The battle for supremacy in the global automotive industry has entered a straight line. The World Car Awards jury, made up of 98 specialist journalists from 33 countries, filtered an initial list of 58 vehicles to extract the "elite" of the year: the 10 finalists aspiring to the ultimate title of World Car of the Year (WCOTY) 2026.
The grand finale will take place on April 1, 2026, at the New York Auto Show, a date that has nothing to do with hoaxes, but with the utmost prestige in the industry.
This year, the list reflects an unprecedented technological transition. Dominated by SUVs and electrified powertrains, the final selection is as follows:
Audi Q5 / SQ5
BMW iX3
BYD Seal 6 DM-i
Hyundai Ioniq 9
Hyundai Palisade
Kia EV4
Kia EV5
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Nissan Leaf
Toyota RAV4
In addition to the main prize, the battle is also fought in specific segments. Of note is the World Electric Vehicle category, where the new BMW iX3 (the first model on the Neue Klasse architecture) will face the colossus Hyundai Ioniq 9 and the refined Mercedes-Benz CLA.
In the World Luxury Car category, the duel is one of high-tech elegance between the Volvo ES90, Lucid Gravity and the new electric interpretations from Audi (A6 e-tron).
A fascinating detail of the 2026 edition is the strong presence of the Hyundai-Kia group, which managed to place no less than four models in the top 10. This dominance is no coincidence, with the Koreans winning the supreme title several times in recent years (Ioniq 5 in 2022, Ioniq 6 in 2023 and EV9 in 2024).
On the other hand, the BMW iX3 represents the "new era" for the Bavarian manufacturer, being a huge technological bet that could bring the trophy back to Germany. The Toyota RAV4 should not be ignored either, a model that, although conservative, remains a benchmark of reliability and global popularity.
If we were to bet based on innovation, market impact, and jury feedback so far, here's what the podium could look like on April 1st:
1st place: BMW iX3
Why? It's more than just an electric SUV; it's the debut of the Neue Klasse platform. With a range of over 700 km and a revolutionary charging speed, the iX3 redefines BMW's identity and has all the assets to convince the international jury that the future has arrived.
2nd place: Hyundai Ioniq 9
Why? Hyundai has learned the recipe for success. The Ioniq 9 offers generous interior space (3 rows of seats) and a futuristic design that "steals" the eyes, being the spearhead of a range that has dominated this competition for the last decade.
3rd place: Mercedes-Benz CLA
Why? The new generation CLA (especially the electric version) promises incredible energy efficiency, borrowing technology from the EQXX concept. It's the car that proves that luxury and sustainability can coexist in a compact and highly aerodynamic format.
Who do you think will take home the trophy? Until March 3, when the three official finalists (Top 3 in the World) will be announced, discussions remain open.