by The finalists for the 2026 World Car Awards have been announced, and the list is clearly dominated by electric vehicles. Over ten electric models are vying for the main awards. Among the top contenders are the BMW iX3, Nissan Leaf, Lucid Gravity, and Cadillac Vistiq. However, the question remains whether they will be able to secure victory at the awards ceremony, which will take place at the New York Auto Show on April 1.
Car of the Year and Electric Competition
The finalists in the main category “World Car of the Year” are the BMW iX3, Hyundai Palisade, and Nissan Leaf. This is an interesting selection, where the Leaf stands out as an affordable electric vehicle with a base price starting from $29,990 and a range of up to 303 miles (488 km).
The BMW iX3, on the other hand, is equipped with a 108.7 kWh battery and all-wheel drive, producing 463 hp. This allows the crossover to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and have a WLTP range of up to 500 miles (805 km).
The Hyundai Palisade offers both traditional and hybrid powertrains, the latter producing 329 hp and achieving a fuel economy of 34 miles per gallon.
Battle in Electric and Luxury Categories
In the “World Electric Vehicle” category, the BMW iX3 and Nissan Leaf will compete with the Mercedes CLA. The CLA sedan has an 85 kWh battery and powertrains with 268 or 349 hp.
In the “World Luxury Car” category, the Cadillac Vistiq will be a rival to the Lucid Gravity and Volvo ES90. The Cadillac Vistiq is noted for its comfortable suspension and high-quality interior.
Performance, Urban Cars, and Design
Even in the “World Performance Car” category, there is an electric vehicle representative – the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N. Its competitors will be the BMW M2 CS and Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray. The latter can transform into a front-wheel-drive electric vehicle thanks to a special mode.
In the “World Urban Car” category, among the finalists are the Baojun Yep Plus / Chevrolet Spark EUV, Nio Firefly, and the updated Hyundai Venue.
The “World Car Design of the Year” award will be contested by the Kia PV5, Mazda 6e / EZ-6, and Volvo ES90.
List of Finalists by Category
| World Car of the Year | BMW iX3 | Nissan Leaf | Hyundai Palisade |
| World Electric Vehicle | BMW iX3 | Nissan Leaf | Mercedes CLA |
| World Luxury Car | Cadillac Vistiq | Lucid Gravity | Volvo ES90 |
| World Performance Car | BMW M2 CS | Corvette E-Ray | Hyundai Ioniq 6 N |
| World Urban Car | Chevrolet Spark EUV | Nio Firefly | Hyundai Venue |
| World Car Design of the Year | Kia PV5 | Mazda 6e / EZ-6 | Volvo ES90 |
The list of finalists clearly demonstrates how deeply electric vehicles have penetrated all segments of the automotive market – from affordable urban models to luxury crossovers and high-performance sports cars. This indicates not only technological progress but also a shift in priorities for both manufacturers and, possibly, the award jury. The presence of models from manufacturers in different regions of the world, including China, underscores the global nature of the industry’s transformation. The results, to be announced in the spring, will be an important indicator of the trends shaping the future of automobiles today.
