What's all this about?

It's the start of a new year, so it's once again time for the great and good (and me) of the nation's motoring journalism scene to choose the 2026 UK Car of the Year (UKCotY). And we already know the shortlist of eight vehicles from which the overall winner will be selected.

Can you give me some of the overarching details of this year's UKCotY process?

Sure can. From a list of 59 contenders spread across eight categories, a judging panel made of 33 of the UK's brightest and best critics, from outlets covering all aspects of the automotive industry, have selected their preferred vehicles in each of these pre-determined groups. The final shortlist sees seven manufacturers honoured (Audi has two category wins, everyone else just one), while electric vehicles (EVs) make up more than half of the final shortlist.

Far be it from us to try and influence our fellow panellists, but there's one contender here which is a very strong favourite for the outright gong, although it will feature competition from a rival served up by the brand which has won the top gong for the past two years running. Anyway, the final winner of UKCotY will be announced at the end of February, once the judges have sampled all eight shortlisted models at a driving day taking place today in Stevenage. Wave if you see us out and about, eh?

Will do. So, which cars won their categories, then?

Audi's two wins were both with its latest A6, but not the e-tron electric version; instead, the regular combustion- and hybrid-powered A6 saloon won the Executive Car category, while the A6 Avant was honoured with the title of best Estate Car.

Related brand Skoda triumphed in the fiercely contested Medium Crossover class - there were no fewer than 19 entries vying for the win in this sector - with its brilliant Elroq emerging victorious from this SUV-shaped bloodbath.

Elsewhere, Hyundai continues its success in the Large Crossover category, as the electric Ioniq 9 was chosen this year, following on from the boxy and brilliant Santa Fe doing the same thing in 2025. Completing the crossover set with the Ioniq 9 and Elroq was the Citroen C3 and e-C3 Aircross, triumphant in the Small Crossover pool.

Finally, another Frenchie - the Alpine A290 - was honoured by the judges as the best Performance Car.

That's six; I presume you're leaving the two strong contenders you mentioned earlier until now?

Indeed we are. The remarkable little Renault 5 E-Tech has to be in with a big shout of the overall win, because it picked up almost two-thirds of the 33 judges' seal of approval in the Small Car category. However, this year's best Family Car is the Kia EV4, and not only did the Korean firm win last year's UKCotY with the EV3, it is on for a hat-trick if the EV4 prevails because the 2024 winner of the award was the EV9 SUV. A straight shootout, then, between the Renault or the Kia? Or can one of the other contenders shoulder its way into contention for the award? Whatever happens, it's going to be fun finding out.

Anything else to add?

Only that UKCotY 2026 is this year being run in association with Start Rescue, a vehicle breakdown and recovery outfit which has won a Which? Recommended Provider award seven years in succession. John Challen, the director of the UKCotY Awards, said of the tie-up: "It is great to have Start Rescue onboard, they're just as passionate about keeping motorists informed as we are and they are experts in their own right."

You can find out more about UKCotY and the judging panel by heading over to www.ukcoty.co.uk.

Matt Robinson - 27 Jan 2026