European Brands Dominate World Car Finalists

The organizers of the World Car Awards have announced the first round of finalists across six categories.

The winners, which are selected by a jury of 82 automotive journalists from 26 countries, will be announced at the New York auto show in late March.

Contenders for the main World Car of the Year title have been winnowed from 36 to 10. Those remaining are the Alfa Romeo Giulia, BMW X3, Kia Stinger, Land Rover Discovery, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Leaf, Range Rover Velar, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen T-Roc and Volvo XC60.

Five finalists remain in the luxury car group: the Audi A8, BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, Lexus LS, and Porsche’s Cayenne and Panamera models. Those vying on the performance car side are the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, Audi RS 3, BMW M5, Honda Civic Type R and Lexus LC 500.

The World Urban Car award, which was added last year, is down to the Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Kona, Nissan Micra, Suzuki Swift and Volkswagen Polo. Only four vehicles are left in the Green Car category: the BMW 530e iPerformance, Chevrolet Cruze Diesel, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and Nissan Leaf.

A separate panel of seven judges is evaluating vehicles from a design standpoint. The five finalists in the design category are the Citroen C3 Aircross, Lexus LC 500, Range Rover Velar, Renault Alpine A110 and Volvo XC 60.