Ninety-three international automotive journalists have spent the past few months voting for the world’s finest cars. The long-established World Car Awards programme is the largest car awards initiative in the world.
Things were trickier than usual this year due to the pandemic, but the awards did still go ahead. And Motoring Research’s Richard Aucock was one of the jurors.
2020 World Car of the Year
Last year, the acclaimed Kia Telluride won the overall 2020 World Car of the Year prize, while other victors included two gongs for the Porsche Taycan in both World Performance Car and World Luxury Car, another prize for Kia with the Soul EV crowned World Urban Car, and triumph for the Mazda3 in World Car Design of the Year.
2021 World Car of the Year finalists
So which car will follow the Kia Telluride and win the big one: the 2021 World Car of the Year? The finalists this year are the 2021 World Urban Car, the electric Honda e, plus the hybrid Toyota Yaris, itself an Urban Car finalist, plus the new, all-electric Volkswagen ID.4 SUV.
And the winner is, drum roll…
2021 World Car of the Year: Volkswagen ID.4
The Volkswagen ID.4 wins! Volkswagen’s first pure EV for global markets, it is set to become a key driver of Volkswagen’s switch to electric power in Europe, North America and China.
A very significant car indeed, the ID.4 is now also another World Car of the Year winner for Volkswagen – its fifth since the competition was founded.
Other Volkswagen World Car of the Year winners are:
- 2013 Volkswagen Golf
- 2012 Volkswagen Up
- 2010 Volkswagen Polo
- 2009 Volkswagen Golf VI
Volkswagen Cars CEO Ralf Brandstatter said: “We are particularly pleased about our ID.4 being named World Car of the Year. Not only because it is one of the most important car awards in the world – but because the jury also honored a great idea and a great team.
“A convincing car, a great idea – and the World Car of the Year award? That goes well together for us!”
2021 World Car Design finalists
Let’s move onto this year’s World Car Award category winners, the finalists for which were announced last month. First up is the World Car Design of the Year, with the finalists including the Honda e, Land Rover Defender and Mazda MX-30.
2021 World Car Design of the Year: Land Rover Defender
A delighted Jaguar Land Rover chief Gerry McGovern proudly accepted the award for the fantastic Land Rover Defender. Unanimously considered an extremely successful reinvention of the classic Land Rover, this is a well-deserved award indeed.
2021 World Urban Car finalists
Three Japanese cars were finalists for the 2021 World Urban Car prize: the electric Honda e, plus the Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris – both hybrids.
2021 World Urban Car of the Year: Honda e
Could it be anything but the Honda e? Made for the city, with a right-sized, zero-emission EV powertrain, this brilliant city car is the most perfect and delightful urban car on sale. It’s a delight to see Honda’s bold innovation rewarded.
2021 World Performance Car finalists
Three diverse cars make up the World Performance Car finalists: the Audi RS Q8, Porsche 911 Turbo and Toyota GR Yaris. We at Motoring Research adore the latter two, but which got the nod from the 93 judges?
2021 World Performance Car of the Year: Porsche 911
The 911 Turbo scoops Porsche its eight World Performance Car gong – a remarkable run of success. The car’s magnificent performance, superb handling and classic heritage, combined with Porsche moving the needle once again, scooped it the prize.
2021 World Luxury Car finalists
Another delightfully diverse mix of finalists here, with the Land Rover Defender SUV going up against the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan and pure electric Polestar 2.
2021 World Luxury Car of the Year: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
If Porsche defines performance, Mercedes-Benz defines luxury, so it’s fitting that its top-line car, the famous S-Class, wins the 2021 World Luxury Car title. Another step on for Mercedes-Benz’ flagship, it embraces electrification as well as taking automotive indulgence to another new high.
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