The 2026 BMW iX3 Neue Klasse has been named both World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle in the 2026 edition of the World Car Awards -- https://www.worldcarawards.com/web/

This is BMW's first World Car of the Year title since the E90 3-Series in 2006.


World Car of the Year Announcement:
https://www.worldcarawards.com/files/2026_WCA_Winner_WCOTY.pdf

NEW YORK CITY, New York, USA – Wednesday, April 1, 2026 – For Immediate Release
THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR 2026 and the WORLD CAR FINALS POWERED BY BREMBO concluded today with the live announcement of the winners in six award categories at the New York International Auto Show.

The BMW iX3 is the 2026 World Car of the Year™.

This is the second consecutive World Car of the Year nomination for BMW and second World Car of the Year win overall. The BMW iX was named to the Top Three in the World in last year’s program, and the BMW 3-Series has previously won the 2006 World Car of the Year title. With the BMW iX3 also being named the 2026 World Electric Vehicle, the total number of awards won by BMW is eleven in World Car’s 22-year history.

“We are delighted by this outstanding result for the BMW iX3, the first production model of the NeueKlasse. The iX3 marks the beginnin g of a new era for BMW in terms of design language, range and charging performance, driver assistance systems, and the user experience with the first-ever BMW Panoramic iDrive.

Above all, the iX3 stands for the next generation of sheer driving pleasure, powered by the Heart of Joy. With 40 new or updated models coming in the next year, the innovations of the Neue Klasse will benefit our entire product portfolio,” said Mike Reichelt, Head of Neue Klasse.

A jury of 98 distinguished international automotive journalists from 33 countries selected the winning cars by secret ballot based on their evaluation of each eligible vehicle as part of their on-going professional work. Today’s vote results have been tabulated by KPMG.

The BMW iX3 was chosen from an initial list of 58 contenders from all over the world. A shortlist of three finalists was announced on March 3rd, 2026. The 2026 Top Three in the World were: BMW iX3, Hyundai Palisade, and Nissan Leaf.

Vehicles eligible for World Car of the Year must be produced in volumes of at least 10,000 units/year, must be priced below the luxury-car level in their primary markets, and must be “on-sale” in at least two major markets (China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, USA) on at least two separate continents within the period January 1, 2025 and March 30, 2026.


World Electric Vehicle Announcement:
https://www.worldcarawards.com/files/2026_WCA_Winner_Electric.pdf

NEW YORK CITY, New York, USA – Wednesday, April 1, 2026 – For Immediate Release
THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR 2026 and the WORLD CAR FINALS POWERED BY BREMBO concluded today with the live announcement of the winners in six award categories at the New York International Auto Show.

The BMW iX3 is the 2026 World Electric Vehicle.

This is the first World Electric Vehicle win for BMW. However, BMW models were twice named World Green Car in 2008 and 2014. The BMW iX3 has also been named to the Top Three in the World for the 2026 World Car of the Year. Today’s win brings the total number of awards won by BMW to ten in World Car’s 22-year history.

“We are delighted by this outstanding result for the BMW iX3, the first production model of the Neue Klasse. The iX3 marks the beginning of a new era for BMW in terms of design language, range and charging performance, driver assistance systems, and the user experience with the first-ever BMW Panoramic iDrive.

Above all, the iX3 stands for the next generation of sheer driving pleasure, powered by the Heart of Joy. With 40 new or updated models coming in the next year, the innovations of the Neue Klasse will benefit our entire product portfolio,” said Mike Reichelt, Head of Neue Klasse, BMW.

A jury of 98 distinguished international automotive journalists from 33 countries selected the winning cars by secret ballot based on their evaluation of each eligible vehicle as part of their on-going professional work. Today’s vote results have been tabulated by KPMG.

The BMW iX3 was chosen from an initial list of 43 contenders from all over the world. A shortlist of three finalists was announced on March 3rd, 2026. The 2026 Top Three in the World were: BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz CLA, and Nissan Leaf.

Vehicles eligible for World Electric Vehicle must be powered solely by one or more electric motors, must be produced in volumes of at least 5,000 units/year and must be “on-sale” in at least two major markets (China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, USA) on at least two separate continents within the period January 1, 2025 and March 30, 2026.

I have literally never heard of these awards before

take the hardware

VincentHannah wrote

I have literally never heard of these awards before

Then it's official, this award no longer means anything, it's null and void, because a random guy on the internet, never heard of this award.

Boostedjohn wrote

VincentHannah wrote

I have literally never heard of these awards before

Then it's official, this award no longer means anything, it's null and void, because a random guy on the internet, never heard of this award.

Yep, precisely, you can safely call this World Car awards a BS. For example, the best-selling EV brands in the US (Tesla) and the world (BYD) have never won any World Electric Vehicle awards since the category was introduced . Instead, a VW/BMW/Mercede diesels somehow won the three World Green Car awards , or the BMW i3 and Citroën C4 both won World Car Design of the Year...

I've never heard of it either. Is it an American award?

WTH is this award if the iX3, Palisade, and Leaf are the top three? Is this a joke? Not to be celebrated.

Huh?! The car is not even out yet to the public (at least here in the US) and it won the best EV car in the world? Who creates these dumb awards? That many people own the car already? I didn’t even read the articles to understand what a stupid thing this is and literally means nothing. I have yet to see these things in dealerships.

Hooray I guess? 🤷‍♂️

MDude wrote

Huh?! The car is not even out yet to the public (at least here in the US) and it won the best EV car in the world? Who creates these dumb awards? That many people own the car already? I didn’t even read the articles to understand what a stupid thing this is and literally means nothing. I have yet to see these things in dealerships.

Hooray I guess? 🤷‍♂️

Less dumb than "World Series".

Copilot
The World Car Awards (WCA) are not owned by an automaker, trade body, or motorsport federation. Instead, they are independent, journalist‑run awards. Here’s how ownership and governance work:
Ownership

• No corporate or manufacturer ownership
• The World Car Awards are not owned by any car company, auto show, or governing body such as the FIA. They operate as an independent, non‑profit awards program. /url]worldcarawards.com[url="https://worldcarawards.com/web/", /url]linkedin.com[url="https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-car-awards"
• Initiated and sustained by automotive journalists
• The program was founded in 2003 and formally launched in January 2004 by a group of leading international automotive journalists to reflect the realities of the global car market. /url]en.wikipedia.org[url="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Car_Awards", /url]grokipedia.com[url="https://grokipedia.com/page/World_Car_Awards"

Governance Structure1. Steering Committee

• The awards are overseen by a World Car Awards Steering Committee, made up of senior, highly respected automotive journalists.
• This committee is responsible for:
  • Award rules and eligibility criteria
  • Jury selection and global balance
  • Governance, integrity, and process oversight
  • /url]grokipedia.com[url="https://grokipedia.com/page/World_Car_Awards", /url]linkedin.com[url="https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-car-awards"

2. Global Jury

• Winners are selected by 100+ independent automotive journalists from around 30+ countries.
• Jurors vote based on:
  • First‑hand vehicle testing
  • Professional evaluation
  • Market relevance across multiple continents
  • /url]en.wikipedia.org[url="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Car_Awards", /url]worldcarawards.com[url="https://worldcarawards.com/web/"
  Jurors must be active journalists and cannot represent manufacturers or commercial interests.

Administration & Operations

• The World Car Awards are administered by a small non‑profit organization headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
• Day‑to‑day operations (logistics, voting systems, communications) are handled by this entity, while decisions remain journalist‑led.
• /url]linkedin.com[url="https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-car-awards"

Independence Safeguards

• No manufacturer voting influence
• No commercial jury seats
• Voting results independently tabulated (often by a professional services firm)
• Sponsors (e.g., component suppliers) do not influence results, eligibility, or voting outcomes

My Kia EV6 was once car of the year (not sure awarded by who), then my EV9, also car of the year.

I think it's a hint this be my next car!

I mean, i do have a M550i, a BMW pure ICE V8, but if no gas is getting to my country, and we produce local hydroelectricity, what am I supposed to do!

G30M EV + ICE + Bicycle and then you are covered for all possibilities

Ozzie8 wrote

G30M EV + ICE + Bicycle and then you are covered for all possibilities

lol i have 3 bicycles (not e-bike) but i don't use it to commute, for exercise when the weather permits!

That was expected. iX3 will probably get many more rewards this year.

Congratulations. But sales statistics will suggest if the award (any award) has merit.

cfm56d7b wrote

Congratulations. But sales statistics will suggest if the award (any award) has merit.

And sales statistics are highly correlated to marketing budgets. Consumer choice is largely a myth.

Hit_Apex wrote

And sales statistics are highly correlated to marketing budgets. Consumer choice is largely a myth.

Tell that Mercedes and the mega bucks they threw at promoting their hapless EQ line.

Boostedjohn wrote

VincentHannah wrote

I have literally never heard of these awards before

Then it's official, this award no longer means anything, it's null and void, because a random guy on the internet, never heard of this award.

Got me, someone else getting paid under false pretences????

Ozzie8 wrote

Copilot
The World Car Awards (WCA) are not owned by an automaker, trade body, or motorsport federation. Instead, they are independent, journalist‑run awards.

Paul Maric is a panellist, so it has to be totally legit. He’s one of the most Aussie car journo’s out there - I’ve been reading and watching his reviews for years.

Journo voting awards based on living with and using the car for long periods of time? It’s just part of the gravy train, and Miss World 2026 is…..

Iirc the Jaguar I-PACE was 2019 World Car of the Year, World Green Car, and World Car Design of the Year. RIP lol.😂