World Car Awards contenders narrow to three
Asia and Mazda dominate final three in 2020 WCOTY award, but Porsche owns the performanceThe annual World Car Awards has announced the Kia Telluride, the Mazda3 and the Mazda CX-30 as the top three finalists for 2020, with the winner to be announced at next month’s New York motor show on April 8.
For the first time, all three finalists are from Asia, with the pre-voting favourite, the Volkswagen Golf Mk8, knocked out after making a strong run into the top 10.
The Mazda3 is the only car left that might back up the ‘car’ part of the World Car of the Year awards, with the other two being SUVs or crossovers.
Mazda’s bid for the top gong has been made easier because some of the potential threats, led by the new Golf, have only had limited exposure away from their key markets.
Ford example, the new VW Golf 8 doesn’t arrive Down Under until late 2020. That said, the Telluride is sold primarily in the US, but it is destined for Australia eventually too.
The other hotly tipped pre-event favourite, the all-electric Porsche Taycan, didn’t climb into the top three either, and Porsche will have to be satisfied to see it line up in the Design Car of the Year category (up against the Peugeot 208 and the Mazda3).
Porsche has a sure bet in the Performance Car of the Year award, with all three of the final places occupied by its badges. The new Porsche 911 and the stunning new 718 Boxtser Spyder/Cayman GT4 have joined the Taycan there.
Porsche is also strongly represented in the World Luxury Car of the Year award, with the 911 and Taycan up against the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQC.
Volkswagen has a finalist in the World Urban Car of the Year award, with the VW T-Cross, which goes up against the electric-powered Kia Soul and MINI, all of which are coming to Australia soon.
The road to the 16th annual WCOTY announcement began more than six months ago and there are five categories, topped by the World Car crown.
Selected by a jury of 86 motoring journalists from around the world, the World Car Awards are the most exacting on the planet, with carsales represented by both Michael Taylor and Paul Gover.
2020 World Car of the Year finalists
- Kia Telluride
- Mazda CX-30
- Mazda3
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 Boxster Spyder/Cayman GT4
- Porsche 911
- Porsche Taycan
World Car Design of the Year
- Mazda3
- Peugeot 208
- Porsche Taycan
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