Autoesque

Following a second round of voting, the top three finalists for each of this year’s World Car Awards have been named.

Whereas the previous BT-50 was based on the Ford Ranger, the all-new model is a reworked Isuzu D-Max .

Motoring journalists are certainly very keen on the Kia Telluride. Thanks to their votes, this mid-size SUV has just been named 2020 World Car of the Year. It previously secured the 2020 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year title following a similar process.

Ahead of this year’s World Car Awards winners being declared next month, the top three finalists in each of the five categories have been announced.

Despite being first unveiled in 2014, the Mazda 2 supermini still looks fresh. However, it competes in an extremely tough market segment, so a subtle facelift and some technical updates for 2020 should help to maintain customer interest.

As the existing 2019 Toyota Yaris Sedan is essentially a rebadged four-door Mazda 2, using exactly the same strategy for the new 2020 Yaris Hatchback is entirely logical. In fact, apart from the Toyota’s awkward front grille design, the two models look virtually identical.

Mazda’s latest limited edition has a rather misleading name. Sure, the rear spoiler and door mirror caps are black, but the new MX-5 RF Sport Black is only available with Eternal Blue Mica paintwork.

It’d be intriguing to question members of the World Car Awards jury about their voting rationale, because some of 2018’s top three finalists seem nonsensical.

Although deliveries won’t begin until March next year, Mazda has already revealed details about the MX-5 Z-Sport. This new arrival – which is based on the existing 2.0 litre Sport Nav model – is going to be offered exclusively in the UK.

BBR’s new Stage 1 package for the current Mazda MX-5 delivers huge output and performance improvements.

2017's North American Car of the Year, Truck of the Year and Utility Vehicle of the Year have been announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Jurors have chosen the finalists for the 2017 North American Car of the Year, Truck of the Year and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards. Yes, there are now three prizes, because organisers sensibly decided to split the previous Truck / Utility of the Year category.

Having already compared the Fiat 124 Spider and 1.5 litre Mazda MX-5 on performance, specification and price, it's now time to examine the more powerful Abarth 124 Spider and 2.0 litre Mazda MX-5.

As the new Fiat 124 Spider shares its underpinnings with the Mazda MX-5, anybody considering buying one should definitely investigate the Japanese alternative before signing an order form.

Given the mediocrity of the other two finalists, it's hardly surprising that the Mazda MX-5 has been named 2016 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show.

Q-cars (or sleepers, depending on your choice of terminology) mix plain looks with rapid performance. For a particular breed of driver who's more concerned with 'go' rather than 'show', they hold a special appeal.

Following a second round of voting, organisers of the 2016 World Car Awards have revealed the top three finalists in each category.

This year's European Car of the Year award was certainly a very close-run contest.

European brands have rather dominated the finalist lists for the 2016 World Car Awards. Indeed, they account for 60 percent of the vehicles chosen by a jury of 73 international motoring journalists.

A jury of 53 automotive journalists from Canada and the United States has decided the 2016 North American Car of the Year and Truck / Utility of the Year winners.