UK Car of the Year 2026 awards highlight electric vehicle trends

The winners of the UK Car of the Year 2026 awards have been announced. A jury of 33 automotive journalists and experts selected the best vehicles across eight categories. The overall winner will be revealed on February 26.

The awards highlight a clear shift toward electric vehicles, with most prizes going to models with electric powertrains. In the Small Car category, the Renault 5 took top honors, while the Kia EV4 was named Family Car of the Year. The Citroen C3/e-C3 Aircross was recognized as the best compact crossover, and the Skoda Elroq won in the midsize crossover class.

For the second consecutive year, Hyundai leads the Large Crossover category, this time with the Ioniq 9. Audi secured two awards: the A6 was named best business sedan, and the A6 Avant best estate car. The Alpine A290 earned the title of most sporting car of the year.

Overall, the results reflect current market trends and interest in new 2026 models, particularly in the electric and high-tech segments.