Against All Odds, the Kia Telluride is the 2020 World Car of the Year

With just a 33 percent chance to win, the Kia Telluride pulled off an upset by getting crowned as the 2020 World Car of the Year. It beat the two other finalists, the Mazda CX-30 and Mazda3 to be the first Korean automaker to win the top prize.

The Telluride is Kia’s newest three-row SUV. The big, boxy design is meant to convey a go-anywhere attitude, while its strong and stiff unibody platform is made of almost 60 percent advanced high-strength steel. It’s powered by an Atkinson Cycle Lambda II 3.8-liter V6 producing 291 horsepower and 355 Nm of torque mated to an 8-speed automatic.

Serving as Kia’s flagship SUV, it can be optioned with things such as Nappa leather, simulated brushed metal and matte-wood accents, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

Aside from the Telluride’s win, Kia also scored a win with the Kia Soul EV as the 2020 World Urban Car of the Year. The Kia Soul EV stood out against the two other finalists—the MINI Electric and Volkswagen T-Cross.

“Everyone at Kia is truly honored to receive not just one, but two awards from the World Car Awards judging panel,” said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and Head of Product Division at Kia Motors Corporation. “This is one of the hardest-fought competitions in the global automotive industry, proving that the Telluride and Soul EV are both truly outstanding vehicles. These accolades are testament to the talents and efforts of a worldwide team, who all strive to create desirable, high-quality and practical cars that drivers love.”

Vehicles were selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprising 86 prominent automotive journalists from 24 countries around the world. Each juror was appointed by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of his or her expertise, experience, credibility, and influence. The international accounting firm KPMG tabulated the jurors’ ballots.