AUDI E5 Sportback Wins China 2026 Car Of The Year

The AUDI E5 Sportback has won the 2026 China Car of the Year award from a panel of industry media experts.

The E5 Sportback is the first model from the newly founded brand to receive this recognition, just one year after the brand’s debut.

Combining Audi’s engineering excellence with China’s digital innovation ecosystem, the E5 Sportback successfully meets the expectations of Chinese customers. The AUDI brand has taken a recognizable position in the Chinese premium electric vehicle market, combining the best of both worlds. Since its debut, the first model has won some prestigious industry awards, including “Most Popular Premium Car of 2025,” “Intelligent Premium Sedan of the Year,” “Best Handling Sedan of the Year,” and “Best Design Sedan of the Year.”

Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG, says, “This award confirms our unique approach in China with two strong brands and deep integration of local innovation. Through the AUDI brand, we are attracting new customers and strengthening our position in the world’s most competitive market. Feedback from consumers and experts shows that our ongoing transformation journey in China towards electrification and intelligent connected driving is on the right track.”

“It is a great honor to receive the Chinese Car of the Year award for the AUDI E5 Sportback. As the first model of the new AUDI brand, it truly represents the spirit of the brand: the best of both worlds. The AUDI brand was born from a deep understanding of the Chinese market,” says Fermin Soneira, general manager of the Audi-SAIC collaboration project. “It appeals to a new generation of Chinese consumers who want Audi’s driving dynamics, quality, and safety, as well as seamless integration into their intelligent digital ecosystem. The E5 Sportback is the exact embodiment of this holistic commitment to premium manufacturing.”

• Also See: Audi A6 And Q5 To Get A New V6 Diesel Engine