Cars

Chinese brands make up nearly half of 2027 World Car of the Year contenders

Published
Sanat Urnaliyev
Sanat Urnaliyev
Senior Journalist
Tanat Kozhmanov
Tanat Kozhmanov
Senior Editor
automotive industry award Chinese cars
Zeekr 9X / Photo: Сarscoops.com, photo editor: Adelina Mamedova

The list of candidates for the 2027 World Car of the Year includes 56 models, 27 from Chinese brands, Carscoops reported.

According to the preliminary list of contenders announced by the award organizers, many of the brands are familiar to Kazakhstani consumers.

Vehicles must meet several requirements to qualify for the award, including an annual production volume of at least 10,000 units and availability in at least two major markets on two continents. This edition covers vehicles sold between Jan. 1, 2026, and March 19, 2027.

The main list features the following Chinese brands:

  • BYD
  • Chery
  • Changan
  • Deepal
  • Exeed
  • GAC
  • Geely
  • Jetour
  • Leapmotor
  • Lepas
  • Lynk & Co
  • MG
  • Omoda
  • Onvo
  • XPeng
  • Zeekr

Specific models include the BYD Ti7, Jetour T2 and G700, Geely Starray EM-i, Lynk & Co 900, Omoda 4, Onvo L90, and Zeekr 8X.

Traditional global automakers are also represented in the competition. Candidates include the BMW i3, Mazda CX-5, Mercedes-Benz Electric GLC, Kia Telluride, Lexus ES, Volvo EX60, Subaru Trailseeker, and Volkswagen Atlas/Teramont Pro.

In addition to the main award, the organizers released lists of contenders in several other categories:

  • The World Urban Car category includes the Chery Q, Cupra Raval, Geely EX2, Hyundai Ioniq 3 and Kia EV2.
  • Contenders in the World Luxury Car category include the Audi Q7, Avatr 07, BMW X5, Genesis GV80 Hybrid, Polestar 5, XPeng X9 and Zeekr 9X.
  • The World Performance Car category includes the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X, Genesis GV60 Magma, Kia EV4 GT, Lynk & Co 02, Zeekr 7GT and Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric.

The list released so far is a preliminary roster of contenders, not a list of finalists. Between September 2026 and January 2027, members of the international jury will test the vehicles and cast their votes.

The top 10 finalists in the main category will be announced on Jan. 5, 2027, while the winners across all major categories will be revealed on March 24 at the New York International Auto Show.

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