Skip advert
Advertisement

Mazda MX-5 crowned World Car of the Year 2016

Fourth generation car wins at New York motor show

Mazda MX-5 Sport Recaro - Front

The Mazda MX-5 has won World Car of the Year 2016, with the prize handed out at this year's New York motor show. The car, which was up against the Mercedes GLC and Audi A4, claimed the prize following nominations from motoring journalists from around the world.

The MX-5 also took the win in the Best Car Design category, beating the Jaguar XE and Mazda's CX-3. We awarded the MX-5 four stars, praising its keen engines, gearbox and low-speed fun factor.

Advertisement - Article continues below

>Read our Mazda MX-5 review

The Mazda MX-5 was also unveiled at the New York show in hard-top convertible form. Called the RF, it sports a targa-style roof, optional auto gearbox and revised suspension and steering settings.

Also awarded a much deserved win was the Audi R8, which claimed best performance car. The BMW 7 Series took the luxury car prize.

Watch the Mazda MX-5 take on a Toyota GT86 on track below

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Mazda MX-5 review – the last surviving affordable sports car
Mazda MX-5
In-depth reviews

Mazda MX-5 review – the last surviving affordable sports car

The MX-5 is the perfect antidote to big, heavy, electrified performance cars – and tweaks to the current version have made it better than ever
27 Jul 2026
Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 review - the 340bhp V6 sports car you never knew you needed
Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 corner rear
Reviews

Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 review - the 340bhp V6 sports car you never knew you needed

By putting a 340bhp Jaguar V6 in Mazda's MX-5 specialist Rocketeer has created one of 2026's unexpected driving hits.
22 May 2026
Latest Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 will best the Ferrari F40 on power-to-weight
Rocketeer MX-5
News

Latest Rocketeer Mazda MX-5 will best the Ferrari F40 on power-to-weight

Rocketeer’s been stuffing V6 engines into MX-5s for a few years now. Its operation is now expanding
11 Dec 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Tesla Model Y review – the cure for range anxiety?
Tesla Model Y
Reviews

Tesla Model Y review – the cure for range anxiety?

You’ll struggle to drive any distance without seeing a Tesla Model Y, but there is good reason for that
7 Aug 2026
The ultimate supercars of the 1990s – car pictures of the week
'90s supercars
Features

The ultimate supercars of the 1990s – car pictures of the week

Our Eras tests travel to the 1990s, where the genre evolves beyond all recognition compared to two decades earlier
8 Aug 2026
Lotus Elise (S3, 2010-2021) review – lithe, lightweight and extinct
Lotus Elise S3
In-depth reviews

Lotus Elise (S3, 2010-2021) review – lithe, lightweight and extinct

There was nothing like the Elise before it arrived in 1996 and surely, there will be nothing like it ever again
7 Aug 2026