This year's New York Auto Show kicked off with good news for the Bavarians. The new generation BMW iX3 model clinched the top prize, "World Car of the Year 2026," while also securing the title of best electric vehicle.
The iX3's victory is primarily a triumph of engineering. Unlike its predecessor, which was an electrified version of the conventionally powered X3 model, the new model was developed on a dedicated "electric" platform. This enabled the Bavarians to implement an 800-volt system and achieve charging speeds once only dreamed of. It is now possible to gain 300 km of range with just 10 minutes of charging, provided a suitable charger is found.
The jury, comprising over 100 journalists from around the world, didn't just notice the raw numbers. The car's handling played a key role. Despite the battery's weight, the BMW iX3 behaves like an agile car, not a heavy piece of iron on wheels. The new generation battery enables over 600 km of range on a single charge according to the WLTP cycle.
The race for the title was fierce. In the final round, the BMW iX3 outperformed the Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Palisade; however, the balance between technology and everyday practicality tipped in favor of the model from Munich. The complete list of winners was published on the official World Car Awards website.
In addition to the main award, the prizes were distributed as follows: - Best Luxury Car: Lucid Gravity - Best Sports Car: Hyundai Ioniq 6 N - Urban Car of the Year: NIO Firefly - Design of the Year: Mazda 6e/EZ-6.
Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW Group, received the "World Car Person of the Year" award.
The jury consisted of 98 automotive journalists from around the world. Cars eligible for the "World Car of the Year" title must be produced in volumes of at least 10,000 units annually, be priced below luxury car levels in their primary markets, and be on sale in at least two primary markets (China, Europe, India, Japan, South Korea, Latin America, USA) across at least two continents between January 1, 2025, and March 30, 2026.