• by Tanya Gazdik , Staff Writer, 5 hours ago

There’s one thing that holds constant in the automotive world — manufacturers love awards.

Indeed, TV spots, print ads and auto show stands will tout this year’s awards repeatedly for the next year.

Two of the most prestigious are the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year and the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year.

The Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) has selected the six category winners for its 2026 edition, after evaluating 55 models in a global context shaped by electrification, technological innovation, and major challenges facing the automotive industry.

The winners are Nissan Leaf — Best Compact Car,  Škoda 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.

Next up, the 84 jurors from 54 countries — myself included — will vote for the one of the category winner to be crowned Supreme Winner. The overall winner will be announced on March 5, three days before International Women’s Day.

WWCOTY also recognized Renault for Best Tech Award and Ford for the Sandy Myhre Award, in recognition for its commitment to women.

Despite months marked by global trade tensions, the automotive sector has continued to move clearly towards electrification, while welcoming an increasing number of brands and models. This growing diversity has required an even greater effort from the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year jury to assess an expanding range of vehicles and technologies.

“This year, we have awarded cars that truly connect with people’s real lives,” says Marta García, president of WWCOTY. “Sustainability and technology are no longer optional — they are the starting point." 

Meanwhile the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) winners were revealed as the award winners last week at the Detroit Auto Show.  The winners were the Dodge Charger, Ford Maverick Lobo and Hyundai Palisade.

The organization calls the awards “the definitive roadmap for new-car shoppers.” 

NACTOY jurors — 50 professional automotive journalists from a wide variety of print, online, radio and television media outlets in the United States and Canada — have spent the last year test driving, researching and evaluating vehicles on criteria including automotive innovation, design, safety, performance, technology, driver satisfaction, user experience and value. 

Founded in 1994, the NACTOY awards are the longest-running new-vehicle awards not associated with a single publication.

Congrautlations to all the winners.