Women's Worldwide Car of the Year 2026 crowns six standout winners ahead of final reveal
The Women's Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) has revealed its six category winners for 2026. A panel of 84 female automotive journalists from 54 countries tested dozens of new vehicles before selecting the best in each class. The overall winner will be announced on March 8 via YouTube.
The awards, now in their 15th year, recognise excellence in safety, performance, technology, comfort, and value for money. This edition saw 55 vehicles evaluated by the jury, which has grown from just eight members in 2009 to 84 today.
The six category winners are the Nissan Leaf (Best Compact Car), Skoda Elroq (Best Compact SUV), Mercedes-Benz CLA (Best Large Car), Hyundai Ioniq 9 (Best Large SUV), Toyota 4Runner (Best 4x4), and Lamborghini Temerario (Best Performance Car). Among these, the Nissan Leaf was also named the supreme winner.
Founded by New Zealand motoring journalist Sandy Myhre in 2009, the WWCOTY aims to amplify women's voices in the automotive industry. This year, Ford received the Sandy Myhre Award for its ongoing commitment to gender equality.
The announcement of the overall winner will take place on March 8, broadcast live on YouTube. The awards continue to highlight women's perspectives in car design and innovation while promoting gender equality in the sector. Each winning vehicle was chosen after months of rigorous testing by the global jury.
