World Car of the Year finalists announced
The three finalists for the 2020 World Car of the Year awards have been announced: the US market Kia Telluride seven-seater and the Mazda3 hatch and Mazda CX-30 city SUV.
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.