March. Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) has announced that the Nissan Leaf is the overall winner of its 2026 edition, following a final round of voting marked by remarkable parity among the top contenders.
After months of testing, analysis and debate, the 86 women motoring journalists from 55 countries across five continents cast their votes to determine the ultimate winner among the following category champions.
- Compact Car. Nissan Leaf
- Compact SUV. Škoda Elroq
- Large Car. Mercedes-Benz CLA
- Large SUV. Hyundai Ioniq 9
- 4×4. Toyota 4Runner
- Performance Car. Lamborghini Temerario
According to Marta García, Executive President of WWCOTY, “there was significant parity in the voting. Several models received very similar levels of support, which reflects the exceptional quality and diversity of today’s automotive industry. In the end, however, the Nissan Leaf prevailed.”
The Nissan Leaf convinced the jury with its coherent and realistic approach to electric mobility. It is a 100% electric vehicle designed for realistic and accessible everyday use. It stands out for its practical approach, offering smooth, quiet driving and outstanding efficiency, particularly in urban and suburban environments. Its architecture prioritizes interior space and ease of use over complex solutions, delivering one of the most intuitive electric driving experiences on the market.
“Consumers can say goodbye to range anxiety. The vehicle feels significantly more premium than its price suggests, and notably, the new Leaf starts at a lower price point than the original 2011 model,” said Tanya Gazdik (USA).
“It is perfectly suited to urban driving while offering generous interior space that makes it equally capable on longer journeys. The ride is smooth and comfortable, it features the latest technologies, and, importantly, it has an appealing design,” explained Tina Vujanovic (Serbia).
“The Leaf is competitively priced within its segment. Nissan has successfully made electric mobility and advanced safety technologies more accessible to a broader audience,” noted Shereen Shabnam (Dubai).
“The Nissan Leaf delivers everything consumers expect from a modern electric vehicle: comfort, practicality and sufficient range for both daily commuting and extended trips. It truly meets the standard of a well-rounded EV, while maintaining a very reasonable price,” added Marie Lizak (France).
“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”, García explained. “The Nissan Leaf represents a mature and intelligent vision of electrification — one that makes electric mobility truly usable and accessible.”
The final decision reflects the broader transformation of the automotive sector, where electrification, sustainability and user-centered design have become fundamental pillars. The strong competition in this year’s awards demonstrates how manufacturers worldwide are raising standards across all segments.
With this announcement, WWCOTY reaffirms its mission to provide an independent and expert assessment of the automotive industry, offering clear guidance to drivers and consumers around the globe.
About Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year
Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year is the only car awards group in the world comprised exclusively of women motoring journalists. It was created by New Zealand motoring journalist Sandy Myhre in 2009. She is the Honorary President while Marta García is Executive President.
This unique award aims to recognize the best cars of the year and to give a voice to women in the automotive world. The voting criteria are based on the same principles that guide any driver when choosing a car. The jurors do not select a ‘woman’s car’ because cars are not gender specific.
However, beyond choosing the best cars of the year, our goal is also to give visibility to women in the automotive world and to contribute to making women’s voices heard on all continents because mobility for a woman means access to many personal and professional possibilities.
