2026 World Car of the Year Finalists Announced, India's Hyundai Venue Makes It To Top 10

The 2026 World Car Awards have chosen the top ten and top five finalists in six categories. The finalists were chosen by a jury of 98 automotive journalists from 33 countries by a secret ballot based on their evaluation of each vehicle as part of their professional work. Notably, India’s Hyundai Venue has made it to the list of the top 10 finalists. The new generation of the subcompact SUV was also crowned ‘Car of the Year’ at the 2026 Acko Drive Awards. Here are the finalists. 

Top 10 2026 World Car of the Year Award Finalists

• 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

Top Five 2026 World Electric Vehicle Finalists:

• Audi A6 e-tron / S6 e-tron
• BMW iX3
• Hyundai Ioniq 9
• Mercedes-Benz CLA
• Nissan Leaf

Top Five 2026 World Luxury Car Finalists:

• Audi A6 e-tron / S6 e-tron 
• Audi A6/S6
• Cadillac Vistiq
• Lucid Gravity
• Volvo ES90

Top Five 2026 World Performance Car Finalists

• BMW M2 CS
• Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
• Defender OCTA
• Hyundai Ioniq 6 N
• Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro

Top Five 2026 World Urban Car Finalists:

• Alfa Romeo Junior
• Baojun Yep Plus / Chevrolet Spark EUV
• Firefly
• Hyundai Venue
• Wuling Binguo / Ari Poly

Top Five 2026 World Car Design of the Year Finalists

• Firefly
• Kia PV5
• Lynk & Co 08
• Mazda 6e / EZ-6
• Volvo ES90

The 2026 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) winner will be selected from an initial list of 58 contenders. The top three finalists will be revealed on March 3, while the 2026 World Car Awards and the winners will be announced on April 1, 2026, during a live ceremony at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS).

“The World Car Awards are a benchmark for excellence and innovation in the automotive industry - values that define Brembo,” said Daniele Schillaci, Brembo’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud to support this prestigious initiative and congratulate all the finalists on their outstanding achievements. Their commitment to advancing mobility mirrors our own drive to shape a zero-accident future, and we look forward to celebrating the winner.”

Mark Schienberg, President of NYIAS said, “The World Car Awards shine a spotlight on the innovation, performance, and design that are shaping the future of mobility. We are proud to partner with World Car Awards as the industry’s top vehicles are recognized on a global stage, culminating in New York this April.”

Several of the top contenders for the 2026 World Car Awards are scheduled to arrive in India later this year. This includes the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA, BMW iX3, as well as the new Audi Q5. The Nissan Leaf is also expected to make its way here in the coming months.