The finalists in the 2020 World Car of the Year contest have been announced at the Delhi Auto Show in India.

A jury of 86 distinguished international automotive journalists – including South Africa’s Charleen Clarke – selected the finalists by secret ballot.

The 2020 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) winner will be selected from 10 finalists, chosen from an initial list of 29 contenders. The Top Ten World Car of the Year finalists are, in alpha order: Hyundai Sonata, Kia Soul EV, Kia Telluride, Range Rover Evoque, Mazda3, Mazda CX-30, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Mercedes-Benz GLB, Volkswagen Golf and Volkswagen T-Cross.

The 2020 World Urban Car will be chosen from these top five finalists: Kia Soul EV, Mini Electric, Peugeot 208, Renault Clio and Volkswagen T-Cross.

The 2020 World Luxury Car top five finalists are the BMW X5, BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz EQC, Porsche 911 and Porsche Taycan.

The 2020 World Performance Car top five finalists are the BMW M8, Porsche 718 Spyder/Cayman GT4, Porsche 911, Porsche Taycan and Toyota GR Supra.

All cars competing in these four categories are eligible for the 2020 World Car Design of the Year award. A design panel consisting of seven highly respected world design experts was asked first to review each candidate, and then establish a short-list of recommendations for the jurors’ final vote. The design experts are in alpha order: Anne Asensio (France – Vice-President, Design – Dassault Systemes), Gernot Bracht (Germany – Pforzheim Design School), Ian Callum (United Kingdom – Director of Design, CALLUM), Patrick le Quément (France – Designer and President of the Strategy Committee – The Sustainable Design School), Tom Matano (USA – Academy of Art University in San Francisco and former Head of Design – Mazda), Gordon Murray (U.K. Chairman, Gordon Murray Group Limited) and Shiro Nakamura (Japan – CEO, Shiro Nakamura Design Associates Inc.).

The five finalists for the 2020 World Car Design of the Year chosen by the design panel for the jurors’ final vote are the Alpine 110S, Mazda3, Mazda CX-30, Peugeot 208 and Porsche Taycan.

Next step: Top Three in the World

The next stop on the annual World Car Awards journey is the Geneva International Motor Show. This is where the World Car Awards will announce the Top Three in the World finalists as well as the winner of the 2020 World Car Person of the Year award. The announcement takes place on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 2:45 pm, at the Brembo stand.

The winners in all five vehicle categories will be announced at an awards ceremony and press conference to open the New York International Auto Show on April 8, 2020. This year marks the 15th year of the World Car Awards’ partnership with the New York show.