Automobile Awards 2026: Public voting is open until November 12
17 electric vehicles out of 25 candidates: Even before the first vote, the 2026 Automobile Awards Grand Prix had already chosen its winner. It’s not a specific model but rather a technology. At Automobile Propre, we can only applaud this development. It’s up to you to vote for your favorite by November 12.
The voting is open, and it deserves your click. Until midnight on Thursday, November 12, the public will vote on team.fr for the “French People’s Favorite Car,” the Automobile Awards Grand Prix by MeetDeal. Twenty-five models are competing, with 17 of them being electric vehicles. This figure speaks more about the state of the market than many speeches could.
Our belief is simple: this 2026 edition is no longer about the question “electric or thermal.” It’s about the question “which electric?” The debate that has dominated the automotive world for ten years is coming to an end, and it is now the public who will decide which battery-powered car has truly convinced them.
2026 Grand Prix: 25 cars competing, including 17 electric ones
The Grand Prix is the only award in the Automobile Awards given by the public, in partnership with L’Équipe. Its stated purpose is to highlight cars that have stood out over the past twelve months and to reflect consumers’ preferences, which lie between passion and pragmatism. It is precisely this aspect that makes it interesting. An expert jury makes the judgment; the public, on the other hand, reveals what they desire.
The list speaks for itself. Alpine A390, Renault Twingo E-Tech, Peugeot E-208 GTi, Volkswagen ID.Polo, Volvo EX60, Hyundai Ioniq 3, Skoda Epiq, XPENG L03: electric vehicles now cover every segment, from affordable city cars to premium SUVs. In comparison, models like Dacia Striker, Toyota Yaris Cross, or Lexus ES 300h appear to be in the minority. With 68% of entries being electric, the picture is clear.
VOTE for the 2026 Public Prize
A record ninth edition marked by the arrival of Chinese brands
Fifty-nine brands are participating in this 9th edition, a record: 49 manufacturers and 10 suppliers or producers. The most notable fact can be summed up in one number: 13 Chinese brands are among the entrants, including BYD, Chery, Leapmotor, XPENG, Zeekr, and Geely. Nearly 230 entries are spread across 24 categories, ranging from manufacturer awards to supplier awards and special prizes.
This Chinese presence is by no means incidental. It confirms that these brands are no longer content with simply selling in Europe: they seek recognition and are thus exposing themselves to judgment. The jury, composed of 20 members in equal numbers of men and women from Automobile Propre (our editor-in-chief Pierre Desjardins), L’Équipe, Canal+, Sud Radio, M6, and Challenges, has the difficult task of determining a winner in each category by November 2. Yann de Pontbriand, president of ACF, serves as honorary chairman without voting rights.
Pur Plaisir de Conduite: a new category tested on circuit
The most revealing novelty of this edition is the “Pure Driving Pleasure” MeetDeal Award. It honors the most “fun to drive” car sold for up to 50,000 euros. On October 20th, Pierre and the rest of the jury tested twelve models at the UTAC circuit in Mortefontaine, the event’s new partner. Among them were the Alpine A290, Honda Prelude, MG4 X-Power, Opel Corsa GSE, Peugeot E-208 GTi, and Zeekr X.
These new categories reflect an obvious fact: electric vehicles have become too diverse to fit into a single category. The organizers acknowledge this, which is good news for car owners.
The schedule is now set. The jury will deliver its decision on November 2, the public can vote until midnight on November 12, and the full list of winners will be announced on December 17, 2026, at the Automobile Club de France in Paris. Who will succeed the Renault 5 Turbo 3E, the winner of 2025? Most likely an electric car.
Which one, however, depends on you. So, a practical city car or a sporty performance vehicle: what will be your choice?
VOTE for the 2026 Public Choice Award