Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) has announced six category winners for 2026, with vehicles ranging from the electric Nissan Leaf to the traditional Toyota 4Runner recognised by an international jury of 84 women motoring journalists from 54 countries.
The awards evaluated 55 candidates that were new models launched in at least two continents or 40 countries between January and December 2025. Electric vehicles dominated four of the six categories, reflecting the automotive sector’s continued shift towards electrification despite global trade tensions.
The Nissan Leaf won the compact car category, with WWCOTY describing it as “a 100% electric vehicle designed for realistic and accessible everyday use” that offers “one of the most intuitive electric driving experiences on the market.”
In the compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) category, the Škoda Elroq claimed victory. The electric SUV offers power outputs ranging from 170 to 286 horsepower and can achieve more than 500 kilometres of driving range under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).
The Mercedes-Benz CLA secured the large car category as “a premium compact sedan with a coupé-style silhouette and cutting-edge technology,” while the Hyundai Ioniq 9 won the large SUV category as “a large electric SUV designed for families and long-distance travel.”
Traditional powertrains claimed two categories, with the Toyota 4Runner winning the 4×4 segment and the Lamborghini Temerario taking the performance car category. The 4Runner was recognised as “a classic body-on-frame off-road vehicle designed for demanding use away from asphalt” that prioritises robustness and mechanical reliability.
Special awards recognised broader industry contributions, with Renault receiving the Best Technology Award for developing electric platforms that optimise weight, space and efficiency. Ford received the Sandy Myhre Award for its commitment to gender equality, recognising the company’s female leadership programs and work-life balance policies.
“In our voting, we have focused on vehicles that stand out not only for their figures or technology, but for how effectively they respond to people’s real, everyday needs,” said Marta García, Executive President of WWCOTY.
García said electrification, digitalisation and sustainability are now essential requirements rather than trends. “Each candidate was analysed from multiple perspectives, with particular attention paid to safety, functionality, comfort and overall value,” she said.
The six category winners will now advance to a final round to determine the overall Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year title, which will be announced during International Women’s Day week in March on the WWCOTY YouTube channel.
Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year is the only automotive awards group comprised exclusively of women motoring journalists. It was created by New Zealand motoring journalist Sandy Myhre in 2009, with the organisation stating its mission is to provide independent expert assessment of the automotive sector and give visibility to women in the automotive world.
The voting criteria consider safety, quality, price, design, ease of driving, benefits and environmental footprint, with jurors not selecting a “woman’s car” because cars are not gender specific.
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