The third-generation Nissan LEAF has taken the top honor at the 2026 Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) awards. The jury — 86 women automotive journalists from more than 50 countries — selected the LEAF from a field of 55 vehicles. The award recognizes the model’s electric performance, design, and day-to-day usability.
Highlights
- The LEAF beat 55 competing vehicles to claim the 2026 WWCOTY Supreme Winner title
- An 86-member international jury evaluated safety, design, value, ease of use, and environmental impact
- Now in its third generation, the LEAF debuted in 2010 as the world’s first mass-market EV
- The LEAF also earned the WWCOTY Best Compact Car designation earlier in 2026
Third-Generation LEAF: What Changed
The 2026 LEAF builds on 15 years of EV development. Nissan updated the model with a revised exterior design, extended range, and refined onboard technology. The jury specifically cited the vehicle’s balance of electric performance and practical usability.
WWCOTY evaluates vehicles on criteria relevant to everyday drivers. Those criteria include:
- Safety ratings and systems
- Design and exterior/interior quality
- Value relative to segment
- Ease of use, including interface and charging
- Environmental impact of the powertrain
Jury and Award Context
WWCOTY was founded in 2009 by New Zealand journalist Sandy Myhre. The organization was established to elevate women’s perspectives within automotive media. Jurors represent five continents, making it one of the more geographically diverse panels in the industry.
Marta García, Executive President of WWCOTY, said the jury focused on vehicles that respond to real, everyday needs — not just specifications. “The Nissan LEAF represents a mature and intelligent vision of electrification — one that makes electric mobility truly usable and accessible,” García said.
Ivan Espinosa, President and CEO of Nissan, noted that the LEAF helped bring EV driving into the mainstream. “This new generation carries that mission forward,” Espinosa said. “It’s designed to make going electric easier and more enjoyable for more people around the world.”
About the Nissan LEAF
The original LEAF launched in 2010 as the first mass-market battery-electric vehicle sold globally. Since then, cumulative sales have made it one of the best-selling EVs in history. The third-generation model continues Nissan’s EV strategy as the company expands its broader electric lineup.
More information on the all-new Nissan LEAF is available at nissan-global.com.
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