CarBike360 Auto Excellence Awards 2026: Epic Wins That Ignite the Road Ahead!

The glitz and glamour of the automotive world lit up last night as CarBike360 unveiled the winners of its prestigious Auto Excellence Awards. Held amid much anticipation, the ceremony recognized standout achievements across cars, bikes, EVs, and industry innovators, spotlighting vehicles that redefined excellence in design, performance, and value.

From powerhouse SUVs dominating Indian roads to cutting-edge electric two-wheelers buzzing with promise, the night belonged to brands pushing boundaries. Attended by industry leaders, the event highlighted how innovation meets everyday driving passion, making these awards a true benchmark for the sector's future.

Special Thanks to the Jury Members

Before diving into the stars of the night, a heartfelt shoutout to the esteemed jury members whose expertise shaped these outcomes. Their deep insights into automotive trends, performance metrics, and market dynamics ensured every winner truly deserved the spotlight. Their dedication elevated the awards' credibility, blending technical know-how with real-world relevance.

Esteemed Jury Members Onboard

• Rakesh Shrivastava: Former Managing Director, Nissan India
• Vikram Gour: Editor, Motorscribers & Consulting Editor, The Hindu
• Ashish Masih: Editor, CarBike 360
• Bani Karla: Editor, CMV 360
• Shubhranshu Singh: Board Member, Effie LIONS Foundations & Forbes Global CMO 25
• Nishant Padhiar: Ex-Editor, Stuff Magazine
• Avik Chattopadhay: Founder, Indian School for Design of Automobiles
• I V Rao: Distinguished Fellow, TERI

Winners of CarBike 360 Auto Excellence Awards 2026

The winners of the CarBike 360 Auto Excellence Awards 2026 are mentioned below under different categories for cars, bikes, and electric vehicles. Check out the winners' list as follows:

4Ws Triumphs: SUVs and Sedans Steal the Show

• Car of the Year: Tata Sierra
• Compact SUV of the Year: Hyundai Venue
• Executive SUV of the Year: Skoda Kodiaq
• Midsize SUV of the Year: Tata Sierra
• Performance SUV of the Year: Defender Octa
• Luxury Sedan of the Year: Toyota Camry
• Performance Car of the Year: Volkswagen Golf GT
• Best Sedan: Honda Amaze
• Value for Money Car: Nissan Magnite
• Best Design Styling: Mahindra BE 6
• Variant Update of the Year (4 Wheeler): Citroen Aircross X/Basalt X
• Sports Car of the Year: Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 Coup
• Most Awaited Car: Renault Duster
• Luxury Performance Car of the Year: Audi RS Q8
• Viewers' Choice Car of the Year: Tata Sierra
• Best Luxury Family SUV: Volvo XC90
• Best Family SUV of the Year: Maruti Victoris
• Best New Tech Car of the Year: Maruti Victoris
• Manufacturer of the Year: Mahindra Auto

The four-wheeler segment exploded with SUV dominance, starting with the Tata Sierra clinching Midsize SUV of the Year and Viewers' Choice Car of the Year, as well as the Car of the Year 2025 Award win, proving its timeless appeal and fan love. The Hyundai Venue took compact SUV honors for its nimble city prowess, while the Skoda Kodiaq impressed as an executive SUV, blending luxury and space seamlessly.

​Mahindra BE 6 wowed with Best Design Styling, and Defender Octa roared to Performance SUV victory, showcasing brute off-road might. Other highlights included the Citroen Aircross X and Basalt X for Variant Update of the Year, the Honda Amaze as Best Sedan, and the Nissan Magnite for Value for Money Car.

2Ws Glory: Bikes and Scooters Rev Up

• Bike of the Year: Hero GlamourX
• Scooter of the Year: TVS NTORQ 150
• Touring Bike of the Year: Harley Davidson Street Bob
• Best Modern Classic Cruiser of the Year: Royal Enfield Classic 650
• Best Commuter Scooter of the Year: Suzuki Access 125
• Performance Bike of the Year: Ducati Panigale V4 S
• Import Bike of the Year: Honda CB 1000 Hornet SP
• Variant Update of the Year (2 Wheeler): Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z
• Two-Wheeler EV Manufacturer of the Year: Vida
• Two-Wheeler Manufacturer of the Year: Hero MotoCorp

Two-wheelers brought the thunder, as Hero GlamourX pedaled to Bike of the Year and TVS NTORQ 150 scooted away with Scooter of the Year. Then comes the electric monster Ultraviolette X-47, the zapped Electric 2W of the Year; the Royal Enfield Classic 650, which cruised to Best Modern Classic Cruiser; and the Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z, the updated Variant of the Year 2026 Award.

Also Read: CarBike360 Auto Excellence Awards 2026: Celebrating Automotive Brilliance

EV Excellence: Electric Revolution Accelerates

• Value for Money EV: VinFast VF6
• Midsize EV of the Year: Kia Carens Clavis EV
• EV of the Year: Mahindra XEV 9E
• Luxury EV of the Year: BMW iX1 LWB
• Performance EV of the Year: MG Cyberster
• Best EV Design: BYD Sealion
• Best New EV Battery Tech: BYD
• Electric 2-Wheeler of the Year: Ultraviolette X-47
• Emerging EV Manufacturer: VinFast
• Best Upcoming EV Brand: River
• Emerging E-2W Manufacturer: River

EVs commanded attention, with the BYD Sealion 7 sweeping the Best EV Car Design of the Year for the 2025 season. Nominated for its whispers of broader acclaim for its sleek, tech-packed profile. Mahindra XEV 9e was named EV of the Year, underlining the homegrown giant's battery tech edge, while VinFast VF6 grabbed Value for Money EV.

The BMW iX1 LWB luxuriated into Luxury EV of the Year, the Kia Carens Clavis EV midsized its way to a category win, and the MG Cyberster electrified Performance EV. BYD also shone with the Best New EV Battery Tech.

Industry Innovators and Special Accolades

Mahindra Auto was recognized as Manufacturer of the Year, with Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director and CEO of Mahindra's Auto Farm Sector, honored as Person of the Year for visionary leadership. VinFast emerged as the Emerging EV Manufacturer, River as the Best Upcoming EV Brand and Emerging E-2W Manufacturer, and Apollo Tyres emerged as the Best Tyre Brand of the year 2025.

Luxury picks like the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 Coupe (Sports Car), Audi RS Q8 (Luxury Performance Car), and Volvo XC90 (Best Luxury Family SUV) added an elite flair, alongside the Maruti Victoris dominating the categories for Best Family SUV and Best New Tech Car. Savsol Ester lubricated the Lubricant Company's win, capping a night of broad excellence.

Conclusion

The CarBike360 Auto Excellence Awards didn't just hand out trophies; they celebrated a vibrant ecosystem where Indian favorites like Tata, Mahindra, and Maruti rub shoulders with global icons. As EVs charge ahead and two-wheelers evolve, these wins signal exciting times for enthusiasts. Expect these victors to shape showroom dreams across the nation.