The Used Car Awards are the Oscars of the industry, and winning a gong is no easy task. But, as the old phrase goes, you can’t win the raffle without buying a ticket!

The glitzy event will once again be sponsored by headline partner Black Horse, as well as a host of other big names who are continuing to support the event.

The 2026 ceremony will also be returning to The Brewery in central London, hosted by Mr Wheeler Dealer himself, Mike Brewer, on November 30.

The black-tie event will also feature pre-dinner drinks and a post-awards fun casino, both sponsored by Cazoo. There will also be a special After Party, courtesy of RAC.

• Used Car Awards 2025: Who won what at this year’s event?

Here are the other key dates for your diary:

• Nominations close: Monday, September 28
• Nominations (long list) revealed: Monday, October 5
• Shortlist revealed: Monday, October 19
• Awards night: Monday, November 30

To be in with a chance of a trophy, our nominations form needs to be completed and the process couldn’t be any more straightforward!

All you need to do is select the category that you’d like to nominate yourself or someone else for on the form and supply the requested details.

From there, all entries will be judged by our Car Dealer experts, who will whittle them down to a nominations list.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

The nominees will then be subjected to further judging before a final five go through to the big night, when the winners and highly commendeds will be announced.

The judging process includes our rigorous mystery shopping, which secretly checks how dealers handle inquiries – meaning that anyone hoping to make the shortlist will have to stay on the ball all the time.

A full list of the categories in which dealers can vote can be found below. For suppliers and companies wishing to sponsor categories there are still a handful of opportunities available – but don’t hang around. Contact us now to discuss.

• Dealers’ Dealer — Dealerkit
• Service & Repair Outlet — sponsorship available
• Used EV Dealer of the Year — Warranty Wise
• Social Media User — sponsorship available
• Use of Video — sponsorship available
• Used Car Website — Visitor Chat
• Used Car Online Sales Experience — Central Car Auctions
• Specialist Used Car Dealership — sponsorship available
• Used Car Sales Team — sponsorship available
• Used Car Dealer Principal — sponsorship available
• Future Star — Northridge Finance
• Used Car Customer Care and sub categories — RAC Dealer Network
• Used Car Supermarket — Cazoo
• Newcomer Dealership — Jigsaw Finance
• Used Commercial Vehicle Dealer — Close Brothers Motor Finance
• Days To Turn Award — Autotrader
• Diversity & Inclusion — sponsorship available
• Headline Sponsorship — Black Horse
• Used Car Dealership: Up To 50 Cars — Black Horse
• Used Car Dealership: 51–100 Cars — Black Horse
• Used Car Dealership: Over 100 Cars — Black Horse
• Used Car Dealership Group — Black Horse
• Outstanding Achievement — AA Cars
• Lifetime Achievement — Gardx

We’ll also be naming the best used cars in six categories – Small Car, Mid-Sized Car, Executive Car, Sports Car, SUV and AFV – plus the overall Used Car of the Year from those six.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Car Dealer founder James Baggott said: ‘The Car Dealer Used Car Awards are all about recognising the very best in a fast-moving and highly competitive industry.

‘Every year, we see dealers raising standards through great customer service, smart use of technology and a real commitment to doing things properly.

‘For 2026, we’re looking forward to celebrating the businesses that continue to push the sector forward and set the benchmark for others to follow.

‘I’d encourage all dealers to get their nominations in and make sure their achievements are recognised.’

Speaking ahead of the event, Brewer added: ‘I’ve spent my life around cars and the people who sell them, and I know just how much hard work goes into running a great dealership.

‘That’s why I love being part of the Car Dealer Used Car Awards — they celebrate the real stars of the motor trade.

‘I’m really looking forward to getting back on stage for 2026, meeting the finalists and hearing their stories. If you think you’ve got what it takes, get your nominations in — I can’t wait to see who’ll be taking home the trophies this year!’

Car Dealer wants everyone to enjoy themselves at the Used Car Awards and wishes to emphasise that all its events are inclusive. Any kind of offensive behaviour – verbal or physical – will not be tolerated. Those booking tickets assume full responsibility for the behaviour of their attendees.

The survey is open now and will close on June 11. It only takes a few minutes to fill out, so get voting now!

Winners and highly commended placed firms will be named in 23 supplier categories, with the best car manufacturers to represent and the car of the year also being revealed on July 14.

You can watch last year’s Car Dealer Power by clicking the video at the top of this story or read more here.

• Cast your vote in Car Dealer Power 2026

Along with naming the best car manufacturer to represent and the car of the year, the industry’s best suppliers are also honoured.

From the best protection firms to finance providers, all sectors are covered and allow dealers to air their views on the best – and the worst.

The supplier categories are listed below and the winner of each receives a prestigious Car Dealer Power trophy.

Any car dealer can vote in the Car Dealer Power awards, while independents can skip straight to naming the best suppliers to do business with, and it only takes a few minutes.

As an extra bonus for filling out the survey this year, respondents will be in with a chance to win some Apple prizes*…

1st place: Apple Watch Series 11

Two runner-up prizes: Apple Airpods 4

• Cast your vote in Car Dealer Power 2026

• Cleaning Product
• Recruitment Agency
• Used Car Valuations
• Consumer Lead Generation
• Dealer Management System
• Website Provider for Independent Dealers
• Website Provider for Franchised Dealers
• Provenance Checks
• Warranties
• Paint Protection
• Auction House
• Online Advertiser for New Cars
• Consumer to Trade Stock Acquisition Platform
• Online Advertiser for Used Cars
• Trade Insurance – NEW FOR 2026
• Finance (Sub-Prime)
• Finance (Prime)
• Personalised Video
• Extra Mile Award
• Product Innovation
• Trade to Trade Stock Acquisition Platform
• AI Product
• Data Insight

The winners will then be announced in a special video to be broadcast at 2pm on July 14.

*For full competition terms and conditions, click here.

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• Read the latest digital issue of Car Dealer Magazine

Autocar Great Women is an initiative held in association with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) to celebrate the achievements of the most influential women from across the motoring sector.

At this year's ceremony, held at the Stellantis UK headquarters in Coventry on 16 April, we recognised the influence of 108 inspiring female leaders in 11 categories, including executive, vehicle development, sales, PR and communications and talent. 

Each category's shortlist was topped by an overall winner, as determined by a panel of Autocar and SMMT judges, with Brankin topping the Executive category and being named the overall winner of Autocar Great Women 2026. You can read about the achievements of all the shortlisted candidates and category winners on our dedicated website. 

Brankin was promoted to the position of UK chair at Ford’s national sales company in August 2023 in addition to the responsibility of being managing director of Ford of Britain and Ireland, a role she took on in November 2020. Brankin’s posting to the very top position within this key Ford market – its largest in Europe – was the pinnacle of more than 20 successful years rising through the ranks of the brand. 

Originally from Northern Ireland, Brankin graduated from the University of Ulster in 1990 and joined Ford as graduate trainee in the same year. She quickly moved into senior positions, including director of dealer operations; marketing manager for dealers and consumers; and communications, events and sponsorship manager. 

In more recent years, Brankin was promoted to marketing director, before becoming sales director, then in 2019 she was promoted to director of passenger cars, overseeing all of Ford’s sales and marketing in Britain and Ireland. 

During her time at the company, she has overseen Ford’s shift away from its traditional position of passenger car leader to a company with greater focus on the more profitable sales of light commercial vehicles, where Ford remains number one.

Accepting her award, Brankin said: "I’m incredibly honoured to have been inducted into the Hall of Fame at this year’s Great Women Awards and want to thank Autocar for this very special recognition.

"What makes this even more meaningful is seeing so many brilliant Ford colleagues recognised alongside me. Their passion, talent and leadership help shape the future of our business and our industry every day.

"Congratulations to everyone recognised and thank you again to Autocar for a fantastic event and for championing women in the automotive industry."

With this her second overall Great Women victory, Brankin joins the initiative's Hall of Fame, alongside other Great Women who have won multiple times, including Stellantis's Alison Jones, McLaren's Helen Foord and BMW's Michelle Roberts. 

Haymarket Automotive managing director Rachael Prasher said: "I offer my warmest celebrations to our 2026 honourees and the remarkable leaders recognised this year. The extraordinary calibre and multifaceted skillsets found across every corner of the automotive landscape are truly inspiring. 

"As we accelerate through this era of total industry evolution, such pioneering spirit and plurality of vision have become the indispensable cornerstones of our collective success - and it's laying the foundations for a whole new generation of amazing female leaders."

Autocar editor Mark Tisshaw added: "The Autocar Great Women initiative is vital, because it shines a necessary spotlight on the brilliant female talent redefining our industry’s future.

"These winners are far more than high achievers; they are truly inspirational trailblazers whose dedication breaks barriers. By celebrating their success, we ensure the next generation sees that a rewarding, limit-free career in automotive is firmly within reach."

Autocar Great Women 2026 is proudly sponsored by Bentley, IM Group, JLR, Keyloop, Nissan, NTT Data, Stellantis and Volvo Cars.

Read about the initiative and all the 2026 winners here.

• BMW‘s iX3 took home two trophies at the 2026 World Car Awards.
• Lucid’s Gravity SUV beat the Cadillac Vistiq for a major global title.
• Gas-powered cars didn’t win a single category at this year’s event.

Electric vehicles have dominated the World Car Awards as they’ve won every single category this year. This is hardly surprising as many of the finalists were EVs, but it likely won’t alleviate criticism.

Top honors went to the BMW iX3 which was named 2026 World Car of the Year as well as World Electric Vehicle. In the former category, it beat out the redesigned Hyundai Palisade and Nissan Leaf. The Leaf was also up for being named World Electric Vehicle, but it and the Mercedes CLA lost to the German crossover.

More: Ford Won North American Truck Of The Year With A Trim

Speaking of luxury brands, the Lucid Gravity was named World Luxury Car. The electric crossover, which offers up to 450 miles (724 km) of range, bested the Cadillac Vistiq and Volvo ES90.

That brings us to the most controversial award, which is World Performance Car. Here, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N beat the BMW M2 CS and Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray.

While a 641 hp (478 kW / 650 PS) Hyundai is certainly impressive, is it really more of a performance car than a 523 hp (390 kW / 530 PS) coupe that accelerates from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.7 seconds and laps the Nordschleife in 7:25.534? The E-Ray, on the other hand, has all-wheel drive, an EV-only mode, and a combined output of 655 hp (488 kW / 664 PS).

Since you’re probably still stewing over that, we’ll finish up with the two categories little care about. World Urban Car went to the Nio Firefly, which beat out the Hyundai Venue as well as the Baojun Yep Plus / Chevrolet Spark EUV.

There’s also World Car Design of the Year, which was apparently decided by Mr. Magoo. The Mazda 6e / EZ-6 took home the prize as it won over the Kia PV5 and Volvo ES90. None of them are particularly pretty, but the 6e isn’t too shabby and the finalists were chosen by a design panel of people you’ve probably never heard of before.

2026 World Car Awards

World Car of the Year BMW iX3 World Electric Vehicle BMW iX3 World Luxury Car Lucid Gravity World Performance Car Hyundai Ioniq 6 N World Urban Car Nio Firefly Car Design of the Year Mazda 6e / EZ-6

The BMW iX3 beat two other finalists: the Hyundai Palisade and Nissan Leaf.

It succeeds 2025’s World Car of the Year, the Kia EV3.

The WCOTY jury comprises 98 international journalists from 33 countries, including Motoring Research’s Richard Aucock representing the UK.

The competition began in earnest last November, at the annual Los Angeles test drives event. This 11th edition of the awards saw 35 jurors from 15 countries testing cars – again, including Motoring Research’s Richard Aucock.

The first round of voting was completed in December, with the top 10 and top five cars announced in early January 2026. The 2026 World Car Person was announced in February, ahead of a second round of voting by the jurors – with the 2026 Top 3 in the World revealed in early March.

All votes were validated by KPMG, World Car Awards tabulation partner for more than two decades.

World Car Awards 2026

In the World Car Design category, 90 vehicles were eligible. A panel of seven design experts reviewed them all and established a shortlist, which the jurors then voted on.

The Mazda 6e emerged as the winner, pipping the Kia PV5 and Volvo ES90. It is the third time Mazda has won the World Car Design title.

When every penny counts, urban cars are essential transport – and the world’s best deliver so much more. The top three contenders were the Baojun Yep Plus/Chevrolet Spark EV, Firefly (Chinese marque NIO’s third brand) and the Hyundai Venue. And the winner for 2026 is the Firefly.  

Global electric car sales grew by 20 percent in 2025 alone, and one in four new cars sold is now an EV. World Electric Car aims to find the best of them, and the top three for 2026 are the BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz CLA and Nissan Leaf.

The BMW iX3 – which Motoring Research has already awarded five stars in our recent review, beat its fellow finalists to be named World Electric Vehicle 2026. This made it a World Car Awards 2026 double-victor.

Performance cars are every motoring enthusiast’s dream. This year’s top three were more diverse than ever, with the BMW M2 CS, Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray and Hyundai Ioniq 6 N heading into the final.

And the 2026 World Performance Car winner? The outstanding Hyundai Ioniq 6 N. It follows the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, which was named 2025 World Performance Car.

The 2026 World Luxury Car category saw the Cadillac Vistiq, Lucid Gravity and Volvo ES90 named the top three finalists. It was the Lucid Gravity that emerged as the 2026 victor.

2026 World Car Person, BMW’s Oliver Zipse, was also honoured during the ceremony at the New York International Auto Show.

World Car Awards winners 2026: full list

• World Car Design 2026: Mazda 6e
• World Urban Car 2026: Firefly
• World Electric Car 2026: BMW iX3
• World Performance Car 2026: Hyundai Ioniq 6 N
• World Luxury Car 2026: Lucid Gravity
• World Car of the Year 2026: BMW iX3

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The 24 award winners were selected from 508 women nominated by their colleagues through the Auto30Club’s Who Inspires You Campaign.

The Auto30Club said these winners are ‘consciously and intentionally inclusive, they are inspirational role models, they are trailblazers and pioneers in roles traditionally filled by men, and they are building inclusive cultures’.

At the awards ceremony, founder of the Automotive 30% Club, Julia Muir, expressed special thanks and appreciation to former chief of Arnold Clark, Eddie Hawthorne, ‘for his valuable, unwavering and continued support as a patron of the Auto30Club’.

The club says that the majority of its members are male CEOs and MDs, but while change is being driven from the top, the awards act a ‘catalyst’ for change ‘throughout companies’.

In January, the club celebrated achieving its goal of securing 30% of automotive leadership roles being filled by women five years early.

Commenting on the awards, Muir said: ‘The Inspiring Automotive Women award winners are truly Changing the Game in automotive.

‘Amongst them were many who are the first – the first woman on the board, the first woman in a senior executive role, the first woman to fill a technical role that traditionally only men do.

‘They are working hard to ensure they are the first of many high performing women who will follow through the hole they have smashed through that glass ceiling.

‘Gemma Benbow, the Inspiring Automotive Woman of the Year has made an incredible impact at Kia UK, where, as the first and only female director she is not only driving change, but also being the change. She is a transformative leader whose strategic vision and unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion has reshaped the culture of the organisation. She exemplifies the spirit of this award and is a truly inspiring Automotive Woman.

‘Congratulations to Gemma and all our IAW Award winners of 2026!’

The Auto30Club Inspiring Automotive Women Awards were sponsored by Autotrader, Close Brothers Motor Finance, Direct Affinity CX, Hyundai Capital UK, The IMI and TrustFord.

The IMI and Auto30Club Inspiring Automotive Woman of The Year Award Winner
Gemma Benbow, People and Organisation Director at Kia UK.

Auto30Club Inspiring Automotive Women 2026 Award Winners

Aliscia Burrows – Diversity and Inclusion Manager, TrustFord
Alyx Gregory – Head of Commercial Operations and Leasing, Carwow
Charnjit Saranna – Co Founder and Chief Operations Officer, EZOO
Clare Bradley – Commercial Director Motor, Close Brothers Motor Finance
Emma Johnson – Director Marketing, Toyota (GB) Plc
Gemma Benbow – People and Organisation Director, Kia UK
Gemma Tomlinson-Reynolds – Head of Retail Change, Implementation and Communication, Halfords
Georgia Spybey – Panel Technician, Solus
Hannah Yates – Head of Resourcing, Autotrader
Harriet Glover – Regional Director, Motus Commercials DAF
Heidi Physick – Chief People Officer, Oodle Car Finance
Holly Tuffnell – TPS Regional Performance Manager, VW Group UK
Katie Martin – Customer Experience Director, Group 1 Automotive
Kayleigh Smithers – Group HR Director, Johnsons Cars Ltd and Brayleys Cars Ltd
Lisa Jay – Range Rover Programme Chief, JLR
Lorraine Dodd – ISIT Director, Renault UK
Lottie Roberts – Operations Director, Direct Affinity CX
Mandisa Gordon – Finance Business Change Manager, JLR
Sarah Greaves – Director of Commercial Finance, Lithia UK
Sarah Sillars OBE HonFIMI – C-Suite and Board Advisor
Sian Hall – UK People Director, Lithia UK
Vicky Clarke – Head of Rental Operations ,Zenith Vehicles
Vicky Gardner – Retail Group Sales Director, Cox Automotive
Vikki Chauntry-Brooks – CMA General Manager, Vertu Motors

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Context:

1. The Auto30Club awards celebrate women breaking barriers in the automotive industry.

Context:

2. Recognizing these leaders fosters a more inclusive and diverse automotive workforce.

Context:

3. The Automotive 30% Club aims for 30% female representation in leadership roles, achieved early in 2026.

Top Three in the World finalists in five other categories have also been announced as part of the 2026 World Car Finals.

Notably, two of the World Car of the Year finalists are also in the running for World Electric Vehicle 2026.

The winners will be announced live at the 2026 New York International Auto Show during an awards ceremony that’s part of the opening gala.

A jury of 98 international automotive journalists from 33 countries – including Motoring Research’s Richard Aucock – selected the Top Three in the World finalists by secret ballot.

The results are tabulated by KPMG and follow the top 10 and top five finalists being announced in January 2026.  

The reigning World Car of the Year 2025 is the Kia EV3.

World Car of the Year 2026

World Electric Vehicle 2026

World Luxury Car 2026

World Performance Car 2026

World Urban Car 2026

World Car Design of the Year 2026

Acknowledged as ‘the one to win’, World Car of the Year is the biggest prize in automotive media.

World Car Awards has consistently remained the biggest automotive awards initiative in the world. Being honoured by the jury is sought-after seal of approval for car firms.

“The anticipation surrounding this year’s contenders reflects the innovation, performance and vision shaping the future of mobility,” said NYIAS president Mark Schienberg.

“We extend our congratulations to the finalists and to the World Car organisation for its continued leadership.”

Transformational BMW chief Oliver Zipse has already been named World Car Person of the Year 2026.

Under his leadership, BMW has undergone a radical transformation and is launching a bold ‘Neue Klasse’ range of cars – of which the BMW iX3 is the first to go on sale.

“Oliver Zipse has had a remarkable career at BMW,” said World Car Awards chair emeritus Jens Meiners, “steering the business through the most turbulent of times to become the strong, forward-thinking, financially secure company we see today.

“The current BMW Group product line-up is just about the best it has ever been, and BMW continues to be the brand that other carmakers look up to.

“Much of that is down to Oliver Zipse’s leadership, and therefore we are delighted to announce him as the 2026 World Car Person of the Year.”

Motoring Research’s Tim Pitt is currently driving the new BMW iX3 in the UK. Come back next week for his full car review.

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The highly coveted Volvo Retailer of the Year Awards saw 10 dealer groups from across the country recognised as the best in their area.

Volvo said the victors were chosen by ‘consistently exceeding market opportunities’ and ‘surpassing a range of consumer-focused targets during the course of the year’.

The ceremony was held on February 28 at the Park Hyatt London River Thames Hotel, hosted by Volvo Car UK ambassador and XC90 ‘faithful’, Claudia Winkleman.

The dealers were recognised across a number of categories including sales of new and used cars, customer loyalty and satisfaction and learning and development.

The businesses were also applauded for having some of the highest employee retention rates, with their teams of experts representing the Volvo brand to the highest of standards.

Taking the top title as ‘National Retailer of the Year’ was Waylands Oxford, who were recognised for their outstanding performance in new and used car sales and customer retention which ranked them the top-performing Volvo retailer in the UK – as well as achieving consistently high customer reviews.

Also receiving special recognition for their individual outstanding success during 2025 was Vertu Truro for its customer experience, and Listers Leamington Spa for providing outstanding aftersales care.

Nicole Melillo Shaw, managing director of Volvo Car UK, said: ‘Congratulations to all of this year’s winners at our Retailer of the Year Awards. It was a real privilege to recognise and celebrate the exceptional achievements of our high-performing retailers, who consistently demonstrate a deep commitment to our brand values and to delivering outstanding experiences for our customers every day.

‘Our retailers’ dedication and passion play a vital role in Volvo Car UK’s continued success, and I am excited to build on this momentum for another strong year of collaboration and results.’

Pictured top: Claudia Winkleman, Waylands Oxford team, and Nicole Melillo Shaw

These days, it feels like every website, magazine, and organization has its own annual car awards. Want to buy the most exciting new car of the year? There are all sorts of awards for that. Want to buy an SUV? There are probably at least five SUVs of the year, every year. There's a reason that's the case, too — awards get a lot of attention. People have a hard time resisting the urge to find out who won, and that's good for traffic. Traffic that's desperately needed, because putting awards together is also expensive.

As with any comparison test, though, annual awards come with plenty of their own limitations. Judges can only drive the cars that are present for the test, and if a loan falls through, the best car may not even make it into the competition. And if they only include newly released cars, you don't necessarily see how they line up against other competitors that were introduced a year or two prior. Also, pretty much every improvement you could suggest costs money these outlets and organizations very likely don't have available.

Road & Track/YouTube

Fixing the issues with awards to make them more relevant sounds complicated, but maybe the problem is that they're too broad. Too general. Best new car of the year? What does that tell you, really? That we liked this crossover better than that sedan? Neat. Maybe, to solve this, what we really need are much more specific awards, site traffic and ad revenue be damned.

What if I'm extremely passionate about turn signals and want to know which car has the best turn signal stalks? I want the best combination of material quality, feel, operation, and sound, but where am I supposed to go to find which car will make me the happiest? Not Top Gear or Car and Driver, apparently. 

What about you, though? What extremely specific car award do you wish existed? Maybe it's something that would actually help you make a decision with your next car. Maybe it's just something you find fascinating and would love to see a certain standout recognized for their good work in an area few people focus on. Whatever it is, be sure to let us know down in the comments. 

Already chosen as the winner of the Small Car Category before the final, the Renault 5 dominated the voting when it came to choosing the overall champion. 

Some 20 of the 33-strong judging panel, composed of expert automotive journalists including Motoring Research’s own Tim Pitt, voted for the Renault 5 E-Tech as their UK Car of the Year 2026.

The award joins more than 40 trophies already collected by the reborn Renault 5 since it was launched in 2024. These included winning the 2025 European Car of the Year trophy.

Electric cars were strongly represented in the final standings, with the top four spots all taken by EVs in the 2026 awards. They included the Skoda Elroq, named as the leading medium crossover, with the Kia EV4 chosen as the best family car. 

However, the Renault 5 E-Tech managed to win convincingly, despite the strong level of competition. 

“With its retro styling, the new Renault 5 tugs at the heart strings of those drivers who experienced the original,” said John Challen, co-chairman of the UK Car of the Year Awards and editor of UK Driver magazine. 

“By adding an immensely fun and entertaining drive, desirability and affordability to that nostalgic element, the French favourite pulled off a resounding victory to be crowned UK Car of the Year 2026.”

Such has been the demand for the Renault 5 E-Tech, more than 100,000 examples have already been produced at the Ampere ElectriCity plant, located in Douai, near Lille.

Adding another trophy to its list of accolades is likely to further boost Renault 5 sales in the UK. 

Adam Wood, managing director of Renault UK, said: “With so many experienced automotive journalists voting for R5 as the UK Car of the Year, the award is something we’re very proud of. 

“It has really hit the spot with retail and fleet customers – and with 2026 being the first full year of sales, plus it being one of the very few EVs to qualify for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant, R5 is well on its way to being a very common sight on our roads.”

Renault’s victory marks the fifth year in succession that an electric vehicle has claimed the top prize in the UKCOTY Awards. In fact, nine of the 13 champions since the awards began in 2014 have featured battery power.

Last year, the Kia EV3 electric compact SUV was voted the top choice by UKCOTY judges.  

For 2026, six of the eight UK Car of the Year Awards 2026 finalists were electric, all of which had already claimed honours by winning their respective categories:

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The retro-tastic electric hatchback dominated the final round of the voting process, with 20 of the 33-strong judging panel giving the car their thumbs up.

Judges, one of whom was Car Dealer associate editor James Batchelor, appreciated the car’s style, packaging, and affordability.

Giving his vote to the Renault 5, Batchelor said: ‘It does everything you want from a small car – it’s inexpensive (for an EV), efficient, good to drive, roomy enough and comfortable. But it has the want-factor in spades – not since the new Mini has a small car been so desirable and on-trend.’

The crowning of the overall winner follows the revealing of the category winners in the UK Car of the Year, sponsored by Start Rescue, competition. The victors are listed below.

Commenting on the Renault 5 taking the overall spoils, UK Car of the Year Awards co-chairman, John Challen, said: ‘With its retro styling, the new Renault 5 tugs at the heart strings of those drivers who experienced the original.’

He added: ‘By adding an immensely fun and entertaining drive, desirability and affordability to that nostalgic element, the French favourite pulled off a resounding victory to be crowned UK Car of the Year 2026.’

Accepting the winner’s trophy, Adam Wood, Renault UK managing director, said: ‘With so many experienced automotive journalists voting for R5 as the UK Car of the Year, the award is something we’re very proud of. 

‘It has really hit the spot with retail and fleet customers – and with 2026 being the first full year of sales, plus it being one of the very few EVs to qualify for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant, R5 is well on its way to being a very common sight on our roads.’ 

The judging panel is made up of 33 motoring journalists and automotive experts.

There’s no doubt that Renault has delivered an EV with the R5 which has struck a chord with buyers, with its relatively affordable price, retro-inspired look and a proper dose of fun factor.

That’s seen the Renault 5 grab a plethora of Car of the Year  Awards, including the Business COTY 2025, European COTY 2025, Top Gear COTY and Scottish COTY too.

Now the Renault 5 E-Tech adds another COTY gong to its ever-growing accolades as it’s declared the UK Car of the Year 2026.

When the category winners for the 2026 UK COTY were announced last month, it looked highly likely the R5 would grab the win after two-thirds of the voting panel declared the R5 the Best Small Car, despite strong competition.

Adam Wood, MD, Renault UK, said:

With so many experienced automotive journalists voting for R5 as the UK Car of the Year, the award is something we’re very proud of. It has really hit the spot with retail and fleet customers – and with 2026 being the first full year of sales, plus it being one of the very few EVs to qualify for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant, R5 is well on its way to being a very common sight on our roads.

In winning the UKCOTY top dog award, the R5 beat the Kia EV4 into second place and the Skoda Elroq and Alpine A290 into joint third place.

Filed Under: Car News, Renault News Tagged With: Electric Cars

The ceremony, now in its seventh year, celebrates the work of the brand’s retailers over the past 12 months, in a number of different categories.

Gongs were dished out to a number of ‘star performers’ as well as to firms that placed within the top 25 in the 2025 Mazda Sales and Aftersales leagues

With high performing scoring in metrics across the board, Edwards Mazda Kempsey achieved first place in the sales league rankings, while Romford Mazda secured the top spot as number one Aftersales Dealer for the third time.

Oakmere Mazda Northwich, winners of the overall 2025 Mazda Dealer League, took home the prize for ‘Enquiry Management’, while Newport Mazda once again claimed the award for Mazda Approved Used Car, for the third consecutive year.

Commenting on the results, Laura Brailey, sales director at Mazda UK, said: ‘The Mazda All Stars awards evening is a fantastic opportunity for Mazda UK to celebrate exceptional performances of the top performing dealers across sales, service, fleet and used cars, as well as certain hand selected star performers from each territory.

‘We recognise that delivering a strong performance across a variety of areas consistently throughout a 12-month period takes focus, resilience and passion.

‘Mazda UK is grateful to be able to host this very special awards evening so that we can thank everyone involved in contributing to the success of our brand.’

The full list of winners can be found here:

Special Recognition Awards:

Run by Autocar in association with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Great Women celebrates the achievements of the most influential women across the motoring sector, and if you know someone eligible we want to know about them by Friday 20 February.

At this year’s event, to be held on Thursday 16 April at the Stellantis UK headquarters, the Top 100 will be announced, chosen by Autocar and its panel of judges based on their seniority and level of influence.

These outstanding individuals will cover categories including marketing, retail, vehicle development and manufacturing.

There will also be an apprentice category, separate to the Top 100, to celebrate the industry’s up-and-comers. 

Enter your nominations here

Alongside them, an overall winner will be crowned. They will join a long list of distinguished previous winners, such as Stellantis’s Alison Jones, Peugeot's Linda Jackson and Ford's Lisa Brankin.

The event will also include presentations from keynote speakers, a panel debate and a networking session. 

This year is the 11th edition of the Autocar Great Women awards, which was launched in 2016. The initiative celebrates women within the automotive sector, annually switching focus between future industry leaders (as part of Autocar Great Women: Rising Stars) and the powerhouses who command the greatest influence within their fields.

Haymarket Automotive's managing director, Rachael Prasher, said: “Now in its 11th year, Autocar Great Women continues to shine a spotlight on the enormous number of talented women in our automotive industry. I am, as always, looking forward to seeing this year's entries.”

Autocar Great Women 2026 is proudly sponsored by Bentley, Keyloop, Nissan, NTT Data, SMMT, Stellantis and Volvo. 

Nominees will be invited to the prestigious awards ceremony. Spaces at the ceremony are limited, but it is open to wider members of the industry on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Please send any enquiries to autocar.events@haymarket.com

Held in Manchester, the Japanese carmaker handed out accolades to dealers for outstanding achievements across multiple performance categories.

Family-run Dales Subaru, based near Blackburn, was named the overall Retailer of the Year for 2025.

The car manufacturer said Dales’ achievements included surpassing sales targets, setting new standards for parts and accessory sales and growing its market share. It also has a ‘knowledgeable and passionate team defined by an unwavering commitment to serving their customers’.

The event also recognised outstanding performance across multiple other categories, with S & S Services securing both the Finance Retailer of the Year Award and the Sales Retailer of the Year title, and K T Green Ltd being acknowledged for Excellence in Customer Service. Russell Jones from Keith Price Garage was celebrated as Salesperson of the Year.

Lorraine Bishton, managing director, Subaru UK & Ireland, said: ‘It was a privilege to celebrate the exceptional achievements of our retailer network at our Annual Awards.

‘Dales Subaru, our Retailer of the Year, perfectly embodies the spirit of what sets our retail network apart – delivering high-quality, tailored automotive experiences in its local communities.

‘Our dealerships are the cornerstone of the Subaru experience. In an increasingly digital world, the personal service, local expertise, and genuine commitment our retailers provide matter more than ever.

‘They don’t just sell cars; they support adventures, protect families, and ensure that their customers can drive with total confidence on every journey. The success of Subaru is built on the dedication and excellence of our retail partners.’

Speaking about the award, Ross Butterworth, owner of Dales Subaru, said: ‘We are thrilled that Dales Subaru has been named Subaru UK’s Retailer of the Year. This award is a testament to our family and team’s hard work and dedication to delivering exceptional customer experiences.”

He continued: ‘As the owner of this family business, I’m proud to see our commitment to excellence recognised by Subaru UK. We’ve maintained a fantastic relationship with Subaru for over 10 years, built on trust, mutual respect and passion, values our family business shares with Subaru.’

Retailer of the Year (Overall): Dales Subaru
Retailer of the Year Region 1: Dales Subaru
Retailer of the Year Region 2: Keith Price Garage
Retailer of the Year Region 3: E O Culverwell Ltd (R/Bridge)
Finance Retailer of the Year: S & S Services
Excellence in Customer Service: K T Green Ltd
Salesperson of the Year: Russell Jones (Keith Price Garage)
Sales Retailer of the Year: S & S Services
Retailer Community Award: Jeffries of Bacton
Retailer Marketing Award: Autosales
Service Technician of the Year: Harry Pigott (Crayford & Abbs)
Aftersales Person of the Year: Connor Greenway (Desmond Eastwood Motors Ltd)
Aftersales Retailer of the Year: Roger Simpson Limited T/As Simpsons Swindon
Rising Star Award: Jimmy Milner (Zig Zag Cars Ltd T/As Tees Valley)
Newcomer of the Year: Wool and Bovington Motors Ltd

Picture: The Dales Subaru team collect their award from Subaru UK MD Lorraine Bishton

The 32 jurors from across Europe – including Motoring Research’s Richard Aucock representing the UK – awarded the ECOBEST 2026 Award to the Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric.

The award is presented to vehicles set to make a meaningful impact in terms of environmental performance and innovation. It is usually awarded a year ahead of a new car’s launch, making it perfectly timed for the planned 2027 introduction of the new Renault Twingo.

The jurors praised the Twingo’s “strong contribution to highly accessible and practical urban electromobility,” and considered it “a strong symbol of democratised electric mobility for European cities”.

Polestar has won the SMARTBEST 2026 Award for its clever integration of Google Maps’ live lane guidance directly into the driver’s display.

Debuting on the clever Polestar 4, this tech uses AI and vehicle camera data to highlight the correct lanes to take during navigation. It’s especially useful during complex merges, multi-lanes exits and heavy urban traffic, “taking the guesswork out of following sat nav instructions”.

The system is debuting first in the US and Sweden, and will follow in the UK later – Motoring Research will be among the first to test the new award-winning Polestar tech when it arrives in the UK.

The latest two awards mean all nine AUTOBEST Award categories for 2026 have been selected.

The winners will now be celebrated during an AUTOBEST Awards Ceremony in Vienna on 19 March. The lunchtime event will bring together execs and CEOs of the winning companies alongside European and international media, “to celebrate excellence and innovation in the automotive industry”.

Again, Motoring Research’s Richard Aucock will be there – come back next month for all the news from Europe’s top automotive awards initiative.

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Run by Autocar in association with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Great Women celebrates the achievements of the most influential women across the motoring sector, and if you know someone eligible we want to know about them by Friday 20 February.

At this year’s event, to be held on Thursday 16 April at the Stellantis UK headquarters, the Top 100 will be announced, chosen by Autocar and its panel of judges based on their seniority and level of influence.

These outstanding individuals will cover categories including marketing, retail, vehicle development and manufacturing.

There will also be an apprentice category, separate to the Top 100, to celebrate the industry’s up-and-comers. 

Enter your nominations here

Alongside them, an overall winner will be crowned. They will join a long list of distinguished previous winners, such as Stellantis’s Alison Jones, Peugeot's Linda Jackson and Ford's Lisa Brankin.

The event will also include presentations from keynote speakers, a panel debate and a networking session. 

This year is the 11th edition of the Autocar Great Women awards, which was launched in 2016. The initiative celebrates women within the automotive sector, annually switching focus between future industry leaders (as part of Autocar Great Women: Rising Stars) and the powerhouses who command the greatest influence within their fields.

Haymarket Automotive's managing director, Rachael Prasher, said: “Now in its 11th year, Autocar Great Women continues to shine a spotlight on the enormous number of talented women in our automotive industry. I am, as always, looking forward to seeing this year's entries.”

Autocar Great Women 2026 is proudly sponsored by Bentley, Keyloop, Nissan, NTT Data, SMMT, Stellantis and Volvo. 

Nominees will be invited to the prestigious awards ceremony. Spaces at the ceremony are limited, but it is open to wider members of the industry on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Please send any enquiries to autocar.events@haymarket.com

This year, the Mercedes-Benz CLA saloon took home the honours in the 63rd running of the competition that aims to officially identify the best cars on sale.

In a competitive field up against the likes of the Fiat Grande Panda, Kia EV4, Renault 4, Skoda Elroq, Citroen C5, and Dacia Bigster, the Mercedes came out on top with 320 points.

This marks the first time Mercedes has been given the title for 52 years, after it initially won with the 450 SE/SEL in 1974.

In a statement marking the car’s victory, the official Car of the Year judges said: “The Car Of The Year award celebrates its 63rd edition this year and has done so by returning a premium brand to the top.

“This year's edition was more competitive than ever, given that all the finalist models had electrified features, and most of them were 100% electric.”

Second behind the Mercedes was the Skoda Elroq on 220 points, and coming in third was the Kia EV4 with 208 points. The Mercedes takes over the title from the Renault 5 EV that won last year.

After the victory, Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG remarked: “The new CLA was named Car of the Year 2026 — a proud moment for Mercedes Benz.

“Jurors from across Europe have confirmed what our customers have been telling us: the CLA is a game-changer, delivering outstanding efficiency and effortless intelligence.”

As well as coming in an all electric form, the CLA can also be purchased as a hybrid or as an estate car, or shooting brake, as it is sometimes referred to.

It is one of many cars that can be purchased as either a hybrid or an all electric vehicle, as manufacturers continue to deal with the transition away from fossil fuels and the difficulties therein.

Recent data has suggested that despite the government’s best intentions, there has been a brief slowdown in electric car uptake with recent figures from the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) showing a drop in share compared with last year.

In a statement, they said: "Uptake of battery electric vehicles rose just 0.1% to 29,654 units – delivering a 20.6% market share, the lowest since April 2025.

“The decrease follows a strong 2025 January performance when uptake was pulled forward as buyers sought to avoid April’s introduction of new tax rates on BEVs....The largest growth was again recorded in plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), rising 47.3% to account for 12.9% of registrations.”

Hyundai came close to a three-peat as The Drive’s Best EV of 2026. In 2023, the Ioniq 6 took the win for its well-rounded performance, followed by the Ioniq 5 N in 2024 for its ability to add real character to the EV driving experience. This year, the Ioniq 9 didn’t take top honors, though it competed against heavyweights like the Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, the Rivian R1T Quad, and the Nissan Leaf. (Though the Santa Fe SUV emerged victorious in our Hybrid category.)

Other than being electric, our four nominees share little in common. From family haulers to performance off-roaders, each serves very different crowds. What makes the competition challenging is that every nominee delivers at the top of its segment. In the end, the humblest of the bunch took home the trophy.

“From the Chiclet-like LED lights to its overall shape, it stands out and looks like nothing else on the road. It feels familiar yet new in both look and functionality, and it’s electric with the right amount of range, which is the future. The Sticking Point: It’s not cheap, and it pushes Hyundai into a new pricing bracket.

“A standout driving dynamic during my weeklong test was the suspension tuning, and mostly for good reasons. The MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear use passive fixed dampers that are shockingly well-tuned. Body motions are almost always controlled and fluid. The bushings almost feel, or I imagine, like they were pulled from a Lexus parts bin from the 90s. The Ioniq 9 shames the Lexus TX’s ride quality, feels far more premium than any Hyundai has a right to, and at first blush, matches that of the sublime Cadillac Lyriq in most ways.

“The price bracket this Hyundai is playing in pits it against the Audi Q6 E-Tron and Cadillac Lyriq. Interestingly, the Ioniq 9 is a better family vehicle than those two EVs, with more space and three rows of seats. The Ioniq 9’s interior and exterior design are more interesting to look at and easier to use than the Audi’s. Though the Cadillac Lyriq is a winner in its own right as a rolling design statement, it can only seat five.” –Joel Feder, Director of Content and Product

“Like all modern Porsches, the Taycan 4S is swift and smooth. But I think the crux of what made the car so pleasant is how well it manages its weight. The vehicle feels very substantial below you—no surprise there, since it weighs 2.5 tons. However, it feels planted, not cumbersome.

“The Taycan Cross Turismo feels like a spaceship; it’s a relaxing daily driver, but it’s still definitely a Porsche. It’s also simultaneously shouty while remaining classy. Anyone looking at it will be able to tell it’s an expensive car, but the fender flares and wagon configuration soften the showboater vibes. You ride into town on a quiet cloud of good taste with this thing, rather than a tornado of hostile elitism (looking at you, G-Wagens).

“Value’s tricky when it comes to P cars—and my Taycan 4S Cross Turismo started at $125,200 but climbed to $165,655 after options. I already called out the options I think are worth springing for—but if deviated stitching or special colors turn you on, your local Porsche dealer will be thrilled to host you. Even after the jump-scare upcharges, this Taycan more than holds its own against other cars at that price point (or higher) in terms of all-around automotive excellence.” –Andrew P. Collins, Executive Editor

“The R1T pickup and R1S SUV sit atop the lineup as the range-topping models. The new four-motor variants also debut a native NACS charging port that’s standard across the lineup for 2026. But it’s the extra motors, new software tricks, and pricing that set the R1 Quads apart from the rest. Oh, and did I mention 1,025 horsepower and 2.5-second zero to 60 (2.6 for R1S)?

“The RAD Tuner (Rivian Adventure Department) is, for now, a Quad exclusive. It’s a new powertrain tool that allows the driver to completely modify everything from power split and wheel spin to roll stiffness and damping. In all, 10 variables can be modified independently and saved for future use. It’s ridiculously cool, beyond anything another production vehicle has today, and takes custom powertrain and vehicle dynamics settings to an entirely new level.

“Almost no one needs an R1T Quad. This amount of power and performance is completely over the top, and the price premium of about $15,000 over a Tri-Motor will be hard to justify for most. But these aren’t rational times, and the Quad is not a rational vehicle.” –Joel Feder, Director of Content and Product

Who doesn’t love a good underdog story? When it launched in 2010, the Nissan Leaf was the first affordable, mass-market EV—a humble little hatchback. Now, it’s finally moved with the times. The shift to a crossover brings more space, but the bigger story is everything else: sharper styling, better tech, and improved range.

Outside, the new Leaf didn’t just get a redesign. It received a complete transformation for the modern era. Clean lines, an intriguing silhouette, and bold wheels give it real presence (right down to taillights that nod to the Nissan Z). It is the kind of EV you want to see out on the road, breaking up the sea of Teslas and Ioniqs. Finished in playful colors like the Seabreeze Blue Pearl I tested, it is more than capable of doing precisely that.

And that playfulness carries on to the driving experience. Driven through the San Diego countryside, the Leaf was a genuine joy, looking like a crossover but handling more like the hatchback it once was. Comfortable ride quality, engaging acceleration, and a simple, practical interior are complemented by excellent visibility, making the Leaf an exceptional journeyman’s EV. Features such as a dimming panoramic sunroof feel lifted from luxury EVs that cost over twice as much. Starting around $30k for the S+ trim with an estimated 303 miles of range, the Leaf enters the crossover EV ring with absolute confidence.

It seems Nissan has turned over a new Leaf, both literally and figuratively, marking a full-circle moment for the brand’s EV experiment. What began as a mainstream electric hatch has matured into something genuinely desirable. That remarkable transformation is what makes the Leaf The Drive’s EV of 2026.

Cy is The Drive’s Social Media Manager, overseeing operations on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and more.

Car Buying Service

This year’s crop is largely a salute to a simpler formula. Sure, there’s a hybrid in there, but a rear-engined one. It sits alongside a drop-top Aston Martin, a longroof legend, and, of course, our six-speed sovereign. These aren’t the cars we get to drive every day, but a little time behind the wheel of one of these will quickly put your daily grind in the rearview.

Behold the four best performance cars we drove in the last 12 months, and the one that beat them all: the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.

“I will admit, I felt a little skittish burbling through Manhattan in a convertible car this loud—and I’m not just talking about the exhaust. There were quite a few eyes on me while I idled at stoplights. I assume those who noticed me were trying to figure out if my dad was famous or what—but this is not a machine for a wallflower.”

“Things got a lot more comfortable when I started steaming up alongside the Hudson River. The Vanquish ride is not plush, but it is compliant. NYC potholes are pretty rough, but I didn’t hit anything jarring while leaving the city.”

“Once I broke out of the boroughs, I stepped on the throttle a little more and felt the absolute abundance of power accompanied by an insistent intensity of the titanium exhaust note. The exhaust has a loud-mode button, but it’s not as instantly dramatic as similar systems I’ve tested on Porsches and other vehicles. Idle, low-speed loping, and free-revs sound pretty much the same, until you get hard on the gas and the open-valve setting is triggered by a little button on the dash. Then the engine note becomes downright dastardly.” –Andrew P. Collins, Executive Editor

“As with all the best toys, the RS6 experience begins before you even unlock the car.

“I found the wagon waiting for me in a corner of a concrete citadel parking garage. Just sitting static, it has a loitering crocodile vibe that is menacing and just deeply badass. Listening to the hum of the fluorescent light and clip-clop of my wife’s shoes, I felt like Jason Statham walking up to this thing. And when I hit the key fob to see the headlights do a little power-up ceremony? Couldn’t have hell-yeah’d harder.

“That feeling of heroism mostly carried on as I proceeded to put a few hundred miles on the car over the course of a week. People buy cars like this to feel cool, powerful, and important and as far as delivering on those fronts, the RS6 is perfect. The dashboard looks like a sci-fi warship. The exhaust note is mellifluous. The seats are comfortable and the stereo can boil your organs. If it doesn’t do the trick, even with every seat full, launching the vehicle from a stop pulls guts back towards the cargo bay.

“Driving the RS6 as most supercars are primarily used—lumbering around in nice-neighborhood traffic—is a pain in the ass. I mean, all the above very much applies at low speeds. I still felt like a high-class hitman idling between stoplights. That feeling stops, however, when pulling into gas stations or parking lots, where the length and lowness of the car require extreme care to keep the chin from scraping. And you certainly won’t feel very badass while parking and the proximity sensors scream like a pearl-clutching grandma when you get within a meter of a curb.” –Andrew P. Collins, Executive Editor

“If you care about the numbers, here they are: the new S will hit 60 mph from a standstill in just 3.1 seconds and will continue to a top speed of 191 mph when equipped with the Sport Chrono package. It’ll do the quarter-mile in 11.4 seconds, though Porsche didn’t reveal the trap speed. The Cabriolet comes in a fraction behind the coupe at 3.3 seconds to 60, the same top speed, and 11.6 seconds for the quarter-mile.

“You’ll probably hear a few people complain about the new 911’s push-button start, how the gauge cluster is fully digital now, or how a manual isn’t offered. None of it really matters. If you’re looking for the perfect balance of pure driving enjoyment, sportiness, and comfort, the S nails it. Sure, you could spend even more money because your buddy at the gym has a GTS, and he is always bragging about how fast it is. Nonsense, your buddy is probably a terrible driver anyway.

“The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera S isn’t an entirely new animal, but its updates are considerable and worthy of your money. Yes, you can save a bit of cash and go for the base car—which isn’t a bad idea at all—but hey, you’ve worked this hard and saved up some dough. What’s an extra 26 grand to get the Sweet one of the bunch?” –Jerry Perez, Deputy Editor

Back in the summer of ’21, after completing lap after sweaty lap in a Cadillac’s new Blackwings at Virginia International Raceway, I scratched two words into my notebook and underlined them: “Peak oil.“

That wasn’t even five years ago, but the world has changed a lot in the interim. We were promised that the CT4- and CT5-V Blackwing would be the end of the road for Cadillac’s internal-combustion performance cars. Fun would return, we were assured, but it would take a different (read: electrified) form. So much for that.

Technically, the CT5-V Blackwing has changed too—otherwise, it wouldn’t have been eligible for this honor in the first place. A nicely executed interior refresh and a new track-oriented “Precision Package” are the highlights of an otherwise same-same spec sheet. And as we learned, that package offers more than just the vague promise of better performance:

“Hitting the brakes and turning left in the Precision Package for the first time made me go ‘Huh?’ The 15.67-inch front carbon ceramic rotors don’t even break a sweat slowing the hefty sedan down from 120-plus to 70 mph in a matter of seconds, and neither do the Michelin Pilot Cup 2 R tires. It almost feels like child’s play. Even with Taylor’s higher speeds and more aggressive braking, still not a hint of fade or vibration. This is the compounding effect that weight savings has on handling, whether you’re accelerating, braking, or cornering. At 4,123 pounds for the manual or 4,142 for the automatic, the Blackwing isn’t a lightweight machine, yet it’s 1,267 pounds lighter than that new plug-in hybrid BMW M5.

“Right away, the Precision package feels deliciously different—stiffer but not in an unforgiving way. The body stays so flat through the corners that it simultaneously reveals there’s way more body roll in the regular Blackwing than I had originally processed. This sharpness and stability only translate into better handling and even more phenomenal steering. Still a beast to wrangle but one that’s laser-focused on slicing through corners like its Cadillac Racing siblings.

“And at the end of the day, that’s where a lot of this technology comes from. After two years of watching Cadillac tackle the 24 Hours of Le Mans, speaking with engineers, designers, and the very people who race these things, it’s undeniable that a lot of what makes the Precision Package so phenomenal is derived from the company’s racing experience. As chief engineer Brandon Vivian likes to say, “If it doesn’t make the car faster or better on the track, then it doesn’t go on the car.” –Jerry Perez, Deputy Editor

Precision package or otherwise, the CT5-V Blackwing is still a 668-horsepower, six-speed, eight-cylinder sedan in a world full of ‘roid-raging hatchbacks masquerading as 4x4s. This is the car the new BMW M5 could have been—had the last five years gone very differently, anyway—and that’s why it’s The Drive‘s 2026 Best Performance Car.

Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com

Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories.

Car Buying Service

The 626-horsepower desert conqueror was measured against a handful of our top-rated SUV standouts—one normie, one luxury, one EV, and one family-focused everyday driver, and a few dozen more throughout the year. Each of those earned high scores from our staff, but the Landy won out. I feel like that’s saying something, too, considering how insanely popular these big rides are in the U.S. of A.

I’ll spill some more ink on the Octa soon enough, but before that, these SUVs below were its fiercest rivals.

“You know how just about every new SUV review you read includes some sort of commentary about how the vast majority of the driving public doesn’t really need anything more robust than a front-wheel-drive wagon or something? The Bronco Sport Sasquatch is the distilled essence of that argument. It encroaches so egregiously on the boundary of “real SUV” territory that if I were one of the company’s product planners, I’d have serious concerns about its current “Big Bronco” customers backsliding into the cheaper Sport when it comes time for a replacement. A sale’s a sale, I suppose.“

“If you’re expecting the Bronco Sport’s Sasquatch package to be watered down relative to its bigger sibling’s, you might be surprised. Not only does it inherit the twin-clutch setup that was already available on the Bronco Sport Badlands, but Ford managed to work a rear locker into the package, too. You also get 29-inch Goodyear Territory ATs in 295/65R17, unique Bilstein shocks, nearly two-thirds of an inch more suspension travel than you get on the standard Badlands, a 360-degree camera system, and a whole bunch of honest-to-goodness metal body protection, including both the front and rear bumper inserts. As an added bonus, all of those metal bits are bolted on for easy replacement (or upgrade).” –Byron Hurd, Editor

“Alpina has breathed on BMW’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo S68 V8 to let it make 630 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, 107 hp and 37 lb-ft more than it does in the X7 M60i. The XB7 gets from zero to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds, covers the quarter mile in 12.4, and tops out at 180 mph. Mighty numbers for a full-size SUV that can seat up to seven, but driving it, you get the sense that the XB7’s performance was calibrated with a focus on quality rather than quantity.”

“The granite-feeling powertrain, for example, doesn’t feel like it was made to go drag racing. It feels like it was made to devour and waft down a highway with effortless power and effortless elegance. The V8 sounds wolfish, borderline exotic—it curdles, almost like a Lime Rock E92 M3 and feels alive—even just waltzing around town. But it’s also never too loud like other high-performance luxury SUVs can be, nor does it obnoxiously burble or snort on shifts. Alpina is too dignified for that sort of manufactured buffoonery.”

“The XB7 is one of the most endearing vehicles I’ve ever driven, not just because of what it offers but also because of what it doesn’t. This is an extremely quick luxury SUV that is refreshingly free of misplaced aggression and fluff. Silly would-be carbon shift paddles are replaced with little leather-hidden buttons you may never even notice. There are no ridiculous Track or Off-Road driving modes that owners will statistically never use—there is, however, an Alpina-only Comfort Plus configuration that lightens up the steering and softens the ride even more. This is a car that has its priorities sorted out.” –Chris Tsui, contributor and former Reviews Editor

“A standout driving dynamic during my weeklong test was the suspension tuning, and mostly for good reasons. The MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear use passive fixed dampers that are shockingly well-tuned. Body motions are almost always controlled and fluid. The bushings almost feel, or I imagine, like they were pulled from a Lexus parts bin from the 90s. The Ioniq 9 shames the Lexus TX’s ride quality, feels far more premium than any Hyundai has a right to, and at first blush, matches that of the sublime Cadillac Lyriq in most ways.“

“The Ioniq 9 is unique-looking, with a few bits that crib from market trends or a certain Swedish automaker’s playbook with new twists. The side profile is a mashup of a low-riding SUV and a station wagon with a pinch of minivan. Up front, Hyundai’s given it a blunt nose with pixel-like vertical headlights and a horizontal DRL pixel bar. Even the turn signals are amber pixels. The raked windshield leads into an attractive greenhouse featuring a not-so-aggressively sloping roofline. It all ends with a rounded rear end featuring a continuous string of LED lights wrapping around the entire rear hatch with some seriously futuristic Volvo vibes. I love it.” –Joel Feder, Director of Content and Product

“What I will say is that if any Nissan comes close to feeling like an $80,000 car, it’s the Armada Platinum Reserve. That feels crazy to say about any Nissan not named GT-R, but it’s true. The sucker just coasts with four-corner adaptive air suspension and lets in almost zero road noise, which is hugely important if you’re going to sink so much money in a car you drive every day. …

“Overall, driving the 2025 Armada is more than just good. It’s nearing great, at least on the upper trims. You’d hope so for that much money, of course, but having done this job for a while I can say that more expensive does not always mean more better.” –Caleb Jacobs, Senior Editor

When my friend Jerry came back from the Colorado-Utah border with all these pictures of him having a good time in the hottest Defender ever, I was a little jealous. It reminded me of the Bronco Raptor first drive I did in Johnson Valley a few years ago, and, according to him, this rig is every bit as impressive (he’s driven both). Actually, he said it “makes the Ford feel like a basic off-road go-kart from Tractor Supply,” even though he likes that rig a lot.

To me, that puts the Defender Octa in the running—not only for best SUV, but also for best factory off-roader. It has Land Rover’s 6D suspension to thank, with hydraulically interlinked, continuously variable semi-active dampers. Of course, the twin-turbo, 4.4-liter V8 with mild-hybrid assist helps, too.

“It didn’t take long for the steep hairpins to put all systems to the test. Full steering lock to one side or the other while asking the differentials to propel a 5,900-pound SUV without any wheelspin is tough. Decent-sized boulders were no match for the air springs, which absorbed them with ease and allowed the tires to drive right over them without upsetting the balance. I’d also never been more reliant on front and side cameras like that day; it made the difference between continuing to climb or having to get out every two minutes to analyze the trail.

“For having 626 hp, feather-like applications of the throttle were easy, especially when crawling up or down big rocks; likewise, the brake pedal was calibrated just right to offer a powerful bite without being too grabby. … The Octa-specific steering rack (13.7:1 ratio) made it quick and easy to navigate the tightest of trails without doing much wheelin’ at all.”

We collectively dogpiled on the Defender Octa as this year’s winner because it makes the most of its crazy specs. Bench racing is fun—the three-ton Land Rover can hit 60 miles per hour in under four seconds—but the 4×4 does more than packing a stat sheet. It pummels trails and turns zeroes into heroes off-road, so long as they don’t bite off more than they can chew.

It’s a $170,000 adventure mobile, and somehow, it feels worth it.

Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com

From running point on new car launch coverage to editing long-form features and reviews, Caleb does some of everything at The Drive. And he really, really loves trucks.

Car Buying Service

The inaugural Chery UK Retailer Conference took place in Coventry last week, with a number of gongs handed out to dealer partners.

Prizes were dished out in categories including sales excellence, marketing excellence, sales innovation and compliance excellence, despite Chery only launching as a standalone brand back in August.

Bosses say the firm, which is set to open a new European HQ in Liverpool, is now entering 2026 with a ‘vision of sustainable, profitable growth and developing long-term partnerships’.

Discussing the recent conference, Farrell Hsu, Chery UK country director, said: ‘Our vision is focused on sustainable, profitable growth and developing long-term partnerships.

‘In just our first four months, Chery has sold over 5,500 cars, securing a 1.09% market share.

‘This is just the beginning – our retail network is now at 58 locations and continues to expand, as we work closely with our retailer partners to deliver excellence at every level.’

A full list of winners can be found below:

Car Dealer reported yesterday (Feb 2) that Chery was in talks with JLR over a deal that could see the British carmaker build vehicles for the Chinese brand at its UK production facilities.

It is thought that the government is keen on helping to facilitate any deal and senior ministers have discussed the matter with JLR executives.

The motoring public now has 50 percent of the vote, with the AUTOBEST jurors from more than 30 European countries accounting for the other 50 percent.

It means that, for the first time, drivers across Europe can help decide what will be the Best Buy Car of Europe 2026. “Equal vote, equal voice,” said AUTOBEST founder and chairman Dan Vardie.

These are the six cars in competition for the title of AUTOBEST Best Buy Car of Europe 2026:

AUTOBEST is already the world’s largest independent motoring media jury, with 32 jurors across the European continent. The rules state one country, one juror. Motoring Research’s Richard Aucock represents the UK.

Journalists have already conducted an exhaustive two-day analysis of the finalists at the AUTOBEST Ultimate Test late last year. Now, the focus shifts to car buyers, who are encouraged to visit local dealers and test-drive the finalists for themselves.

Public votes are also open for three other categories in the AUTOBEST awards:

The aim is to promote excellence in real-life usability, design and technology, “all shaped together by the public and the professionals”.

Voting is open now and run until the evening of 28 March 2026, when the winners – including the AUTOBEST Best Buy Car of Europe 2026 – will be announced live during the AUTOBEST Conquest Show.

“This pioneering format marks AUTOBEST’s transition from the traditional Gala Awards into a modern entertainment broadcasting concept,” said Vardie.

“It is a first in the motoring world.”

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The environment we find ourselves in shapes how you and I go about our daily lives. It affects which cars we wish to buy and which cars we can actually buy. There’s a difference, y’know? Whether it’s tariffs, a chip shortage, manufacturing challenges, or just old-fashioned inflation, what happens in the automotive world every year affects us more than we can imagine. For The Drive‘s staff, it also affects which cars we get to test and, therefore, which ones we can rank every year.

And indeed, it’s that time again—time for the 2026 The Drive Awards.

This week, we’ll be handing out awards across seven categories. Best Truck is being announced shortly; Best Value Car will be revealed tomorrow; Best Performance Car and Best SUV will be announced on Wednesday; Best EV and new-for-2026 Best Hybrid will be crowned on Thursday; and The Drive‘s overall Best Car will be awarded on Friday.

As in previous years, our finalists were selected based on review scores, while category winners were determined by team vote. To meet eligibility and be considered for this year’s award class, vehicles had to be new or, at the very least, meaningfully updated and driven by somebody on The Drive‘s staff or roster of contributors sometime in 2025.

As the website’s deputy editor and the project lead for The Drive Awards, I am proud to share this year’s winners with you. I genuinely believe that out of the hundreds of cars we drove this year, this select bunch represents everything great about today’s car culture. But perhaps more importantly, this year’s winners show that if you don’t like where the automotive industry is headed, wait a couple of years. You’ll be in for a surprise.

Catch you next year.

Email the author at jerry@thedrive.com

As deputy editor, Jerry draws on a decade of industry experience and a lifelong passion for motorsports to guide The Drive’s short- and long-term coverage.

Car Buying Service

Founded in 2014, the UKCOTY Awards is sponsored by Start Rescue. It sees a panel of 33 leading car journalists – including Motoring Research’s very own Tim Pitt – cast their votes for the top models.

From a long-list of 59 eligible cars and SUVs, the UKCOTY judges have already chosen eight winners, with each car taking victory in its respective category. 

The eight finalists are now in contention to be named as the overall UKCOTY champion, set to be announced on 26 February 2026. 

With electric vehicles accounting for five of the finalists, and numerous categories for SUVs, read on to see which car could claim the top prize.

The Renault 5 E-Tech has already received plenty of accolades since it entered production in 2024, Indeed, the electric hatchback has collected 44 awards to date, including the 2025 European Car of the Year trophy.

Could it take another one by claiming the overall UKCOTY Award for 2026, having been named the winner in the ‘Small Car’ category? Nearly two thirds of the UKCOTY judging panel picked the Renault 5 E-Tech as the best vehicle in its class, making it a strong contender. 

More than 100,000 examples of the 5 E-Tech have already been built, with the car’s popularity in the UK boosted by eligibility for the government Electric Car Grant.

Kia is continuing to expand its range of electric vehicles, with the EV4 hatchback and fastback-style saloon two of the latest additions to its model lineup.

Developed to take on the big-selling Tesla Model 3, the EV4 can boast an impressive range of up to 388 miles when fully charged. 

Being able to accommodate 490 litres of luggage, combined with a spacious interior and plenty of technology, will have helped the EV4 to finish first in the UKCOTY ‘Family Car’ class. 

Demonstrating the changing shape of the family car market, last year’s UKCOTY winner in this category was the Skoda Superb Estate.

There is no escaping the importance of the crossover in the UKCOTY Awards 2026, with three categories dedicated to the ever-growing number of SUVs available.

Having won the ‘Small Crossover’ category, the Citroen C3 Aircross is represented in both petrol-powered and electric e-C3 Aircross guises. C3 prices seem surprisingly affordable in a world where most new cars look increasingly expensive.

Last year, the Citroen C3 Aircross and e-C3 Aircross twins claimed third place in the European Car of the Year Awards, giving them a strong chance at further glory. 

Citroen also became the first manufacturer in the UK to secure eligibility for the Electric Car Grant, with discounts of £1,500 applied to the e-C3 Aircross.

Skoda has made a rapid transition to both SUVs and electrification. And the Elroq combines both, with a mid-size SUV body style and electric power.

Revealed at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, the Elroq is one of many Volkswagen Group models to make use of the MEB platform. This underpins everything from the Cupra Born to the reborn Ford Capri.

The Elroq is offered with a number of powertrains, including a sporty new vRS model. With a total of 340hp from its twin-motor setup, a 0-62mph time of 5.4 seconds makes it the fastest-accelerating production Skoda to date. 

Such performance could help it secure the outright UKCOTY Award, along with the ‘Medium Crossover’ title.

Like its sister brand Kia, Hyundai has introduced a host of electric SUVs. The Ioniq 9 is the biggest vehicle yet from the South Korean marque.

Make no mistake, this is a large SUV. It shares the same ‘E-GMP’ platform as the Kia EV9, and is the electric alternative to a petrol-powered Hyundai Santa Fe. Notably, the latter collected the prize for the best Large Crossover in last year’s UKCOTY Awards.

Hyundai offers the Ioniq 9 in a choice of six- or seven-seat guises, along with a variety of trim levels. There is also a sizeable 110.3kWh battery, which provides a range of up to 385 miles.

Amidst a sea of electric crossover SUVs, the Audi A6 saloon looks like a surprisingly conventional UKCOTY contender, having already picked up a trophy as the top ‘Executive Car’.

Now into its sixth generation, Audi had originally planned to replace the previous A6 with an all-electric model. However, the company had a change of heart, creating a new A6 to be sold alongside battery-powered E-tron versions. 

Continuing its longstanding rivalry with the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Audi A6 range even still includes a diesel engine. The 204hp 2.0-litre TDI is a solid choice, with its efficiency boosted by mild hybrid technology.

The Audi A6 is so good the UKCOTY judging panel chose it twice for the 2026 awards. It has also won the ‘Estate Car’ category.

Estate cars are relatively thin on the ground in the current market, thanks to the dominance of SUVs. In fact, there were only three wagons shortlisted in 2026, with the A6 Avant facing off against the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo and BYD Seal 6 Touring.

Packing the same premium features and efficient engines as the saloon, the new Audi A6 Avant also brings a useful boot capacity of 503 litres to the party.

An estate has never claimed the top UKCOTY Award, but perhaps the A6 Avant will buck the trend?

When it came to the ‘Performance Car’ category of the UKCOTY 2026 Awards, the judging panel was given a broad selection of vehicles to evaluate. From the radical mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette to the Mini John Cooper Works hot hatchback, it was a diverse range of contenders.

From the seven choices, the all-electric Alpine A290 emerged victorious. It’s effectively a quicker version of the Renault 5 E-Tech, doubling the chances of the French firm taking glory.

A 220hp electric motor powers the front wheels of the top A290 GTS, allowing the hot hatchback to accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds. Alpine has even created a Rallye version, intended for use in single-make motorsport championships.

We now have a month to wait to discover which of the eight finalists will emerge as the UK Car of the Year 2026.

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Founded in 2014, the UKCOTY Awards is sponsored by Start Rescue. It sees a panel of 33 leading car journalists – including Motoring Research’s very own Tim Pitt – cast their votes for the top models.

From a long-list of 59 eligible cars and SUVs, the UKCOTY judges have already chosen eight winners, with each car taking victory in its respective category. 

The eight finalists are now in contention to be named as the overall UKCOTY champion, set to be announced on 26 February 2026. 

With electric vehicles accounting for five of the finalists, and numerous categories for SUVs, read on to see which car could claim the top prize.

The Renault 5 E-Tech has already received plenty of accolades since it entered production in 2024, Indeed, the electric hatchback has collected 44 awards to date, including the 2025 European Car of the Year trophy.

Could it take another one by claiming the overall UKCOTY Award for 2026, having been named the winner in the ‘Small Car’ category? Nearly two thirds of the UKCOTY judging panel picked the Renault 5 E-Tech as the best vehicle in its class, making it a strong contender. 

More than 100,000 examples of the 5 E-Tech have already been built, with the car’s popularity in the UK boosted by eligibility for the government Electric Car Grant.

Kia is continuing to expand its range of electric vehicles, with the EV4 hatchback and fastback-style saloon two of the latest additions to its model lineup.

Developed to take on the big-selling Tesla Model 3, the EV4 can boast an impressive range of up to 388 miles when fully charged. 

Being able to accommodate 490 litres of luggage, combined with a spacious interior and plenty of technology, will have helped the EV4 to finish first in the UKCOTY ‘Family Car’ class. 

Demonstrating the changing shape of the family car market, last year’s UKCOTY winner in this category was the Skoda Superb Estate.

There is no escaping the importance of the crossover in the UKCOTY Awards 2026, with three categories dedicated to the ever-growing number of SUVs available.

Having won the ‘Small Crossover’ category, the Citroen C3 Aircross is represented in both petrol-powered and electric e-C3 Aircross guises. C3 prices seem surprisingly affordable in a world where most new cars look increasingly expensive.

Last year, the Citroen C3 Aircross and e-C3 Aircross twins claimed third place in the European Car of the Year Awards, giving them a strong chance at further glory. 

Citroen also became the first manufacturer in the UK to secure eligibility for the Electric Car Grant, with discounts of £1,500 applied to the e-C3 Aircross.

Skoda has made a rapid transition to both SUVs and electrification. And the Elroq combines both, with a mid-size SUV body style and electric power.

Revealed at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, the Elroq is one of many Volkswagen Group models to make use of the MEB platform. This underpins everything from the Cupra Born to the reborn Ford Capri.

The Elroq is offered with a number of powertrains, including a sporty new vRS model. With a total of 340hp from its twin-motor setup, a 0-62mph time of 5.4 seconds makes it the fastest-accelerating production Skoda to date. 

Such performance could help it secure the outright UKCOTY Award, along with the ‘Medium Crossover’ title.

Like its sister brand Kia, Hyundai has introduced a host of electric SUVs. The Ioniq 9 is the biggest vehicle yet from the South Korean marque.

Make no mistake, this is a large SUV. It shares the same ‘E-GMP’ platform as the Kia EV9, and is the electric alternative to a petrol-powered Hyundai Santa Fe. Notably, the latter collected the prize for the best Large Crossover in last year’s UKCOTY Awards.

Hyundai offers the Ioniq 9 in a choice of six- or seven-seat guises, along with a variety of trim levels. There is also a sizeable 110.3kWh battery, which provides a range of up to 385 miles.

Amidst a sea of electric crossover SUVs, the Audi A6 saloon looks like a surprisingly conventional UKCOTY contender, having already picked up a trophy as the top ‘Executive Car’.

Now into its sixth generation, Audi had originally planned to replace the previous A6 with an all-electric model. However, the company had a change of heart, creating a new A6 to be sold alongside battery-powered E-tron versions. 

Continuing its longstanding rivalry with the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Audi A6 range even still includes a diesel engine. The 204hp 2.0-litre TDI is a solid choice, with its efficiency boosted by mild hybrid technology.

The Audi A6 is so good the UKCOTY judging panel chose it twice for the 2026 awards. It has also won the ‘Estate Car’ category.

Estate cars are relatively thin on the ground in the current market, thanks to the dominance of SUVs. In fact, there were only three wagons shortlisted in 2026, with the A6 Avant facing off against the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo and BYD Seal 6 Touring.

Packing the same premium features and efficient engines as the saloon, the new Audi A6 Avant also brings a useful boot capacity of 503 litres to the party.

An estate has never claimed the top UKCOTY Award, but perhaps the A6 Avant will buck the trend?

When it came to the ‘Performance Car’ category of the UKCOTY 2026 Awards, the judging panel was given a broad selection of vehicles to evaluate. From the radical mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette to the Mini John Cooper Works hot hatchback, it was a diverse range of contenders.

From the seven choices, the all-electric Alpine A290 emerged victorious. It’s effectively a quicker version of the Renault 5 E-Tech, doubling the chances of the French firm taking glory.

A 220hp electric motor powers the front wheels of the top A290 GTS, allowing the hot hatchback to accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds. Alpine has even created a Rallye version, intended for use in single-make motorsport championships.

We now have a month to wait to discover which of the eight finalists will emerge as the UK Car of the Year 2026.

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Renowned motoring publication WhatCar? recently announced their award winners, and whilst there were a variety of categories, there could only be one car of the year.

Said car was an electric vehicle which had already received several awards from similar motoring publications, and looks set to capture the imaginations of the 2026 market.

The highly-rated vehicle was the electric BMW iX3, a large electric premium SUV, which was given the awards not because of what it is, but what it stands for.

In their summary of why they had given the iX3, whose prices start from £58,755, the award, WhatCar? stated it was because the car had leapfrogged its rivals “with a stepchange in capability”.

They explained that, alongside its technological prowess, its 500 mile range would make anxiety over electric cars “a thing of the past”, as well as the fact it can charge (refuel) at high speeds.

Furthermore, they said the driver aids were effective in the operation of the iX3, especially when it came to the car’s agility.

Overall, they concluded: “Our winner is a car that will make you smile for any number of reasons and, more importantly, it’ll keep you smiling in the way that only great cars do. That’s exactly what the iX3 is: a truly great car.”

However, WhatCar? aren’t the only people to have heaped praise on the iX3. At the end of last year, Top Gear also made it their car of the year.

Talking about the iX3 at Top Gear’s 2026 Car of the Year Awards, the consultant editor of the Top Gear Magazine, Paul Horrell said: "The iX3 is wholly new. Above and beneath. Bumper to bumper. Ground to cloud.

“It has the magic 500-mile claimed range, an entirely new interior concept, but most importantly it drives like a BMW ought to - not like a bulky EV crossover, or soulless digital first zombiemobile.

“BMW's cars have always strived to be at the tip of mainstream excellence - the iX3 puts them back where they belong.”

In a statement following their victory the CEO of BMW Group UK and Ireland David George said: “The launch of the new BMW iX3 represents more than just the debut of an exceptional new model – it signals the start of an exciting and transformative chapter for our brand.”

Audi scooped two wins, with the new A6 taking top honours in the Executive Car category, and the A6 Avant in the Estate category.

Fellow Volkswagen Group brand, Skoda, emerged victorious in the Medium Crossover class with its Elroq. The electric SUV came out on top in category that contained a whopping 19 entries.

The Renault 5 has added another gong to its trophy cabinet after taking the Small Car category win. The retro French EV was a clear winner, with nearly two-thirds of the judging panel choosing it as their favourite.

Family Car of the Year went to the Kia EV4, while fellow Korean brand Hyundai scooped the Large Crossover category for the second year running, this time with the Ioniq 9. Small Crossover, meanwhile, went to the Citroen C3/e-C3 Aircross.

Alpine returned to the UK Car of the Year winner’s roster with its A290 as it took the Best Performance Car award for 2026.

The full list of winners is below, with the overall victor being named on February 26.

The judging panel is made up of 33 motoring journalists and automotive experts, one of whom is Car Dealer’s associate editor James Batchelor.

The 2026 awards is sponsored for the first time by Start Rescue.

Director of the UK Car Awards, John Challen, said: ‘It is great to have Start Rescue onboard, they’re just as passionate about keeping motorists informed as we are and they are experts in their own right.’

Small Car – Renault 5
Family Car – Kia EV4
Small Crossover – Citroen C3/e-C3 Aircross
Medium Crossover – Skoda Elroq
Large Crossover – Hyundai Ioniq 9
Executive Car – Audi A6
Estate Car – Audi A6 Avant
Performance Car – Alpine A290

Skoda Elroq pictured as it’s declared the UK Car of the Year Medium Crossover winner

The UK Car of the Year shortlist is announced, with category winners ranging from the Renault 5 to the Hyundai Ioniq 9. 

The UK Car of the Year category winners are announced ahead of the Car of the Year being announced on 28/2/26, and the winners follow the ‘new normal’ of EV domination (unlike the real world) with five of the eight category winners EVs, and the remaining three offering battery-powered options.

The VW Group offerings fared well with Audi grabbing a couple of wins with the A6 Saloon as Best Executive car and the A6 Avant as Best Estate car, and the Skoda Elroq being declared the best Medium Crossover, a category with more competition than any other, with 19 entries, demonstrating the demand and competition in the SUV/Crossover market.

In the Small Car Category, unsurprisingly, it’s the very good Renault 5 E-Tech taking the award, and doing it by garnering two-thirds of the votes from the 33-strong voting panel.

Kia, overall winner of the UK COTY in 2024 with the EV9 and in 2025 with the EV3, gets a Category win for Best Family Car with the EV4, with sister company Hyundai grabbing Best Large Crossover (a category it won last year for the Santa Fe) with the Ioniq 9.

The final two categories see the Ciroen C3/e-C3 Aircross take the Small Crossover category and the Alpine A290 grab Best Performance Car.

We’ll find out on 28 February which of the eight category winners is voted the UK Car of the Year for 2026, but the judges’ consensus on the Renault 5 suggests it will be the likely winner.

Filed Under: Car News

•  F1: The Movie has been nominated for four Academy Awards.
• It’s competing to win Best Picture, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, and Best Editing.  
• The movie made over $631 million at the box office worldwide.  

F1: The Movie has been nominated for four Academy Awards—including the most prestigious prize. The film is competing for Best Picture, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, and Best Editing.  

The 2025 summer blockbuster, starring Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, and Javier Bardem, follows Soony Hayes’ (Pitt) return to Formula 1 to race for a struggling team. Tensions flare between Hayes and his teammate, Joshua Pierce (Idris), as the two try to prove themselves on the track.  

The movie hit theaters on June 27 and went on to gross $631 million worldwide. It was written and directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick, Oblivion, Tron: Legacy), with Jerry Bruckheimer (Days of Thunder, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, National Treasure), Pitt, and Lewis Hamilton serving as producers.

"With F1, Joe, Jerry, Brad, Lewis, and the entire creative team delivered something only they could—the most authentic, visceral, and entertaining racing film ever made," said Jamie Erlicht, Apple’s head of Worldwide Video.

Filmmakers had unprecedented access to Formula 1 while making the movie, including permission to film at multiple circuits.

The 98th Academy Awards air on Sunday, March 15, starting at 7 PM EST on ABC.  

Motor1’s Take: F1: The Movie might not have been the hardcore racing film we wanted, but it’s hard to deny the movie magic that went into putting audiences right into the action. It might not be Best Picture material, but creating the intense race scenes compiled from multiple sources, including real races, showcases the art of editing, with visual effects seamlessly blending it all together. 

The awards aimed to celebrate the very best of the brand’s existing network, with gongs given out for both front-of-house and aftersales operations

Winners included Grainger Motor Group – which won Retailer Group of the Year and Aftersales Retailer of the Year – but its was Chariots which collected the overall UK Retailer of the Year prize in a glitzy ceremony at the Telford International Centre.

The accolade recognised the group which performed best across the board, showing excellence across customer experience, brand representation, sales performance.

The prize was formally presented to Chariots by Bono Ge, country manager of BYD UK, and Steve Beattie, deputy country manager alongside sporting legend Jason Robinson OBE.

Reacting to the win, Chariots MD, Franco Santoro, said: ‘We are honoured to receive the BYD UK Dealer of the Year award for 2026.

‘This achievement reflects the dedication and professionalism of the entire team, whose commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and championing the BYD brand has been outstanding.’

Car Dealer reported last week that Chariots had added a second BYD site to its network, having acquired the former site of Rugby Suzuki.

That showroom joins the firm’s existing location in Kettering and bosses say they are working through a ‘pivotal moment for the business’.

A spokesman for the group added: ‘The award comes at a pivotal moment for the business following the acquisition of a new dealership in Rugby, Warwickshire.

‘The expansion strengthens their presence in the Midlands and enhances their capacity to serve a rapidly growing customer base.

‘The group extends its sincere thanks to BYD for their continued trust, partnership and support. Chariots would also like to acknowledge the support of Pav Panesar at Knight Frank, whose expertise and guidance were instrumental in delivering their latest car dealership acquisition.’

Legacy car makers have had a hard time trying to offer EVs, through forced legislation, which are appealing and sensibly priced, and resorted to building standalone EV models with bland designs.

But BMW sensibly, on the whole, have made EVs a powertrain option on familiar-looking models and as a result have been far more successful with EVs than rivals like Mercedes and Audi.

But with EV tech advancing, BMW has started to introduce its Neue Klasse models, which will offer both ICE-based and EV powertrains, with the first out of the gate the impressive BMW iX3, which, despite only being revealed in September, has already grabbed a COTY gong.

Now the iX3 has grabbed another COTY gong, this time from What Car?

What Car? editor Steve Huntingford, said:

The premium electric SUV market is one of the most hotly contested, yet in so many respects the BMW iX3 offers a stepchange in capability. It combines a huge range with ultra-rapid charging; its new software improves everything from the infotainment system to safety; and despite being one of the most enjoyable SUVs of any kind to drive, it’s also very comfortable. In short, it’s a truly great car.

Unsurprisingly, with new ICE-based cars getting ever thinner on the ground, it’s the fifth time since 2019 that an EV has been declared COTY, and the fourth time a BMW has grabbed the top gong.

What Car? has gone to town on category winners (full list below) with everything from the Kia PV5 as MPV of the year and the Porsche 911 as Sports car of the year, to the Toyota Aygo X as best small car and Smart #5 as the best family EV. There’s even a gong for the most anticipated car (based on reader votes) for the new Volvo EX60, which was only revealed yesterday.

Car of the Year: BMW iX3 50 xDrive M Sport

Small car: Toyota Aygo X 1.5 Hybrid Icon
Small electric car: Renault 5 52kWh Comfort Range Techno+
Family car: Honda Civic 2.0 e:HEV Elegance
Small SUV: Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 eTSI 150 Life DSG
Small Electric SUV: Kia EV3 Standard Range Air
Family SUV: Kia Sportage 1.6T Hybrid Pure
Family electric SUV: Smart #5 Pro+
Premium SUV: Land Rover Defender 110 D250 S
Premium Electric SUV: BMW iX3 50 xDrive M Sport
Plug-in hybrid: MG HS 1.5T Plug-in Hybrid SE
Executive car: Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD
Luxury car: BMW X7 xDrive40i M Sport
Estate: Skoda Superb 1.5 TSI 150 e-TEC SE L
MPV: Kia PV5 Long Range Plus
Seven-seat SUV: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid 2WD Premium
Coupé: BMW 4 Series 420i M Sport
Convertible: Mercedes CLE Cabriolet 200 AMG Line Premium
Performance car: BMW M3 Touring xDrive Competition
Sports car: Porsche 911 Carrera T

Reader Award: Volvo EX60
Tow Car Award: Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 193 4×4 SportLine DSG (7 seats)
Reliability Award: Honda
Safety Award: BMW X3

Filed Under: BMW News, Car News Tagged With: Electric Cars

The Race Media Awards returned in style for its fifth annual ceremony, celebrating outstanding achievement across communications, marketing, events and public relations within the global motorsport industry. Sponsored by Arctic Wolf, the Awards were hosted in London’s stunning 194 Piccadilly, bringing together leading teams, agencies, brands and creatives from across the sport.

The Race Media Awards were established to hold a mirror to the very best that motorsport has to offer fans and this year’s event was no different. 60% of the awards submissions came from first time entrants, including Formula 1's latest team Cadillac, showing the incredible growth of creative and innovative output from across the industry.

Before the trophies were handed out, The Race Media hosted a business insights panel with cybersecurity leader Arctic Wolf's SVP of Corporate Marketing, Ilina Cashiola, and BWT Alpine Formula One Team Global Marketing Director Guy Martin, exploring the importance of their working partnership, the team's commercial success, and their sporting ambitions ahead of the 2026 season.

Sports broadcaster Jo Ankier guided guests through an afternoon recognising innovation, creativity and impact across a diverse range of categories, highlighting the work shaping how motorsport is experienced by fans worldwide.

Winners in 2026 included Audi AG for their engaging launch of the R26 Concept livery reveal, Circuit of the Americas, Silverstone's LandoStand and the unforgettable Oscar Mayer Wienie 500. Most Inspiring Campaign went to Driven By Us for their Accelerating Inclusion Into The Industry Through STEM project and Rising Star to Brandon Burgess who attempted to attend every single race of the 2025 F1 season for £20k.

Also acknowledged for the quality of their submissions, the judges awarded Highly Commended to TRMA 2025 winners Gresini Racing, Grupo76 and Atlassian Williams F1 Team.

Race Promoter of the Year
Winner: Circuit of The Americas (COTA)

Rising Star
Winner: Brandon Burgess // Full Time Formula

Best Documentary
Winner: Hill // Sylver Entertainment & Independent Entertainment

International Agency of the Year
Winner: Right Formula

Most Inspiring Campaign
Winner: Accelerating Inclusion Into The Industry Through STEM // Driven By Us CIC
Highly Commended: Carlos Sainz Sparkles Campaign // Atlassian Williams F1 Team

Best Live Experience
Winner: Silverstone’s LandoStand – 2025 Formula 1 British Grand Prix // Silverstone
Highly Commended: Jerez Live Garage Estrella Galicia 0,0. MotoGP Experience // Seteseis Comunicación Creatividade (Grupo76) for Estrella Galicia 0,0

Boutique Agency of the Year
Winner: MPA Creative

Brand of the Year
Winner: The Racing Line

Best Social Media Activation
Winner: AudiOne – Audi R26 Concept livery reveal // AUDI AG

Creative Content of the Year
Winner: Oscar Mayer Wienie 500 // Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Highly Commended: #GresiniRecords // Gresini Racing

About Arctic Wolf

Arctic Wolf® is a global leader in security operations, delivering the first cloud-native security operations platform to end cyber risk. Built on open XDR architecture, the Arctic Wolf Aurora Platform operates at a massive scale and combines the power of artificial intelligence with world-class security experts to provide 24×7 monitoring, detection, response, and risk management. We make security work!

About The Race Media

THE RACE MEDIA produces class-leading video, podcast, social, UGC and editorial content that gives brands the ultimate digital activation channels across F1, MotoGP, Formula E, IndyCar and Endurance motorsport.

Through its web, social and YouTube channels, THE RACE has fast become the most authoritative media voice in motorsport, speaking to an ever growing audience of passionate fans. Outside of its motorsport coverage, TRM connects brands to millions of fans via WTF TALENT, an award-winning agency that manages the best emerging and established motorsport, lifestyle and sports content creators.

To learn more about The Race Media Awards visit theracemediaawards.com

Smash hit F1 The Movie has received no fewer than four nominations for the upcoming Academy Awards (Oscars).

Due to take place in Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026, the prestigious annual event recognises the very best in film – from the actors and actresses involved to the writing, direction, music and much more.

The movie, which hit cinemas last summer and grossed more than $630 million worldwide, has been nominated under the ‘Best Picture’, ‘Visual Effects’, ‘Sound’ and ‘Film Editing’ categories.

It was directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (both Top Gun: Maverick), Oscar-winning actor Brad Pitt and seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, among several other respected names.

Pitt stars as former F1 driver Sonny Hayes, who returns to the sport to partner rookie team mate Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris, at the fictional APXGP team – slotting alongside the existing 10 squads up and down the pit lane.

Following its cinema release, F1 The Movie is now available to watch on Apple TV.

“I’ve been trying to get a racing movie done for 20 years,” said Pitt when the movie launched. “I’ve tried bikes, I’ve tried cars, I’ve tried different disciplines, and for whatever reason they never came to fruition.

“We got a great push behind us, people were more and more interested [in F1], so we could get [a company] like Apple to come in and really support us.

“It was Joe and Jerry, just coming off [filming] Maverick, who said, ‘We want to make the most realistic racing movie we’ve seen to date’, and I think that’s what we’ve done.”

Next Up

• F1 AcademyPin graduates to Mercedes development role
• F1 AcademyPin on what comes next after F1 ACADEMY success

It may be less than eight weeks since we crowned the cream of the crop of 2025, but attention has now turned to this year’s event.

Planning for the 2026 ceremony and gala dinner, once again sponsored by Black Horse, is already gathering pace. And a whole host of motor industry suppliers have already lent their support to the event that’s widely considered to be the ‘Oscars’ of the used car industry.

Hosted by Mr Wheeler Dealer himself, Mike Brewer, we will be handing out a number of gongs that celebrate each and every part of the used car industry. 

The awards categories will cover the whole sector – from Future Star to best Used Car Dealer Principal, and everything else in between. The best used cars of the year will also be named, and the latest name to enter our Lifetime Achievement hall of fame will also be revealed.

CLICK HERE FOR USED CAR AWARDS 2025 WINNERS

Voting, along with the full list of categories, will open later this year, but NOW is the time to get November 30 into your diary!

After voting has concluded, our judging team will whittle the entries down to a nominations list, which will be followed by further judging – including a rigorous mystery shopping process – to create the shortlist.  

The black-tie evening will include a sumptuous three-course dinner and unlimited drinks, along with a pre-dinner drinks event and a post-awards fun casino – both supported by Motors. A special after party, hosted by RAC Dealer Network, will also be on offer.  

Founder and editor-in-chief of Car Dealer Magazine, James Baggott, said: ‘We can’t wait to host once again what are the leading awards for the used car industry.

‘These awards are a unique chance for dealerships to showcase their excellence and commitment to their customers.

‘Winning a Used Car Award is more than just a trophy – it’s a powerful endorsement that can elevate a business’s reputation and foster greater trust with buyers.

‘Speaking on behalf of the Car Dealer team, I cannot wait to open voting later this year. In the meantime, place November 30 in your diaries and I may be seeing you on the night to toast your success.’  

Run by Autocar in association with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Great Women celebrates the achievements of the most influential women across the motoring sector.

At this year’s event, to be held on Thursday 16 April at the Stellantis UK headquarters, the Top 100 will be announced, chosen by Autocar and its panel of judges based on their seniority and level of influence.

These outstanding individuals will cover categories including marketing, retail, vehicle development and manufacturing.

There will also be an apprentice category, separate to the Top 100, to celebrate the industry’s up-and-comers. 

Enter your nominations here

Alongside them, an overall winner will be crowned. They will join a long list of distinguished previous winners, such as Stellantis’s Alison Jones, Peugeot's Linda Jackson and Ford's Lisa Brankin.

The event will also include presentations from keynote speakers, a panel debate and a networking session. 

This year is the 11th edition of the Autocar Great Women awards, which was launched in 2016. The initiative celebrates women within the automotive sector, annually switching focus between future industry leaders (as part of Autocar Great Women: Rising Stars) and the powerhouses who command the greatest influence within their fields.

Haymarket Automotive's managing director, Rachael Prasher, said: “Now in its 11th year, Autocar Great Women continues to shine a spotlight on the enormous number of talented women in our automotive industry. I am, as always, looking forward to seeing this year's entries.”

Autocar Great Women 2026 is proudly sponsored by Bentley, Keyloop, Nissan, NTT Data, SMMT, Stellantis and Volvo. 

Nominees will be invited to the prestigious awards ceremony. Spaces at the ceremony are limited, but it is open to wider members of the industry on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Please send any enquiries to autocar.events@haymarket.com

• North American Car, Truck and Utility winners announced.
• Dodge, Ford and Hyundai claimed top honors in each category.
• The Maverick Lobo win is controversial due to minimal changes.

The Detroit Auto Show is officially underway and it kicked off with the 2026 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards. They’ll likely prove somewhat controversial, as one winner is simply a new trim.

Without further ado, the 2026 North American Car of the Year is the new Dodge Charger. It beat out the Nissan Sentra and overpriced Honda Prelude for top honors.

Review: The 2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack Sounds Off, But Drives Better Than You Think

It’s hard to argue with this pick as Dodge finally launched an ICE-powered variant with a twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six. It develops 420 hp (313 kW / 426 PS) and 468 lb-ft (634 Nm) of torque in the R/T, while the Scat Pack has 550 hp (410 kW / 558 PS) and 531 lb-ft (719 Nm).

Customers can also opt for the fully electric Charger Daytona Scat Pack, which starts at $72,495 for the 2027 model year. It features a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing 630 hp (470 kW / 639 PS) and 627 lb-ft (849 Nm) of torque. However, a PowerShot function can increase the output to 670 hp (500 kW / 679 PS) for ten seconds at a time. Those are great numbers, but the 267 mile (430 km) range leaves a lot to be desired.

Moving on, the Hyundai Palisade won the title of North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The model edged out the Lucid Gravity and Nissan Leaf.

This seems like another solid choice as the redesigned Palisade starts at $39,435 and features a new hybrid powertrain as well as a rugged XRT Pro variant. While a 3.5-liter V6 comes standard, the Palisade Hybrid has a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing a combined output of 329 hp (245 kW / 334 PS) and 339 lb-ft (459 Nm) of torque. It enables the three-row crossover to return up to 33 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined.

That brings us to North American Truck of the Year, which went to the Ford Maverick Lobo. This is the biggest surprise as it’s little more than a sporty trim that begins at $35,930.

As part of the makeover, the truck has been equipped with a street-focused suspension and a lowered ride height. They’re joined by a beefier braking system, a torque vectoring rear drive unit, and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine with 250 hp (186 kW / 253 PS) and 277 lb-ft (375 Nm) of torque.

While there’s nothing wrong with that, it was selected over the facelifted Ram 2500. The heavy duty pickup features revised styling, an improved interior, and a new 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine that produces 430 hp (321 kW / 436 PS) and 1,075 lb-ft (1,456 Nm) of torque.

The Lobo also bested the Hemi-powered Ram 1500, although that’s more understandable as it’s simply an old engine making a return.

Mercedes has brought home its first European Car of the Year award in more than 50 years, with its new CLA saloon bagging the 2026 award. The announcement was made at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show.

The new CLA scored a total of 320 points, awarded via 59 jurors from 23 countries – and was a whole 100 points ahead of second place, which was taken by the Skoda Elroq. Kia’s EV4 took third place with 208 points.

The rest of the line-up consisted of the Citroën C5 Aircross in fourth with 207 points, the Fiat Grande Panda with 200 points, Dacia’s Bigster with 170 points and the Renault 4 with 150 points.

The ECoty statement notes that the CLA gained the most first place rankings among the jurors, with the Citroën C5 Aircross being the favourite of 15 media.

Mercedes hasn’t won a European Car of the Year award since 1974 with the 450 SE/SEL model, and the brand follows on from the Renault 5 and Alpine A290 jointly winning the award in 2025.

Jake has been an automotive journalist since 2015, joining CAR as Staff Writer in 2017. With a decade of car news and reviews writing under his belt, he became CAR's Deputy News Editor in 2020 and then News Editor in 2025. Jake's day-to-day role includes co-ordinating CAR's news content across its print, digital and social media channels. When he's not out interviewing an executive, driving a new car for review or on a photoshoot for a CAR feature, he's usually found geeking out on the latest video game, buying yet another pair of wildly-coloured trainers or figuring out where he can put another car-shaped Lego set in his already-full house.

By Jake Groves

CAR's news editor; gamer, trainer freak and serial Lego-ist

The new season is almost upon us, and that means it’s time to mark your calendars for when the MotoGP™ teams will officially reveal their 2026 bikes. With pre-season testing looming, these events give fans the first glimpse of the new livery, machinery, and riders ready to tackle the Championship.

As always, motogp.com will provide live coverage of the presentations, so you won’t miss a moment of the action. Take a look at the provisional schedule below!

The Team Presentations are a must-see highlight of the pre-season calendar! It’s the moment we get our first glimpse of the stunning new liveries on the MotoGP machines—and of course, see the riders stepping out in their fresh, eye-catching leathers. Pencil the dates into your diaries then, and of course, make sure to check back here for any potential updates or changes to the schedule in the coming weeks!

Roll on 2026!

--> Get ahead of 2026 season with MotoGP VideoPass

Watch the preseason and the entire 2026 season LIVE & OnDemand.

A total of 98 jurors from 33 countries – including Motoring Research’s own Richard Aucock – have whittled down the 58 contenders for the top prize down to 10 finalists. These cars will now go forward for a further round of judging, ahead of the Top Three in the World being announced on 3 March.

Notably, last year’s victor, the Kia EV3, has two newer sister models represented in the top 10: the new Kia EV4 and Kia EV5. The EV3 followed its bigger brother, the Kia EV9, in being voted World Car of the Year in 2024. Can the EV4 or EV5 make it a World Car Awards hat-trick for Kia?

Fellow Korean marque Hyundai also has two models in the top 10: the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Hyundai Palisade.

Hyundai scooped the overall World Car of the Year award in 2023 with the Ioniq 6, and previously in 2022 with the Ioniq 5.

Here are the 10 in cars with a shot at WCOTY glory this year:

2026 World Car of the Year finalists

“The World Car Awards are a benchmark for excellence and innovation in the automotive industry,” said Daniele Schillaci, CEO of Brembo, which is powering the World Car Finals.

“We are proud to support this prestigious initiative and congratulate all the finalists on their outstanding achievements.”

The 2026 World Car of the Year will be announced live at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.

Other World Car category finalists have also been announced. Again, a subsequent vote will decide a Top Three in the World for each one.

2026 World Electric Vehicle finalists

2026 World Luxury Car finalists

2026 World Performance Car finalists

2026 World Urban Car finalists

2026 World Car Design of the Year finalists

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The team previously won this award in 2023 and have won multiple accolades at the Used Car Awards in the past.

The judges were looking for dealerships that truly go above and beyond the call of duty, with a team that is friendly, professional and responds to queries fast.

Paul Richards, the owner of Crompton Way Motors, said: ‘This feels fantastic and I’m pleased to accept this award for everyone at the business.

‘Every member of our team delivers superb customer service and it has always been at the heart of how we do things.

‘We are very proud to win this again. Our approach is quite simple – we treat people how we would like to be treated ourselves.’

James Baggott, editor-in-chief and founder of Car Dealer Magazine, said: ‘Many congratulations to the team at Crompton Way Motors.

‘They have triumphed again in a category that was especially keenly contested this year so they should feel proud of an amazing achievement.

‘Our mystery shoppers loved dealing with their friendly team and were impressed by the huge number of positive online reviews the dealership has received.’

Wheeler Dealers presenter and Used Car Awards host Mike Brewer said: ‘Quite often at the Car Dealer Magazine Used Car Awards, we say it was a difficult decision to decide the winner in a particular category.

‘However, Crompton Way made it easy for us – they ticked every box and got everything right.

‘This is a banging result for everyone involved and repeats the success they achieved in 2023. Nice one!’

Pictured above: Lee Coomber RAC Client Director, the Crompton Way Motors team and Mike Brewer

A total of 98 jurors from 33 countries – including Motoring Research’s own Richard Aucock – have whittled down the 58 contenders for the top prize down to 10 finalists. These cars will now go forward for a further round of judging, ahead of the Top Three in the World being announced on 3 March.

Notably, last year’s victor, the Kia EV3, has two newer sister models represented in the top 10: the new Kia EV4 and Kia EV5. The EV3 followed its bigger brother, the Kia EV9, in being voted World Car of the Year in 2024. Can the EV4 or EV5 make it a World Car Awards hat-trick for Kia?

Fellow Korean marque Hyundai also has two models in the top 10: the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Hyundai Palisade.

Hyundai scooped the overall World Car of the Year award in 2023 with the Ioniq 6, and previously in 2022 with the Ioniq 5.

2026 World Car of the Year finalists

“The World Car Awards are a benchmark for excellence and innovation in the automotive industry,” said Daniele Schillaci, CEO of Brembo, which is powering the World Car Finals.

“We are proud to support this prestigious initiative and congratulate all the finalists on their outstanding achievements.”

The 2026 World Car of the Year will be announced live at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.

Other World Car category finalists have also been announced. Again, a subsequent vote will decide a Top Three in the World for each one.

2026 World Electric Vehicle finalists

2026 World Luxury Car finalists

2026 World Performance Car finalists

2026 World Urban Car finalists

2026 World Car Design of the Year finalists

ALSO READ

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The UK’s most wanted used car is a £15,000 hatchback

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Two thirds of car leasing customers chose a hybrid or EV in 2025

Wunderbar! Volkswagen brings back buttons for electric ID. Polo

Whether it is extended pieces on YouTube or social media, detailed walk-arounds online or shorter, snappier TikTok clips, video has become a key weapon in dealers’ arsenals in an increasingly digitalised industry.

Our Use of Video award aims to recognise those that are excelling at it and taking their businesses to the next level.

Our winner this year  – Small Cars Direct – certainly does that with its cutting edge approach to camera work.

The business, based in New Milton, Hampshire, has managed to weave video into the heart of its operations — producing engaging, informative and entertaining content that helps facilitate sales.

It is an approach which certainly impressed our judges and founder Alex Bradley was thrilled when he caught up with Car Dealer just after coming off stage.

He said: ‘It feels amazing to win this, especially with such stiff competition.

‘It’s great to be recognised for something that is growing across the industry – it just shows that we are at the top of our game and that is a credit to all the team.

‘I think we’re really genuine and thorough. We take great pride and have a lot of knowledge on the product. 

‘Above all else, we are consistent. We have been doing this, with very detailed walk around videos, for over ten years and I guess you could probably say we were pioneers in this space.’

Also on hand to offer his own congratulations was Car Dealer editor-in-chief, James Baggott, who said: ‘Small Cars Direct is setting the pace when it comes to using video properly.

‘Their content is engaging, authentic and clearly drives real results. This award recognises a business that truly understands how modern customers want to buy cars.’

Used Car Awards host, and Mr Wheeler Dealer himself, Mike Brewer added: ‘Video is all about connection, and Small Cars Direct absolutely nailed it.

‘They use video to build trust, show personality and bring their cars to life. A brilliant example of how it should be done.’

Our Service and Repair Outlet category aims to celebrate those businesses that look after their customers and their cars, while always maintaining the highest standards.

Our judges were not only looking for consistently high scores in online reviews, they also wanted to see a great website, friendly phone manners and a high quality of service when we mystery shopped them.

This year the prize went to the Swindon-based Carite Service Centre, which scooped the prestigious gong for the second time in the last three years.

Founded in 2013, the business has now grown into one of the most highly regarded independent garages in the country, providing car servicing, MOTs, repairs, tyres and more.

Reacting to the latest win, Sam Williams, from Carite Service Centre in Swindon, said: ‘We are buzzing with this – we are really happy.

‘We were really hoping that we would win. This is a great award to take home and it’s good for the business.

‘It comes down to a lot of hard work. We’ve got a great team at Carite. We all work well together to give good customer service.

‘It’s all about just trying to give the best service we can and it’s great to see that we have something to show for that.’

On hand to offer his own congratulations after the ceremony was Car Dealer editor-in-chief, James Baggott, who said: ‘Carite Service Centre’s win is thoroughly deserved.

‘Their commitment to outstanding workmanship, customer trust and consistency sets a benchmark for service and repair businesses across the UK.

‘They’re a shining example of what great aftersales looks like.’

Used Car Awards host, TV’s Mike Brewer, added: ‘Carite really impressed the judges and the room on the night.

‘Their passion for doing things properly, looking after customers and running a top-class operation made them a standout winner.

‘A very well-earned award!’

The category aims to celebrate those up-and-comers who are likely to be the next big thing in the used car industry and Vladimirovs certainly fitted the bill this year.

The winner impressed our judges after receiving glowing feedback from her colleagues as well as performing well throughout our mystery shopping process.

That was enough for Vladimirovs to see off strong competition from across the industry – including Spencers Car Sales’ Michael Ashman and Plympton Car Centre’s Bailey McMinn, both of whom were Highly Commended.

Over recent years, Vladimirovs has established herself as a key player in the Car Quay team, rapidly rising to the role of operations manager at the Derby car dealership.

Reacting to the win, she told Car Dealer: ‘It feels crazy! I never thought I’d be here and it’s quite exciting.

‘I’m very proud to take this back to the dealership and display it as one of the awards on the shelf.

‘My colleagues better be pleased by this! We’ve had a great night, it’s always fun when we come here.

‘We’ve got an award, there’s great food and we get to see everyone in the trade, which is always nice.’

The Future Star Award was the start of a successful night for Car Quay, with the dealership also winning our Used Car Sales Team of the Year Award.

On hand to offer his congratulations after the ceremony was Car Dealer’s editor-in-chief, James Baggott, who said: ‘Our Future Star Award highlights the rising talent of the industry — the people we expect to see shaping its future.

‘This year’s winner — Megan Vladimirovs of Car Quay — impressed judges with fantastic feedback, brilliant mystery shopping performance and huge potential.

‘A huge well-done to Megan — she is certainly one to watch!’

The 43-year-old set up the Kent-based dealer way back in 2007 and has led it to become one of the most successful specialist sites in the UK over the past two decades.

Beginning with just a handful of cars, the dealership now stocks over 200 vehicles, mostly made up of German and British brands like Porsche, BMW and Land Rover.

This year, he impressed our judges with his excellent mystery shopping scores, superb feedback and outstanding great reputation.

It was enough for Lee-Kemp to see of strong competition – including from JMV Cars’ Tom Kazzaz and Infinity Motors, Sohib Ghafouri, both of whom were Highly Commended.

Sadly, our winner was ill on the night of the ceremony but Alex Carroll, marketing manager at Auto Sportiva, was on hand to collect the award on his boss’s behalf.

He told Car Dealer: ‘I have worked with Will for five years and he’s a great boss so I am not surprised at all he’s won this.

‘He’ll be delighted to win it. He loves these awards and works hard to make sure the entire team is happy.

‘To be recognised for that is something that will make him really happy.

‘It’s been a record year for the business and this is just the cherry on top really.’

Despite his absence from the big night, Car Dealer editor-in-chief, James Baggott, was still on hand to offer his congratulations.

He added: ‘The Dealer Principal Award celebrates leaders who inspire their teams and keep their businesses performing at the highest level.

‘The Dealer Principal Award celebrates leaders who inspire their teams and keep their businesses performing at the highest level.

‘This year’s winner — William Lee-Kemp of Auto-Sportiva — continues to guide a superb dealership with excellent reviews and consistently strong results.

‘A massive congratulations to has to go to William for winning this year’s prize.’

It’s a special Car Dealer Used Car Awards bumper issue this month, with 52 pages dedicated to the most glamorous awards for the used car industry.

Aside from the celebrations, issue 214 covers all the latest news from the motor trade, plus we reveal the Top 100 car dealers in the UK. It’s a featured-packed magazine!

Sound like something for you? Then why not take a look for yourself? Here is a taste of what you can expect…

This year’s running of the used car industry’s ‘Oscars’ was a triumph. The best individuals, sales teams, businesses and manufacturers were all celebrated in true style – catch up on all the winners in our special 52-page section.

The Car Dealer Top 100 list of the most profitable car dealers in the UK – sponsored by Carwow and compiled by Cooper Parry – has been revealed. You can read the full list and get expert comment in the mag, plus find out more information by watching our video.

Car Dealer editor-in-chief James Baggott publishes a weekly briefing for time-poor industry executives in which he gives his thoughts on the hottest stories. This month, he outlines what he would do if he were Auto Trader’s CEO.

To get the newsletter, you simply need to be a subscriber on Substack – click on this link to find out how. Meanwhile, we present some of his latest opinions in the new edition of the magazine.

Jeep is aiming to make waves in the mid-size SUV segment with its totally over-hauled Compass? But what’s it like? Jack Williams delivers his verdict.

This month’s News Digest is crammed with summaries of some of the biggest stories from across the automotive industry. To read them in full, just click on the boxes!

In addition, we take a look at what car manufacturers have been up to recently.

We have the latest news in the world of finance, highlights from our Car Dealer Live videos and podcasts, and updates on our fleet of long-termers.

This is just a taste of what’s in issue 214 of Car Dealer – which you can read and download for free via Issuu.

The easiest way to access it all is by clicking on the digital magazine below.

Want to read it on your mobile device? It’s also viewable in the Issuu app, both for iOS and Android. Switch your notifications on and you’ll get an alert every time a new magazine is published.

Want to make sure you’re kept informed about new magazines being published? Subscribe to our email newsletter and you’ll be contacted as soon as each issue is released.

How can you watch, who's nominated and how does voting work? Here are all your questions answered.

The SPOTY awards show will be shown on BBC One, iPlayer and the BBC website and app (UK only) on Thursday Dec. 18.

The show kicks off at 7pm.

Sports Personality of the Year

Here are the nominees for each award, starting with the top billing.

- Hannah Hampton (football)
- Ellie Kildunne (rugby union)
- Luke Littler (darts)
- Rory McIlroy (golf)
- Lando Norris (Formula 1)

- Mariona Caldentey (football)
- Terence Crawford (boxing)
- Armand Duplantis (athletics)
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (athletics)
- Shohei Ohtani (baseball)
- Mohamed Salah (football)

This award is for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.

Senior figures from BBC sport will decide the recipient.

- Michelle Agyemang (football)
- Luke Littler (darts)
- Davina Perrin (cricket)

Nominees must be 18 or under on Jan. 1 2025.

- England women's football team
- England women's rugby union team
- European Ryder Cup team

- Thierry Henry (football)

For the top Sports Personality of the Year award, public voting will take place during Thursday's show. To have your say, you need to have a BBC account -- voting is online only.

You can register at bbc.co.uk/spoty.

Voting for the World Sport Star of the Year closed on Dec. 14.

The Helen Rollason award and Young Sports Personality of the Year will be decided by panels.

Voting for the Team of the Year is currently open and will close during the awards show on Dec. 18.

A familiar BBC trio will be in charge of the awards show come Thursday. Gaby Logan, Clare Balding and Alex Scott are in the hotseat.