Volkswagen ID.4 – 2021 World Car of the Year
The Road to the 2021 World Car Awards journey concluded today with the declaration of the VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 as the 2021 World Car of the Year as voted by our 93 distinguished international journalists from 28 countries that make up the World Car Awards jury panel. The votes were tabulated by KPMG.
This is the fifth World Car of the Year (WCOTY) win for Volkswagen AG. Previous WCOTY wins were as follows:
2013 World Car of the Year – Volkswagen Golf
2012 World Car of the Year – Volkswagen UP!
2010 World Car of the Year – Volkswagen Polo
2009 World Car of the Year – Volkswagen Golf VI
Ralf Brandstätter, CEO Volkswagen Cars: “We are particularly pleased about our ID.4 being named “World Car of the Year”. Not only because it is one of the most important car awards in the world – but because the jury also honored a great idea and a great team. The first ID. Model for the key markets of Europe, China and the U.S. carries our electric offensive around the world. A convincing car, a great idea – and the “World Car of the Year” award? That goes well together for us!”
World Car of the Year
Volkswagen ID.4 | VEHICLE | Occupant Environment | Performance | Value | Safety | Environment | Market Significance | Emotional Appeal | Innovation | SCORE |
| Honda e | 7.7 | 6.7 | 5.8 | 7.4 | 8.8 | 6.7 | 8.8 | 8.7 | 742 | |
| Toyota Yaris | 6.9 | 6.8 | 7.5 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 732 | |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 7.4 | 8.1 | 9.3 | 8.8 | 7.2 | 8.4 | 798 |
Porsche 911 Turbo – 2021 World Performance Car
The Road to the 2021 World Car Awards journey concluded today with the declaration of the PORSCHE 911 TURBO as the 2021 World Performance Car as voted by our 93 distinguished international journalists from 28 countries that make up the World Car Awards jury panel. The votes were tabulated by KPMG.
This is the seventh World Performance Car win for Porsche AG in the World Car Awards’ 17 year history.
Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, Vice President Model Line 911 and 718 said, “We could not be more excited to accept this award, which represents the eighth instance of Porsche winning a World Car Awards title. The 911 Turbo S is the peak of performance and luxury from Porsche, a fact this recognition underscores. With the new generation 992, we continue to push the boundaries.”
World Performance Car
Porsche 911 Turbo | VEHICLE | Occupant Environment | Performance | Value | Safety | Environment | Market Significance | Emotional Appeal | Innovation | SCORE |
| Audi RS Q8 | 8.5 | 9.0 | 7.2 | 8.5 | 5.9 | 6.9 | 8.3 | 7.8 | 792 | |
| Porsche 911 Turbo | 8.1 | 9.7 | 7.4 | 8.1 | 6.3 | 7.5 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 822 | |
| Toyota GR Yaris | 6.5 | 8.5 | 8.4 | 7.5 | 6.8 | 7.1 | 8.4 | 7.8 | 773 |
Mercedes-Benz S-Class – 2021 World Luxury Car
The Road to the 2021 World Car Awards journey concluded today with the declaration of the MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS as the 2021 World Luxury Car as voted by our 93 distinguished international journalists from 28 countries that make up the World Car Awards jury panel. The votes were tabulated by KPMG.
This is the fourth World Luxury Car win for Mercedes-Benz and the second time that the S-Class has won the title in the World Car Awards’ 17 year history.
“It’s a great honour to see the new S-Class recognized around the globe as the 2021 World Luxury Car”, says Prof. Dr. Uwe Ernstberger, Head of S-Class and C-Class model series product group at Mercedes-Benz AG. „And it feels right. Building on its long tradition of innovation, the new generation once again sets the pace in the automotive industry. The S-Class offers trailblazing innovations in all areas, from safety and comfort to efficiency.”
World Luxury Car
Mercedes-Benz S-Class | VEHICLE | Occupant Environment | Performance | Value | Safety | Environment | Market Significance | Emotional Appeal | Innovation | SCORE |
| Land Rover Defender | 8.3 | 7.8 | 7.1 | 8.0 | 6.2 | 7.6 | 8.8 | 8.0 | 774 | |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 9.1 | 8.3 | 7.9 | 9.4 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 8.1 | 9.2 | 853 | |
| Polestar 2 | 8.1 | 8.2 | 7.4 | 8.5 | 9.0 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 8.5 | 815 |
HONDA e – 2021 World Urban Car
The Road to the 2021 World Car Awards journey concluded today with the declaration of the HONDA e as the 2021 World Urban Car as voted by our 93 distinguished international journalists from 28 countries that make up the World Car Awards jury panel. The votes were tabulated by KPMG.
Koji Watanabe, Operating Executive & Chief Officer of Brand and Communications Operations said,
“We are very proud to receive this prestigious award from the World Car Awards organisation. We have strived to create new value through products like Honda e, and it is rewarding to see those efforts recognised. We aim to be a company which society wants to exist, and awards like this only strengthen our commitment to provide joy to our customers for years to come.”
World Urban Car
Honda e: | VEHICLE | Occupant Environment | Performance | Value | Safety | Environment | Market Significance | Emotional Appeal | Innovation | SCORE |
| Honda e | 7.9 | 7.1 | 5.9 | 7.3 | 8.6 | 6.7 | 8.8 | 8.7 | 754 | |
| Honda Jazz/Fit | 7.4 | 6.6 | 7.3 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 6.6 | 6.5 | 7.1 | 719 | |
| Toyota Yaris | 7.0 | 7.1 | 7.3 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 6.9 | 7.2 | 737 |
Land Rover Defender – 2021 World Car DESIGN of the Year
The Road to the 2021 World Car Awards journey concluded today with the declaration of the LAND ROVER DEFENDER as the 2021 World Car Design of the Year as voted by our 93 distinguished international journalists from 28 countries that make up the World Car Awards jury panel. The votes were tabulated by KPMG.
This is the sixth World Car Design of the Year win for Jaguar Land Rover. No other OEM has received as many Design awards in the World Car Awards’ 17 year history. Previous Design awards were: 2019 – Jaguar I-PACE, 2018 – Range Rover Velar, 2017 – Jaguar F-PACE, 2012 – Range Rover Evoque and 2013 – Jaguar F-Type.
Prof. Gerry McGovern OBE, Chief Creative Officer, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “New Defender is influenced by its past but is not constrained by it and we are delighted it has been honoured with this award. Our vision was to create a 21st century Defender by pushing the boundaries of engineering, technology and design while retaining its renowned DNA and off-road capability. The result is a compelling 4×4 that resonates with customers on an emotional level.”
World Car Design of the Year
Land Rover Defende | VEHICLE | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | SCORE |
| Honda e | 115 | 80 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 239 | |
| Land Rover Defender | 180 | 64 | 45 | 10 | 0 | 299 | |
| Mazda MX-30 | 35 | 56 | 57 | 30 | 16 | 197 |
