World Car Awards Launches 2027 Competition with Israeli Judge

The 23rd annual World Car Awards competition, themed "The Road to World Car 2027," has officially begun. A panel of 100 international automotive journalists, including Kfir Kashrian representing Israel, will evaluate new models expected to lead the industry in the coming year. The World Car Awards maintains its position as the leading global automotive awards event, reaching over 493 million people in the past season.

This year's "Car of the Year" category features 56 models, reflecting the industry's rapid evolution. The list includes established European, Japanese, and American brands, alongside a growing presence of Chinese manufacturers targeting global markets. To qualify, vehicles must be produced in at least 10,000 units annually, priced below hypercar levels, and sold in at least two major markets on two different continents between January 1, 2026, and March 19, 2027.

Notable contenders include the BMW i3, Cupra Raval, Volvo EX60, new electric Mercedes C-Class and GLA, Mazda CX-5 and CX-6e, Hyundai Ioniq 3, Tucson, and Ioniq, Kia EV2, Seltos, and Telluride, as well as Chinese models from BYD, Xpeng, Deepal, Omoda, Zeekr, and Leapmotor.

The competition timeline includes traditional test drives in Los Angeles in November 2026, the announcement of the top 10 "Car of the Year" finalists and five finalists in sub-categories (Luxury, Performance, Urban, EV, Design) in January 2027, and the "Person of the Year" award in February 2027. The field will be narrowed to the top three in each category by early March 2027, with the winners announced at a gala event during the New York International Auto Show on March 24, 2027.