ICOTY 2026 Nominees Full List Out From All Three Categories, Winners To Be Announced On December 18
The contenders include a mix of mass-market and luxury offerings, including the new Hyundai Venue, Maruti Victoris, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Tata Harrier EV
(Update: The ICOTY 2026 winners have been announced across all categories.)
2025 was another important year for multiple carmakers in the Indian automotive industry as it witnessed the rebirth and introduction of plenty of new and old nameplates. Now that we are at the end of the year, it’s time for yet another round of the annual Indian Car Of The Year (ICOTY) awards.
As part of the process, a few shortlisted experts from the auto industry identify three cars that are the best in three categories: overall, in the premium car segment and in the green car space (EV). Let us take a look at the final list of contenders for each of the three categories of the ICOTY 2026 ahead of the announcement of the winners which will be announced tomorrow on December 18:
| Indian Car Of The Year (Overall) |
Premium Car Award (ICOTY) |
Green Car Award (ICOTY) |
| Hyundai Creta Electric |
BMW iX1 LWB |
BMW iX1 LWB |
| 2025 Hyundai Venue |
2025 BMW X3 |
BYD Sealion 7 |
| Kia Carens Clavis EV |
Mercedes-Benz G-Class |
Hyundai Creta Electric |
| Kia Syros |
MG Cyberster |
Kia Carens Clavis EV |
| Mahindra XEV 9e |
2025 Skoda Kodiaq |
MG Cyberster |
| Maruti Suzuki Victoris |
2025 Skoda Octavia RS |
Mahindra XEV 9e |
| Skoda Kylaq |
2025 Toyota Camry |
Tata Harrier EV |
| Tata Harrier EV |
2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI |
2025 Tesla Model Y |
While brands such as Maruti, Mahindra and Tata have one model each in the total list of nominees for ICOTY 2026, carmakers like Hyundai, Kia and BMW have two offerings each split across different categories. That said, it’s Skoda who has the maximum number of models listed here (read three), all of which are internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles.
More Details About ICOTY
As mentioned before, ICOTY is an annual event where a jury of journalists across all major publications in India check out all the nominated cars and choose a winner across three categories. Our very own Head Of Content, Tushar Kamath, is also a part of the jury that will assess the aforementioned cars. The winner is decided by voting on various parameters such as (but not limited to) price, fuel efficiency, styling, comfort, safety, and performance. The car achieving the maximum votes is declared the winner in its respective category.
In the 2025 edition, the Mahindra Thar Roxx took home the ICOTY award, while the MG Windsor EV and Mercedes-Benz E-Class secured the Green Car and Premium Car awards.
Stay tuned to find out which car emerges as the victor in each category. What car do you think will win the coveted ICOTY award this year? Tell us in the comments below.