EVs dominate World Car of the Year shortlist
The 2022 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) top ten features four full electric cars, three available as plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and one coming as a twin electric motor hybrid.
The shortlist highlights how electrified cars have resoundingly infiltrated the marketplace and consciousness of those judging WCOTY – 102 automotive journalists from 33 countries.
Full EVs in the top ten are the Audi Q4 e-tron, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.
Those available as plug-in hybrids are the Cupra Formentor, Hyundai Tucson and Lexus NX, while the nominated Honda Civic will soon launch in twin electric motor e:HEV guise.
Three electric cars have triumphed at the WCOTY in previous years – the Volkswagen ID.4 in 2021; Jaguar i-Pace in 2019 and Nissan Leaf in 2011.
Showing electric progress, the 2018 awards featured only one EV in the top ten (the Nissan Leaf) while 2017’s contest had none. Much has changed in five short years.
EV’s own category
The inaugural World Electric Vehicle of the Year award has been introduced for 2022, something that may become superfluous very quickly as EVs seem set to dominate the overall WCOTY category in coming years.
Instead, perhaps for 2025 they could introduce a World Combustion Engine Vehicle of the Year Award to give them a chance of some recognition?
For the 2022 World Electric Vehicle gong, your five finalists are the Audi e-tron GT, BMW iX, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Mercedes-Benz EQS.
Groundbreaking designs
The 2022 World Car Design of the Year award top five has also been decided. Tellingly, all are EVs.
A panel of design experts (including Ian Callum) has shortlisted the Audi e-tron GT, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Mercedes-Benz EQS.
The 2022 World Luxury Car class top five has three EV challengers: the BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQS and Volvo C40 Recharge.
In something of a blip, the 2022 World Urban Car’s top five features only one city car available as an EV, the Opel Mokka. Electric cars have shown strongly in this category since its 2017 introduction; the BMW i3, Kia Soul EV and Honda e all taking the title in previous years.
The 2022 World Performance Car still favours – probably quite correctly – high-revving petrol playthings. The all-electric Audi e-tron GT will take the EV fight to stiff competition from the BMW M3/M4, Porsche 911 GT3, Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ and Volkswagen Golf GTI/R.
The winners of the six World Car Awards – including overall victor – will be revealed on April 13 at the 2022 New York International Auto Show.
Here’s the full list of contenders with EVs in bold:
2022 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) Top Ten
– Audi Q4 e-tron
– Cupra Formentor
– Ford Mustang Mach-E
– Genesis G70
– Honda Civic
– Hyundai Ioniq 5
– Hyundai Tucson
– Kia EV6
– Lexus NX
– Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ
2022 World Electric Vehicle of the Year Top Five
– Audi e-tron GT
– BMW iX
– Ford Mustang Mach-E
– Hyundai Ioniq 5
– Mercedes-Benz EQS
2022 World Urban Car of the Year Top Five
– Dacia Sandero
– Opel Mokka
– Renault Kiger
– Toyota Yaris Cross
– Volkswagen Taigun
2022 World Luxury Car of the Year Top Five
– Audi Q5 Sportback
– BMW iX
– Genesis GV70
– Mercedes-Benz EQS
– Volvo C40 Recharge
2022 World Performance Car of the Year Top Five
– Audi e-tron GT
– BMW M3/M4
– Porsche 911 GT3
– Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ
– Volkswagen Golf GTI/R
2022 World Car Design of the Year Top Five
– Audi e-tron GT
– Ford Mustang Mach-E
– Hyundai Ioniq 5
– Kia EV6
– Mercedes-Benz EQS
