The finalists for World Car Awards 2023 have been announced, after jurors from around the globe completed their first round of voting.
From an initial list of 30 cars, the 10 finalists for the prestigious World Car of the Year 2023 award are now official – with two brands, BMW and Nissan, boasting two cars each on the shortlist.
Hyundai is again a finalist; after scooping World Car of the Year 2022 with the Ioniq 5, its streamlined sibling, the Ioniq 6, has made the shortlist.
Honda, Kia, Mazda and Mercedes-Benz also have finalists in the running for World Car of the Year 2023.
2023 World Car of the Year finalists
- BMW 2 Series Coupe
- BMW X1 / iX1
- Honda HR-V
- Hyundai Ioniq 6
- Kia Niro
- Mazda CX-60
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- Nissan Ariya
- Nissan Z
World Car Awards is the biggest automotive awards initiative on the planet. One hundred international jurors test vehicles around the world in a process that begins in September and ends at the New York International Auto Show in April, where the winners are revealed.
“For nearly two decades, the partnership between World Car and the New York Auto Show has recognised the very best the auto industry has to offer,” said NYIAS president Mark Schienberg.
“We’re looking forward to once again co-hosting the awards ceremony during the opening of the 2023 Show in April.”
The winners will hold aloft a brand new World Car Awards trophy for 2023 – designed by the legendary Ian Callum.
EV, Luxury and Performance finalists
Five other category contenders have also been announced, ahead of the second round of voting that closes on 22 February.
It’s a diverse mix of cars for the 2023 World Electric Vehicle award: the BMW i7 and Lucid Air represent the luxury market, while the Genesis GV60, Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Kia Niro EV are more attainable contenders.
2023 World Electric Vehicle finalists
- BMW i7
- Genesis GV60
- Hyundai Ioniq 6
- Kia Niro EV
- Lucid Air
It’s yet another entry from BMW in the 2023 World Luxury Car awards, with the BMW 7 Series lining up alongside its pure electric BMW i7 sister car.
The Genesis G90 and Lucid Air are two more saloon-style finalists, while the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport show how SUVs do luxury.
2023 World Luxury Car finalists
- BMW 7 Series / i7
- Genesis G90
- Range Rover
- Range Rover Sport
- Lucid Air
In the exciting 2023 World Performance Car category, it’s BMW once again, with the mighty M4 CSL, which lines up with its equally specialised German compatriot: the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
We Brits are denied Nissan Z and Toyota Corolla GR, sadly, but we do get the only pure electric contender on the list: the Kia EV6 GT.
2023 World Performance Car finalists
- BMW M4 CSL
- Kia EV6 GT
- Nissan Z
- Porsche 911 GT3 RS
- Toyota GR Corolla
In the 2023 World Urban Car category, only three cars make the shortlist, because there’s been a dearth of newly introduced city-sized cars this year.
So, who will win the overall prize – the Indian Citroen C3 SUV, the Ora Funky Cat EV or the Volkswagen Taigo small coupe-style SUV?
2023 World Urban Car finalists
- Citroen C3
- Ora Funky Cat / Hanmao
- Volkswagen Taigo / Nivus
As for 2023 World Car Design, an expert panel including famous former Jaguar designer Ian Callum has chosen five models for the jury to vote on.
2023 World Car Design finalists
- Cadillac Lyriq
- Hyundai Ioniq 6
- Range Rover
- Lucid Air
- Nissan Z
The next stage in the process comes on March 7, when the top three in the world are announced – that’s the three finalists in every category.
Winners in all six categories will be announced live on Wednesday 5 April from the New York Auto Show.
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