World Car of the Year finalists announced

The overall winner will be announced at the New York Auto Show next month.

The three finalists – from a list of more than 50 contenders – were selected via secret ballot by 86 judges from 27 countries.

As some vehicles are not available in some countries, the majority of judges assessed more than 40 new cars last year that were specially assembled ahead of the Los Angeles Motor Show – to ensure most jurors were able to test most models.

Judges can only vote for vehicles they have tested; the secret ballot is vetted by forensic accounting firm KPMG.

The finalists for the four other categories include the Kia Soul electric Mini electric and Volkswagen T-Cross (World Urban Car), the Mercedes EQC electric, Porsche Taycan electric and Porsche 911 sports-car (World Luxury Car), while Porsche dominated with the performance category with the Porsche Cayman GT4, Porsche 911 and Porsche Taycan.

The three finalists for the World Car Design of the Year were the Mazda3, Peugeot 208 and Porsche Taycan.

World Car of the Year

Kia Telluride

Mazda3

Mazda CX-30

World Urban Car

Kia Soul EV

Mini Electric

Volkswagen T-Cross

World Luxury Car

Mercedes Benz EQC

Porsche 911

Porsche Taycan

World Performance Car 

Porsche 718 Spyder/Cayman GT4

Porsche 911

Porsche Taycan

World Car Design of the Year

Mazda3

Peugeot 208

Porsche Taycan

Disclosure: the author of this story is a judge on the World Car of the Year panel.