The World Car Awards enter their 16th year in 2020 and we’re getting closer and closer to the 8th of April, when the winner of each category will be announced live on stage at the New York International Auto Show.
The first round of nominations across all categories have already been announced and it looks like a particularly strong start from BMW in the World Luxury Car Award category, as they have three separate models all competing for the same title.
BMW X5
The first BMW nominated for this prestigious award is the all-new X5, a car that we’re all too familiar with here in the UK. The X5 has been a top-seller in the premium SUV market for almost 20 years and the new model looks to carry on that success, despite the market being considerably more competitive now than it was back when the X5 was first launched. The new model is on sale from £57,640 with the entry-level ‘xLine’ spec offering luxury features such as a full leather interior, adaptive and adjustable suspension as well as an extremely high level of refinement.
BMW X7
The second offering from BMW in this category is its largest production vehicle ever. The new X7 is a brand new model that sits right at the top of the BMW X range of SUVs. Prices start at £72,315 and although that’s a big price tag, this is a seriously big car which can be spec’d as a 6-seater with 3 rows of 2 seats, so you can carry more people with more space. The X7 also comes with a standard full-length panoramic sunroof which allows natural light to flood into the cabin. The entry-level M Sport model comes with BMW Individual Headlining with Alcantara, aerodynamic body styling and the M Sport braking system all as standard.
BMW Z4
Last but not least is the new Z4 which sits right at the other end of the BMW showroom to the X7. This is the smallest vehicle that BMW produces in terms of cabin space, but it is a car built as more of a grand-touring roadster than an aggressive sports car. The Z4 can be spec’d with a particularly potent m40i engine, but the Z4 has been nominated as a luxury car due to its stunning unique interior, exceptional ride comfort and of course the incredibly desirable aesthetics. The Z4 is the most affordable of all the BMWs in the shortlist for Luxury Car of the Year, and prices start from just £37,115, which increases to £48,185 for the full-blooded Z4 M40i model.
The remaining candidates include the Cadillac CT5, Cadillac XT6, Mercedes-Benz EQC, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Porsche 911, Porsche Taycn and the Toyota GR Supra.
KPMG will be announcing the top five finalists of this category on February the 4th which is also when the second and final round of test driving begins.