The biggest night of the Indian automotive industry is here again

Tonight is the night for the biggest and most prominent award for the Indian automotive industry, the Indian Car Of The Year (ICOTY) 2026 which will award the best passenger cars launched in India in the past year. Along with awards for the best ‘Green Car’ and best ‘Premium Car’, these awards, the longest and most prestigious automotive awards bring together the high and mighty of the industry to celebrate the best of the industry.

After a year of evaluating cars on roads across the length and breadth of the country, driving them from the southern coastlines of Kerala to the peaks of the HImalayas in Ladakh, the distinguished jury of India’s finest automotive journalists reached a conclusion at the Buddh International Circuit at Greater Noida earlier on Wednesday afternoon. Not before they spent some time rocketing down the back straight of India’s only Formula 1 circuit in several of the vehicles — and not just the powerful ones but also some of the major contenders.

According to Pablo Chaterji, Editor, Motoring World Magazine and Chairman of the ICOTY Jury, “There are a myriad of automotive awards in the country, and each has its undoubted merits; indeed, almost every media house in the ICOTY jury has its own award. Ever since the ICOTY award was instituted, however, it has taken its place at the top of the podium, as it were. This is because the jury consists of the finest automotive journalists in the country, with a combined reviewing track record of over 300 years. The award process is thoroughly vetted by our knowledge partner, Deloitte, and is thus scrupulously fair and transparent.”

“Every OEM is also clear that this award — and its associated awards, Indian Motorcycle Of The Year (IMOTY), Premium Car and Green Car - is the one that matters most, and I think it would not be out of place to say that cars in India have become better in part because OEMs want to win ICOTY, and make every effort to manufacture vehicles that are worthy of that title”, he added.

Another reason ICOTY is the award that every carmaker wants, after all it is the only award that carmakers advertise on their rear windshield is because of the large jury and the complex scoring system. Each of the 19 jurors in this year's jury is given 25 points to divide between the eight shortlisted contenders in each category. They cannot give more than ten points to any one car and must score a minimum of five cars.

If you thought someone could get away with giving five points each to five cars, that is also impossible as there must be one clear winner. The complex scoring system shared between so many jurors ensures that collusion is impossible and has in the past meant that second-preference votes can play an extremely important role. The votes are tallied by an external third party, Deloitte for ICOTY 2026 and none of the jury members knows who has won until the winner is revealed by Dr Raghupati Singhania, Chairman, JK Tyre, who have been the supporters of ICOTY ever since it was instituted over two decades ago.

As mentioned above, carmakers are now striving for ICOTY because despite the changing face of journalism, ICOTY actually helps sell cars. That said, as a jury member several times, every time I have voted, I have done so without fear or favour and I have also seen the dramatic changes in the automotive industry.

More technology and digital interfaces, which play and increasing big role on modern vehicles, but still the essential physical characteristics matter — acceleration, ride, handling and steering feel. And there is also another important factor — relevance to the Indian market. That is why the awards have a cut-off price of forty lakh rupees and in addition to performance, I as a jury member have to consider things like value for money as well.

So who are the big contenders this year? Well, the surprising thing is that there are four electric vehicles in the shortlist — Hyundai Creta Electric, Kia Carens Clavis Electric, Mahindra XEV9e and Tata Harrier EV. But they are up against traditional internal combustion engine vehicles such as the Hyundai Venue, Kia Syros, Maruti-Suzuki Victoris (that also has a Strong Hybrid option) and the Skoda Kylaq. Our votes are secret and as I told you I have no idea who has won, but I can’t wait to find out today evening.

Distinguished Jury of Indian automotive journalism's finest

Yogendra Pratap — Auto Today

Dipayan Dutta — Auto Today

Dhruv Behl — Auto X

Ishan Raghava — Auto X

Aspi Bhatena — Car India

Gaurav Bhatare — Car India

Tushar Kamath — CarDekho

Vikrant Singh — CarWale

Sagar Bhanushali — CarWale

Sirish Chandran — EVO India

Aatish Mishra — EVO India

Pablo Chaterji — Motoring World

Kartik Ware — Motoring World

Kranti Sambhav — Overdrive

Rohit Paradkar — Overdrive

Arpit Mahendra — TOI Auto

Abhay Verma — Turbocharged

Bob Rupani — Freelancer and

Kushan Mitra — The Pioneer & The Print