WOMEN’S WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR 2017 WINNERS:

SUPREME WINNER – Hyundai Ioniq

This was a clear winner. All three models in the range were considered and treated as one car for voting purposes – the Ioniq EV, Ioniq Hybrid and PHEV Plug-in Hybrid. Runner-up was the Mazda CX-5. The Ioniq also won the Green Car category.

CATEGORY WINNERS

FAMILY CAR: Mazda CX5

This was an exceptionally close vote between the Mazda CX5 and the Hyundai i30. Right until the last votes were received the result could have gone either way. In fact, the Mazda CX-5 was nominated consistently in two categories – this Family Car category and the SUV/Crossover category.

BUDGET CAR: Ford Fiesta

This segment was very clear with the Ford Fiesta ahead of the Kia Rio by several points with the Citroen C3 coming in at third place.

GREEN CAR: Hyundai Ioniq – EV, Hybrid, PHEV

The Korean car was a clear winner ahead of the Toyota Prius Pug-in Hybrid. The Toyota Prius and the Kia Niro were almost equal until the last votes were in.

SUV/CROSSOVER: Peugeot 3008

The Peugeot 3008 convincingly won over the Mazda CX-5 which, in fact, did well to rate so highly in three categories. Third was the Volvo XC60.

LUXURY CAR: BMW 5 Series

No question here, the BMW 5 Series scored consistently highly and ahead of the Volvo S90 with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class in third place.

PERFORMANCE CAR: Honda Civic Type R

This segment was fairly closely-fought between the Honda and the Mazda MX5 RF which was runner-up. Third was the BMW M2 Coupe.

SUPREME WINNER SUMMARY:

CEO, Women’s World Car of the Year, Sandy Myhre (New Zealand):
“The car that wins the Supreme award has gone through a rigorous test by 25 judges from 20 different countries who are on the panel of Women’s World Car of the Year.
“It’s a democratic process and cars that have won categories and the supreme winner really have to stand out.”
“It must be mentioned that Mazda did very well to have three cars nominated, and score so highly, in all three categories.”

DREAM CAR: McLaren 720S

Judges are asked to nominate one car only for this award, their dream car, the one they’d like to own. For 2016 and 2017 McLaren was a clear winner over other contenders that included the likes of Aston Martin Rapide S, Aston Martin DB11, Maserati Levante, Ferrari Portofino and Ferrari GTC4 Russo.

VOTING PROCEDURES:

Judges nominate their preferences. This year 420 cars were on the first nomination list, whittled down to the top 60. Judges then vote on those cars by allocating points. Voting is by secret ballot and audited by international accountancy company Grant Thornton from their Auckland (NZ) office. Director, Paul Kane, said voting is not always predictable.
“This year, the Hyundai Ioniq was a standout. It’s always a tight competition but there were a couple of cars that were ahead of the others in their category, notably, the Ford Fiesta and the BMW 5 Series.”

Previous Supreme Winners:

2016: Jaguar F-Pace
2015: Volvo XC90
2014: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2013: Ford Fiesta Ecoboost
2012 Range Rover Evoque
2011: BMW 5 Series and Citroën DS3 (tie)
2010: Jaguar XF