The Nissan Leaf has been named the Supreme Winner of the 2026 Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) awards, following a closely contested final voting round among category champions.
The electric vehicle (EV) prevailed after 86 women motoring journalists from 55 countries across five continents cast their votes to determine the ultimate winner from six category champions.
According to WWCOTY Executive President Marta García, the final voting demonstrated remarkable parity among contenders. “There was significant parity in the voting. Several models received very similar levels of support, which reflects the exceptional quality and diversity of today’s automotive industry. In the end, however, the Nissan Leaf prevailed,” García says.
The Leaf competed against the Škoda Elroq (Compact SUV), Mercedes-Benz CLA (Large Car), Hyundai Ioniq 9 (Large SUV), Toyota 4Runner (4×4), and Lamborghini Temerario (Performance Car) for the supreme title.
Practical approach wins over jury
The jury praised the Leaf’s practical and accessible approach to electric mobility, highlighting its focus on real-world usability over complex solutions.
“Consumers can say goodbye to range anxiety. The vehicle feels significantly more premium than its price suggests, and notably, the new Leaf starts at a lower price point than the original 2011 model,” says jury member Tanya Gazdik from the USA.
Serbian journalist Tina Vujanovic noted the vehicle’s versatility. “It is perfectly suited to urban driving while offering generous interior space that makes it equally capable on longer journeys. The ride is smooth and comfortable, it features the latest technologies, and, importantly, it has an appealing design,” she says.
The Leaf’s competitive pricing within its segment was also recognised by the jury. “Nissan has successfully made electric mobility and advanced safety technologies more accessible to a broader audience,” says Shereen Shabnam from Dubai.
French jury member Marie Lizak emphasised the vehicle’s well-rounded capabilities. “The Nissan Leaf delivers everything consumers expect from a modern electric vehicle: comfort, practicality and sufficient range for both daily commuting and extended trips. It truly meets the standard of a well-rounded EV, while maintaining a very reasonable price,” she says.
García explained that the voting criteria focused on real-world application rather than specifications alone. “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. The Nissan Leaf represents a mature and intelligent vision of electrification — one that makes electric mobility truly usable and accessible,” she says.
About the awards
Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year is the only automotive awards group comprised exclusively of women motoring journalists. Created by New Zealand journalist Sandy Myhre in 2009, the organisation aims to recognise the best vehicles while giving visibility to women in the automotive industry.
The awards assess vehicles based on the same principles that guide drivers when choosing a car, with jurors not selecting a “woman’s car” as the organisation maintains that cars are not gender-specific.
García says the strong competition in this year’s awards demonstrates how manufacturers worldwide are raising standards across all segments, reflecting the broader transformation of the automotive sector where electrification, sustainability and user-centred design have become fundamental pillars.
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