Toyota RAV4, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Audi Q5, 7 Others Models Battle For ‘2026 World Car Of The Year’ Crown

10 car models, including Toyota RAV4, Mercedes CLA, Audi Q5 / SQ5 and Hyundai Palisade, battle for ‘2026 World Car of the Year’ crown.

Selected by a jury of 98 automotive journalists from 33 countries, winners will be announced at the New York Auto Show. 

The World Car Finals, powered by Italian manufacturer of automotive, Brembo, has released the shortlist of ten (10) contenders for this year’s 2026 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) as well as the top five (5) finalists in six World Car Awards vehicle categories.

Selected by a jury of 98 automotive journalists from 33 countries, winners in each category will be announced on Wednesday April 1st during the World Car Awards ceremony, live at the 2026 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.”

Top ten finalists for the 2026 World Car of the Year (WCOTY)

Finalists chosen from an initial list of 58 contenders

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 finalist

Finalists chosen from the five categories above

Firefly

Kia PV5

Lynk & Co 08

Mazda 6e / EZ-6

Volvo ES90

• See Also : All-new Electric Mercedes-Benz CLA Crowned “Car Of The Year 2026”