The Jaguar Type 00 electric vehicle has picked up a top award despite its controversial rollout, as the iconic British brand prepares to unveil the car properly next year.
Almost 12 months on from its official unveiling, the Jaguar Type 00 has been crowned 2026's Most Talked About Car at Carwow's 2026 Car of the Year Awards.
The Type 00 is Jaguar's first electric vehicle in the manufacturer's "Copy Nothing" era following a complete brand overhaul, complete with new iconography, design and powertrain.
In the days leading up to the official launch, Jaguar was met with criticism following the release of adverts, which featured models with bold hairstyles in futuristic locations, but without any glimpse of a vehicle.
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Many described the rebrand as "woke", including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who said the brand would "go broke", while Tesla CEO Elon Musk joked that Jaguar didn't sell vehicles anymore.
Despite this, the Type 00 concept vehicle appeared to have specs which no one expected, including a staggering target range of 478 miles, ultra-fast charging capabilities and a unique design, setting it apart from Jaguar's previous design history.
Jaguar unveiled the Type 00 at Miami Art Week, with sporadic appearances over the last year giving drivers small glimpses of the final production model.
The electric vehicle was showcased at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, while Hollywood star Barry Keoghan stepped out of the concept at Paris Fashion Week.
The Jaguar Type 00 has been crowned as 2026's Most Talked About Car
| JAGUARMat Watson, chief content officer at Carwow, noted that Jaguar's rebrand "achieved the impossible" by getting people to talk about the brand for the first time in a number of years.
Trends data proved that drivers had flocked to learn more about the wholesale changes introduced by Jaguar, with interest in the brand, for better or worse, soaring dramatically.
He continued, saying: "Out went the traditional image and same-same styling, for a concept model that was truly avant-garde and forward-thinking.
"Love it or hate it, the Jaguar Type 00 concept definitely made serious waves and, I suspect, the production version will also do so when it is revealed."
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| JAECOOChinese brands also made an impression on the Carwow judges, namely the Chery Tiggo 8 being crowned Car of the Year, and Jaecoo taking home Brand of the Year.
Jaecoo has taken over the plug-in hybrid market, with the Jaecoo 7 instantly placing itself in the top 10 best-selling vehicles across the UK over the last few months.
Chery, another newcomer to the UK market, has been praised for its "premium-feeling" SUV, a "cutting-edge" hybrid system and affordable price for a large seven-seater vehicle.
Mr Watson added: "We've seen a wave of innovation, particularly in electrification and smart design, that makes the car market more exciting than ever. Our award winners prove that you don’t need to compromise between head and heart when choosing your next car."
The Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid | CHERYFull list of winners at the 2026 Carwow Car of the Year Awards
Smart Spender - Skoda Enyaq
Urban Living - Renault 5
Family Values - Citroen C5 Aircross
Adventurer's Choice - Volvo XC90
Outstanding EV - Mercedes CLA
Hybrid Hero - Chery Tiggo 8
Comfortable Cruiser - Hyundai Ioniq 9
Pleasure of Driving - Porsche 911 Turbo S
Desirability - Bugatti Mistral
Tech Trailblazer - BMW iX3
Van of the Year - Renault Master
2026's Most Talked About Car - Jaguar Type 00
Brand of the Year - Jaecoo
Carwow's Car of the Year - Chery Tiggo 8