Women’s Global Jury Picks Candidates for 2026 Cars
4741702 86f543a4 3882 8451 90c6 63bdc88cd565
12 November 2025: The motoring world is shifting gear and the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year has rolled out its 2026 candidates. Eighty-four women journalists from 54 countries across five continents will pit shiny new metal against real-world sense at a moment when electrification is no longer a novelty and global competition has been given a serious wake-up call.
A Jury With Reach And Purpose
This jury is notable for two reasons. First, it is made up entirely of women motoring experts – not a token gesture but a global collective with a combined reach that influences hundreds of millions of consumers. Second, it is refreshingly unromantic about what matters: cars should be useful, safe, well made and, ideally, a bit of fun to drive. The aim is not to crown a so-called woman’s car but to celebrate the best cars for everyone.
The State Of Play In 2026
Electric mobility has arrived in the mainstream, manufacturers from new regions are rewriting the rulebook, and legacy brands are reinventing themselves at a pace that would make a pit crew sweat. The candidates for 2026 reflect those shifts – from compact city EVs to hefty SUVs and surprising newcomers with bold ideas.
How The Voting Works
The first round is a vote by category. The winners of that stage will be revealed on 13 January 2026. Those category winners then go forward to a final round that will decide the Supreme Winner, to be announced on 5 March 2026, the week International Women’s Day is celebrated. The criteria are straightforward: safety, quality, value, design, ease of driving and environmental footprint.
2026 Candidates
Alpine – A390; Arcfox – AlphaT5; Audi – Q3; Audi – Q5; BAIC – BJ41; BYD – Dolphin Surf; BYD – Atto2; Cadillac – Vistiq; Cadillac – Escalade IQ; Changan – CS55+Idd; Citroen – e C5 Aircross; Dacia – Bigster; Denza – Z9 GT; Dodge – Charger (ICE); DS – Nº8; FIAT – Grande Panda; Ford – Expedition; Geely – Cityray; Honda – Prelude; Hyundai – Palisade; Hyundai – Ioniq 9; Jaecoo – 5/5EV; Jaecoo – 6; Jeep – Compass; JMC – Grand Avenue Pro; KGM – Actyon; Kia – Tasman; Kia – EV4; Lamborghini – Temerario; Leapmotor – B10; Lexus – RZ 450e; Lynk & co – 08; Lynk & co – 900; Mazda – 6e; Mazda – CX-5; Mercedes-Benz – CLA; MG – 4; MG – IM6; Mitsubishi – Outlander PHEV; Nissan – Leaf; Nissan – Sentra; Omoda – 7 SHS; Omoda – 9 SHS; Opel/Vauxhall – Frontera; Renault – 4E-Tech; Skoda – Elroq; Smart – #5; Suzuki – e Vitara; Toyota – 4Runner; Toyota – Urban Cruiser; Volkswagen – T-Roc; Volkswagen – Tayron; Volvo – ES90; Xpeng – P7; Zeekr – 7X.
Why This Matters
This is more than a list of shiny new cars. It is a snapshot of an industry in motion – technological, geographical and cultural. The jury’s choices will spotlight vehicles that marry everyday practicality with forward thinking. Expect surprises, expect familiar names to fight back, and expect the winner to be a car that makes sense on the road as well as on the balance sheet.
Zachary Skinner is the editor of TechDrivePlay.com, where tech, cars and adventure share the fast lane.
A former snowboarding pro and programmer, he brings both creative flair and technical know-how to his reviews. From high-performance cars to clever gadgets, he explores how innovation shapes the way we move, connect and live.
