The BMW iX3 has been named both the 2026 World Car of the Year and 2026 World Electric Vehicle at the World Car Finals powered by Brembo, announced at the New York International Auto Show.
The double victory marks BMW’s second consecutive World Car of the Year nomination and brings the German manufacturer’s total awards to eleven in the program’s 22-year history. BMW’s previous World Car of the Year winner was the 3-Series in 2006, while the BMW iX was named to the Top Three in the World last year.
A jury of 98 distinguished international automotive journalists from 33 countries selected the BMW iX3 from an initial field of 58 contenders through secret ballot. The results were tabulated by KPMG, with the final three nominees being the BMW iX3, Hyundai Palisade, and Nissan Leaf.
The iX3 represents the first production model of BMW’s Neue Klasse platform, which the company positions as the beginning of a new era for the brand.
“We are delighted by this outstanding result for the BMW iX3, the first production model of the Neue Klasse,” said Mike Reichelt, Head of Neue Klasse at BMW.
“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.”
Reichelt said the iX3 represents the next generation of BMW’s driving experience, with innovations from the Neue Klasse set to benefit the company’s entire product portfolio across 40 new or updated models planned for the next year.
To qualify for the World Car Awards, vehicles must be produced in volumes of at least 10,000 units per year, priced below luxury-car levels in their primary markets, and available in at least two major markets across two continents between January 1 2025 and March 30 2026.
Mark Schienberg, president of the New York International Auto Show, said the World Car Awards serve as a global benchmark for automotive excellence by recognising vehicles and technologies driving industry progress.
Daniele Schillaci, chief executive of award sponsor Brembo, congratulated winners across all six award categories, saying the recognitions honour vehicles that set new benchmarks in innovation, performance and design.
The World Car Awards program, now in its 22nd year, has been the number one awards program globally for 13 consecutive years in terms of media reach and analysis of top global markets.
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