Car of the Year Awards 2026 – Carwow
The Carwow Car of the Year Awards are the peak of our year – it’s where our experienced team of car reviewers put their heads together and distil a year’s worth of testing into a list of the very best new models. Whether you’re looking for a small car, an electric car, a luxury model with space for all the family or just want to trim your shortlist down to the very best cars on sale – we’ve got you covered.
Our road testing team, led by Mat Watson, have decades and millions of miles of car-testing experience between them, and over the year they test-drive literally hundreds of new cars. Whether it’s cheap or expensive, sensible or flashy, they all get the full road-test treatment, from assessing how they drive to how practical they are and how cheap they’ll be to run. So no matter what type of car you’re considering, you’ll find a great option among our award-winners.
Our car of the year comes from a new entrant to the UK market, but that just makes it all the more impressive. Chery’s first car here proves to be smartly styled, posh inside and roomy enough for the whole family – and with a price tag that makes the European, Japanese or Korean opposition look positively overpriced. There’s a petrol engine or an excellent plug-in hybrid option, loads of standard equipment and a reassuringly long warranty too. Altogether it’s a package any established manufacturer would be pleased to offer – Chery’s nailed it straight away.
* Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. Illustrations are based on personal contract hire, 9 month upfront fee, 48 month term, 8000 miles annually, inc VAT, excluding fees. Vehicle returned at term end.
** Our marketing claims explained.
Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Carwow vs manufacturer RRP. Where it is shown that the EV Grant is included, this refers to the Government grant awarded to manufacturers on certain EV models and derivatives, the amount awarded under the EV Grant is included in the Savings stated and applied at the point of sale. Carwow is the trading name of Carwow Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for credit broking and insurance distribution activities (firm reference number: 767155). Carwow Leasey Limited is an appointed representative of ITC Compliance Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for credit broking (firm reference number: 313486) Carwow and Carwow Leasey Limited are each credit brokers and not a lenders. Carwow and Carwow Leasey Limited may receive a fee from retailers advertising finance and may receive a commission from partners (including dealers) for introducing customers. All finance offers and monthly payments shown are subject to application and status. Carwow is covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service (please see www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk for more information). Carwow Ltd is registered in England (company number 07103079), registered office 2nd Floor, Verde Building, 10 Bressenden Place, London, England, SW1E 5DH. Carwow Leasey Limited is registered in England (company number 13601174), registered office 2nd Floor, Verde Building, 10 Bressenden Place, London, England, SW1E 5DH and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Carwow Ltd.
