Kia Telluride named 2020 World Car of the Year
Kia and Porsche both double-up in 2020 contestThe Kia Telluride, a seven-seater SUV sold only in America, is the surprise winner of the 2020 World Car of the Year award.
It beat a pair of classy new Mazda models, the Mazda3 and Mazda CX-30, in one of the closest votes in the 16-year history of the WCOTY contest.
It is the first Korean win in the history of the award as Kia did a double when its battery-powered Soul EV was chosen as World Urban Car, edging out the MINI Cooper SE and Volkswagen T-Cross.
Other cars taking top honours include the Porsche Taycan that, controversially, was placed ahead of both the Boxster/Cayman GT4 and the flagship 911 to be the World Performance Car of the Year.
Porsche's first-ever battery-powered vehicle also reigned supreme in the World Luxury Car of the Year too where it again beat the 911 and eclipsed other finalists, like the Mercedes-Benz EQC.
Finally, the Mazda3 bagged the gong for the World Car Design of the Year.
The Telluride follows the Jaguar I-Pace as WCOTY winner after a global vote by 86 motoring journalists from 24 countries that gave it a 758-745 margin over the Mazda3, with the CX-30 scoring 738 points.
The wins come less than a week after Kia out-sold Hyundai in Australia in March, the first time the junior partner in the global Hyundai-Kia group has done the job in showrooms.
“This is one of the hardest-fought competitions in the global automotive industry, proving that the Telluride and Soul EV are both truly outstanding vehicles,” said Thomas Schemera, Kia Motors executive vice president.
Although the Telluride is currently only available in the USA there are strong hints that a right-hand driver model, and its Hyundai Palisade twin, will eventually be sold in Australia.
Mazda managed a significant consolation prize when it took the World Car Design prize with the Mazda3.
“It’s testament to the success of our evolving Kodo design language, which has been a hit around the world. Our cars stand out, both parked and moving,” the marketing boss of Mazda Australia, Alastair Doak, tells carsales.
“An award like this is great recognition for the work by our R&D team in Hiroshima. They have also developed new technologies around our Skyactiv program to really lift the bar in the segment, with a significant benefit for our customers.”
World Car of the Year Winners
2020 - Kia Telluride
2019 - Jaguar I-Pace
2018 - Volvo XC60
2017 - Jaguar F-Pace
2016 - Mazda MX-5
2015 - Mercedes-Benz C Class
2014 - Audi A3
2013 - Volkswagen Golf
2012 - Volkswagen UP
2011 - Nissan Leaf
2010 - Volkswagen Polo
2009 - Volkswagen Golf
2008 - Mazda2
2007 - Lexus LS460
2006 - BMW 3 Series
2005 - Audi A6
-With John Mahoney
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