The year 2025 proved to be a transformative phase for the Indian automobile industry, marked by multiple new launches, facelifts, and next-generation models. Amid this wave of innovation, the winners of the prestigious Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) 2026 awards have now been announced. This year, Maruti Victoris and Mahindra XEV 9e emerged as standout performers, grabbing major attention across categories.
In the overall ICOTY 2026 category, Maruti Victoris secured the first position. Despite being launched only a few months ago, this mid-size SUV has quickly established a strong presence among Indian buyers. Its balanced pricing, feature-rich package, and Maruti Suzuki’s trusted brand image helped it win the jury’s confidence.
1st Place: Maruti Victoris
2nd Place: Skoda Kylaq
3rd Place: Mahindra XEV 9e
With rising demand for electric and eco-friendly mobility, the ICOTY 2026 Green Car of the Year title was awarded to Mahindra XEV 9e. Its strong driving range, advanced technology, and future-ready design placed it ahead of its competitors.
Winner: Mahindra XEV 9e
Strong Contenders: Kia Carens Clavis EV, BMW iX1 LWB
Known for its performance and premium driving experience, the Volkswagen Golf GTI won the ICOTY 2026 Premium Car of the Year award. The jury was particularly impressed by its sporty handling and refined engineering.
Winner: Volkswagen Golf GTI
2nd Place: Toyota Camry
3rd Place: BMW iX1 LWB
The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is the company’s new mid-size SUV, sold through the Arena dealership network. It is offered in petrol, CNG, and strong hybrid powertrain options, making it suitable for a wide range of buyers.
A key highlight is its safety performance, as the SUV has received a 5-star safety rating in both Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP.
1.5-litre K15C Smart Hybrid petrol engine
Power: 102 bhp
Torque: 139 Nm
Gearbox options: 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic
AllGrip Select AWD system available in select top variants
Strong Hybrid variant
Petrol engine paired with an electric motor
Transmission: e-CVT
Claimed fuel efficiency: 28.65 kmpl
CNG variant
Features an underbody-mounted CNG tank
Designed to retain usable boot space
Length: 4,360 mm
Unladen ground clearance: 210 mm
10.1-inch SmartPlay Pro X touchscreen
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Panoramic sunroof
Ventilated front seats
360-degree camera
8-speaker Infinity sound system
6 airbags (standard)
ABS with EBD
Maruti Suzuki’s first Level 2 ADAS technology
The ICOTY awards are decided by a jury of 20 experienced automotive journalists from across the country. Each vehicle is evaluated on multiple parameters, including:
Design
Comfort
Performance
Fuel efficiency
Safety
Pricing
Overall value for money
The car scoring the highest total points in each category is declared the winner.