by The shortlist of contenders for the 2026 World Car of the Year title has been announced, and Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Kia, already appears to be the main favorite. With four vehicles in the running, the company has a 40 percent chance of winning the main prize.
Categories and Nominees
Alongside the main award, the competition has also determined finalists in the categories of World Electric Vehicle, World Luxury Car, World Performance Car, World Urban Car, and World Car Design.
The most prestigious title, World Car of the Year, will be awarded live on April 1 at the New York Auto Show. Votes were cast via ballot by a jury of 98 automotive journalists from 33 countries.
Main Award Finalists
Among the finalists are the Audi Q5 and SQ5, BMW iX3, BYD Seal 6 DM-i, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Hyundai Palisade, Kia EV4, Kia EV5, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Nissan Leaf, and Toyota RAV4. Notably, Hyundai Motor Group is the only automaker with multiple models on this list. This is also a good sign, considering that the Kia EV3 won the main prize last year.
And, if it went unnoticed, none of the finalists represent an American brand.
World Electric Vehicle
The World Electric Vehicle category contains a somewhat shorter list: Audi A6 e-tron / S6 e-tron, BMW iX3, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Mercedes-Benz CLA, and Nissan Leaf. Several of these models also appear in other categories.
- Audi A6 e-tron / S6 e-tron
- BMW iX3
- Hyundai Ioniq 9
- Mercedes-Benz CLA
- Nissan Leaf
World Luxury Car
For example, the Audi A6 e-tron / S6 e-tron is also vying for the title of World Luxury Car. There, it is accompanied by internal combustion engine cars Audi A6/S6, Cadillac Vistiq, Lucid Gravity, and Volvo ES90.
- Audi A6 e-tron / S6 e-tron
- Audi A6/S6
- Cadillac Vistiq
- Lucid Gravity
- Volvo ES90
World Performance Car
Regarding performance, the list narrows even further. There, the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray is accompanied by the BMW M2 CS, Land Rover Defender OCTA, Hyundai Ioniq 6 N, and Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro.
- BMW M2 CS
- Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
- Land Rover Defender OCTA
- Hyundai Ioniq 6 N
- Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro
World Urban Car
Chinese automakers dominate the World Urban Car category. The finalists include Baojun Yep Plus / Chevrolet Spark EUV, Firefly from Nio, and Wuling Binguo / Ari Poly. The list is rounded out by the Hyundai Venue and Alfa Romeo Junior.
- Baojun Yep Plus / Chevrolet Spark EUV
- Firefly
- Hyundai Venue
- Wuling Binguo / Ari Poly
- Alfa Romeo Junior
World Car Design
The awards will conclude with the determination of the 2026 World Car Design of the Year. The finalists named are the Firefly, Kia PV5, Lynk & Co 08, Mazda 6e/ EZ-6, and Volvo ES90.
- Firefly
- Kia PV5
- Lynk & Co 08
- Mazda 6e / EZ-6
- Volvo ES90
This year’s list of nominees clearly reflects several global trends in the automotive industry. The complete absence of American brands in the main category is unexpected and may indicate a shift in innovation and production centers. The strong representation of Hyundai Motor Group, especially in the electric segment, confirms its rapid transformation into one of the leaders of the future. Separately, it is worth noting the dominance of Chinese manufacturers in the urban car category, demonstrating their ability to effectively meet the needs of specific markets. The final results, to be announced in the spring, will show whether traditional European premium brands can withstand the pressure from Korean and Chinese competitors, who are increasingly actively conquering not only markets but also international recognition.
