Mazda MX-5 named World Car of the Year 2016, ahead of A4 and Merc’s GLC

The Mazda MX-5 has been named World Car of the Year at the 2016 World Car Awards, ahead of the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.

Mazda’s iconic roadster – which won UK Car of the Year earlier this month - also bagged the World Car Design award at the World Car Awards which were staged during the second day of the New York Auto Show.

In other categories, the title of World Luxury Car went to BMW 7 Series, ahead of the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 while the Audi R8 Coupe beat the Honda Civic Type R and Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe to World Performance Car.

Meanwhile, Toyota’s hydrogen-fuelled Mirai won World Green Car of the Year, beating its own Prius hybrid and the Chevrolet Volt.

The winners are decided by a jury of 73 international motoring journalists – five from England – via a secret voting ballot.

Find out who won what in 2015’s World Car Awards

Masahiro Moro, President and CEO of Mazda’s North American Operations, said the MX-5’s double award was “a wonderful honour”.

He reacted: “This award is proof that it is as young, vibrant, fun and relevant as ever, and proof that every Mazda looks as incredible as it drives, and drives as incredibly as it looks.

Ikuo Maeda, General Manager of Mazda’s Design Division, added that the award was “proof that our designs can connect with people all around the world”.

“Our new generation line-up has been designed under the Kodo design philosophy which aims to bring cars to life, and we’ve continually refined the beauty of its forms. Mazda is a proud Japanese brand and, moving forward, we are determined to continue enhancing our designs.”

World Car Awards 2016: the finalists and the winners

World Car of the Year – 2015’s winner: Mercedes-Benz C-Class

• Audi A4
• Mazda MX-5 - WINNER
• Mercedes-Benz GLC

Shortlisted nominees: BMW X1, Hyundai Tucson, Jaguar XE, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Mazda CX-3, Skoda Superb, Toyota Prius
Long list nominees: Cadillac CT6, Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Edge, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Creta (aka ix25), Kia Optima, Nissan Maxima (mid-size saloon), Vauxhall Astra, Renault Kadjar, SsangYong Tivoli, Subaru Levorg, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Touran

World Luxury Car of the Year - 2015’s winner: Mercedes-Benz S Coupe

• Audi Q7
• BMW 7 Series - WINNER
• Volvo XC90

Shortlisted: Jaguar XF, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe
Long list: Bentley Mulsanne Speed, Infiniti Q30, Lexus RX

World Green Car of the Year - 2015’s winner: BMW i8

• Chevrolet Volt
• Toyota Mirai - WINNER
• Toyota Prius

Shortlisted: BMW 330e Plug-in-hybrid, Volkswagen Passat GTE
Long list: Mercedes-Benz C350 e, Nissan Murano Hybrid, Nissan X-Trail Hybrid

World Performance Car of the Year - 2015’s winner: Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 

• Audi R8 Coupe - WINNER
• Honda Civic Type R
• Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupé

Shortlisted: Chevrolet Camaro, Range Rover Sport SVR
Long list: Audi RS 3 Sportback, BMW X5 M / X6 M, Cadillac ATS-V, Cadillac CTS-V

World Car Design of the Year - 2015’s winner: Citroen C4 Cactus

• Jaguar XE
• Mazda CX-3
• Mazda MX-5 - WINNER

Shortlisted: Cadillac CT6, Land Rover Discovery Sport
Long list: BMW 2 Series Convertible, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe