What car? Car of the Year Awards 2026

Winning a What Car? Car of the Year Award is one of the highest accolades a vehicle can receive. New models are put through rigorous testing, with expert judges evaluating everything from practicality and performance to comfort and technology, before crowning both category winners and the overall Car of the Year.

And the winners of 2026 are…


Small Car of the Year – Toyota Aygo X 1.5 Hybrid Icon


See our Aygo X offers here

Small Electric Car of the Year – Renault 5 Comfort Range Techno+

See our Renault 5 offers here

Small SUV of the Year – Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 eTSI 150 Life DSG

Family Car of the Year – Honda Civic 2.0 e:HEV Elegance

See our Civic offers here

Family Electric SUV of the Year – smart #5 Pro+

See our #5 offers here

Plug-in Hybrid of the Year – MG HS 1.5T Plug-in Hybrid SE

See our HS offers here

Estate Car of the Year – Skoda Superb Estate 1.5 TSI 150 e-TEC SE L

See our Superb offers here

Seven-seat SUV of the Year – Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid 2WD Premium

See our Santa Fe offers here


Special Awards

Reliability Award – Honda

See our Honda offers here

Tow Car of the Year 2025 – Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 193 4x4 SportLine DSG (7 seats)

See our Kodiaq offers here


Also consider

Best small car to drive – Renault Clio 1.0 TCe 90 Techno+

See our Clio offers here

Best small electric car for value – BYD Dolphin Surf Boost

See our Dolphin Surf offers here

Best small electric car to drive – Cupra Born 59kWh e-boost 230 V1

See our Born offers here

Best small SUV for value – Dacia Duster 1.2 TCe 140 Expression

See our Duster offers here

Best small SUV interior – Lexus LBX 1.5 Hybrid Takumi

See our LBX offers here

Best small SUV to drive – Ford Puma 1.0 Ecoboost 125 mHEV ST-Line

See our Puma offers here

Best small electric SUV for value – Renault 4 Techno+

See our Renault 4 offers here

Best family car for value – Skoda Scala 1.0 TSI 95 SE Edition

See our Scala offers here


Best family car interior – Mazda 3 e-Skyactiv G Takumi

See our Mazda 3 offers here

Best family SUV for value – Dacia Bigster 1.2 TCe 140 Expression

See our Bigster offers here

Best family electric SUV for value – Skoda Elroq 60 SE L

See our Skoda Elroq offers here

Best premium electric SUV interior – Genesis GV60 Pure

See our GV60 offers here

Best estate car for value – Seat Leon Estate 1.5 TSI 115 SE

See our Leon Estate offers here

Best electric estate car – Volkswagen ID 7 Tourer 77kWh Pro Match Plus

See our ID 7 offers here

Best MPV for value – Dacia Jogger 1.0 TCe 110 Expression

See our Jogger offers here

Best seven-seat MPV – Volkswagen ID Buzz LWB Style 7-seat

See our ID Buzz offers here

Best seven-seat SUV for value – Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 TSI 150 e-TEC

See our Kodiaq offers here

Best electric seven-seater – KIA EV9 RWD Air

See our EV9 offers here

Best coupe SUV – Cupra Formentor 1.5 TSI 150 V1

See our Formentor offers here

Best sport car for value – Mazda MX-5 1.5 Skyactiv-G 132 Prime-Line

See our MX-5 offers here


Overall, Winner & Best premium electric SUV: 

BMW iX3 50 xDrive M Sport


Use the links above to find out more about each car and our discounts available for blue light, police and military personnel.

MSG Summary

Browse our exclusive discounts for blue light, police and military on all makes and models here today.