With more than 30 cars in contention, the MotorBeam Car of the Year Awards saw intense competition after a year packed with major launches. Following extensive discussions with our editorial team and jury, we present the winners of the 2026 MotorBeam Awards.
Car Of The Year – Skoda Kylaq
The Skoda Kylaq has been crowned the MotorBeam Car of the Year, standing out for its strong all-round package, impressive driving dynamics and competitive pricing. The compact SUV impressed the jury with its balance of performance, practicality and modern features tailored for Indian buyers. With its engaging drive and solid value proposition, the Kylaq emerged as the most deserving winner among a highly competitive field.
Readers’ Choice Car Of The Year – Tata Sierra
MotorBeam conducted an online readers’ poll featuring the Tata Sierra, Hyundai Venue, Skoda Kylaq and Maruti Victoris to decide the Readers’ Choice Car of the Year. After strong participation from our audience, the Tata Sierra secured the highest number of votes. The result reflects the model’s strong recall value and the excitement it has generated among Indian car buyers.
Compact SUV Of The Year – Maruti Victoris
The Maruti Victoris wins the MotorBeam Compact SUV of the Year award, impressing with its strong value-for-money proposition and wide appeal. It stood out for its practical feature list, strong hybrid engine option and suitability for everyday urban as well as highway use. Its competitive pricing and trusted after-sales support further strengthened its position in one of the most hotly contested segments.
Compact Sedan Of The Year – Honda Amaze
The Honda Amaze takes the MotorBeam Compact Sedan of the Year award, standing out for its comfortable ride, refined engine and everyday usability. The sedan impressed with its spacious cabin, smooth drivability and strong reputation for reliability. Its balanced mix of practicality, efficiency and ease of ownership helped it remain a solid choice in the compact sedan segment.
VFM Car Of The Year – VinFast VF6
The VinFast VF6 wins the MotorBeam VFM (Value For Money) Car of the Year award, offering a strong mix of features, technology and practicality at a competitive price. Priced between Rs. 17.29 lakhs and Rs. 19.19 lakhs (ex-showroom), the EV positions itself as an attractive option for buyers looking to enter the electric SUV space. Its well-rounded package of modern design, usable range and equipment helped it stand out as a compelling value-focused choice this year.
Performance EV Of The Year – MG Cyberster
The MG Cyberster wins the MotorBeam Performance EV of the Year award, redefining what an electric sports car can offer in terms of speed and driving excitement. With its striking roadster design, rapid acceleration and sharp handling, the Cyberster delivers a truly engaging performance-focused EV experience. Its combination of strong electric performance and head-turning styling helped it stand out clearly in the performance category.
Luxury EV Of The Year – BMW iX1 LWB
The BMW iX1 LWB wins the MotorBeam Luxury EV of the Year award, offering a strong blend of premium comfort, modern technology and everyday usability. The electric SUV impressed with its spacious cabin, refined driving experience and well-rounded feature list tailored for luxury buyers. Priced at Rs. 50.90 lakhs (ex-showroom), it positions itself as a competitively priced entry point into the luxury EV space.
EV Of The Year – Mahindra XEV 9e
The Mahindra XEV 9e wins the MotorBeam EV of the Year award, standing out for its futuristic design, advanced technology and strong electric performance. The SUV impressed the jury with its modern platform, feature-rich cabin and focus on range and efficiency for Indian driving conditions. Its combination of innovation, practicality and road presence helped it emerge as the most compelling all-round electric vehicle of the year.
Update Of The Year – Kia Carens Clavis
The Kia Carens Clavis takes the MotorBeam Update of the Year award, bringing meaningful upgrades that enhance both features and overall user experience. The refreshed model impressed with its improved technology, updated styling elements and added convenience for family buyers. By building on an already practical package while addressing key customer needs, the Carens Clavis made the most impactful update in its segment this year.
Performance Car Of The Year – Mercedes-AMG CLE 53
The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 wins the MotorBeam Performance Car of the Year award, delivering an exciting mix of power, precision and grand touring comfort. It is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid engine producing 443 HP and 560 Nm. With its sharp dynamics, aggressive styling and cutting-edge performance tech, the CLE 53 offers a genuinely engaging driving experience.
Enthusiast’s Car Of The Year – Volkswagen Golf GTI
The Volkswagen Golf GTI wins the MotorBeam Enthusiast’s Car of the Year award, continuing its legacy as one of the most engaging driver-focused hatchbacks. With its punchy turbo-petrol engine, sharp handling and perfectly balanced chassis, the GTI delivers a thrilling yet usable performance experience. Its blend of everyday practicality with genuine hot-hatch excitement makes it a favourite among driving enthusiasts. The Golf GTI’s iconic status and driver appeal helped it stand out as the clear enthusiast’s choice this year.
Automaker Of The Year – Mahindra
Mahindra wins the MotorBeam Automaker of the Year award, recognising its strong momentum across both ICE and electric segments. The company impressed with a steady stream of successful launches, growing market presence and a clear long-term product strategy. Its continued focus on innovation, safety and expanding its EV portfolio helped Mahindra stand out among all manufacturers this year. With consistent performance and strong consumer response, it emerged as the most impactful automaker of the year.