Six cars have been crowned world-beaters following a near year-long journey to find the best new vehicles on the planet.
The Volvo XC60, named overall World Car of the Year, was among the winners at 2018 World Car Awards in New York after months of test drives, evaluation and analysis by 82 globe-trotting journalists.
It’s the second time in a row an SUV has claimed the honor and adds to the North American Utility of the Year award the XC60 picked up earlier this year.
“We are up against some tough competition, but this award for the XC60 shows that Volvo has the right combination of design, connectivity and safety that appeals to customers across the world,” said Hakan Samuelsson, president and CEO of Volvo Cars.
Other category winners included the Nissan Leaf electric vehicle, for World Green Car, while the Audi A8 sedan picked up the World Luxury Car award.
2018 World Car Award winners and finalists
World Car of the Year
Winner – Volvo XC60
Other finalists – Mazda CX-5, Range Rover Velar
World Luxury Car
Winner – Audi A8
Other finalists – Porsche Cayenne, Porsche Panamera
World Performance Car
Winner – BMW M5
Other finalists – Honda Civic Type R, Lexus LC 500
World Car Design of the Year
Winner – Range Rover Velar
Other finalists – Lexus LC 500, Volvo XC60
World Green Car
Winner – Nissan Leaf
Other finalists – BMW 530e iPerformance, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
World Urban Car
Winner – Volkswagen Polo
Other finalists – Ford Fiesta, Suzuki Swift
Vehicles in each category were selected and voted on by a panel of journalists from 24 countries. The entrants were put through their paces during test-drive events in Tokyo and Los Angeles before winners were announced at the New York International Auto Show last month.
“The New York International Auto Show is proud of the tradition it has built with the World Car Awards to recognize the ‘best of the best’ in the auto industry,” said John LaSorsa, chairman of the show. “Over the past 12 years this awards program has grown to become one of the most coveted honors in the world of automakers.”
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With 10 years of experience in auto finance, Rob Looker helps car shoppers find the right vehicles with the right financing so they can enjoy the road ahead. When he’s not creating content, he’s often behind the wheel, exploring new…
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