Mazda MX-5 Miata is 2016 World Car of the Year and Design of the Year

The crazy thing about the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata winning both World Car of the Year and also Design of the year at the New York Auto Show is that the 2016 Miata was not the most impressive Mazda at the event. That would be the all-new 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF retractable fastback convertible/coupe. The car that Mazda won with is not even its best Miata. Hopefully, the 2017 MX-5 RF will be considered next year, though generally these awards are spread around by the media voters. To be eligible for the overall World Car award, a vehicle must be available for sale on at least two continents during the period from January 1, 2015, through May 31, 2016.

This World Car of the Year and Design of the year is chosen by a panel of design experts and automotive journalists from 23 different countries. "What a wonderful honor, to have the Mazda MX-5 named World Car Design of the Year," Masahiro Moro, President and CEO, Mazda North American Operations, and Managing Executive Officer, Mazda Motor Corporation commented on the Design of the Year wins, saying, "… this award is proof that (Miata) is as young, vibrant, fun and relevant as ever. Our design team has pushed the boundaries of what people thought possible with our KODO—Soul of Motion language.”

The MX-5 Miata’s World Car of the Year win pitted it against 23 international vehicles. The finalists were the Audi A4 Sedan/Audi A4 Avant, the Mazda MX-5, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC.