MotorTrend Announces 2026 Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Awards Finalists
The fourth annual SDV awards celebrates the software superstars driving automotive innovation.
MotorTrend StaffWriterDec 02, 2025
SDV LOGO MTxQNXxVector 2025 EDITORIAL WITH CAR
MotorTrend, one of the world’s leading automotive media brands, today announced the finalists for the fourth annual SDV (Software-Defined Vehicle) Innovator Awards, presented in partnership with QNX, a division of BlackBerry Limited, whose technology is used by countless automakers around the world, and Vector, a leading solution provider for software-defined systems in automotive and beyond.
The SDV Innovator Awards is the first and only program celebrating the pioneers, leaders, and experts who are redefining automotive innovation and writing the next chapter of the 120-plus year story of the automobile. This year, the outstanding field of candidates represents world-renowned SDV leaders from global automakers and suppliers who are driving advancements in operating systems, AI assistants, digital cockpits, ADAS, and autonomous driving, with innovations that redefine how cars are designed, built, driven, and experienced to create smarter and better-connected vehicles.
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SDV Innovator Awards SDVIA Past Winners 3
MotorTrend SDV Innovator Award 2025 winner Tolla Cherwenaka, AWS. Photo: Greg Doherty/Getty Images for MotorTrend.
Winners of the awards across three categories will come from the following 23 companies:
Audi AG
Cummins
DIMO
Ford Motor Company
General Motors
Google
Honda Motor Co, Ltd
Jaguar Land Rover
KPIT Technologies
LG Electronics
Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd
Mercedes-Benz AG
Mercedes-Benz Research and Development
Motional
Nio
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc
Range Energy
Rivian
SDVerse
Tesla
Toyota Connected North America
Toyota Motor North America
Xiaomi Technology
MicroVision Tri Lidar Architecture Lede
As in years past, a panel of jurors from MotorTrend’s editorial team will select the winners of the 2026 SDV Innovator Awards in the Pioneer, Leader, and Expert categories. Winners will be revealed at the fourth annual SDV Innovator Awards Gala, in partnership with QNX and Vector, during CES 2026 in Las Vegas on January 6, 2026. Stay tuned for the winner reveal and more updates from CES.
