Kia wins big at 2020 World Car Awards: Telluride voted Car of the Year, Soul EV is World Urban Car

The winners of the 2020 World Car Awards were announced today digitally, in view of the pervasive impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Kia Motors Corporation is the big winner and drives away with two awards. The Kia Telluride is the 2020 World Car of the Year and the Kia Soul EV the 2020 World Urban Car.

“Everyone at Kia is truly honored to receive not just one, but two awards from the World Car Awards judging panel,” said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice-President and Head of Product Division at Kia Motors Corporation. “This is one of the hardest-fought competitions in the global automotive industry, proving that the Telluride and Soul EV are both truly outstanding vehicles. These accolades are testament to the talents and efforts of a worldwide team, who all strive to create desirable, high-quality and practical cars that drivers love.”

The Kia Telluride was chosen from an initial World Car of the Year entry list of 29 vehicles from all over the world while the Kia Soul EV was chosen from an initial entry list of eight World Urban Car contenders. Both vehicles were Top Three in the World finalists in their respective categories as announced on March 3.

Vehicles were selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprising 86 prominent automotive journalists from 24 countries around the world. Each juror was appointed by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of his or her expertise, experience, credibility, and influence. Part of the jury are Autocar India editor Hormazd Sorabjee, and Renuka Kirpalani, executive editor, the Autocar Show. The international accounting firm KPMG tabulated the jurors’ ballots.  

Porsche Taycan packs a punch
German carmaker Porsche also bagged a double. The maker of the 911 made it a clean sweep in the World Performance Car category, with the 718 Boxster / Cayman GT4, new-generation 911 and the Taycan being nominated. From the trio, it was the Taycan that emerged victorious, securing the World Performance Car of the Year 2020 award. The Taycan's victory marks Porsche’s sixth win in the World Performance Car category. The Taycan also went on to pick up the World Luxury Car of the Year title, beating the Porsche 911 and the Mercedes-Benz EQC.

The Mazda 3 that secured the World Car Design of the Year 2020 award, outscoring the Taycan and the Peugeot 208.