London, 23 January 2026 – BMW has claimed top honours at the 2026 What Car? Car of the Year Awards, with the all-electric iX3 named overall Car of the Year. The announcement came at a star-studded ceremony at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House on London’s Park Lane, dubbed the ‘Motoring Oscars’ for its glittering celebration of automotive excellence.
This marks the fourth time BMW has secured the coveted overall title since the awards’ inception in 1978, joining the ranks of past winners including the 5 Series (2017), 3 Series (2006) and 7 Series (1988). The iX3 is also the fifth fully electric vehicle to win the top award, following in the footsteps of the Kia e-Niro (2019), Kia EV6 (2022), Volkswagen ID.Buzz (2023) and Renault 5 (2025).
Built from the ground up as an electric vehicle, the second-generation BMW iX3 boasts an impressive 108.7kWh battery, giving it a range of up to 500 miles on a single charge. It also supports ultra-fast charging of up to 400kW, adding 215 miles of range in just 10 minutes. This combination of range and rapid charging sets a new benchmark in the premium electric SUV segment.
Steve Huntingford, editor of What Car?, praised the iX3, saying: “The premium electric SUV market is one of the most hotly contested, yet in so many respects the BMW iX3 offers a step change in capability. It combines a huge range with ultra-rapid charging; its new software improves everything from the infotainment system to safety; and despite being one of the most enjoyable SUVs of any kind to drive, it’s also very comfortable. In short, it’s a truly great car.”
David George, CEO of BMW Group UK and Ireland, added: “We are truly honoured that the BMW iX3 has been named as the 2026 What Car? Car of the Year. This award is especially meaningful given What Car?’s rigorous testing process. Like the original Neue Klasse of the 1960s, the iX3 represents the beginning of a new era for BMW, bringing significant advancements in technology, range and charging capabilities while maintaining the unmistakable driving experience our customers know and expect.”
Other Notable Winners
The 2026 awards highlighted a diverse field of vehicles across multiple categories:
- MPV of the Year: Kia PV5 Long Range Plus
- Premium SUV: Land Rover Defender 110 D250 S
- Sports Car of the Year: Porsche 911 Carrera T
- Convertible of the Year: Mercedes CLE Cabriolet 200 AMG Line Premium
- Family Electric SUV: Smart #5 Pro+
- Small Car of the Year: Toyota Aygo X 1.5 Hybrid Icon
- Small SUV of the Year: Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 eTSI 150 Life DSG
The Volvo EX60 was awarded the Reader Award, voted for by the public as the most exciting upcoming electric car, underlining growing consumer interest in electric mobility. Meanwhile, the Renault 5 retained its title as Small Electric Car of the Year, a year after its overall win.
The full list of winners showcases the breadth of innovation across the automotive industry, from plug-in hybrids and electric SUVs to performance cars and luxury vehicles, reflecting the accelerating shift towards electrification without compromising style, capability or driving enjoyment.
For full results and more details, visit www.whatcar.com/awards/new-car-awards.
