Chinese brands occupy 27 out of 56 spots in World Car 2027. That’s almost half of the total.
World Car Awards released the first list of candidates for awards in 2027 on September 29. There were 56 cars in the main category, including 27 models from Chinese brands, accounting for 48% of the total.
BYD, Chery, Geely, Leapmotor, NIO, and XPeng made it onto the list not only due to strong sales in China. The rules require presence in at least two continents and two major markets.
A Chinese car must go beyond China
A candidate for World Car of the Year must have an annual production of at least 10,000 units. The model cannot be in the luxury price segment, and it must be available for sale on at least two continents between January 1, 2026, and March 19, 2027.
The main markets considered are China, Europe, India, Japan, South Korea, Latin America, and the USA. The car must be available for regular sale; pre-launch orders alone are not sufficient.
The Chinese list is long: BYD Ti 7, Changan Nevo Q05, Chery Q, Deepal S05 and S07, Exeed Exlantix ET, Exeed RX, GAC Aion UT and Aion V, Geely EX2, Geely Starray EM-i, iCAUR V23, Jetour G700 and T2, Leapmotor B10, C10 and T03, Lepas L6 EV and L8 PHEV, Lynk & Co 900, MG4 EV Urban, Omoda 4, Onvo L90, XPeng G6 2026, XPeng L03, XPeng P7+, and Zeekr 8X.
Competitors include the BMW i3, Hyundai Ioniq 3, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Trailseeker, and Volvo EX60. This lineup covers compact electric vehicles, family SUVs, sedans, and plug-in hybrids. Chinese brands are no longer confined to one corner of the market.
2027 World Car of the Year
Model
Model
Model
BMW i3
Buick Electra E7
BYD Ti7
Changan Nevo Q05
Chery Q
Chevrolet Aveo
Chevrolet Captiva EV / PHEV
Cupra Raval
Deepal S05
Deepal S07
DS N°7
Exeed Exlantix ET
Exeed RX
GAC Aion UT
GAC Aion V
Geely EX2
Geely Starray EM-i
Hyundai Bayon
Hyundai IONIQ 3
Hyundai Tucson
iCAUR v23
Infiniti QX65
Jetour G700
Jetour T2
Kia EV2
Kia Seltos
Kia Syros EV
Kia Telluride
Leapmotor B10
Leapmotor C10
Leapmotor T03
Lepas L6 EV
Lepas L8 PHEV
Lexus ES
Lincoln Corsair
Lynk & Co 900
Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-6e / EZ-60
Mercedes-Benz Electric C-Class
Mercedes-Benz Electric GLC
Mercedes-Benz GLA
MG4 EV Urban
Nissan Frontier Pro
Nissan NX8
Omoda 4
Onvo L90
Polestar 4 SUV
Renault Filante
Subaru Trailseeker
Subaru Uncharted
Volkswagen Atlas / Teramont Pro
Volvo EX60
XPeng G6 2026 Edition
XPeng L03
XPeng P7+
Zeekr 8X
2027 World Urban Car
Model
Chery Q
Cupra Raval
Exeed Exlantix ET
Geely EX2
Hyundai Bayon
Hyundai IONIQ 3
iCAUR v23
Kia EV2
Kia Syros EV
Leapmotor T03
Mercedes-Benz GLA
2027 World Luxury Car
Model
Model
Audi Q7
Audi Q9
Avatr 06
Avatr 07
Avatr 12
BMW X5
Denza BAO 5
Genesis GV80 Hybrid
Jaguar Type 01
Polestar 5
Porsche Cayenne Electric
Range Rover EV
Range Rover GT
Range Rover Sport EV
XPeng G9 2026 Edition
XPeng G9L
XPeng X9
Zeekr 9X
2027 World Performance Car
Model
Alpine A390 GTS
Cadillac OPTIQ-V
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X
Genesis GV60 Magma
Kia EV3 GT
Kia EV4 GT
Kia EV5 GT
Lotus Eletre X
Lynk & Co 02
Mercedes-AMG Electric GT 4-Door Coupé
Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric
Zeekr 7GT
Geely making inroads in multiple categories
Five Chinese models were nominated for World Urban Car: Chery Q, Exeed Exlantix ET, Geely EX2, iCAUR V23, and Leapmotor T03. They will compete against models such as the Mercedes GLA, Hyundai Bayon, and Kia EV2. Chery Q and T03 are also candidates for the top prize.
The luxury car category included the Avatr 06 and 07, XPeng X9, and Zeekr 9X. In the sports class, the Lynk & Co 02 and Zeekr 7 GT made the list alongside the Corvette ZR1/ZR1X, Genesis GV60 Magma, Lotus Eletre X, and Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric.
The four brands under the Geely Group—Geely, Lynk & Co, Zeekr, and LEVC—have a total of eight vehicles on the initial lists. The candidates for World Electric Vehicle and World Car Design of the Year have not yet been announced, so China’s representation could grow.
The winners will be revealed on March 24, 2027, and only the final round will show whether this numerical advantage translates into trophies. Which of the 27 Chinese models do you think has the best chance against the Volvo EX60, BMW i3, and Hyundai Ioniq 3?
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