The results of the 2026 China Car of the Year Awards have been announced, naming the best models across various segments. Top honors went to models from Chery, Nio, Audi, and Ferrari, beating out competitors such as Xpeng, Maextro, Stelato, Luxeed, Geely, Firefly, Leapmotor, Land Rover, and BMW.
The China Car of the Year Award (CCOY) was established by the editors-in-chief of ten leading Chinese automotive media outlets. The jury included 48 experts—founders of industry publications, heads of automotive studios, professors, and deans of relevant faculties. They evaluated cars launched on the market between September 1, 2024, and August 31, 2025. A total of 91 new models participated in the competition, with 27 models undergoing practical testing in October 2025.
According to the portal “Chinese Cars”, the winners were determined in five nominations, and only one laureate was selected in each category.
The main title of CCOY 2026 was won by the Audi E5 Sportback – a shooting brake created jointly by the German company Audi and the SAIC concern specifically for the Chinese market. In terms of design, the model is reminiscent of the Zeekr 001. The price of the car in the PRC ranges from 235.9 to 319.9 thousand yuan (approximately 2.65-3.6 million rubles). The main rivals of the Audi E5 Sportback were the second-generation Xpeng P7 liftback and the Chery iCaur V23 crossover.
The Nio ET9 sedan, which the Chinese startup presented in December 2024, won the Luxury Car of the Year category.
The Ferrari 296 Speciale, a lightweight hybrid sports car with a power plant based on a V6 and an electric motor with a total output of 880 horsepower, was recognized as the best sports car of the year.
The Audi A5L received the award for best design. This version features a 74 mm longer wheelbase and a separate luggage compartment, while its exterior design echoes other modern models of the brand.
The title of “Budget Car of the Year” went to the compact SUV Chery iCaur V23. The electric car is made in a retro style and is offered on the Chinese market at a price of 109.8 to 174.8 thousand yuan (about 1.25-1.95 million rubles).
