ICOTY 2026 goes to Maruti Suzuki Victoris, IMOTY to TVS Apache RTX 300

The jury also announced Volkswagen Golf GTI as the winner of the Premium Car Award 2026, a category introduced in recognition of the growing premiumisation of India’s automotive industry. Mahindra XEV 9e emerged as the sixth recipient of the Green Car Award 2026, a category instituted to spotlight the rising prominence of electric mobility in the country.

Proudly presented by JK Tyre since their inception, the ICOTY and IMOTY Awards are evaluated by a distinguished 27-member jury comprising senior automotive journalists from India’s most respected publications with a cumulative experience of over 300 years. Inspired by globally renowned awards such as the World Car Awards, American Car of the Year and the European Car of the Year, each shortlisted car and motorcycle is assessed through an extensive process covering design, engineering, safety, performance, comfort, efficiency, technology, value and overall suitability for Indian conditions. This rigorous methodology continues to uphold ICOTY and IMOTY as the most trusted and authoritative recognitions of automotive excellence in the country.

On winning the ICOTY 2026 Award, Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “We are honoured to receive the ‘Indian Car of the Year 2026’ award for VICTORIS. This SUV was designed to provide all possible features to today’s new-age customers. It brings together style, technology, safety, and a host of smart innovations. With the strong customer pull and now the coveted ICOTY award, Victoris lives up to its promise of ‘Got It All’. We are grateful to the ICOTY jury for this prestigious recognition.”

On winning the IMOTY 2026 Award, Vimal Sumbly, Head Business - Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “Being recognised with the JK Tyre’s Indian Motorcycle of the Year award 2026 (IMOTY). This honour reflects a performance legacy shaped by over 40 years of racing excellence and 35 years of rally experience, where every insight has been earned through real-world competition. As TVS Apache completes 20 years as a symbol of racing DNA, innovation, and rider trust, the TVS Apache RTX represents our bold vision for the future creating and leading the Rally Touring Extreme segment. Designed, engineered, and made in India for the world, TVS Apache RTX reinforces our belief that world-class motorcycles can originate in India and compete with the very best globally.”

On winning the Premium Car Award, Nitin Kohli, Brand Director, Volkswagen India, said, “Winning the Premium Car of the Year award for the Golf GTI is truly special. The GTI is an icon with a 50-year legacy, and seeing it resonate so strongly with Indian enthusiasts has been incredibly rewarding. What began as a limited allocation quickly turned into overwhelming demand, reaffirming that the Golf GTI is more than just a car; it’s a collector’s item, and a symbol of pure driving passion. We thank the ICOTY jury for this recognition and our customers for believing in the GTI and its enduring legacy.”

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO – Automotive Business, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. & Executive Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile Ltd., said, “We would like to thank the esteemed ICOTY 2026 jury for honouring the Mahindra XEV 9e with the Green Car of the Year award. This award validates the global benchmarks of design, engineering and manufacturing excellence that underpin Mahindra’s Electric Origin vision. More importantly, it reinforces the XEV 9e’s role in truly Unlimiting the electric vehicle adoption in India, and by expanding what customers can expect from an EV in everyday life. We are deeply grateful to our customers for their trust and belief; your confidence continues to inspire us to deliver electric mobility that is aspirational, capable and uncompromising.”

Deloitte is the Knowledge Partner to ICOTY & IMOTY. The voting sheets are collected from the jury members at the jury meet by representatives from Deloitte and tabulated. The sealed envelopes announcing the winners are opened on stage during the award ceremony.