The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun Announce Their Cars of the Year at the News UK Motor Awards 2026

The winners of this year’s News UK Motor Awards 2026 have been unveiled, with coverage running on print and digital channels across The Sun and The Times.

Now in its ninth year, the annual awards celebrate the very best new vehicles across every segment of the market, from city cars and family SUVs to performance and luxury models.

Taking the top honours, the Ferrari Amalfi Spider was named The Times and The Sunday Times Car of the Year and the Cupra Raval triumphed as The Sun Car of the Year. Jeremy Clarkson named his own personal Car of the Year as the Porsche 911 GT3 Touring.

The Motor Awards also recognised two exceptional automotive achievements that occurred in 2026. Andy Green was crowned Hero of the Year in recognition of his phenomenal new land speed record for a hydrogen-powered vehicle. The former RAF pilot set this new record on the Bonneville Salt Flats in August, driving a car powered by twin hydrogen internal combustion engines producing 1,600 horsepower, achieving an average speed of 406mph over two runs.

To fully honour and acknowledge the British machinery, engineering, funding, and vehicle development that powered Andy Green to his world record, JCB were awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award. Led by JCB Chairman Lord Bamford, the project demonstrated the commercial viability and power of hydrogen technology for heavy machinery and high-performance vehicles.

Rob Walsh, Automotive Client Director, News UK, said: “The Motor Awards 2026 celebrate the cars that truly matter to UK drivers today. From affordable daily drives and smart EVs to premium luxury and high-end tech, this year’s winners highlight the innovation, efficiency, and design choices available to UK car buyers. Thanks to the unmatched reach of News UK’s platforms, we’re proud to champion every corner of the market. Huge congratulations to all of our 2026 winners.”

Rob Gill, Sun Motors Editor, said: “The Cupra Raval is The Sun Car of the Year 2026. Why do we like it? Partly because of the way it looks. I mean, come on. But mostly because of the way it drives. The way it dances down a B-road. Think Lamine Yamal on Barcelona’s right wing.

“The youth of today don’t want to drive their grandad’s car. They want something fresh and different, something that reflects them. That’s the Cupra Raval.”

Ferrari Amalfi Spider and Nick Rufford, Driving Editor, The Times & The Sunday Times

Nick Rufford, Driving Editor, The Times & The Sunday Times: “There’s a good reason the Amalfi Spider is The Times/Sunday Times Car of the Year. Not only of all this year’s winners is it the car to be seen in, but because in a world of fast-disappearing convertibles, petrol engines and gearboxes, the Spider is holding the line. Indeed, it may represent the Final Frontier in traditional automotive technology and the best value for money you will ever be able to drive out of a Ferrari showroom. Just press the starter, listen to the fabulous V8 sound, watch the roof fold away with balletic precision and take it for a blast – while you still can.”

Will Dron, Digital Driving Editor, TheTimes.com said:
“British drivers love a hot hatch and the Volkswagen Golf GTI arguably sparked it all off exactly 50 years ago with its winning formula of quality, everyday practicality and performance. It still sets the bar to this day and continues to appeal to young and old, rich and poor, men and women. My own mum had a Mk2 and it was used for everything from school runs to commuting, shopping trips and road trips — it’s such a versatile car, and one that has been beloved by owners over eight generations. We’re delighted to name the VW Golf GTI the Times and Sunday Times Legend Car of the Year 2026 on its 50th birthday.”

David Green, Motoring Editor, Times LUXX Magazine said:
“The Valhalla blew us away with its combination of elite hypercar performance and bespoke British sophistication. With over 1,000 horsepower, the hybrid powertrain delivers incredible speed, backed by Formula-1-inspired aerodynamics and a driver-focused cabin that makes grand touring surprisingly comfortable. It’s an exotic that pulls off that tricky mix of track monster with road-going elegance.”

Jeremy Clarkson, The Sunday Times columnist, commenting on the Porsche 911 GT3 Touring being his Car of the Year 2026: “The steering is perfect. The gear change is so delightful I actually purred every time I dropped a cog. And the power is more than enough. It’s fast but not scarily so. It’s not just a sports car. It’s the best sports car I’ve ever driven. And at £158,200 it’s not even stupidly expensive. That said, the car I drove, which had a few extras fitted, such as seats and wheels, was £203,700. Too much? Nah.”

In full, the award winners are:

FAMILY CAR OF THE YEAR – Citroen C5 Aircross
VALUE CAR OF THE YEAR – Renault Twingo
FUN CAR OF THE YEAR – Honda Super N
SMALL SUV/ CROSSOVER OF THE YEAR – Kia EV2
MID-SIZED SUV OF THE YEAR – BMW iX3
LARGE SUV OF THE YEAR – Skoda Peaq
HYBRID CAR OF THE YEAR – BYD Seal 6 DM-i Touring
PERFORMANCE CAR OF THE YEAR – Audi RS 5
HOT HATCH OF THE YEAR – Vauxhall Corsa GSE
THE NEXT BIG THING – Jaguar Type 01
TECH INNOVATION OF THE YEAR – BYD Flash Charging
THE TIMES & THE SUNDAY TIMES ADVENTURE CAR OF THE YEAR – INEOS Grenadier
BREAKTHROUGH OF THE YEAR – Jaecoo
MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR – Mercedes
THE TIMES & THE SUNDAY TIMES ELECTRIC CAR OF THE YEAR – Range Rover Sport Electric
HOMEGROWN CAR OF THE YEAR – Mini – Paul Smith Edition
THE SUN VAN OF THE YEAR – VW Transporter
HERO OF THE YEAR – Andy Green
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – JCB
THE TIMES LUXURY CAR OF THE YEAR – Aston Martin Valhalla
THE TIMES & THE SUNDAY TIMES LEGEND CAR OF THE YEAR – Volkswagen Golf GTI
THE TIMES & THE SUNDAY TIMES CAR OF THE YEAR – Ferrari Amalfi Spider
THE SUN CAR OF THE YEAR – Cupra Raval
JEREMY CLARKSON CAR OF THE YEAR – Porsche 911 GT3 Touring