The World Car Awards (also known as World Car of the Year, WCOTY) is a group of automobile Car of the Year awards selected by a jury of 102 international automotive journalists from 30 countries. Cars considered must be sold in at least two major markets (North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America) on at least two separate continents prior to 30 March of the year of the award. The contest was inaugurated in 2003, and officially launched in January 2004.
The World Car Awards are administered by a not-for-profit association under the guidance of a Steering Committee.
This started as a single award, similar to many of the continent and nation specific Car of the Year awards already given. Since 2006, awards for performance, green cars, and car design have also been given. In April 2013, an award for luxury design was inaugurated.
History
2005 Ten finalists were reduced to three, before the winner was selected at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto. The Audi A6, Porsche 911, and Volvo S40/V50 were the top three finalists.
2006 For 2006, in addition to the WCOTY award, the performance, green, and design categories were added; the award was announced at the New York International Auto Show. The BMW 3 Series, Mazda MX-5, and Porsche Cayman were the top three finalists.
2007 The Lexus LS, MINI, and Audi TT were the top three finalists. The winner was announced at the New York International Auto Show.
2008 The Mazda2 / Demio, Ford Mondeo, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class were the top three finalists. The winner was announced at the New York International Auto Show.
2009 The Volkswagen Golf, and Toyota iQ were the top three finalists. The winner was announced at the New York International Auto Show.
2010 The Volkswagen Polo, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Audi A5 were the top three finalists. The winner was announced at the New York International Auto Show.
2011 The Nissan Leaf, Audi A8, and BMW 5 Series were the top three finalists. The winner was announced at the New York International Auto Show.
2012 The Volkswagen up!, BMW 3 Series, and Porsche 911 were the top three finalists. The winner was announced at the New York International Auto Show.
2013 The Volkswagen Golf, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Porsche Boxster and Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT-86 were the top four finalists. The winner was announced at the New York International Auto Show.
2014 The Audi A3, Mazda3 and BMW 4 Series were the top three finalists. The winner was announced at the New York International Auto Show.
2015 The Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Volkswagen Passat and Ford Mustang were the top three finalists. The winner was announced at the New York International Auto Show.
2016 The Mazda MX-5, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi A4 were the top three finalists. The winner was announced at the New York International Auto Show.
2017 The Jaguar F-Pace, Volkswagen Tiguan and Audi Q5 were the top three finalists. The winner was announced at the New York International Auto Show.
2018 The Volvo XC60, Range Rover Velar and Mazda CX-5 were the top three finalists. The winner was announced at the New York International Auto Show.
2019 The Audi e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace and Volvo S60/V60 are the top three finalists. The winner was announced at the New York International Auto Show.
2026 The BMW iX3, Hyundai Palisade and Nissan Leaf are the top three finalists. The winner was announced at the New York International Auto Show.
Results
Winners Vehicles in the World Performance Car, World Urban Car, World Electric Vehicle and World Car Design of the Year categories may also be contenders in the overall “World Car of the Year” class, depending on type and pricing. YearWorld Car of the YearWorld Performance CarWorld Green Car (2007 - 2019) World Electric Vehicle (2020 - )World Car Design of the Year World Luxury CarWorld Urban Car2005Audi A62006BMW 3 SeriesPorsche Cayman SHonda Civic HybridCitroën C42007Lexus LS 460Audi RS4Mercedes-Benz E320 BluetecAudi TT2008Mazda2 / DemioAudi R8BMW 118d with Efficient DynamicsAudi R82009Volkswagen Golf Mk6Nissan GT-RHonda FCX ClarityFiat Nuova 5002010Volkswagen PoloAudi R8 V10Volkswagen BlueMotionChevrolet Camaro2011Nissan LeafFerrari 458 ItaliaChevrolet VoltAston Martin Rapide2012Volkswagen up!Porsche 991Mercedes-Benz S250 BlueEfficiencyRange Rover Evoque2013Volkswagen Golf Mk7Porsche Boxster / Cayman Tesla Model SJaguar F-Type2014Audi A3 Porsche 911 GT3 BMW i3BMW i3Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222)2015Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W205) Mercedes-AMG GT BMW i8Citroën C4 CactusMercedes-Benz S-Class (C217)2016 Mazda MX-5 Audi R8 Coupe Toyota Mirai Mazda MX-5 BMW 7 Series 2017Jaguar F-PacePorsche Boxster CaymanToyota Prius PrimeJaguar F-PaceMercedes-Benz E-ClassBMW i32018Volvo XC40BMW M5Nissan LEAFRange Rover VelarAudi A8Volkswagen Polo2019Jaguar I-PaceMcLaren 720SJaguar I-PaceJaguar I-PaceAudi A7Suzuki Jimny2020Kia TelluridePorsche TaycanMazda3Porsche TaycanKia Soul EV2021Volkswagen ID.4Porsche 911 TurboLand Rover DefenderMercedes-Benz S-ClassHonda e2022Hyundai Ioniq 5Audi e-tron GTHyundai Ioniq 5Hyundai Ioniq 5Mercedes-Benz EQSToyota Yaris Cross2023Hyundai Ioniq 6Kia EV6 GTHyundai Ioniq 6Hyundai Ioniq 6Lucid AirCitroën C3 (CC21)2024Kia EV9 Hyundai Ioniq 5 NKia EV9Toyota PriusBMW 5 Series/i5Volvo EX302025Kia EV3Porsche 911 Carrera GTSHyundai Casper Electric/InsterVW ID. BuzzVolvo EX90BYD Seagull/Dolphin Mini2026BMW iX3Hyundai Ioniq 6 NBMW iX3Mazda 6eLucid GravityNio Firefly
Finalists and top 3 YearWorld Car of the YearWorld Performance CarWorld Green Car (2007 - 2019) World Electric Vehicle (2020 - )World Car Design of the YearWorld Luxury CarWorld Urban Car2005Audi A6 (winner) Porsche 911 Volvo S40 & Volvo V50
BMW 1 Series Chevrolet Corvette Chrysler 300 & Chrysler 300C Ford Focus Land Rover LR3 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Mercedes-Benz SLK2006BMW 3 Series (winner) Mazda MX-5 Porsche Cayman S
BMW 1 Series Honda Civic & Honda Civic Hybrid Range Rover Sport Lexus IS Mercedes-Benz M-Class Mercedes-Benz S-Class Suzuki Swift Volkswagen PassatPorsche Cayman S (winner) Audi RS4 BMW M5
Aston Martin V8 Vantage BMW 130i MSport BMW M6 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Chrysler 300C SRT-8Honda Civic Hybrid (winner) Citroën C1 1.4 Hdi Diesel Lexus RX 400h
BMW 325CiCitroën C4 (winner) BMW 3 Series Honda Civic
Aston Martin V8 Vantage BMW 1 Series2007Lexus LS 460 (winner) MINI Audi TT
Audi Q7 BMW Z4 (E85) Citroën C4 Picasso Citroën C6 Fiat Grande Punto Fiat Sedici/Suzuki SX4 Jaguar XK Mercedes CLAudi RS4 (winner) BMW 335i Porsche 911 Turbo
Audi S6 BMW Z4/Z4 M Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Jaguar XKR Mazda 3 MPS/Mazdaspeed3 Porsche 911 GT3 Renault Clio Renault SportMercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec (winner) BMW Hydrogen 7 Series Volkswagen Polo GTI BlueMotionAudi TT (winner) Citroën C4 Picasso Fiat Grande Punto2008Mazda2/Demio (winner) Ford Mondeo Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Audi A5/S5 Audi R8 Cadillac CTS Ford S-Max Nissan Qashqai/Dualis Nissan Skyline Coupe/Infiniti G37 Coupe Volvo C30Audi R8 (winner) Audi S5 Coupé BMW M3
Mercedes-Benz CL 63 AMG Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster Honda Civic Type R Maserati GranTurismo Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series Renault Clio F1 Team R27BMW 118d (winner) Smart Fortwo cdi Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI
Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon Hybrids Lexus LS 600h L Nissan Altima Hybrid Saturn Aura Green Line Saturn Vue Green LineAudi R8 (winner) Mazda2 Volvo C30
Audi R8 Coupe / Spyder2009Volkswagen Golf (winner) Ford Fiesta Toyota iQ
Audi A4 BMW 7 Series Citroën C5 Fiat 500 Honda Fit/Jazz Jaguar XF Mazda6/Atenza Nissan GT-RNissan GT-R (winner) Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Porsche 911
Audi RS6 Avant BMW 135i Lamborghini LP560-4 Gallardo Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG Mitsubishi Evo X / Evo MR Subaru Impreza WRX STIHonda FCX Clarity (winner) Toyota iQ Mitsubishi i MiEVFiat 500 (winner) Jaguar XF Citroën C52010Volkswagen Polo (winner) Mercedes-Benz E-Class Toyota Prius
Chevrolet Cruze Kia Soul Mazda3Audi R8 V10 (winner) Ferrari California Porsche 911 GT3
Aston Martin V12 Vantage Audi TT RS Coupé/Roadster BMW Z4 (E89) Jaguar XFR Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Nissan 370ZVolkswagen BlueMotion (winner) Honda Insight Toyota Prius
Ford Fusion Hybrid Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybridChevrolet Camaro (winner) Citroën C3 Picasso Kia Soul
Toyota Prius2011Nissan Leaf (winner) Audi A8 BMW 5 Series
Audi A1 BMW X3 Jaguar XJ Jeep Grand Cherokee Mercedes-Benz SLS Porsche Cayenne Volvo S60 / V60Ferrari 458 Italia (winner) Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Porsche 911 Turbo
Aston Martin Rapide Audi RS5 Cadillac CTS-V Lamborghini Gallardo SUPERLEGGERA Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG Porsche 911 GT2RS Renault Mégane III / Renault SportChevrolet Volt (winner) BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition Nissan Leaf
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell smart electric driveAston Martin Rapide (winner) Alfa Romeo Giulietta Ferrari 458 Italia
Audi A7 Citroën DS3 Honda CR-Z Kia Sportage Nissan Juke2012Volkswagen up! (winner) BMW 3 Series Porsche 911
Audi A6 Audi Q3 BMW 1 Series Chevrolet Volt/Opel/Vauxhall Ampera Citroën DS5 Ford Focus Range Rover EvoquePorsche 911 (winner) Lamborghini Aventador McLaren MP4-12C
Audi RS 3 Sportback BMW 1 Series M Coupé BMW M5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Ferrari FF Mercedes-Benz C-63 Coupe AMG Black Series Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMGMercedes-Benz S250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (winner) Ford Focus Electric Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4
Mitsubishi i Renault Fluence ZERange Rover Evoque (winner) Volkswagen up! Citroën DS5
Hyundai Veloster Porsche 9112013Volkswagen Golf (winner) Mercedes-Benz A-Class Porsche Boxster/Cayman Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT-86
Audi A3 Land Rover Range Rover Mazda CX-5 Mazda6 Peugeot 208 Volvo V40Porsche Boxster/Cayman (winner) Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT-86 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
Aston Martin Vanquish Audi RS5 BMW M6 BMW M135i Mercedes SL63 AMG Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC Tesla Model S (winner) Renault Zoe Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid
Smart Electric Drive Volkswagen Jetta HybridJaguar F-Type (winner) Aston Martin Vanquish Mazda6
Range Rover Renault Clio Volkswagen Golf2014Audi A3 (winner) Mazda3 BMW 4 Series
BMW i3 Cadillac CTS Citroën C4 Picasso Ford Fusion / Mondeo Infiniti Q50 Jeep Cherokee Lexus IS Peugeot 308 Škoda OctaviaPorsche 911 GT3 (winner) Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Ferrari 458 Speciale
Alfa Romeo 4C Audi RS6 Avant BMW M6 Gran Coupé Ford Fiesta ST Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster Mercedes-Benz A/CLA45 AMG Porsche 911 Turbo Volkswagen Golf GTIBMW i3 (winner) Audi A3 Sportback e-tron Volkswagen XL1
Honda Accord Hybrid Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Volkswagen XL1BMW i3 (winner) Mazda3 Mercedes-Benz C Class
Cadillac CTS Citroën C4 Picasso Lexus IS Volkswagen XL1Mercedes-Benz S-Class (winner) Bentley Flying Spur Range Rover Sport
BMW X5 Cadillac ELR Cadillac Escalade Maserati Ghibli Maserati Quattroporte Porsche Macan Rolls-Royce Wraith2015Mercedes-Benz C Class (winner) Volkswagen Passat Ford Mustang
Hyundai Genesis BMW 2 Series Active Tourer Nissan Qashqai Jeep Renegade Mazda2 Mini HardtopMercedes-AMG GT (winner) Jaguar F-Type R Coupé BMW M4
Audi S1 Audi S3 Audi TT Bentley Continental GT Speed BMW M3 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Lexus RC FBMW i8 (winner) Kia Soul EV Volkswagen Golf GTE
Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Volvo XC90 T8Citroën C4 Cactus (winner) Volvo XC90 Mercedes-Benz C Class
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer Porsche MacanMercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé (winner) BMW i8 Range Rover Autobiography Black LWB
BMW X6 Cadillac ATS Coupé Cadillac Escalade / ESV Kia K900 Lexus NX Lexus RC Lincoln MKC2016 Mazda MX-5 (winner) Mercedes-Benz GLC Audi A4 Sedan / Audi A4 Avant
Skoda Superb Jaguar XE Land Rover Discovery Sport Toyota Prius BMW X1 Mazda CX-3 Hyundai Tucson Audi R8 Coupe (winner)