Race for top award heats up
The category winners of the 2026 Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) have been announced and will now go forwards to contest the annual competition’s top prize.
Nissan’s Leaf won this year’s compact car category, the Skoda Elroq took out the compact SUV title, the Mercedes-Benz CLA triumphed in the large car section and Hyundai’s Ioniq 9 scooped the large SUV award.
Other winners included Toyota’s 4Runner in the 4x4 class and the Lamborghini Temerario won the performance car gong.
An international jury of 84 women motoring journalists from 54 countries analysed 55 contenders for this year’s WWCOTY before picking the winners.
All eligible vehicles for the awards had to be new models launched in at least two continents or 40 countries between January and December 2025.
Organisers say the successful vehicles represent excellence in their respective segments for safety, driving performance, technology, comfort, overall performance and value for money.
The six category winners will now advance to a final round of judging, where the overall Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year title will be decided. The outcome of that process will be announced on the WWCOTY YouTube channel during the week in which International Women’s Day, March 8, is celebrated.
Two special prizes have also been handed out, with Renault claiming the best tech honour and Ford winning the Sandy Myhre Award, which recognises a brand’s commitment to women.
Marta García, WWCOTY executive president, says: “In our voting, we have focused on vehicles that stand out not only for their figures or technology, but for how effectively they respond to people’s real, everyday needs.
“Electrification, digitalisation and sustainability are no longer trends, but essential requirements.
“Each candidate was analysed from multiple perspectives, with particular attention paid to safety, functionality, comfort and overall value. The result is a list of winners that truly represents the best of the automotive industry in 2026.”
Award citations
Nissan Leaf – Best Compact Car
A 100 per cent EV designed for realistic and accessible everyday use. It stands out for its practical approach, offering smooth, quiet driving and outstanding efficiency, particularly in urban and suburban environments. Its architecture prioritises interior space and ease of use over complex solutions, delivering one of the most intuitive electric driving experiences on the market.
Skoda Elroq – Best Compact SUV
An electric compact SUV offering outputs ranging from 170 to 286hp. It is distinguished by its aerodynamic improvements and a highly practical interior designed to make life easier for occupants. Its driving range can exceed 500km under the WLTP consumption measurement procedure.
Mercedes-Benz CLA – Best Large Car
A premium compact sedan with a coupe-style silhouette and cutting-edge technology. Its interior stands out for advanced digitalisation and high perceived quality. It delivers refined driving dynamics with a strong focus on comfort and acoustic insulation, serving as an emotional and technologically rich entry point into the premium segment.
Hyundai Ioniq 9 – Best Large SUV
A large electric SUV designed for families and long-distance travel. It offers generous interior space, modularity and a clear focus on comfort for all occupants. Conceived as a large-scale sustainable mobility solution, it puts electric technology at the service of everyday life and long journeys alike.
Toyota 4Runner – Best 4x4
A classic body-on-frame off-road vehicle designed for demanding use away from asphalt. It prioritises robustness, mechanical reliability and genuine off-road capability. Its functional, durable approach avoids fleeting trends, remaining true to the traditional spirit of the 4x4 and engineered for harsh conditions and long-term use.
Lamborghini Temerario – Best Exclusive Car
The Lamborghini Temerario is a high-performance supercar that combines extreme design with cutting-edge technology. It stands out for introducing a new aluminium space-frame chassis and an advanced hybrid powertrain that pairs a newly developed twin-turbo V8 petrol engine with three electric motors. Its engineering is clearly focused on delivering a maximum emotional driving experience, blending electrification with Lamborghini’s hallmark performance and character.
Renault – Best Tech Award
It has developed electric platforms such as AmpR Small and AmpR Medium, which optimise weight, space and efficiency compared with combustion-based architectures. The brand stands out for integrating electric technology, software and driver-assistance systems in a practical, user-friendly way that enhances everyday usability. Renault has also succeeded in democratising advanced technology derived from Formula 1.
Ford – Sandy Myhre Award
This award has been presented to Ford for its clear and sustained focus on gender equality within its corporate structure. The company has promoted female leadership programmes, active work-life balance policies and equality plans across multiple markets, resulting in a steady increase in women in technical, engineering and senior management positions.
