2026 World Car of the Year announces top 3 finalists

MANILA: The 2026 World Car of the Year awarding body has announced the top three contenders for its coveted overall “World Car of the Year” (WCOTY) award. 

Included among the top three spots are the BMW iX3, Hyundai Palisade, and Nissan LEAF. Other cars that also came up as finalists are the following:

• Audi Q5/SQ5
• BYD Seal 6 DM-i
• Hyundai Ioniq 9
• Kia EV4
• Kia EV5
• Mercedes-Benz CLA
• Toyota RAV4

2026 World Car of the Year: key points

One observation on the 2026 WCOTY list is the abundance of new energy vehicles (NEV), ranging from hybrids, electric vehicles (EV), and plug-in hybrids. 

Furthermore, the Top 10  is populated by a healthy amount of non-crossover vehicles, such as the Mercedes-Benz CLA (sedan or saloon), the Kia EV4 (sedan or hatch), and the BYD Seal 6 DM-i (wagon). The aforementioned is a sign that while crossovers and sport utility vehicles (SUV) are indeed popular, a good chunk of the global car market still likes hatchbacks, sedans, and wagons. 

Moreover, the expanded 2026 WCOTY candidate list includes a significant number of brands from China, indicating that the country’s automotive industry has done well in penetrating the global market. 

Apart from BYD, the list also includes BAIC, Deepal, Denza, GAC, Geely, Hongqi, Jetour, Jaecoo, Leapmotor, Lynk & Co, MG, Omoda, Xiaomi, Wuling, and Zeekr. Vietnam-based VinFast also made it to the expanded candidate list with its VF 6 model. 

Other stories: Oil firms to conduct 'big-time' hikes this week Lynk & Co PH releases limited-run 06 Origin SE Sport, carries P1.134-M price tag Ford gifts Pope Leo XIV custom Explorer

For reference, here is the expanded candidate list for the 2026 WCOTY:

• Alfa Romeo Junior
• Audi Q3
• Baojun Yep Plus / Chevrolet Spark EUV
• BAW 212 T01
• Beijing BJ30 / BAIC Beijing BJ30
• BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé
• BYD Tang L / Atto 8 / Sealion 8
• BYD Xia / M9
• Cadillac Optiq
• Citroën C3 Aircross
• Citroën C5 Aircross
• Deepal S05
• Denza B5 / Fangchengbao Bao 5
• Firefly
• Forthing 7 / Xinghai S7
• Forthing 9 / Xinghai V9
• GAC Aion UT
• GAC Aion V
• Geely EX5 / Galaxy E5
• Honda Prelude
• Hongqi EH7
• Hongqi EHS7 / Hongqi Tiangong 08
• Hyundai Venue
• Jaecoo 5 / J5
• Jetour T2
• KGM Actyon
• Kia PV5
• Leapmotor B10
• Lynk & Co 02 / Z20
• Lynk & Co 08
• Mazda 6e / EZ-6
• MG IM5 / IM L6
• MG IM6 / IM LS6
• MG S5 EV / MG ES5
• Nissan Kicks
• Omoda 7 / C7
• Omoda 9 / Omoda C9 / Exeed RX / Exeed Yaoguang
• Opel Grandland / Vauxhall Grandland
• Renault Koleos / Grand Koleos
• Skoda Superb
• Smart #5
• Subaru Forester
• Suzuki eVitara
• Toyota Crown Signia
• VinFast VF 6
• Wuling Binguo / Ari Poly
• Xiaomi SU7
• Zeekr 7X

For those curious, vehicles that are qualified for the 2026 WCOTY are those priced below luxury level depending on market), must have a production volume of 10,000 units and up per year, and must be sold in at least two major global markets between January 1, 2025-March 30, 2026. 

At the time of publishing, the organizers of the aforementioned automotive award have yet to declare the definitive “2026 World Car of the Year” recipient. The said model will be revealed on April 1, 2026, at the New York International Auto Show, along with other category winners. 

So, which of the top three models do you think will emerge victorious? Stay tuned for more updates. 

Also read:

BYD exec named ‘2025 World Car Person of the Year’

Volvo EX90 Wins World Luxury Car of the Year at Global Awards

Here are the Top 10 2025 WCOTY finalists

Connect with us through our various social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZigWheelsPhilippines

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zigwheelsph/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zigwheels

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZigWheelsPhilippines/