The WORLD CAR FINALS Powered by Brembo continues today with the announcement of the Top Three in the World finalists in six World Car Awards categories.
The countdown ends on April 1st when the winners will be announced live at the 2026 New York International Auto Show during an awards ceremony that is part of the show’s opening media breakfast.
A jury of 98 distinguished international automotive journalists from 33 countries selected the Top Three in the World finalists by secret ballot based on their evaluation of each eligible vehicle as part of their on-going professional work. Today’s vote results have been tabulated by KPMG.
The Top Three in the World finalists for each category are:
World Car of the Year
– BMW iX3
– Hyundai Palisade
– Nissan Leaf
World Electric Vehicle
– BMW iX3
– Mercedes-Benz CLA
– Nissan Leaf
World Luxury Car
– Cadillac Vistiq
– Lucid Gravity
– Volvo ES90
World Performance Car
– BMW M2 CS
– Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
– Hyundai Ioniq 6 N
World Urban Car
– Baojun Yep Plus / Chevrolet Spark EUV
– Firefly
– Hyundai Venue
World Car Design of the Year
– Kia PV5
– Mazda 6e / EZ-6
– Volvo ES90
A design panel consisting of seven highly respected global design experts was asked to first review each candidate and establish a short-list of recommendations for the jurors’ final vote. The design experts were, in alphabetical order: Anja Bracht (Germany – Pforzheim University), Marek Djordjevic (USA – Chair of Transportation Design, Art Center College of Design), Fabio Filippini (Japan – ACCAEFFE Creative Consulting), Antony Grade (Retired – Renault), Gert Hildebrand (Germany – Owner Hildebrand-Design), Victor Nacif (USA – Chief Creative Officer, Brojure.com and Design instructor, New School of Architecture and Design) and Shiro Nakamura (Japan – CEO, Shiro Nakamura Design Associates Inc.)
World Car Award winners will be announced live at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. 2026 marks the 21st year of the World Car Awards’ partnership with the New York International Auto Show.
Mark Schienberg, president of the New York International Auto Show, said, “The announcement of the finalists is an important moment for the global automotive industry as it represents one of the most respected honors in our business. The anticipation surrounding this year’s contenders reflects the innovation, performance, and vision shaping the future of mobility, and we extend our congratulations to the finalists and to the World Car organization for its continued leadership.”
The Road to the World Car Awards is an annual journey that follows our international jurors as they test-drive, and vote on, the eligible vehicles for the awards’ season. The jurors’ road-test journey is captured virtually on World Car TV. The jurors provide viewers with reviews and commentary on the awards’ eligible vehicles in the six categories listed above.
The World Car Awards program would not be possible without the support of our official partners: AITASTIC Research & Consult, BREMBO, the NEW YORK International Auto Show, KPMG and Newspress
