BMW iX3 claims double World Car Awards win

The BMW iX3 has been named 2026 World Car of the Year and 2026 World Electric Vehicle at the World Car Finals in New York, marking a significant achievement for the German manufacturer’s first Neue Klasse production model.

The double win represents BMW’s second World Car of the Year title overall, following the BMW 3-Series victory in 2006. BMW has now collected 11 awards across World Car’s 22-year history, with the iX marking the brand’s second consecutive nomination for the top honour after reaching the final three in 2025.

A jury of 98 international automotive journalists from 33 countries selected the iX3 from an initial field of 58 contenders through secret ballot. The results were tabulated by KPMG and announced at the New York International Auto Show.

Neue Klasse milestone

“We are delighted by this outstanding result for the BMW iX3, the first production model of the Neue Klasse,” says Mike Reichelt, Head of Neue Klasse at BMW.

“The iX3 marks the beginning of a new era for BMW in terms of design language, range and charging performance, driver assistance systems, and the user experience with the first-ever BMW Panoramic iDrive.”

Reichelt says the iX3 represents “the next generation of sheer driving pleasure, powered by the Heart of Joy” and notes that innovations from the Neue Klasse will benefit BMW’s entire product portfolio, with 40 new or updated models planned for the coming year.

The iX3 competed against the Hyundai Palisade and Nissan Leaf in the final three, having progressed through multiple rounds of evaluation by the international jury panel.

To qualify for World Car of the Year consideration, vehicles must be produced in volumes of at least 10,000 units annually, priced below luxury-car level in their primary markets, and available in at least two major markets across two continents between January 1, 2025 and March 30, 2026.

The World Car Awards program, now in its 22nd year, aims to recognise automotive excellence and innovation on a global scale. The awards complement existing national and regional Car of the Year programs and have been the leading global automotive awards program for 13 consecutive years in terms of media reach.

“The World Car Awards are a global benchmark for excellence by recognising the vehicles and technologies that are truly moving the industry forward,” says Mark Schienberg, president of the New York International Auto Show.