- WWCOTY will be announced on YouTube.
- Six individual category winners in contention for the award.
- Jury comprises 84 women from 54 countries.
The Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) will soon announce its overall winning model, from its six individual category winners.
WWCOTY's international jury is made up of 84 women motoring journalists from 54 countries. All the winning vehicles represent "excellence in their respective segments for safety, driving performance, technology, comfort, overall performance and value for money," says the organisation.
A total of 55 candidates competed in this 15th edition of the awards. All eligible vehicles had to be new models launched in at least two continents or 40 countries between January and December 2025.
“In our voting, we have focused on vehicles that stand out not only for their figures or technology, but for how effectively they respond to people’s real, everyday needs. Electrification, digitalisation and sustainability are no longer trends, but essential requirements,” says Marta García, executive president of WWCOTY.
“Each candidate was analysed from multiple perspectives, with particular attention paid to safety, functionality, comfort and overall value. The result is a list of winners that truly represents the best of the automotive industry in 2026.”
WWCOTY category winners for 2026
- Compact Car: Nissan Leaf
- Compact SUV: Skoda Elroq
- Large Car: Mercedes-Benz CLA
- Large SUV: Hyundai ioniq 9
- 4x4: Toyota 4Runner
- Performance Car: Lamborghini Temerario
The winner will be announced today, March 8, on YouTube and subsequently on other media. No specific timing is given for the reveal, but you can keep an eye on the WWCOTY channel here.
In addition to the cars, WWCOTY recognises a "brand's committment to women" each year with the Sandy Myhre Award. For 2026 it goes to Ford, for its "clear and sustained focus on gender equality within its corporate structure. The company has promoted female leadership programs, active work-life balance policies and equality plans across multiple markets, resulting in a steady increase in women in technical, engineering and senior management positions.
Why a Women's World COTY? And the Kiwi connection
WWCOTY was created by New Zealand motoring journalist Sandy Myhre in 2009; she is now honorary president.
The organisation says voting criteria are based on the same principles that guide any driver when choosing a car: "The jurors do not select a 'woman’s car' because cars are not gender specific. Aspects such as safety, quality, price, design, ease of driving, benefits and environmental footprint, among others, are considered when casting the votes.
"However, beyond choosing the best cars of the year, our goal is also to give visibility to women in the automotive world and to contribute to making women’s voices heard on all continents, because mobility for a woman means access to many personal and professional possibilities."