Mazdas dominate 2020 World Car of the Year finalists

Mazda 3 Hatch, Mazda 3 Sedan, Mazda CX-30

The three finalists for this year’s edition of the World Car of the Year (WCOTY) have been revealed and the list includes two models from the same brand.

After 10 vehicles were shortlisted for the award last February,the final three vying for the industry’s most prestigious award include the Mazda 3, Mazda CX-30, and the Kia Telluride (a mid-size crossover currently sold in the United States and the Middle East).

The WCOTY, now in its 16th year, is the most recognized, sought after and prestigious prize in the global automobile industry.

The 2020 WCOTY, along with the other category winners (for Urban, Luxury, Performance and Design) will be announced at a grand finale awards ceremony that coincides with the opening of the New York International Auto Show on April 8.

The Mazda 3 has been praised for its combination of quality, value and excellent driving dynamics in both sedan and hatchback versions. Drivers laud its sporty handling and communicative steering in a class not known for driving excitement.

Sharing the same basic architecture with the Mazda 3, the CX-30 offers a higher ground clearance, more spacious interior and larger cargo volume. But like the Mazda 3, the styling of the CX-30 also carries Mazda’s KODO: Soul of Motion design language that highlights elegant, flowing body contours. Excellent steering is a Mazda 3 hallmark, and that’s no different in the CX-30.

A jury of 86 distinguished international automotive journalists selected the finalists by secret ballot based on their evaluation of each eligible vehicle as part of their professional work. KPMG, one of the four largest accounting firms in the world, tabulated the vote results.

The road to 2020 WCOTY began at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2019. The jurors voted on all eligible vehicle models across all the categories in January—except Design—where seven highly respected world design expert create a shortlist.

Along with the three finalists, there will also be a winner in each of these categories:

World Urban Car finalists:

• Kia Soul EV
• Mini Electric
• Volkswagen T-Cross

World Luxury Car finalists:

• Mercedes-Benz EQC
• Porsche 911
• Porsche Taycan

World Performance Car finalists:

• Porsche 718 Spyder/Cayman GT4
• Porsche 911
• Porsche Taycan

World Car Design of the Year finalists (chosen by seven highly respected world design experts):

• Mazda 3
• Peugeot 208
• Porsche Taycan