The World COTY has announced its top three category finalists.

The World COTY has announced its top three category finalists.

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After announcing the top 10 finalists, including the top five in each of the six individual categories earlier this year, the 2025 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) has reached a major turning point. The competition is now looking to name both an overall winner and a winner in each of the six individual categories.

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That said, the organisation has now announced the top three finalists in each category, and the countdown to the big reveal is on. The winners are set to be announced live at the 2025 New York International Auto Show on April 16.

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The World Car Jury consists of 96 journalists from across the globe, including Lerato Matebese, editor of TopGear Magazine SA. The judges test the cars that are in the running for WCOTY throughout the year and then vote for the winners, who are then added to the shortlist. As for the vote results, they have been tabulated by KPMG after the top three world finalists were selected by secret ballot based on their evaluation of each candidate.

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The Top Three in the World finalists are as follows:

World Car of the Year

- BMW X3

- Hyundai Inster / Casper Electric

- Kia EV3

World Electric Vehicle

- Hyundai Inster / Casper Electric

- Kia EV3

- Porsche Macan Electric

World Luxury Car

- Porsche Macan

- Porsche Panamera

- Volvo EX90

World Performance Car 

- BMW M5

- Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

- Porsche Taycan Turbo GT

World Urban Car

- BYD Seagull / Dolphin Mini

- Hyundai Inster / Casper Electric

- Mini Cooper SE

World Car Design

- Kia EV3

- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

- Volkswagen ID. Buzz

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The WCOTY Awards have always been the gold standard in the motoring world, and now the countdown to the big event is officially on. With the competition heating up, it’s going to be exciting to see who takes the crown.

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