Every single car on this year's 'World’s Best' shortlist is electrified in some way

The world’s best cars have officially gone electric, with every model on this year’s World Car of the Year (WCOTY) shortlist featuring some form of electrification.

For an award that once revolved around engine size and exhaust notes, that’s a very significant milestone.

From mild hybrids to plug-in setups and full battery-electric platforms, electrification is now the baseline for the best cars in the world.

This may not be a surprise to everyone, but in 2026, electrons are firmly part of the judging criteria.

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This year’s contenders

The World Car of the Year top 10 finalists were selected from an initial pool of 58 vehicles, and will be assessed by a jury of 98 automotive journalists from 33 countries.

All are vying to dethrone the current WCOTY champion, the Kia EV3, which claimed the title last year.

World Car of the Year top 10 finalists:

The Audi Q5/SQ5

BMW iX3

BYD Seal 6 DM-i

Hyundai Ioniq 9

Hyundai Palisade

Kia EV4

Kia EV5

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Nissan Leaf

Toyota RAV4

This year’s contenders span a wide range of body styles and price points.

Not all electrification is created equal, and that diversity is part of what makes this year’s WCOTY list interesting.

Mild-hybrid options like the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz CLA use 48-volt systems to improve efficiency without radically changing the driving experience.

At the other end of the spectrum, fully electric models such as the Nissan Leaf, BMW iX3, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia EV4, and Kia EV5 represent the industry’s clean-sheet approach to mobility.

Plug-in hybrids also have a seat at the table, with BYD’s Seal 6 DM-i showcasing the Chinese automaker’s increasingly influential DM-i technology.

Some mainstream favorites are also evolving rapidly.

For the 2026 model year in the US, the Toyota RAV4 has gone hybrid-only, a clear signal that electrification has moved from niche to norm.

Even large family SUVs are joining the party, with the Hyundai Palisade now offering a hybrid variant producing around 329 horsepower.

Hyundai is a mainstay on the world’s best car list

The bigger story, however, is what this shortlist says about the global market.

As demand patterns shifted and charging infrastructure expanded, automakers rewrote their EV roadmaps accordingly.

Emissions regulations also tightened across Europe, China, and beyond, forcing electrification on many companies.

Consumers are becoming more comfortable with electrified drivetrains, whether that means a mild hybrid, a plug-in, or a full battery-electric vehicle.

Interestingly, out of the 10 entries on the list of the world’s best cars, four of them are vehicles belonging to Hyundai Motor Group.

The Korean carmaker is shaping up to be a true powerhouse in the automobile industry, having won the World Car of the Year for four consecutive years.

For a company whose story began with a missing cow, it sure has gone a long way.

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