Volkswagen Golf GTi wins Premium Car Award 2026 at ICOTY

Anirjit Hore Updated: December 22, 2025, 10:12 AM IST

The ICOTY is the most prestigious automotive award in India, and the winners have been selected by 19 decorated judges representing esteemed publications, which also include Kranti Sambhav, Editor at OVERDRIVE and Rohit Paradkar, Assistant Editor at OVERDRIVE.

The panel consists of seasoned experts from esteemed publications who will evaluate the nominations based on key factors such as performance, practicality, frugality, and safety, among others.

Every year, the ICOTY jury nominates eight contenders in each of the categories. This year's nominees for the Premium Car Award 2026 were: BMW iX1 LWB, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, MG Cyberster, Skoda Kodiaq, Skoda Octavia RS, Toyota Camry, and the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

And the Premium Car Award by ICOTY went to the Volkswagen Golf GTI. The Golf GTi scored 123 points and won by a significant margin, leaving behind the Toyota Camry, which earned 94 points, and the BMW iX1 LWB, which scored 58 points, to claim the title of Premium Car of the Year 2026 from ICOTY.

The hot hatch emerged on top in a competitive category that featured several luxury and performance-oriented models. The ICOTY jury, comprising senior automotive journalists from across the country, recognised the Golf GTI for its strong blend of performance, driving dynamics, build quality and everyday usability.

Long regarded as a benchmark in the performance hatchback segment globally. The Golf GTI brings together a legendary name and a legendary 2.0 litre TSI engine that produces 265 PS and 370 Nm of torque. This topped with precise handling and a well-rounded chassis made it tough to beat among the long list of contenders. Its ability to deliver enthusiastic driving pleasure while remaining practical for daily use played a key role in its selection for the award.

The Premium Car of the Year category honours vehicles that stand out for their engineering excellence, innovation and overall ownership experience in the luxury and performance space. The Golf GTI's win underlines the growing appreciation for enthusiast-focused cars in India's premium market.

BMW iX 2022 Full Spec

Price (Ex-Delhi)
Starts Rs 1.16 Crore

Displacement
-NA-

Transmission
Automatic

Max Power(ps)
330

Max Torque(Nm)
630

Mileage
-NA-

BMW X3 2022 Full Spec

Price (Ex-Delhi)
Starts Rs 59.9 Lakhs

Displacement
1998cc

Transmission
Automatic

Max Power(ps)
252