Following months of testing, debate, and analysis, a panel of 86 female motoring journalists from 55 countries cast their votes to determine the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) 2026.
The panel announced that it was the Nissan Leaf that claimed the top spot, with Marta García, executive president of WWCOTY stating “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.”
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The Nissan Leaf is a 100% electric vehicle which has been designed for accessible and realistic everyday use, standing out for its practical approach. The vehicle offers up to 386 miles (WLTP) with the 75kWh battery and around 271 miles with the 52kWh battery, offering a realistic approach to electric mobility, a key factor that convinced the jury on their decision.
The Nissan Leaf offers a quiet driving experience, with architecture that prioritises interior space and ease of use over complex solutions, delivering one of the most intuitive electric driving experiences on the market, the WWCOTY judges said.
“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 decision on the Nissan Leaf aims to showcase the transformation in the automotive industry where sustainability, electrification and user-focused design are fundamental. The panel noted that strong competition in this year’s awards demonstrated how manufacturers worldwide are raising their standards across all areas of concept, design, and performance.
“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.”
Other category champions included vehicles from Skoda, Hyundai and Lamborghini.
- Compact Car. Nissan Leaf
- Compact SUV. Škoda Elroq
- Large Car. Mercedes-Benz CLA
- Large SUV. Hyundai Ioniq 9
- Toyota 4Runner
- Performance Car. Lamborghini Temerario
The announcement of this award by WWCOTY reaffirms its mission to provide an independent and expert assessment of the automotive industry, offering guidance to drivers and consumers around the globe.
