2021 World Car Awards Contenders Announced

The coronavirus spread really brought us down to our knees and yes in some parts of the world crippled industries. But as we are all limping towards normalcy, carmakers are also getting their plans back on track and yes this means that the World Car Awards 2021, are back on the calendar. The World Car Finals countdown will begin in late January 2021 as the jurors vote for their favourites and their confidential ballots are tabulated by the international accounting firm KPMG. First the Top 10 and Top 5 in each category will be announced on February 3, 2021; followed by the Top Three in the World finalists on March 2, 2021. The grand finale awards ceremony and press conference will officially declare winners in all five vehicle categories on March 31, 2020 in New York. This year marks the 16th year of the World Car Awards' partnership with the New York Auto Show.
Also Read: How Kia And Porsche Dominated The 2020 World Car Awards
All that said, it's time to see the cars that have made it to the list so far. The 2021 World Car Awards jurors have released the list of eligible vehicles and as always they'll be divided into five categories - World Luxury, World Performance Car, World Urban Can and World Car Design of the Year, the winners of whom will be announced in March next year.
This year, jurors will publish a series of videos showcasing each of the shortlisted cars and the first of those videos is out. Of course, this is just the provisional list and more will be added. Here are the cars that have made the cut for the 2021 World Car, World Luxury Car and World Performance Car.
Here is the complete of World Car Awards 2021 nominees
2021 World Car of the Year
Audi A3
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
BMW 4 Series
Citroen C4 / e-C4
Ford Escape / Kuga
Genesis G80
Honda Jazz / Fit
Honda-e
Hyundai Elantra / Avante
Hyundai i10 / Grand i10
Hyundai i20
Kia K5 / Optima
Kia Sorento
Mazda MX-30
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Nissan Rogue / X-Trail
Seat Leon
Skoda Octavia
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Sienna
Toyota Venza / Harrier
Toyota Yaris / Yaris Cross
Volkswagen ID.4
2021 World Luxury Car Nominees include Aston Martin DBX, Tesla Model Y, Polestar 2 & others
2021 World Luxury Car
Aston Martin DBX
BMW X6
Genesis GV80
Land Rover Defender
Polestar 2
Tesla Model Y
Toyota Mirai
Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD
2021 World performance Car Nominees include Audi RS Q8, Mini John Cooper Works GP, Porsche 911 Turbo & more
2021 World Performance Car
Audi RS Q3
Audi RS Q8
BMW Alpina XB7
BMW M2 CS
BMW X5 M / X6 M
Hyundai Veloster N
Mercedes-AMG GLS 63
Mini John Cooper Works GP
Porsche 718 GTS 4.0
Porsche 911 Turbo
Toyota GR Yaris
Here's the list of the 2021 World Urban Car Nominees
2021 World Urban Car
Honda Jazz / Fit
Honda-e
Hyundai i10 / Grand i10
Hyundai i20
Kia Sonet
Toyota Yaris / Yaris Cross
Latest News
Jaiveer Mehra | Jan 13, 2026Tata Punch Facelift Launched At Rs 5.59 Lakh; Gets Turbo-Petrol Engine OptionUpdated micro SUV gets revised styling, new features and a new turbo-petrol powertrain option.1 min read
car&bike Team | Jan 12, 2026Updated Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 Launched: Gets Slip And Assist ClutchThe updated Goan Classic also gets a faster Type-C charging port.1 min read
Jaiveer Mehra | Jan 12, 2026Tata Punch Facelift Launch Tomorrow: What To ExpectUpdated internal combustion Punch gets a design in line with its larger siblings as well as a new engine option.3 mins read
Jafar Rizvi | Jan 9, 2026KTM RC 160 vs Yamaha R15: Specifications, Features, Prices ComparedKTM’s new RC 160 goes head-to-head with the Yamaha R15 in the entry-level sportbike category. Here is how the two fare on paper.1 min read
Amaan Ahmed | Jan 9, 2026Suzuki E-Access Launched At Rs 1.88 Lakh; LFP Battery Promises 95 KM RangeOriginally confirmed for a June 2025 launch, Suzuki's first electric two-wheeler for India has finally arrived almost a year after making its global debut at Auto Expo 2025.3 mins read
car&bike Team | Jan 9, 2026Kawasaki Ninja, Versys Models Offered With Discounts Of Up To Rs 2.50 LakhThe Ninja ZX-10R is offered with maximum benefits, followed by the Ninja 1100SX and Versys 1100.1 min read
Bilal Firfiray | Jan 9, 2026Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder: 10,000 km Long-Term ReviewAfter spending over three months and 10,000 km with the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid, we were impressed by its real-world mileage, seamless hybrid, practical comfort, and Toyota reliability. Is it the best C-SUV then?5 mins read
Seshan Vijayraghvan | Jan 8, 20262026 Mahindra XUV 7XO Review: Big On Tech, Bigger On ComfortThe new Mahindra XUV 7XO is flashier, feature packed, and comes with more advanced tech. But are the changes just incremental or actually substantial?1 min read
Preetam Bora | Jan 10, 2026Simple One Gen 2 First Ride Review: 265 km Claimed Range!The Gen 2 model of Simple Energy’s first electric scooter gets a fair few updates, including new features, tech, more range and lighter weight. We spent a couple of hours with the Simple One Gen 2 to find out if it manages to impress.6 mins read
Amaan Ahmed | Jan 3, 2026VLF Mobster 135 300 KM Review: Fun But FlawedA 125 cc scooter with Italian design and Chinese genes is a rare combination, and while some may be tempted to dismiss it because of its origins, the VLF Mobster shows 125s can also be exciting – but not without compromises.11 mins read
Preetam Bora | Dec 30, 2025TVS Orbiter Review: Real-World Performance and Range TestedThe TVS Orbiter is a promising electric scooter promising decent range, practicality and pricing. But is there any reason to avoid it? We spent a few days getting to know it better.9 mins read
















































































































