The automotive world's attention turns to the World Car Awards as the finals commence with the announcement of top finalists across six prestigious vehicle categories.
The winners will be unveiled on Wednesday, 1st April during a live ceremony at the 2026 New York International Auto Show, marking the culmination of an extensive evaluation process.
An international jury of 98 automotive journalists representing 33 countries has meticulously selected the finalists through secret ballot. Their selections, based on professional evaluations conducted as part of their regular work, represent the finest vehicles available to consumers worldwide.
The coveted World Car of the Year title will be awarded to one of ten exceptional finalists, carefully chosen from 58 eligible vehicles. The shortlist spans diverse segments and technologies, including the Audi Q5 / SQ5, BMW iX3, BYD Seal 6 DM-I, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Hyundai Palisade, Kia EV4, Kia EV5, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Nissan Leaf and the Toyota RAV4.
The World Electric Vehicle category, reflecting the industry's transformation towards sustainable mobility, features five outstanding finalists. These include the Audi A6 e-tron / S6 e-tron, BMW iX3, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Mercedes-Benz CLA and the Nissan Leaf, each representing significant advances in electric vehicle technology and capability.
Luxury automotive excellence is showcased through five World Luxury Car finalists: the Audi A6 e-tron / S6 e-tron, Audi A6/S6, Cadillac Vistiq, Lucid Gravity and the Volvo ES90. These vehicles exemplify superior craftsmanship, innovative technology and exceptional refinement.
The World Performance Car category celebrates automotive engineering at its finest, with five thrilling contenders: the BMW M2 CS, Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, Defender OCTA, Hyundai Ioniq 6 N and the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro. These vehicles push the boundaries of speed, handling and driving excitement.
Practicality and efficiency take centre stage in the World Urban Car category, featuring the Alfa Romeo Junior, Baojun Yep Plus / Chevrolet Spark EUV, Firefly, Hyundai Venue and Wuling Binguo / Ari Poly. These finalists demonstrate that city-focused vehicles can combine functionality with style.
Every vehicle competing across these five categories automatically qualifies for the World Car Design of the Year award. The top three design finalists will be revealed virtually via World Car TV on Tuesday, 3rd March 2026, celebrating automotive aesthetics and innovative styling.
South Africa contributes three distinguished journalists to the judging panel. Lerato Matebese, Founding Editor of Petrolhead Africa, brings extensive experience since entering the industry in 2006 as a bursary student. Brenwin Naidu, Section Editor for Sunday Times Lifestyle Motoring and Sowetan Motoring, has progressed from cadet reporter to senior editorial positions since 2011. Hannes Oosthuizen, now Special Projects Manager at Cars.co.za, previously made history as CAR magazine's youngest-ever editor.
The World Car Awards ceremony on 1st April 2026 at the New York International Auto Show will reveal winners across all six categories. This milestone event marks the 21st anniversary of the partnership between the World Car Awards and this internationally renowned automotive exhibition.
