ultium
2. Lucid Gravity
- Power – Up to 800 hp (performance version)
- Range – Up to 700 km (estimated)
- Battery – 120 kWh
- Drivetrain – Dual-motor AWD
- 0-100 km/h – 3.5 seconds
- Charging – Ultra-fast DC charging
3. Volvo ES90
- Platform – SPA2 electric platform
- Drivetrain – Dual-motor AWD
- Range – Up to 600 km (estimated)
- Charging – Fast DC charging capability
- Interior – Sustainable materials
World Performance Car
- BMW M2 CS
- Engine – 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six
- Power – 520 hp (expected)
- Transmission – automatic/manual options
- Drivetrain – Rear-wheel drive
- 0-100 km/h – 3.8 seconds
2. Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
- Engine – 6.2-litre V8 + electric motor
- Combined power – 655 hp
- Drivetrain – AWD (first AWD Corvette)
- 0-100 km/h – 2.5 seconds
- Transmission – 8- speed dual clutch
- Battery – 1.9 kWh hybrid battery
3. Hyundai Ioniq 6 N
- Power – 641 (with boost)
- Battery – 84 kWh
- Drivetrain – Dual-motor AWD
- 0-100 km/h – 3.2 seconds
- Range – 500 km (estimated)
World Urban Car
- Baojun Yep Plus / Chevrolet Spark EUV
- Motor – Electric
- Power – 101 hp
- Battery – 41.9 kWh
- Range – 401 km (CLTC)
- Drivetrain – Rear-wheel drive
- Body – Compact electric SUV
2. Firefly (NIO brand)
- Powertrain – Electric
- Battery – 42 kWh (expected)
- Range – 400 km (estimated)
- Segment – Compact city EV
- Target Market – Urban mobility
3. Hyundai Venue
- Engine – 1.2-litre petrol / 1.0-litre petrol / 1.5-litre diesel
- Power – 83-120 hp depending on variant
- Transmission – Manual / IMT / DCT
- Drivetrain – Front-wheel drive
World Car Design of the Year
- Kia PV5
- Platform – PBV (purpose-built vehicle) platform
- Powertrain – Fully electric
- Range – 400-500 km (expected)
- Charging – Fast charging capability
2. Mazda 6e / EZ-6
- Powertrain – Electric or range-extended EV
- Battery – 68-80 kWh
- Range – Up to 600 km (CLTC)
- Drivetrain – Rear-wheel drive
- Segment – Mid-size electric sedan
3. Volvo ES90
- Platform – SPA2 electric platform
- Drivetrain – Dual-motor AWD
- Range – Up to 600 km (estimated)
- Charging – Fast DC charging capability
- Interior – Sustainable materials
World Car Award Winners will be announced live at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, April, 2026.
Over 98 journalists from 33 countries commit to recognising and rewarding deserving candidates from manufacturers worldwide. Indian members of the jury include famous journalists such as Renuka Kirpalani, Hormazd Sorabjee, and Hani Musthafa, who served from 2019 to 2025.
