Earlier this month, the three finalists for World Car of the Year award were announced at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. I asked Jody Victor to tell us more.
Jody Victor: The winner will be announced at the New York International Auto Show next week. See if you can choose the winner from the three finalists.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has an eye-catching look, opulent interior, sporty character and a list of safety equipment that'll boggle your mind, including an Attention Assist system designed to help drowsy drivers stay alert and a system that automatically dims the highbeam headlights to avoid blinding oncoming cars.
Toyota's Prius is a sentimental favorite among the eco-conscious, and this latest model proves that a fuel-efficient hybrid car can be a viable alternative to an ordinary mid-size sedan for many consumers. Not only is the interior vastly improved over the previous model, the new Prius gets even better mileage. It's now rated at 51/48 mpg city/highway, 50 mpg combined.
And already a popular model in Europe,the Volkswagen Polo is set to make its U.S. debut sometime this year, just in time to compete with the newest small and sporty hatchbacks from the likes of Ford and Nissan, or even the already-available Kia Soul. The fifth-generation Polo that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show is purported to closely resemble the North American version of the car, but so far automotive writers and bloggers can only speculate on the VW Polo's look, feel and arrival date. Rumor has it the U.S. Volkswagen Polo will have a four-door hatchback style with at least two engine options and front-wheel drive.
Stay tuned, all you car buffs, to see which machine makes the grade. In addition to Car of the Year, WCOTY organizers will also award World Performance Car and World Green Car on April 1.
Thanks, Jody! We'll be looking forward to hear the winners!