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BMW iX3 NA5 named 2026 World Car of the Year
Hyundai Ioniq 6 N, Mazda 6e, Firefly also win awards at 2026 World Car Awards
Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:42am
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The winners of the 2026 World Car Awards were announced at the New York International Auto Show, with the BMW iX3 NA5 taking home the top prize of World Car of the Year. Other category winners included the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N for World Performance Car, the Mazda 6e/EZ-6 for World Car Design, and the Nio Firefly for World Urban Car.
Why it matters
The World Car Awards are one of the most prestigious automotive honors, recognizing excellence across different vehicle categories. BMW's iX3 win marks the brand's second World Car of the Year title, further solidifying its position as a leader in the electric vehicle market. The awards also highlight the growing competitiveness and innovation in the automotive industry, with automakers from around the world vying for these coveted accolades.
The details
The BMW iX3 NA5 beat out the second-generation Hyundai Palisade and Nissan Leaf to take home the World Car of the Year award. In addition, the iX3 was also named World Electric Vehicle of the Year, giving BMW a total of 11 World Car Awards wins in the program's 22-year history. Other category winners included the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N for World Performance Car, the Mazda 6e/EZ-6 for World Car Design, and the Nio Firefly for World Urban Car. The awards were chosen by a jury of 98 international automotive journalists from 33 countries.
- The winners were announced at the 2026 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) on April 2, 2026.
- The top three finalists in each category were revealed in mid-March 2026, a few weeks prior to the final announcement.
The players
BMW
A German multinational corporation that produces luxury vehicles and motorcycles. The BMW iX3 NA5 was named the 2026 World Car of the Year.
Hyundai
A South Korean multinational automotive manufacturer. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 N was named the 2026 World Performance Car of the Year.
Mazda
A Japanese multinational automaker. The Mazda 6e/EZ-6 was named the 2026 World Car Design of the Year.
Nio
A Chinese multinational automobile manufacturer. The Nio Firefly was named the 2026 World Urban Car of the Year.
Oliver Zipse
The chairman of the BMW board of directors, who was named the 2026 World Car Person of the Year.
What they’re saying
“We are of course talking about the iX3, which not only represents the second consecutive World Car of the Year nomination for BMW, but also the brand's second World Car of the Year win (its previous win was with the E90 3 Series)”
— Gerard Lye, Author
The takeaway
The 2026 World Car Awards showcase the continued innovation and global competitiveness in the automotive industry, with automakers from Germany, South Korea, Japan, and China all taking home top honors. The BMW iX3's win as World Car of the Year reinforces the brand's leadership in the electric vehicle space, while the other category winners highlight the diverse range of high-performing and design-forward vehicles available to consumers worldwide.
