2018 World Car Awards finalists

A jury of more than eighty international motoring journalists has decided the 2018 World Car Awards finalists.

2018 World Car of the Year

Significantly, some high-profile models have failed to progress to the next stage. Among the casualties are the Ford Fiesta, Honda Accord, Vauxhall Insignia / Opel Insignia / Buick Regal and Volkswagen Polo.

Of the remaining candidates, the Nissan Leaf and Kia Stinger should be favourites to ultimately win this category.
  • Alfa Romeo Giulia
  • BMW X3
  • Kia Stinger
  • Land Rover Discovery
  • Land Rover Range Rover Velar
  • Mazda CX-5
  • Nissan Leaf
  • Toyota Camry
  • Volkswagen T-Roc
  • Volvo XC60
Kia Stinger (2018) Side
Kia Stinger

2018 World Luxury Car

There were only ever five contenders for this prize. Might the sole Japanese representative manage to beat its four German rivals?
  • Audi A8
  • BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo
  • Lexus LS
  • Porsche Cayenne
  • Porsche Panamera
Lexus LS 500h (2018) Side
Lexus LS

2018 World Performance Car

Hot hatch aficionados will be disappointed to learn that the Hyundai i30N and the Volkswagen Polo GTI have been eliminated. Surprisingly, the Alpine A110 and the Ferrari Portofino didn’t receive enough support to proceed either.
  • Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
  • Audi RS 3 Saloon
  • BMW M5
  • Honda Civic Type R
  • Lexus LC 500
BMW M5 Saloon (2018) Front Side 1
BMW M5

2018 World Urban Car

This rather unnecessary accolade seems to be focussed on size as a criterion. A higher driving position is in the Hyundai’s favour, but otherwise all of the qualifying cars seem equally suited to a purely urban environment.
  • Ford Fiesta
  • Hyundai Kona
  • Nissan Micra
  • Suzuki Swift
  • Volkswagen Polo
Suzuki Swift Sport (2018) Front Side
Suzuki Swift

2018 World Green Car

If the pure-electric Nissan Leaf doesn’t defeat its combustion-engined opposition, then there is something seriously wrong with how the best ‘green’ vehicle is determined.
  • BMW 530e iPerformance
  • Chevrolet Cruze Diesel
  • Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
  • Nissan Leaf
Nissan Leaf (2018) Front Side
Nissan Leaf

2018 World Car Design of the Year

The methodology here is notably different. All eligible cars from the other five awards were automatically entered, then the shortlist below was agreed by a panel of seven design experts from around the globe.
  • Alpine A110
  • Citroën C3 Aircross
  • Land Rover Range Rover Velar
  • Lexus LC 500
  • Volvo XC60
Volvo XC60 (2018) Side
Volvo XC60

Ahead of a 13th of February deadline, the jurors must now test drive the finalists again before taking part in a last ballot. Following that, the top three finalists for each trophy are going to be announced at the Geneva Motor Show on the 6th of March.

The winners are then due to be revealed at the New York International Auto Show on the 28th of March.

Related posts:
2018 NACTOY winners
2018 European Car of the Year nominees
2018 World Car Awards eligibility lists

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