Kia Sorento Among Finalists for 2021 World Car of the Year

After the Telluride’s surprise win at last year’s awards, Kia could make it two-for-two as two all-new models were announced as finalists for the 2021 World Car of the Year.

A jury of 93 international automotive journalists selected the finalists by secret ballot based on their evaluation of each eligible vehicle as part of their professional work. This year’s finalists are (in alphabetical order):

• Audi A3
• BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
• BMW 4 Series
• Honda e
• Kia K5 / Optima
• Kia Sorento
• Mazda MX-30
• Mercedes-Benz GLA
• Toyota Yaris
• Volkswagen ID.4

Meanwhile, for the 2021 World Urban Car, the following five were chosen as the finalists:

• Honda Jazz / Fit
• Honda e
• Hyundai i10 / Grand i10
• Hyundai i20
• Toyota Yaris

The 2021 World Luxury Car top five finalists are:

• Aston Martin DBX
• BMW X6
• Land Rover Defender
• Mercedes-Benz S-Class
• Polestar 2

The 2021 World Performance Car top five finalists are:

• Audi RS Q8
• BMW M2 CS
• BMW X5 M / X6 M
• Porsche 911 Turbo
• Toyota GR Yaris

All cars competing in these four categories are eligible for the 2021 World Car Design of the Year award.

A design panel consisting of seven highly respected world design experts was asked to first review each candidate, and then establish a short-list of recommendations for the jurors’ final vote. The design experts are in alpha order: Gernot Bracht (Germany – Pforzheim Design School), Ian Callum (United Kingdom – Director of Design, CALLUM), Gert Hildebrand (Germany – Owner Hildebrand-Design), Patrick le Quément (France - Designer and President of the Strategy Committee - The Sustainable Design School), Tom Matano (USA – Academy of Art University, Former Head of Design – Mazda), Victor Nacif (USA - Chief Creative Officer, Brojure.com and Design instructor, NewSchool of Architecture and Design) and Shiro Nakamura (Japan - CEO, Shiro Nakamura Design Associates Inc.).

The five finalists chosen by the design panel for the jurors’ final vote are in alphabetical order are:

• Honda e
• Land Rover Defender
• Mazda MX-30
• Polestar 2
• Porsche 911 turbo

The next step for the World Car of the Year will be the announcement of the Top Three on March 30, followed by the declaration of the winners on April 20.

Source: Car Guides PH