The Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) organization is sharing all the winners of its 2026 awards including this year's Supreme Winner honor, which goes to the all-new 2026 Nissan LEAF.
The annual awards - determined by a jury made up entirely of female automotive journalists - recognize vehicles that stood out globally for safety, performance, technology, comfort and value. This year, 86 jurors from 55 countries evaluated dozens of new vehicles launched during 2025, testing them in real-world driving conditions before casting their votes.
To qualify, vehicles must be new models introduced in the previous year and available in at least two continents or sold in a minimum of 40 countries worldwide.
WWCOTY officials emphasize that the awards are not intended to identify “cars for women,” but instead highlight vehicles that excel across key categories and appeal broadly to drivers everywhere.
“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, digitalization and sustainability are no longer trends, but essential requirements,” said Marta García, Executive President of WWCOTY.
The Supreme winner was chosen from amongst six category winners.
2026 Women’s Worldwide Car Of The Year Category Winners
Best Compact Car — Nissan LEAF EV
Best Compact SUV — Skoda Elroq
Best Large Car — Mercedes-Benz CLA
Best Large SUV — Hyundai Ioniq 9 EV
Best 4x4 — Toyota 4Runner
Best Performance Car — Lamborghini Temerario
2026 WWCOTY Supreme Winner
One of the longest-running mainstream electric vehicles on the market, the Nissan LEAF was named the overall winner after winning the compact car category. Redesigned in 2026, WWCOTY cites its continued practicality, efficiency and affordability. It also says the LEAF's coherent and realistic approach to every day electric mobility helped earn it top honors along with its smooth, quiet driving and outstanding efficiency. Its interior wins accolades too for its ease of use.
“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,” said Marta García, Executive President of WWCOTY. “The Nissan LEAF represents a mature and intelligent vision of electrification — one that makes electric mobility truly usable and accessible.”
“New LEAF being named overall winner by the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year is a proud moment for everyone at Nissan,” said Ivan Espinosa, President & CEO, Nissan. “LEAF helped bring electric driving into the mainstream, and this new generation carries that mission forward. It’s designed to make going electric easier and more enjoyable for more people around the world.”
WWCOTY says jurors evaluate vehicles based on a wide range of criteria including safety, driving dynamics, comfort, technology, environmental impact and value for money. The awards provide insight into global automotive trends and highlight vehicles that stand out across different market segments.
Last year’s overall winner was the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Photo: Nissan.
