ICOTY 2026 Contenders Announced: Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Skoda Kylaq, Kia Syros, and More

The new edition of the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) awards has returned, with a lineup of contenders competing for top honours in key categories such as Indian Car of the Year, Premium Car of the Year, and Green Car of the Year. Since its inception in 2005, the Indian Car of the Year awards have been the benchmark for evaluating new cars in India.

They rely on a panel of expert judges who rigorously assess each vehicle based on price, fuel efficiency, design, comfort, safety, performance, practicality, technological innovation, and suitability for Indian driving conditions. Dhruv Behl, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of autoX, and Ishan Raghava, Consulting Editor at autoX and Secretary of ICOTY 2026, are members of a seasoned jury panel representing some of the country’s most renowned automotive publications.

Also Read: ICOTY 2026 Premium Car Contenders Announced: BMW iX1, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Toyota Camry and More

JK Tyre has been the trusted sponsor since the very first edition, adding prestige and credibility to the awards. Here are the shortlisted cars vying for ICOTY 2026.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Hyundai introduced the all-electric Creta at the Bharat Mobility Expo earlier this year. The electric SUV is offered with two battery options and is priced from Rs 18.02 lakh to Rs 24.69 lakh (ex-showroom). The smaller 42kWh pack delivers a claimed driving range of 390 kilometres, while the larger 51.4kWh unit extends that to 473 kilometres. Neatly packaged within the SUV’s underbody, the battery setup lends the Creta EV a clean yet distinctive design with a mild protrusion. Power output stands at 133bhp for the 42kWh variant, rising to 169bhp with the larger battery.

Hyundai Venue

Hyundai introduced the second-generation Venue in India in November, with introductory ex-showroom prices ranging from Rs 7.90 lakh to Rs 15.69 lakh, valid until December 31, 2025. The updated compact SUV has grown in size, measuring 48mm in length, 30mm in width, with a 20mm longer wheelbase.

Some of the notable updates include a D-cut steering wheel, a new three-spoke design with illuminated accents, and a curved dual 12.3-inch display setup replacing the older 8-inch screen. Built on Hyundai’s new K1 global platform, the 2025 Venue continues with three engine options: a 1.2-litre petrol, a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol, and a 1.5-litre diesel, with both manual and automatic gearbox choices on offer.

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Kia launched the Carens Clavis EV in India in July, with ex-showroom prices ranging between Rs 17.99 lakh and Rs 24.49 lakh. The electric MPV is offered with two battery options: a 42kWh pack with 404 kilometres of range and a larger 51.4kWh pack with a range of up to 490 kilometres (ARAI). Power comes from a single front-mounted motor producing 169bhp and 255Nm, enabling a 0–100km/h sprint in 8.4 seconds, along with support for 100kW DC fast charging.

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Key feature highlights include an 8-speaker Bose audio system, V2L functionality, 64-colour ambient lighting, wireless charging for both rows, a ventilated powered driver’s seat, six airbags, ESC, hill-start assist, and Level 2 ADAS.

Kia Syros

Kia introduced the Syros in India in February, positioning it as a more upmarket option above the Sonet. The sub-4-metre SUV is offered with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, including a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol producing 118bhp and 172Nm, and a 1.5-litre diesel generating 114bhp and 250Nm. While a six-speed manual transmission is standard across the range, automatic options differ by powertrain, with the petrol paired to a seven-speed DCT and the diesel using a six-speed torque converter.

The Syros stands out with features such as twin 12.3-inch screens, an eight-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, a two-spoke steering wheel bearing Kia’s logo, automatic power windows, and multiple Type-C charging points. Its tall stance and 2,550mm wheelbase translate into good cabin space, giving it an edge over rivals like the Brezza, Venue, and Nexon.

Mahindra XEV 9e

Mahindra introduced the XEV 9e in India in November 2024, with ex-showroom prices ranging from Rs 22.65 lakh to Rs 31.25 lakh. Underpinned by the brand’s INGLO platform, the electric SUV is available with two battery options, both driving the rear wheels via a single electric motor.

The 59kWh variant delivers 228bhp and offers a claimed range of 542 kilometres, while the larger 79kWh battery raises output to 282bhp and extends the range to 656 kilometres. On the features front, the XEV 9e stands out with a triple-screen cockpit, panoramic glass roof, wireless charging, NFC-based key access, electronically adjustable driver’s seat, and dual-zone climate control.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki launched the Arena-badged Victoris SUV in India in September. Priced between Rs 10.50 lakh and Rs 19.99 lakh (both, ex-showroom), the car boasts strong safety credentials, including a 5-star rating in both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP crash tests. It shares its powertrain lineup with the Grand Vitara, and is offered with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine featuring mild-hybrid technology that produces 102bhp and 137Nm, paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The same engine is also available in a CNG guise with an underbody-mounted tank, offered exclusively with a 5-speed manual. Additionally, the SUV gets a 1.5-litre strong-hybrid setup delivering 114.4bhp and 141Nm, mated to an e-CVT.

Feature highlights include a segment-first smart powered tailgate with gesture control, Alexa Auto integration, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a Dolby Atmos sound system, and six airbags as standard.

Skoda Kylaq

Skoda launched the Kylaq in India in November last year, positioning it as an affordable subcompact SUV in the lineup. The car is priced starting at Rs 7.55 lakh (ex-showroom), and is powered by a 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine that produces 114bhp and 178Nm, and is paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Skoda claims the manual variant can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 10.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 188km/h.

The turbo-petrol engine is standard across all four variants—Classic, Signature, Signature+, and Prestige. Prominent highlights include a 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an 8-inch digital driver display, wireless charging, ventilated and electrically adjustable front seats, along with comprehensive safety tech such as six airbags, ABS with EBD, and traction and stability control.

Tata Harrier EV

Tata Motors launched the Harrier EV in India in June. The SUV is currently priced between Rs 21.49 lakh and Rs 29.48 lakh (both, ex-showroom). It is built on an advanced iteration of the Acti.ev platform, and is available with two battery options.

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Lower variants use a 65kWh battery paired with a rear-mounted motor producing 235bhp, while the flagship trims feature a 75kWh LFP battery with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup delivering 390.5bhp and 504Nm. The larger battery offers an MIDC-certified range of up to 627 kilometres. Key features include a new four-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated Tata logo, a Samsung Neo QLED infotainment display, Summon Mode, and six selectable terrain modes.