The 2026 Nissan Leaf has been crowned the overall winner of the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) 2026. The result was decided by 86 women motoring journalists from 55 countries across five continents, who evaluated cars over several months before a final vote among six category champions.
The Leaf first claimed the Compact Car category, then edged out rivals including the Mercedes-Benz CLA, Hyundai Ioniq 9, and even the Lamborghini Temerario in the final round. WWCOTY president Marta Garcia noted the vote was “exceptionally close,” with several models finishing within touching distance of each other.
Jurors praised the Leaf’s no-fuss approach to electric mobility — its spacious cabin, intuitive controls, competitive pricing (from $29,990 in the US), and a 75 kWh battery delivering up to 303 miles of estimated range. Indian jurors Renuka Kirpalani and Mugdha Mishra of Autocar India were among the voters. Mishra summed it up: “Its victory reflects how electric mobility is maturing globally.”
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Overall Winner & 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 |
The win is a significant moment for Nissan — the brand that pioneered mass-market EVs with the original Leaf in 2010. The third-generation model is a ground-up reinvention, and the world’s most geographically diverse jury just confirmed it’s the right car for right now.
Also Read – Royal Enfield Continental GT 750 Spy Shot
