The finalists for the 2022 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) have been announced, with 10 models having been shortlisted for the highest title in this year’s coveted awards.
Asian manufacturers are well represented in this year’s edition, with 7 of the candidates. South Korean models lead the list with 4, including the Genesis G70, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Tucson and Kia EV6. Japanese entrants are the 11th-gen Honda Civic, second-gen Lexus NX and Toyota GR86/ Subaru BRZ, which share double billing. The rest of the finalists of the list are the Audi Q4 e-tron, Cupra Formentor and Ford Mustang Mach-E.
In the World Urban Car category, the Dacia Sandero, Opel Mokka, Renault Kiger, Toyota Yaris Cross and Volkswagen Taigun will battle it out for that particular title, while the World Luxury Car award will see the Audi Q5 Sportback, BMW iX, Genesis GV70, Mercedes-Benz EQS and Volvo C40 Recharge compete for the award.
In the World Performance Car award, the 5 finalists are the Audi e-tron GT, BMW M3/ M4, Porsche 911 GT3, Toyota GR86/ Subaru BRZ and the Volkswagen Golf GTI/ Golf R. In the World Car Design of the Year category, the Audi e-tron GT, Ford Mustang Mach E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Mercedes-Benz EQS will go head-to-head to be crowned as the visual standout for the year.
The WCOTY is also opening up a new category for electric vehicles, showing how quickly electrification is making inroads. The 5 finalists in the new category are the Audi e-tron GT, BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQS and two of the main WCOTY finalists, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5.
The shortlisted 10 WCOTY candidates will be whittled down to three next month, and the winner – along with other category champions – will be announced in April 2022 at the New York International Auto Show. Last year’s World Car of the Year was the Volkswagen ID.4, which finished ahead of the Honda e and 4th gen Toyota Yaris, the 2021 European Car of the Year.
Related: Winners of the 2019 World Car of the Year Awards
The WCOTY awards are administered by a not-for-profit association, under the guidance of an awards management and advisory group of prominent automotive journalists from around the world.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
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