Mazda 3 voted Women’s World Car of the Year 2019

The Mazda 3 was named the Women’s Car of the Year 2019. The announcement was made at the Dubai International Motor Show. The Women’s World Car of the Year's all-woman jury comprised 41 jurors from 34 countries, including Autocar India’s Renuka Kirpalani.
 

In addition to winning the top honour, the Mazda 3 was adjudged the Family Car of the Year as well. Kia Motors also received recognition in two categories, with the XCeed being named Urban Car of the Year, and the Soul EV winning the Green Car Award. The BMW 8 Series was named the Luxury Car of the Year, the Porsche 911 won the Performance Car Award while the Range Rover Evoque was announced as the SUV/Crossover of the Year.

The Holly Reich Dream Car award – dedicated to the memory of a former WWCOTY panellist – was won by the Porsche Taycan. This award is presented to the judges’ dream car, which they would love to own.

Citroen CEO Linda Jackson won the Woman of Worth award

The finalists for the Woman of Worth Award – introduced in 2018 – included racing driver and television presenter, the late Jessi Combs; Mary Barra (CEO and chairman of General Motors) and Linda Jackson (CEO of Citroen). Citroen’s Jackson was announced as the winner. Addressing the event from France, Jackson said, “Beyond my person I believe that it rewards the success of Citroën's renewal, which I have undertaken for the past five years with my teams, passionate women and men whom I would like to thank warmly. This prize is also theirs! This award also has a very special dimension for me in this year of Citroen's Centenary.”

The Women’s World Car of the Year Awards came into being in 2009 and has grown every year since. Judges rate cars on the criteria women typically base their car-buying decisions on. Safety, value-for-money, aesthetic appearance, storage space, child-friendliness, ease of driving, colour, sex appeal, and environmental footprint are some of the parameters that the cars are judged on. 

Previous winners of the WWCOTY include the Volvo XC40 in 2018, Hyundai Ioniq in 2017, the Jaguar F-Pace in 2016, Volvo XC90 in 2015, the Mercedes-Benz S-class in 2014 and the Ford Fiesta EcoBoost in 2013.

Also read: New Mazda 3 first to get innovative compression-ignition petrol engine

New Kia Soul EV revealed at LA show with more power and range