World Car Awards 2020 contenders revealed

The runners and riders for the 2020 World Car Awards have been announced at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Find out which new cars are in contention

World Car Awards 2020 announcedThe World Car Awards is the biggest automotive prize on the planet. Every year, dozens of cars from across the globe compete for the top honour of being, literally, that year’s best car in the world.

At the 2020 Frankfurt Motor Show, this year’s contenders have been announced. Settle back as we take you through the runners.

More on Motoring Research: 

World Car of the Year

Jaguar I-Pace

Last year’s winner was the Jaguar I-Pace – which also won World Car Design and World Green Car. Contenders must be available for sale in at least two continents during the year. One of the following autos is now in the running for the 2020 World Car Award prize.

Cadillac CT4

An all-new model to replace the Cadillac ATS, the CT4 is a car with real attitude. A genuine sports sedan, we’re very much looking forward to driving the performance-focused new Caddy.

DS 3 Crossback

Small crossovers are big business and fledgling premium brand DS Automobiles is hoping its DS 3 Crossback can be its big break. There’s even a fully electric version.

DS 7 Crossback

The launch model from the new DS Automobiles brand, the DS 7 is a large SUV with a large price tag, targeting European buyers who want something different to the norm.

Ford Escape and Kuga

The first Ford Kuga was charismatic; the second was also known as the Escape in North America, and was less exciting but more practical. Does this all-new one strike the perfect balance?

Ford Explorer

The long-running Ford Explorer has never been more sophisticated or critically acclaimed than in its latest guise. The fact it oozes on-road presence also helps its appeal.

Hyundai Sonata

There’s no missing the new 2020 Hyundai Sonata. It gets a head-turning new look and a raft of cutting-edge technology. You can even get it with a solar roof!

Hyundai Palisade

Hyundai’s top-line large SUV seats up to eight people and has recently been highly praised for its outstanding levels of safety.

Hyundai Venue

The Hyundai Venue is a compact SUV for important markets such as India. It is spacious and has a distinctive front end, while affordable prices should further bolster appeal.

Kia Seltos

Another affordable compact SUV, the Kia Seltos offers a good spread of modern technology and, in India, is being promoted with a decidedly punchy advertising campaign…

Kia Soul EV

The Kia Soul has always been a standout crossover SUV. Now, the proudly boxy model’s appeal is increased with a long-range electric drivetrain.

Kia Telluride

This is Kia taking on the premium brands. The Telluride is a large luxury SUV that has head-turning looks, a lavish interior and a top-notch drive.

Range Rover Evoque

How do you replace an automotive icon? If you’re Land Rover, carefully, and with laser-like focus. The new Range Rover Evoque is an impeccably engineered follow-up to a true great.

Mazda3

The new Mazda3 is the first sign of the company’s desire to move upmarket and become more of a premium brand. It leaves a very convincing first impression.

Mazda CX-30

Is the Mazda3 hatchback not sufficiently crossover-like for you? But the CX-5 is too much so? Here’s the perfect-solution, the Mazda CX-30. It quickly expects it to become one of its best sellers.

Mercedes-AMG A35 and A45

How hot do you want your Mercedes-AMG A-Class hatchback? The A35 is fast and outlandish; the A45 is truly incendiary, and with a price tag to match.

Mercedes-AMG CLA35 and CLA45

Prefer your compact Mercedes-AMG performance cars to look a bit more elegant? Then the CLA35 and CLA45 are for you. Or perhaps…

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Not fussed about performance? Enjoy the regular range of CLA four-door compact coupes instead.

Mercedes-Benz GLB

And for those who would rather have a small SUV, Mercedes-Benz is taking on the BMW X1 and its ilk with the all-new GLB.

Mini Cooper Electric

The long-awaited Mini Cooper Electric doesn’t look radically different to a normal Mini, but the BMW-owned brand is hoping this is the start of something big.

Vauxhall and Opel Corsa

A crucially important car for European buyers, the long-overdue new Vauxhall and Opel Corsa range looks like it’s been worth the wait. There’s even a fully-electric Corsa-e from launch.

Peugeot 208

Peugeot is launching its own range of petrol, diesel and electric small cars, with the very distinctive-looking new 208 and e-208 range.

Peugeot 2008

Quickly following the 208 is its crossover SUV brother, the 2008. There will be an electric version of this, too.

Renault Captur

Peugeot and Renault are fierce French rivals. So there’s a new 2008? Well, there just so happens to be an all-new Renault rival, too: meet the new Captur.

Renault Clio

Renault’s own supermini is new for the 2020 World Car Awards as well. The Clio doesn’t take a radical styling step forward, but the interior has been radically improved.

Renault Zoe R135

Renault’s longstanding Zoe electric car was one of the first volume EVs on the market. For 2020, it’s been overhauled with a longer range and smarter interior.

Seat Tarraco

The Tarraco is Seat’s all-new range-topper. A large SUV with room for seven, it is winning fans through an able drive, good-value prices and smart, standout luxury looks.

SsangYong Korando

SsangYong will be pleased as punch to have the new Korando on the World Car Awards longlist. It’s a radically improved machine that shows just how fast the brand is evolving.

Skoda Kamiq

The baby Skoda SUV sits below the Kodiaq and Karoq. Early reports suggest it’s an extremely well thought-out machine that is sure to win fans in Europe.

Skoda Scala

Skoda’s value-priced alternative to a Volkswagen Golf is itself a practical and able family car for those on a budget.

Volkswagen Golf

One of the biggest new model launches of 2019 will be the latest Volkswagen Golf, a genuine global icon. It’s surely odds-on to be a front-runner for World Car Awards 2020.

Volkswagen T-Cross

The little Volkswagen T-Cross is the German brand’s smallest and most accessible SUV. For Polo supermini drivers who want to move up in the world, it’s typically well conceived.

World Luxury Car

Audi A7 Sportback

The World Car Awards jurors also seek to find the best luxury car of the year. Last year, the Audi A7 Sportback was victor and it’s a similarly rich line-up for 2020.

BMW 7 Series

The lead limo in BMW’s luxury car division keeps on getting more able. The driver’s alternative to a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

BMW X5

The BMW X5 has gone big and bold in its latest generation, making it better able than ever to take on the true elite of its competitors. And if it’s not big enough…

BMW X7

The BMW X7 is a three-row, seven-seat SUV alternative to the lavish BMW 7 Series that is a genuinely unmistakable sight to behold.

BMW Z4

Prefer your luxury motoring with a bit more verve? Try the latest BMW Z4, a rich and rorty little roadster that doesn’t make you suffer for the art of driving.

Cadillac CT5

With styling inspired by famous Cadillacs from the 1940s, the new mid-size CT5 is another demonstration of how this famous luxury American car brand keeps on evolving.

Cadillac XT6

The XT6 is Cadillac’s offer for those seeking roomy three-row SUV motoring with a touch of the storied luxury brand’s class.

Mercedes-Benz EQC

The Mercedes-Benz EQC is an all-electric SUV, the firm’s first electric offer from its new EQ sub-brand. This is a landmark car in Merc’s history, alright.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

The GLE has been overhauled for 2020 with a broad range that includes plug-in hybrids. All offer the tirelessly well-developed luxury that buyers expect of a Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz GLS

The S-Class of large SUVs? The latest GLS is a class act that takes all the long-running limo’s luxurious appeal and offers it in a high-rise truck format.

Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 is a superb sports car, but also a brilliant everyday luxury car for those lucky enough to afford one. The current car is virtually faultless.

Porsche Taycan

Porsche is embracing the all-electric age with the Taycan, its four-door GT EV. First impressions are overwhelmingly positive and we can’t wait to drive it.

Toyota GR Supra

Bringing back a famous name from the past, the latest GR Supra does so with overwhelming success. Toyota seems to have hit the nail on the head with this car.

World Performance Car

McLaren 720S

Last year, the mighty McLaren 720S won the hotly-fought performance car category. This year, the contenders are a little more accessible, but not short on thrills.

Alpine A110S

The faster, more focused ‘S’ version of Alpine’s exceptional new two-seat coupe is a car every judge is looking forward to driving.

Audi RS6 Avant

Audi has done it again with the RS6: given us a monster wagon with attitude, performance and ability by the bucketload.

Audi RS7 Sportback

If the RS6 Avant doesn’t appeal, try the RS7 Sportback instead. It has the same 600-horsepower V8 turbo engine and uncompromising performance car style.

Audi S8

Prefer a more understated approach to performance motoring? Perhaps Audi’s hot S8 limo is for you?

Audi SQ8

And, of course, Audi also makes a performance SUV. The SQ8 is for buyers who like the idea of a Lamborghini Urus but prefer something a little more subtle (and affordable).

BMW M8

The beautiful BMW 8 Series is topped by a monster: the outrageous 625 horsepower V8 turbo M8. If it’s as good as the BMW M5, it’s going to be exceptional.

BMW Z4

The BMW Z4 roadster has a 340 horsepower straight-six turbo engine, rear-wheel drive and a chassis tuned by Munich’s best. Surely, what’s not to like?

Mercedes-AMG A35 and A45

We spoke about how ferocious these two cars are earlier. The A45 in particular is a car we’re looking forward to trying.

Mercedes-AMG CLA35 and CLA45

Again, there are CLA versions of both. It will be interesting to see how the CLA differs to the high-performance A-Class.

Porsche 718 Spyder and Cayman GT4

Two very special Porsches, both with bespoke body features and the long-awaited return of the six-cylinder engine. And not a turbo in sight.

Porsche 911

The latest iteration of the 911 is a staggeringly accomplished machine. One of the world’s longest-running performance cars, and one of the best for 2020?

Porsche Taycan

Or will the new-era Porsche Taycan edge it over the traditional 911? It will be fascinating to see how the battle between futuristic electric and traditional flat-six pans out.

Toyota GR Supra

Toyota has a performance car hero of its own to launch for the 2020 model year. Will the fun new GR Supra make the cut for the 2020 World Car Awards?

World Urban Car

Suzuki Jimny

The funky Suzuki Jimny proved it was made for the city in the 2019 World Car Awards. The 2020 contenders are equally eclectic.

Kia Soul EV

Zero emissions seems to be the name of the game for cities in 2020. Will the box-fresh Kia Soul EV steal a march over the rest this year?

Mini Cooper Electric

We have waited a long time for this all-electric Mini and we’re excited to get behind the wheel. Will it be as perfect for city life as the firm promises it is?

Opel and Vauxhall Corsa

Small cars are called superminis in Europe and the Opel and Vauxhall brands have a new Corsa to launch for the 2020 Awards, including the all-electric Corsa-e.

Peugeot 208

There’s a fully electric Peugeot e-208 too, sitting alongside the regular range of all-new 208 hatchbacks.

Renault Clio

The Renault Clio is an evolution of the previous car, with regular but high-efficiency engines to cut city centre pollution.

Renault Zoe R135

However, it will be interesting to see how the more traditional Clio compares with the 2020 version of Renault’s all-electric Zoe.

Volkswagen T-Cross

Finally, the Volkswagen T-Cross rounds out the launch contenders for the 2020 World Car Awards. Will this small, cute city SUV prove a World Urban Car victor?

Related Articles

Richard Aucock
Richard Aucockhttps://www.richardaucock.co.uk/
Richard is director at Motoring Research. He has been with us since 2001, and has been a motoring journalist even longer. He won the IMCO Motoring Writer of the Future Award in 1996 and the acclaimed Sir William Lyons Award in 1998. Both awards are run by the Guild of Motoring Writers and Richard is currently vice chair of the world's largest organisation for automotive media professionals. Richard is also a juror and Steering Committee director for World Car Awards and the UK juror for the AUTOBEST awards.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Find a Car Review

Latest

New Volkswagen ID.Buzz GTX gets 340hp and all-wheel drive

The retro-styled ID. Buzz people carrier is now offered with 340hp, making for an unlikely addition to Volkswagen’s sporty GTX range.

Kia EV9 is World Car of the Year 2024

The Kia EV9 is the latest pure electric car to be named World Car of the Year – and it also scooped the World Electric Vehicle 2024 prize

How to protect your car with an OBD port locking device

We explain how to prevent your car being stolen by criminals targeting its On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port.

Salon Privé London to host three days of champagne and supercars

Salon Privé London returns to the Royal Hospital in Chelsea next month, with special celebrations of McLaren and the Porsche 911 Turbo.