A total of 46 new car models will fight it out for the coveted title of Irish Car of the Year 2026, in association with Continental Tyres. For the first year in the history of the awards, the majority of eligible models are electric-powered vehicles.
Voted on by the 29 jury members drawn from the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI ), including the Galway Advertiser's Eoin Cuttle, the Irish Car of the Year awards highlight for Irish motorists the best cars launched in the country each year, taking into account the particular requirements of the Irish market.
Mark Noble, chairman of the MMAI, said the number of electric cars up for the award is "a clear reflection of where the market is going".
"Just a few years ago, EVs were a niche category — today, they are leading the field," he said. "This year’s line-up shows the breadth of choice now available to Irish motorists, from compact city cars to large SUVs, all powered by electricity. It’s a milestone moment for the awards and for the Irish car market.”
Last year’s winner of the title of 2025 Irish Car of the Year, in association with Continental Tyres, was the Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric, continuing a strong run for EVs in the competition.
The winners from the 2026 Irish Car of the Year awards programme will be revealed at a gala event in Dublin on Friday, November 14.
The full field of candidates for the Irish Car of the Year 2026 awards is as follows: Alfa Romeo Junior, Alpine A290, Audi A5/Avant, Audi A6, Audi A6 etron, Audi Q5, BMW M5, BMW X3, BYD Dolphin Surf, BYD Sealion 7, BYD Seal-U, Citroen C3, Cupra Born VZ, Cupra Tavascan, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Bigster, Dacia Duster, Dacia Spring, Ford Capri, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Inster, Hyundai Ioniq 9, KIA EV3, Mazda CX-80, MG Cyberster, MG HS Hybrid, MG S5, MG ZS Hybrid, Mini Aceman, Nissan Ariya Nismo, Opel Frontera, Opel Grandland, Peugeot 5008, Porsche Macan Turbo, Porsche Taycan, Renault 5, Skoda Elroq, Skoda Elroq RS, Tesla M3 Performance, Tesla Model Y, Tesla MY Performance, Toyota Landcruiser, Volkswagen ID.3 GTX, Volkswagen Tayron, Volvo EX90, Xpeng G6.
