BMW models secure top international awards in 2026

BMW models, led by the iX3, secured major international awards in early 2026, including What Car? and auto motor und sport titles. Explore full results.

BMW opened 2026 with a sweeping series of awards across major national and international competitions, underlining the breadth of its product portfolio — from compact models to flagship luxury vehicles.

The standout of the early season is the BMW iX3, the first production model of the new Neue Klasse architecture. In Germany’s long-running “Best Cars” readers’ poll by auto motor und sport, the iX3 secured 14.1% of the vote in the Large SUVs/Off-road Vehicles category, outperforming 69 competitors. The 50th edition of the poll attracted around 95,000 participants, who selected their favourites from 480 models across 13 categories.

The iX3’s momentum continued in the UK at the “What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2026”, where it claimed the titles of “Car of the Year 2026” and “Premium Electric SUV of the Year”. At the same event, the BMW 4 Series was once again named “Coupé of the Year”, the BMW M3 Competition Touring secured its third consecutive “Performance Car of the Year” award, and the BMW X7 retained its “Luxury Car of the Year” title.

First unveiled at IAA Mobility 2025, the iX3 combines an electric range of up to 805 kilometres (WLTP) with charging capability of up to 400 kW and energy consumption from 15.1 kWh/100 km. It introduces key elements of BMW’s next-generation technology, including BMW Panoramic Vision, the new high-performance control unit Heart of Joy, and an 800-volt Gen6 eDrive architecture. Its technological innovations were recognised with the prestigious “Golden Steering Wheel” for Best Innovation.

Success extended well beyond a single model. The BMW 5 Series collected multiple international accolades: the i5 Touring was named Best EV Estate by Top Gear, the 530e earned the title of Premium Hybrid Car of the Year, and the BMW M5 Touring received the “Golden Steering Wheel” in the upper/luxury class.

Flagship vehicles further reinforced the brand’s standing. The BMW i7 was declared Best Electric Luxury Car by What Car?, the BMW X7 defended its Luxury Car of the Year title, while the BMW X5 and X6 achieved high recognition in J.D. Power studies. In the United States, the BMW iX xDrive50 was named Overall Winner in the AAA Car Guide 2025 within the midsize SUV category.

In the core mid-range segment, the BMW 3 Series, 4 Series and i4 received Editors’ Choice distinctions, and the updated BMW X3 — featuring BMW Operating System 9 and a renewed design language — secured awards across Germany, the UK and South Africa. Compact models including the BMW 1 Series, 2 Series and X1 also maintained strong positions in reader polls and expert evaluations.

Beyond individual vehicles, BMW itself received multiple brand distinctions, including Design Brand of the Year, Electric Car Brand of the Year and the readers’ title of World’s Best Brand in Germany.

Taken together, these results reflect not only the competitiveness of individual models but also the strategic impact of BMW’s transition toward a new electric architecture and digital ecosystem. If this trajectory continues, 2026 could mark one of the brand’s most significant years in terms of global recognition and technological positioning.