Major motoring publication Auto Express has announced its car of the year for 2026, which looks just like a Ferrari – but is available to buy at a fraction of the price
Auto Express has announced its car of the year (stock)(Image: Gary Yeowell via Getty Images)
Throughout the year, various motoring publications and industry bodies host their prestigious Car of the Year awards, pitting the best vehicles in each category against one another. But when all is said and done, only one car can claim the ultimate prize — the overall Car of the Year title.
The latest publication to reveal its winners is Auto Express, and the car that has scooped the coveted top honour is one that was recently likened to a brand new Ferrari. That car is the Nissan Leaf, an electric SUV produced by the Japanese manufacturer.
Originally launched in the early 2010s, the Leaf was among the very first all-electric hatchbacks to hit the market.
Now, in its latest guise as an SUV, it has been crowned Auto Express Car of the Year for 2026 — a remarkable achievement for the iconic nameplate. Explaining their decision, the publication said: “The one new car to rule them all is the Nissan Leaf.
“Its victory is simple in essence: the Leaf is a car that will make owners blissfully happy, because its mission is to prioritise their needs and well-being. It is an outstanding family EV, with class-leading or highly competitive performance in every key measure.”
Judges heaped praise on the Leaf for its range, build quality, affordability, ease of use, and its credentials as an all-round package. Yet the car wasn’t entirely without shortcomings.
Auto Express noted: “The haptic air-con switches are a bit indistinct and the transmission selector needs a quality upgrade, mind you.”
Alongside scooping the overall Car of the Year title, the Nissan Leaf also took home the accolade of Small Company Car of the Year for 2026.
The Leaf has also been flattered by comparisons to the brand-new Ferrari Luce, owing to the pair’s striking visual similarities.
This isn’t the only time Nissan has grabbed headlines of late, having struck a landmark deal with Chinese car giant Chery. The agreement gives the Chinese manufacturer access to spare production capacity at Nissan’s factory in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.
Under the terms of the deal, Nissan will produce vehicles for Chery — which also owns fellow Chinese marques Jaecoo and Omoda — from 2027.
Although the arrangement was non-binding when it was announced in early June, Nissan chairperson Massimiliano Messina said: “We are looking forward to working with Chery International UK in the coming months to finalise a position that is optimal for both companies.”
A Chery spokesperson described the arrangement as part of an “ongoing evaluation of future opportunities in the UK market”, while Unite the Union’s national officer for automotive Steve Bush gave the move a warm reception, stating: “Chinese vehicles are increasingly visible on British roads, so it makes sense for UK workers to build them here as well.”
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