2013 World Car Awards top 10 finalists announced

Toyota_86

The international Car of the Year season is upon us! The top contenders for the European Car of the Year awards have been revealed late last year, and now it’s time for the 2013 World Car Awards.

And while the European Car of the Year awards (of which there will only be one overall winner) tend to focus on everyday, affordable cars to reflect on the continent’s dismal state of economy, the World Car Awards is taking a more rounded approach by having multiple categories: World Car of the Year, World Performance Car, World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year.

A jury of 66 international automotive journalists has chosen the top 10 finalists of the first two categories, with the results tabulated by global accounting firm KPMG. Each new model was rated in terms of overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal, and significance.

Mazda_CX-5

The contenders for the 2013 World Car of the Year title are the Audi A3, Range Rover, Mazda6, Mazda CX-5, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Peugeot 208, Porsche Boxster / Cayman, Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86, Volkswagen Golf, and Volvo V40.

Judged on a completely different set of characteristics, the 2013 World Performance Car will be chosen from one of these top ten finalists: Aston Martin Vanquish, Audi RS 5, BMW M6 Coupe / Convertible, BMW M 135i, Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster, Porsche Boxster / Cayman, Renault Clio Sport, and of course, Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86.

As you’d expect, the 2013 World Green Car category is handled differently. Five experts in “green” technology shortlisted five contenders – Renault Zoe, smart Electric Drive, Tesla Model S, Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid, Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid Diesel – which will then be evaluated by the 66 judges.

Volkswagen_Golf

For the 2013 World Car Design of the Year award, a car’s dynamic attributes and talents are thrown out of the window, the contenders judged on their looks and looks alone. The Aston Martin Vanquish, Renault Clio, Jaguar F-Type, Range Rover, Mazda6, and Volkswagen Golf made the final cut.

The top three finalists of each category will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show in early March, while the overall winners will be declared at the end of the same month; this time coinciding with the New York International Auto Show.

Think the judges have erred and left out your favourite cars, or do you agree with the chosen finalists? Sound your opinions below.

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Hafriz Shah

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

 

Comments

  • Maserati on Feb 04, 2013 at 5:05 pm

    Good thing theres not a single Korean thrash in the list, oh wait! Koreans are only good in making good looking cars. Engine and performance is terrible!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 97 Thumb down 49
    • BMW Fanboi on Feb 04, 2013 at 5:14 pm

      YESSS!!!!!!!! Facts are facts. Korean cars suck. You can’t deny the facts. Also, Preve is still a better car.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 76 Thumb down 63
      • There are so many Toyota and Honda salesman in high gear again. If Honda and Toyota salesman have lots of confidence in their products, they won’t be bashing Korean products. This is a sign of inferiority complex and fear. Why fear? It is because the Koreans have captured such a huge market share in just the last 10 years which Honda and Toyota took a whopping 50 years to build. Maybe in 10 years time, the pie will be shared 50:50 between Koreans and Japanese. This is the main reason why our Toyota and Honda salesman are running scared and resorting to even forums to bad mouth Koreans.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 37 Thumb down 16
        • BMW Fanboi on Feb 05, 2013 at 11:50 am

          Funny how people are bashing current goverment. By your logic, Penipu Rakyat is inferior?

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 16
          • Black Dog on Feb 05, 2013 at 1:14 pm

            These awards are based on cars launched in 2012 in Europe so don’t waste time mentioning cars launched earlier.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
      • crank on Feb 05, 2013 at 11:37 am

        I’m not a big fan of Korean cars but still I gotta admit that they are still making progress and obviously the time has not come to compare them with some japanese and european cars. Honestly speaking I have no idea why you guys hate korean cars that much.

        They are way better than Proton and how can you say that Preve is a better car. Do you know the amount of problems with that car. Even the bloody door panels weren’t welded properly.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 3
    • You are driving a polo and also own a MK6 GTI? Troll

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 19
    • No HONDA too, so are you saying Honda’s engine and performance is crap? :p

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 44 Thumb down 28
      • Sam Loo (Official) on Feb 04, 2013 at 5:39 pm

        Country man….country.

        You just went full retard.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 41
        • It’s understood he meant Kia and Hyundai when he said Koreans -.-

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 3
      • I.ME™ on Feb 04, 2013 at 6:37 pm

        Sigh….No Honda, but than again they didt really made anything that really stood out last year, so is acceptable.Though…. Glad to see the Toybaru duo in the finalist

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • DocMomemtum on Feb 05, 2013 at 8:59 am

      where is the Camry?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
    • kadajawi on Feb 05, 2013 at 11:30 am

      So what? Toyota only has the 86 in there. The only good car they made in ages. Except for the LF-A.

      Only other Japanese car maker is Mazda.

      The rest of the Japanese cars are soulless white goods.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
  • None of them from Korea.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 33 Thumb down 8
    • haiiiii on Feb 05, 2013 at 7:42 am

      What!! no Great Wall? no Jin Bei? no Cherry?… whre is the Chinese car? they didnt bribe enough do they?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 8
  • too bad Hyundai/Kia didn’t get in the list, hope they will keep up soon

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 21
  • Jimmy on Feb 04, 2013 at 5:11 pm

    Take note:
    Mazda 6 is there,
    CX-5 is there,
    and the absentees in each classes are ……..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 28 Thumb down 6
  • ben yap on Feb 04, 2013 at 5:23 pm

    why no proton?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 23
  • if korean cars r not there, so did japanese car, only Toyo 86 is there. so does it means tat japanese car also lousy? Even Lexus not in d list la. dun judge a car by its brand. shd judge by d car itself tat y this is “World Car of the Year title” instead of “Car Brand of the Year title”

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 29
    • Sam Loo (Official) on Feb 04, 2013 at 5:40 pm

      Mazda, Toyota and Subaru~

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 11
      • Sam Loo (Fake) on Feb 04, 2013 at 6:19 pm

        According to Sam Loo, Mazda has the lowest resale value among Japanese brand.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 31 Thumb down 7
    • Japanese car not there!! Mazda 6 n Mazda CX 5 not Japanese??

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2
    • driver on Feb 04, 2013 at 6:33 pm

      this award is european biased imho..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 8
      • kadajawi on Feb 05, 2013 at 11:32 am

        Or maybe the Japanese need to produce cars with more passion?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
        • alldisc™ on Feb 05, 2013 at 11:57 am

          the japanese did that, with cars like first gen lexus IS200 and MR2, or RX7/8, or Nissan Silvia and Skyline but not too much success and then they realised they are better at making a car for A to B kind of thing… and thats just all.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
          • frenzyaustin on Feb 05, 2013 at 12:52 pm

            I hope there is a new RX-9, Silvia S16.
            It’s affordable, it’s easy to customize and icon of Japanese performance car!

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
        • PauKaya on Feb 05, 2013 at 12:15 pm

          How is a mercedes a class or vw golf filled with passion baffles me. Im still really curious how the a class ended up in the list because its actually not a good car at all.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
    • Wow..2 Mazdas in World Car of the year, Mazda6 in World car design of the year. Now this is what we call World Class.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • alldisc™ on Feb 05, 2013 at 12:01 pm

        that Skyactive thing has really done wonders for Mazda.

        Look at how they engineered a new platform based on experience and knowledge, instead of improving on the current ones like many other manufacturer.

        and how they include new features in torque converter design making a conventional automatic transmission as efficient as a DSG while being as economical as cars with CVT boxes.

        and how internal combustion engines could be re-engineered to be more efficient, giving more power but at the same time better fuel economy.

        that is just how god skyactive technology is, but ahh.. the looks…

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • carlover on Feb 04, 2013 at 5:25 pm

    Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, Ford, GM also not in the list. Only Volkswagen Golf was being selected for 2-3 category… Anyway, Volkswagen Golf is a good car…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 6
  • Sam from The Loo on Feb 04, 2013 at 5:26 pm

    According to Sam Loo Camry will win on all categories.

    Oh wait, it’s not even nominated. Damn! There goes the RV.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 48 Thumb down 6
    • alldisc™ on Feb 05, 2013 at 12:04 pm

      ahh, no camry, no accord, no teana, no passat or even the mondeo

      but the Mazda 6…. if it sells at 100K, RV is not that important anymore, am I right?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Actually the Kia optima TGDI should be on the list too..great looking car..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 21
    • Sabre on Feb 04, 2013 at 6:38 pm

      And thats about it really…..great looking car

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 3
    • Yeah you just said it. Great looking car, that’s it. World car of the year is the mother of all car awards judged by more than 60 journalist who really know what good car is. I m not surprise Koreans are not there.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 6
    • shawal on Feb 04, 2013 at 9:05 pm

      the optima was introduced in 2011 ….and it did won red dot design award …
      so did kia sportage and kia rio, all good designs

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 6
      • There are thousands of award out there and practically half of cars came out every year will win an award one way or another. They are nothing like this WCOTY.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
      • Rakyat on Feb 05, 2013 at 4:14 pm

        As said earlier, good design but bad engineering and the design is done by mat salleh!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • Sam Loo (Official) on Feb 04, 2013 at 5:31 pm

    Let me break the news for Kimchi fans, the world ain’t got the time for that poor RV cars.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 32
    • So only Toyota 86 is accepted by the world?? Lexus, Honda, Suzuki, and the rest of the Toyota models ain’t accepted?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 10
    • Brain on Feb 04, 2013 at 8:57 pm

      Eh shit for brain!!!

      The world aint got time for shit for brain shit heads like you.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 7
    • But Malaysians seem to care more about RV than the rest of the world.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
  • Grant on Feb 04, 2013 at 5:45 pm

    Where’s the BMW of Asia?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 6
    • works on Feb 04, 2013 at 6:02 pm

      BMW of asia busy conquering malaysian market….

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
      • Smart Guys Get It on Feb 05, 2013 at 7:00 am

        In the workshop i suppose since it is the BMW(Banyak Masuk Workshop) of Asia.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
    • Rakyat on Feb 05, 2013 at 1:55 am

      I think most of it is in workshop since it is BMW(Banyak Masuk Workshop) of Asia(Kampung).

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • KIAsu No KIAsi on Feb 05, 2013 at 10:26 am

      Who ? Do u mean KIA the Asia BMW copycat ? No their BMW copied K9 (Canine) is not in the list.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • Gua Caya Sama Loo on Feb 04, 2013 at 5:51 pm

    Where is Camry? They must have forgotten to include it.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 2
  • volkswagen golf in the design awards? Does this mean no other hatchback except renault clio is potentially better looking than the golf?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • Guys, calm down. Car that is not being nominated does not mean it is bad. Just not good enough. It also depends on judges’ personal view which is very subjective. 86 uses Subaru engine, Toyota only has 1/2 nomination so to speak. :-).

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 4
    • frenzyaustin on Feb 05, 2013 at 12:55 pm

      The engine used Toyota’s direct injection technology, and without Toyota, it won’t come to real because Subaru only produce 4WD Turbocharged sports car.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Abg Long on Feb 04, 2013 at 6:06 pm

    only 66 international automotive journalists, so this is their’s car awards, not WORLD car awards..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 11
    • Then? You need 7 billion people to be the judge for ‘World’ car of the year?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 5
    • Jimmy on Feb 04, 2013 at 11:16 pm

      I know you are better than them.
      And the 7 billion people each knows cars better than them.
      The real ‘World car of every year’ among vast majority of people in this world is Rolls Royce ok, go and ask the kolo mee seller, or penjual kuih, who only graduated from primary 6. So is Rolex in the eyes of most people, or do you think all Rolexes are the best/most expensive watches in the world?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
      • Johnny on Feb 05, 2013 at 12:17 pm

        Two stupid people does not make one smart person. Just food for thought.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Ceaser™ on Feb 04, 2013 at 6:50 pm

    I got a inking feeling it will be either the A-class or the Golf that will make the win. But I’ll support the underdog, the Toybaru duo, for giving us a great budget RWD manual coupe since……the AE86?

    Tesla Model S for the green car, no green car tech has come close since, certainly none of the cars in the green car list. And the drop dead gorgeous F-type [dat ass!] for the design awards.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
  • jameshy on Feb 04, 2013 at 6:54 pm

    Before tembak here and there, please take a look on the nominated list (before COTY annouced the finalist list).
    The nominated list is
    Honda 1 (Accord)
    Nissan 3(Sylphy, Altima, Note, Pathfinder)
    Hyundai 2(i30, Santa Fe)
    Kia 3(Caren, K3, K9)
    Infiniti 1 (JX)
    Toyota 1(86)
    Subaru 2(BRZ, XV)

    So who are better? japan or Korean?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 8
  • I think mazda new design and skyactive deserve as top 10.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 3
  • Peyno on Feb 04, 2013 at 6:58 pm

    Why no perodua..???
    Jaguh kampung? Only can cheat malaysian?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 8
  • eh..ths is not right..where is the Camry???

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
  • where is the best small car??? the Vios TRD?? this is really not right….Vios TRD sports is the best/fastest small sedan in the World!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 3
  • shawal on Feb 04, 2013 at 9:10 pm

    why is AM vanquish on that list ? it did not break any new ground in terms of performance , still using the same engine introduced 10 years ago….

    apart from the audi A3 and the gorgeous but stupendously expensive range rover, I’d say all are worthy contenders in their own right …

    it’ll be a close call between the golf, CX-5 and 86/BRZ

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • RedBeanBun on Feb 04, 2013 at 9:11 pm

    1) CX5
    2) BMW 135
    3) Smart

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 5
  • sudonano on Feb 04, 2013 at 9:38 pm

    My guesses;

    2013 COTY: Mazda 6/CX5/Toyota AE86.
    Performance COTY: M6 Coupe.
    Green COTY: Model S. Nothing can beat the design and innovation of Tesla. Especially the SuperCharger.
    Deign of the year, either Mazda 6 or the Aston.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3
  • Davinnci on Feb 04, 2013 at 10:33 pm

    Mazda roars! Kudos to skyactive engine, only 2 full skyactive model available but both enter top 10.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 2
  • fuel cell phone on Feb 05, 2013 at 12:34 am

    Other eligible vehicles for WCotY, which didn’t make it as finalist:
    Aston Martin Vanquish
    BMW 1 Series Three Door / Hatchback
    BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe
    Buick Encore
    Cadillac ATS
    Cadillac XTS
    Chevrolet Malibu
    Chevrolet Spin
    Citroen C-Elysee
    Citroen C4 Aircross
    Dodge Dart / Fiat Viaggio
    Dodge Ram 1500
    Fiat 500L
    Ford Escape / Kuga
    Honda Accord
    Hyundai i30
    Hyundai Santa Fe
    Infiniti JX
    Jaguar F-Type
    Kia Carens / Rondo
    Kia Cerato / K3 / Forte
    Kia Quoris / K9
    Mercedes-Benz GL
    Mercedes-Benz SL
    MINI Paceman
    Nissan Altima
    Nissan Note / Versa
    Nissan Pathfinder
    Nissan Sylphy
    Peugeot 301
    Renault Clio
    Subaru XV
    Tesla Model S

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • New Accord didn’t make it to the final, Mazda6 got in to TWO finals in World car of the year and world best design. Guess it makes the decision much easier now when the new Accord arrives in our shore.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Rakyat on Feb 05, 2013 at 1:37 am

    Where is the so called global car of proton? If don’t get any awards, better call kampung car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
    • Peyno on Feb 05, 2013 at 11:46 am

      Jaguh kampung car of coz perodua.. Hot selling in kampung bolehland only.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • ernest on Feb 05, 2013 at 1:41 am

    Mercedes Benz A class !!! gogogo!!! awesome!! when release in Malaysia!!???

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Smart Guys Get It on Feb 05, 2013 at 7:07 am

    Where is the so called global car by proton? If it does not have any award, better call kampung car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Fagly on Feb 05, 2013 at 8:24 am

    To be fair, conduct also Worst Car of the Year award, Worst Performance, Worst Design, Worst Efficiency car award.

    Only then car buyers know which crap cars to be avoided and help them to save huge amount of money too.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • this is actually make sense, we actually need to know which car sucks the most, then the car manufacturer can and will improve the car or the company image

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • palehotak on Feb 05, 2013 at 9:21 am

    myvi lagi best mana ????

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • AhBeng on Feb 05, 2013 at 9:21 am

    come come go go these few cars. sien.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • VWPASSAT owner on Feb 05, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    I am someone who r really into kpop kentertainment samsung n many K things but NOT K cars yet. However it is not impossible that in few years to come…err maybe by the year 2020..or i heard from a reliable K source that maybe they will “overtake” the J cars by 2016 (their vision). Personally i strongly think Conti cars are D Best!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Chow 1 on Feb 05, 2013 at 5:37 pm

    Where is our global car?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Rakyat on Feb 05, 2013 at 11:00 pm

    The G should give tax exemption to the car that wins the award.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ooi G on Feb 09, 2013 at 3:03 pm

    The international accounting firm KPMG tabulated the jurors’ ballots and announced the top ten finalists in both categories today.

    The 2013 World Car of the Year will be selected from the following top ten cars listed in alphabetical order:

    • Audi A3

    • Land Rover Range Rover

    • Mazda6

    • Mazda CX5

    • Mercedes-Benz A-Class

    • Peugeot 208

    • Porsche Boxster / Cayman

    • Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ / Toyota GT 86 / Toyota 86

    • Volkswagen Golf

    • Volvo V40

    The 2013 World Performance Car will be chosen from one of these top ten finalists:

    • Aston Martin Vanquish

    • Audi RS 5

    • BMW M6 Coupe / Convertible

    • BMW M 135i

    • Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

    • Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG

    • Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

    • Porsche Boxster / Cayman

    • Renault Clio Sport

    • Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ / Toyota GT 86 / Toyota 86
    The finalists they’ve chose for the jurors are:

    Aston Martin Vanquish

    Renault Clio

    Jaguar F-Type

    Land Rover Range Rover

    Mazda 6

    Volkswagen Golf

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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