Kia Telluride crowned World Car of the Year 2020

Kia's SUV takes home the big prize as its Soul EV wins the Urban Car award; Porsche's Taycan also bags two key awards.

Published On Apr 08, 2020 09:10:00 PM

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Kia Telluride.

Mazda 3.

Kia Soul EV.

Porsche Taycan.

Every year, the announcement of the winners of the World Car Awards is a momentous occasion, graced by representatives of nominated carmakers and members of the jury. This year, however, since the world's grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Car Awards 2020 winners – originally scheduled to be announced at the now-cancelled New York auto show – were declared online via a live stream.

Securing the big prize this year is the Kia Telluride, which has been crowned World Car of the Year 2020. The Telluride is Kia's full-size, three-row SUV, and made it to the shortlist of the final three from a list of 29 vehicles vying for the title. The other names in the running for World Car of the Year were the Mazda 3 and the Mazda CX-30.

Making it a sweeter occasion for Kia is the Soul EV winning the World Urban Car of the Year 2020 award. In its latest generation, the Soul is also offered as a pure electric model, and it is this EV that has bagged the award, beating the all-electric Mini Cooper SE and Volkswagen T-Cross in the running. Wins for the Telluride and Soul EV mark the first time models from Kia Motors have won a title at the World Car Awards.

Another manufacturer that bagged a double win is Porsche. The creator of the 911 made a clean sweep in the World Performance Car category, with the 718 Boxster / Cayman GT4, new-gen 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.

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

Winners of the World Car Awards 2020 were picked by the 86-member strong WCOTY global jury. Part of the jury comprised Autocar India editor Hormazd Sorabjee, and Renuka Kirpalani, executive editor, the Autocar Show.

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How novel coronavirus has hit the global auto industry: a timeline