Women's world car shortlist

Women motoring journalists are preparing to choose their favourites in the inaugural Women's World Car of the Year contest.

Ten journalists from countries including the US, the UK, Australia, India and South Africa, will select cars from the short list of 21 cars to determine four category winners.

The categories are: family car of the year, sports car of the year, luxury car of the year and best economical car of the year.

Cars must be launched in at least 10 countries between September 2008 and September 2009.

“We will look at driveability, examine whether a car is child-friendly, whether it is value for money, what the carbon footprint is like and all the things women genuinely want to know about before they buy a car. We won’t delve into horsepower or torque too much!” says Sandy Myhre, who is coordinating the contest.

“This award reflects changing times when you consider that today women make the final decision in as much as 85% of all cars sold.”

The winner will be chosen and announced at the end of the year.

Family car:
Dodge Journey
VW Jetta
Volvo XC60
Honda Accord
Chevrolet Cruze

Sports car:
Audi TTS
BMW M3
Mazda MX-5
Porsche Boxster
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo

Luxury car:
Aston Martin Vantage
Jaguar XF
Saab 9-3
Audi A6
Porsche Cayenne

Economical car:
Toyota Prius
Honda Insight
Hyundai i30
Ford Fiesta
Mazda3
VW Golf diesel