Car of the year

Car of the Year Awards 2026

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Car of the Year 2026

BMW iX3

The BMW iX3 is a car that will make you smile for any number of reasons. And, more importantly, it will keep you smiling in the way that only great cars do

Read more about our Car of the Year

Category winners

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Small Car of the Year

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Small Electric Car of the Year

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Small SUV of the Year

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Small Electric SUV of the Year

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Family Car of the Year

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Family SUV of the Year

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Family Electric SUV of the Year

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Premium SUV

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Premium Electric SUV of the Year

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Plug-in Hybrid of the Year

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Executive Car of the Year

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Luxury Car of the Year

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Estate Car of the Year

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MPV of the Year

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7-seat SUV of the Year

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Coupe Car of the Year

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Convertible Car of the Year

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Performance Car of the Year

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Sports Car of the Year

Special awards

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Readers' choice

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Safety Award

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Reliability Award

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Tow Car Award

Also consider

Dacia Sandero front driving

Best small car for value

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Best small car to drive

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Best small electric car for value

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Best small electric car to drive

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Best small SUV for value

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Best small SUV interior

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Best small SUV to drive

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Best small electric SUV for value

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Best small electric SUV for interior quality

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Best family car for value

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Best family car interior

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Best family SUV for value

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Best family SUV interior

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Best family electric SUV for value

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Best premium SUV interior

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Best family electric SUV interior

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Best plug-in hybrid for big families

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Best plug-in hybrid to drive

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Best hybrid executive car

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Best executive car interior

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Best electric luxury car

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Best luxury car interior

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Best estate car for value

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Best electric estate car

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Best MPV for value

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Best 7-seat MPV

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Best 7-seat SUV for value

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Best electric 7-seat SUV

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Best coupé SUV

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Best coupé for luxury

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Best convertible for value

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Best convertible for thrills

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Best hot hatch

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Best electric performance car

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Best sports SUV

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Best sports car for value

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Best money-no-object sports car

See every What Car? Car of the Year since 1978