The name of the winner will be determined by an expert council consisting of 85 automotive journalists from more than twenty countries. The winner will be announced in the spring, in April, at the New York Auto Show.
The list of contenders includes the following models: Acura RDX, Audi E-tron, Audi A1, Audi A6, Audi Q3, BMW 3-Series, BMW i8 Roadster, BMW X2, Cadillac XT4, Citroen C5 Aircross and Dacia Duster. The fight for the main title will also be continued by Ford Focus, Honda Clarity, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Nexo, Infiniti QX50, Jaguar E-Pace, Jaguar I-Pace, Jeep Cherokee. In addition, the shortlist includes Jeep Wrangler, Kia Ceed, Kia Niro EV, Kia Soul, Lexus ES, Lexus UX, Nissan Altima, Nissan Kicks, Seat Arona, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Jimny, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Corolla, Toyota RAV4, Volvo S60 / V60 and Volvo XC40.
During the same ceremony, the judges will also determine the winner of the title "Best Luxury Car". In this category, Audi A7, Audi Q8, BMW 8-Series, Mercedes-Benz GLE and Volkswagen Touareg will compete for the victory.
In the "Best Sports Car" category, the main rivals will be Aston Martin Vantage, BMW M2, Hyundai Veloster N, Kia Ceed GT and McLaren 720S. In the "Green Car of the Year" competition, Audi E-Tron, BMW i8 Roadster, Honda Clarity, Honda Insight, Hyundai Nexo, Jaguar I-Pace, Kia Niro EV, the hybrid version of the Lexus ES, Lexus UX Hybrid, as well as the Toyota Avalon Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid hybrids will test their strength.
Four more cars will compete for the title "Best Urban Car of the Year". This list includes Audi A1, BMW X2, Kia Soul, Seat Arona and Suzuki Jimny.
Last year, the main prize "World Car of the Year" (WCOTY) went to the Volvo XC60 crossover. For the Swedish brand, this award was the first in the history of the competition. In the final vote, in addition to the Volvo XC60, the Mazda CX-5 and Range Rover Velar crossovers participated.
The debut ceremony of "Car of the Year" took place in 2005, and its first winner was the Audi A6 model.
