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January 31, 2024

The Best Cars Of 2024: The World Car Awards Finalists Are In

The article announces the finalists for the World Car Awards in 2024, highlighting the top contenders across various categories. From performance to design, these vehicles represent the pinnacle of automotive excellence, offering consumers a glimpse into the most innovative and coveted cars of the year.

Hyundai's SangYup Lee and and José Muñoz as the brand swept the 2023 World Car Awards

It’s one of the most-watched automotive competitions each year: Executives and leaders wait in angst to learn if their newest models, on which they spent billions of dollars in development and marketing, make the World Car Awards finalist list for the best new cars of the year. The list is the result of a survey taken among top automotive journalists from around the world who also serve as jurors for the awards, and it’s the run-up to the top awards, which will be announced on March 27th.

INDONESIA-CHINA-ECONOMY-EV-BYD-LAUNCH

Newly launched BYD Dolphin, displayed during the launch of the Chinese-made BYD brand in Jakarta,

Which Cars Will Win?

Then, there’s the handicapping: Will Hyundai sweep the awards for a third year in a row? Will one of the many eligible Chinese brands finally rise to the top as a finalist — or winner? Will an electric car take the World Performance Car award again this year, making it three of the last four?

The awards not only illustrate rising trends and marketplace changes, but also anticipate demand, desire and of course, sales.

After designating the finalists for World Car Awards, the body’s jurors will further weigh in as they vote on the winners in February. They consider driving dynamics, innovation, technology, performance, marketplace importance and value. 

The 2025 Volvo EX30 is a finalist in in three World Car Awards categories

How Does a Car Become World Car Eligible?

To be eligible, vehicles must be new or significantly redesigned and truly global, available for sale in more than two major markets on two or more continents in the 14 months ending March, 2024. Votes are tallied by KPMG and final results are a sealed-envelope affair held at the New York Auto Show.

The finalist list for 2024 shows the global shift in automotive and some surprises: The return of the Abarth 500 as a celebrated electric car; BYD as a potential World Car of the Year; Geely making huge strides with both Volvo and Zeekr gaining favor; and Toyota Prius eliciting applause from critics (who’da thought?).

Plus the usual suspects: Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Mazda, Hyundai, Kia, Porsche and Volkswagen.

Here are the 2024 World Car of the Year Finalists:

A BMW i5 electric sedan is on display during the International Motor Show (IAA). 

World Electric Vehicle:

  • BMW i5
  • Kia EV9
  • Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
  • Volkswagen ID.7
  • Volvo EX30

Mercedes-Benz Group presents the EQE SUV at the musee Rodin. 

World Luxury Car:

  • BMW 5 Series / i5
  • Lexus LM
  • Mercedes-Benz CLE
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  • Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV

A Ferrari Purosangue is displayed during the Salon Privé 2023 

World Performance Car:

  • BMW M2
  • BMW XM
  • Ferrari Purosangue
  • Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
  • Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid

Abarth 500e compact electric car on display at Brussels Expo World Urban Car:

  • Abarth 500e
  • BYD Dolphin
  • Lexus LBX
  • Suzuki Fronx
  • Volvo EX30

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe at the LA Auto Show 

World Car of the Year:

  • BYD Seal / Atto 4
  • Ford Bronco
  • Hyundai Kona / Kona Electric
  • Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Kia EV9
  • Mazda CX-90
  • Subaru Crosstrek
  • Toyota Prius
  • Volkswagen ID.7
  • Volvo EX30

It’ll be another two months of pins and needles for automotive executives as they await the final results, though on February 27th, World Car Awards will narrow the field to the top three in each category at the Geneva International Motor Show. The organization will also announce its World Car Design of the Year and Person of the Year, two other coveted categories. And the top winners will be crowned at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday, March 27 at the opening of the show.

Until then, everyone will just have to keep guessing — and handicapping.

Sourced from Forbes

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