Mazda MX-5 is the World Car of the Year 2016 – beats Mercedes GLC & Audi A4

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The fourth generation Mazda MX-5 has taken the 2016 World Car of the Year award at the New York Motor Show, and best car design too.

As we report earlier this month, the finalists for the 2016 World Car of the Year had been whittled down to just three – the Mazda MX-5, Mercedes GLC and Audi A4 – and it’s the Mazda MX-5 that’s taken the award.

Not only did the MX-5 win best overall car, it also managed to grab the award for best car design. Which is a first, but it’s still a bit disappointing to see a car that’s really a refreshed design rather than a new one winning.

In the process, the MX-5 beat off the German competition in the overall category, with the Audi A4 and Mercedes GLC relegated to also-rans, and in the design award the Mazda saw off the Jaguar XE and its own CX-3.

As with all awards, everyone will have their own idea of what should have won, but the MX-5 probably deserves its award for re-inventing itself once again, and going back to its roots with an appealing, lighter roadster this time round.

Other ‘World Car of the Year’ awards went to the BMW 7 Series as the World Luxury Car, the Audi R as the World Performance car, and the Toyota Mirai as the World Green car.