The WCOTY panel, comprised of 73 journalists from 23 different countries, usually gets it wrong and bestows the World Car of the Year award on the wrong car. This year, though, they’ve hit the nail right on the head by naming the new Mazda MX-5 the world’s greatest automobile in the year 2016.

The WCOTY judges mainly consider a car’s technological excellence and genius of design when they are voting for it, and in that aspect Mazda-MX5 is at the top of its game what with SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and KODO—Soul of Motion design language. We think the small roadster is the car of the car for slightly different reasons. For us, the MX-5 is the best because, first, it’s tiny which is a refreshing quality in a sports car, second, it’s extremely good fun to drive, and third, it makes the normal day-to-day driving an occasion and thus prevents it from getting boring. It enriches your life, in other words!

“What a wonderful honour, to have the Mazda MX-5 named both World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year,” said Masahiro Moro, President and CEO, Mazda North American Operations, and Managing Executive Officer, Mazda Motor Corporation. “As our iconic MX-5 roadster approaches one-million units of production, this award is proof that it is as young, vibrant, fun and relevant as ever, and proof that every Mazda looks as incredible as it drives, and drives as incredibly as it looks.”