2026 World Car Awards: Mazda 6e/EZ-6 Wins Car Design of the Year
The Mazda 6e/EZ-6 has clinched the 2026 World Car Design of the Year title, surpassing vehicles such as the Kia PV5 and Volvo ES90.
By Sanorita
The day has finally come! The 2026 World Car Awards have announced winners across categories, bestowing honours on some of the best machines. The Mazda 6e/EZ-6 has clinched the 2026 World Car Design of the Year title. The mid-size electrified sedan outpaced competitors such as the Kia PV5 and Volvo ES90 to earn the coveted accolade, making it a third win for Mazda in this category and fifth overall in the 22-year-old history of WCOTY awards. The BMW iX3 was crowned the 2026 World Car of the Year, rounding off a landmark day at the New York International Auto Show.
2026 World Car Design of the Year: Eligibility Criteria
Cars must adhere to specific production and market requirements to qualify for the World Car of the Year. To begin with, eligible models must be manufactured in volumes of at least 10,000 units per year. They should also be priced below the luxury-car segment in their main markets. Moreover, these cars must be available for sale in at least two major markets across two separate continents, including regions such as China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, and the USA, between January 1, 2025, and March 30, 2026.
Also Read: 2026 World Car Awards: BMW iX3 Named World Electric Vehicle
Note that any model that qualifies for the WCOTY award is automatically entered into the World Car Design of the Year category.
2026 World Car Design of the Year: Who Chooses the Winners?
An esteemed panel of 98 automotive journalists across the globe carefully chooses the winners of the 2026 World Car Awards. Among these experts was our very own Dhruv Behl, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of autoX, who contributed to the global evaluation in picking the best of machines across categories.
A total of 90 vehicles competed for the 2026 World Car Design of the Year. They were assessed by seven distinguished international design experts on multiple parameters. From their detailed reviews, a shortlist of the most exceptional designs was prepared for the jurors’ final vote.
