The BMW iX3 is the 2026 World Car of the Year
The first modern Neue Klasse model in BMW’s portfolio, the iX3 has claimed top honours at the 2026 World Car of the Year awards… Image: BMW The BMW iX3, which we sampled for a first drive at its international launch event in Spain in 2025, has claimed top honours at the 2026 World Car of the Year awards. Indeed, among 58 competitors and a shortlist comprising the Hyundai Palisade and Nissan Leaf, the first modern Neue Klasse model in BMW’s portfolio was chosen, by a jury comprising 98 motoring journalists from 33 countries, as the Car of the Year. Said Mike Reichelt, Head of Neue Klasse at BMW, “We are happy with this fantastic accolade for the BMW iX3, the first representative of our Neue Klasse. The BMW iX3 marks the beginning of a new era at BMW – in terms of design language, range, charging capacity as well as driver assistance – and BMW Panoramic iDrive. Above all, the BMW iX3 represents the next generation of Sheer Driving Pleasure powered by the Heart of Joy. The innovatio...