Five awards for BMW UK at the 2026 What Car? Electric Awards
• BMW i3 Saloon voted the most anticipated new model by What Car? readers.
• Four further awards for the BMW X5 xDrive45e, BMW i5 Touring, BMW 330e and previous-generation BMW iX3.
BMW UK has secured five accolades at the 2026 What Car? Electric Car Awards, spanning both new and used electrified models. The annual awards recognise the leading electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles across areas including range, innovation and sustainability.
The soon-to-be-launched BMW i3 Saloon received the coveted 2026 Readers’ Choice Award, after it was voted by What Car? readers as their most anticipated new car. ‘Before every What Car? Electric Car Awards, we ask our readers to name the upcoming model that they’re most excited about.’ Said What Car? Editor, Steve Huntingford. ‘The 2026 vote was the closest for years, highlighting the strength of the competition. However, ultimately it was the BMW i3 that pulled ahead, and it’s easy to see why when you look at its style and technical specs.’ He continued.
The BMW i3 Saloon launches in the UK on 30 October and brings Neue Klasse technology to the heart of the BMW brand, with an electric range of up to 563 miles1 (WLTP), an all-new operating system concept with Panoramic Vision as standard, advanced driver assistance systems and exceptional driving dynamics.
The BMW X5 xDrive45e was voted this year’s Best Used Hybrid Premium SUV, with What Car? judges highlighting the plug-in hybrid model’s impressive electric-only range. ‘Choose any used BMW X5 and you’re getting a classy and luxurious SUV that’s good to drive and impressively quiet.’ Said Huntingford. ‘But it’s worth hunting out the xDrive45e version, because its 54-mile pure electric range means many journeys can be completed without using a drop of petrol.’
The BMW i5 Touring was also named Best Used Electric Estate, with judges praising its performance, practicality and luxurious interior. They said it ‘delivers exhilarating performance, an enjoyable drive and a luxurious interior.’
Meanwhile, the BMW 330e topped the 2026 Used Hybrid Executive Car category, remaining a consistent What Car? favourite, offering ‘all the panache and driveability you’d expect from a 3 Series.’
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Rounding off the awards, the previous-generation BMW iX3 was named Best Used Electric Premium SUV. Huntingford said: ‘The latest BMW iX3 is so good that it’s the reigning What Car? Car of the Year, but this original version is great too, offering top-notch refinement, a fine ride and handling balance, and a classy, user-friendly interior.’
The latest BMW iX3 introduced Neue Klasse technology to the UK earlier this spring and was also named the 2026 What Car? Car of the Year. It offers an electric range of up to 500 miles1 (WLTP), a practical, refined interior and advanced driver assistance technology, including Motorway Assistant which enables hands-free Level 2 assisted driving at speeds of up to 70 mph. More recently the BMW iX3 40 has joined the range, bringing the model’s starting price to £53,250 OTR.
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