BMW iX3 Double Win

BMW’s iX3 took both 2026 World Car of the Year and 2026 World Electric Vehicle at the New York International Auto Show on April 1. (worldcarawards.com) The World Car Awards said 98 automotive journalists from 33 countries made the call after test drives and scored evaluations. BMW said the iX3 beat 57 eligible vehicles for the top overall prize. (bmwgroup.com, bmwgroup.com) The same awards program gave BMW its first World Electric Vehicle title, while the overall win was the company’s second World Car of the Year after the 3 Series won in 2006. BMW said the two 2026 trophies were its 10th and 11th World Car Awards titles overall. (worldcarawards.com, bmwgroup.com) The result lands as BMW rolls out its Neue Klasse line, the company’s next generation of battery-electric models. BMW calls the iX3 the first Neue Klasse model and says its design, software and drivetrain tech will spread across the wider lineup. (bmwgroup.com, bmwgroup.com) BMW says the iX3 can deliver up to 805 kilometers of range on the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure cycle, charge at up to 400 kilowatts, and use 17.9 to 15.1 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometers. The company also highlighted its new Panoramic iDrive display system and “Heart of Joy” control unit in the award announcement. (bmwgroup.com) The other 2026 winners show how heavily electric models now shape the awards field. Lucid Gravity won World Luxury Car, Hyundai Ioniq 6 N won World Performance Car, Firefly won World Urban Car, and Mazda 6e or EZ-6 won World Car Design of the Year. (worldcarawards.com) BMW Chair Oliver Zipse had already been named 2026 World Car Person of the Year on February 26. By April 1, the company had turned that recognition into the awards program’s biggest model win of the year. (bmwgroup.com, worldcarawards.com)