The 2018 World Car of The Year Award goes to…

From the manufacturer that pioneered many safety innovations.

Out of 34 vehicles gathered from all over the world, to a short list of ten, then an even shorter list of just three vehicles, one car has been crowned 2018 World Car of The Year: the Volvo XC60. Announced at this year’s New York International Auto Show, the Volvo XC60 edged out its competitors, the Mazda CX-5 and the Land Rover Range Rover Velar.

Related: 2018 World Car Awards announces finalists

For a vehicle to be eligible for the World Car award, candidates must be available for sale on at least two continents from January 1, 2017. This year’s awards jury was composed of 82 automotive journalists from around the world, each appointed by the World Car Steering Committee based on expertise, credibility, and influence.

The journey of this year’s World Car Awards started in Frankfurt, Germany on September 19, 2017, and was followed by our first-ever Tokyo Test Drive conducted at the BMW Tokyo Bay facility in October, giving jurors yet another opportunity to evaluate contenders that might not be available in their home markets. The fourth annual L.A. Test Drives took place over a six-day period in November, 2017, with more opportunity for the judges to get behind the wheel of contenders. Then, in early March this year, the top three finalists were announced at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, with the journey ending on the 28th of March, 2018 at the New York International Auto Show with the declaration of winners.

2018 marks the 12th year of World Car’s partnership with the New York show, and the fifth consecutive year that the World Car Awards have retained their ranking as the No.1 automotive awards program in the world in terms of media reach.

Previous World Car of the Year winners were the Jaguar F-PACE (2017), Mazda MX-5 (2016), Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2015), Audi A3 (2014), Volkswagen Golf (2013), Volkswagen Up! (2012), Nissan Leaf (2011), Volkswagen Polo (2010), Volkswagen Golf (2009), Mazda2 / Mazda Demio (2008), Lexus LS460 (2007), BMW 3-Series (2006), and Audi A6 (2005).