- The BMW iX3, Hyundai Ioniq 6 N, and Lucid Gravity were among the winners of the 2026 World Car of the Year Awards, announced in New York this week.
- Only three of the five cars recognized this year are available in the U.S.
The BMW iX3, a new all-electric SUV debuting in the U.S. this summer as a 2027 model, is the 2026 World Car of the Year.
BMW’s compact electric crossover was one of five cars honored at the New York International Auto Show. It took home both the World Car of the Year trophy and the award for World Electric Vehicle (EV).
The winners included two models not sold in the U.S. A jury of 98 automotive journalists from 33 countries chose the winners.
The Winners
World Car of the Year, World EV of the Year: BMW iX3
A compact electric SUV built on an all-new platform that will power many future BMW models, the iX3 has a projected range of up to 400 miles, though that figure will likely be available only in a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) long-range trim. It helps introduce a new design language for the brand, with simplified exterior lines and a cabin defined by a thin, high-mounted screen at the base of the windshield, so you can see it without taking your eyes off the road.
It took home two awards, winning the overall and EV titles.
World Luxury Car of the Year: Lucid Gravity
The second effort from luxury EV startup Lucid, the Gravity is a 3-row SUV with a 7-seat cabin and a driving range of over 400 miles. You could mistake it for a minivan, except that it lacks sliding doors. With up to 828 horsepower, it doesn’t drive like one. Standout features include a pop-up seating area in the frunk (front trunk), perfect for picnics.
World Performance Car of the Year: Hyundai Ioniq 6 N
Hyundai’s N division builds high-performance versions of its ordinary cars. The Ioniq 6 N is a track-ready edition of its swoopy Ioniq 6 “streamliner” sedan. It boasts a zero-to-60 mph time barely over three seconds and a drift mode. It’s also the only 2026 Ioniq 6 you can buy in the U.S. Hyundai still builds the standard Ioniq 6 elsewhere, but has skipped the 2026 model year in the U.S., with plenty of 2025 models still for sale on dealer lots.
World Urban Car of the Year: Nio Firefly
Not sold in the U.S., the Firefly comes from Chinese EV maker Nio. It’s a small urban runabout with cute, plucky energy and a minimalist interior sold in parts of Asia, Latin America, and Europe.
World Car Design of the Year: 2026 Mazda 6e/EZ-6
The Mazda 6e, also known as the EZ-6 in some markets, is a compact electric sedan designed in partnership with China’s Changan Automobile.
Mazda says the car “went on sale in Europe in September 2025, and plans are in place to introduce the model also in Australia, ASEAN, and other regions in 2026.”
