Automobili su svrstani u pet kategorija, a 3. februara će biti poznati finalisti, deset najboljih iz kategorije World Car of the Year, kao i po pet iz kategorija World Performance Car, World Urban Car i World Car Design of the Year.
Pobjednici će biti proglašeni na Sajmu automobila u New Yorku 31. marta.
2021 World Car of the Year: Audi A3, BMW Serija 2 Gran Coupe, BMW Serija 4, Citroen C4/e-C4, Ford Escape/Kuga, Genesis G80. Honda Jazz/Fit, Honda-e, Hyundai Elantra/Avante, Hyundai i10/Grand i10, Hyundai i20, Kia K5/Optima, Kia Sonet, Kia Sorento, Mazda MX-30, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Nissan Rogue/X-Trail, Seat Leon, Škoda Octavia, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Sienna, Toyota Venza/Harrier, Toyota Yaris/Yaris Cross, Volkswagen ID 4.
2021 World Luxury Car: Aston Martin DBX, BMW X6, Genesis GV80, Land Rover Defender, Polestar 2, Tesla Model Y, Toyota Mirai, Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD.
2021 World Performance Car: Audi RS Q3, Audi RS Q8, BMW Alpina XB7, BMW M2 CS, BMW X5 M/X6 M, Hyundai Veloster N, Mercedes-AMG GLS 63, Mini John Cooper Works GP, Porsche 718 GTS 4.0, Porsche 911 Turbo, Toyota GR Yaris.
2021 World Urban Car: Honda Jazz/Fit, Honda-e, Hyundai i10/Grand i10, Hyundai i20, Kia Sonet, Toyota Yaris/Yaris Cross.
Također, bit će dodijeljena i nagrada World Car Design of the Year.
