02:15 01-11-2025

Car of the Year Europe 2026 finalists: EVs set the pace

The jury for the prestigious Car of the Year in Europe 2026 award has named its finalists. From 35 contenders, seven models made the cut — a snapshot of an industry where electric cars now set the pace. The shortlist features five battery-electric vehicles, one hybrid and just a single gasoline model.

According to SPEEDME.RU, the contenders are the Citroen C5 Aircross, Dacia Bigster, Fiat Grande Panda, Kia EV4, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Renault 4 and Skoda Elroq. Only the Dacia Bigster sticks with a conventional internal-combustion engine; the rest are either hybrids or fully electric.

For the first time, the final tests will be held in Spain, at the Parc Motor Castelloli circuit near Barcelona. There, 60 journalists from 23 countries will assess handling, comfort and energy efficiency — a setting that should bring chassis tuning and real-world frugality into sharp focus.

The winner will be announced on January 9 during the Brussels Motor Show. Analysts expect another victory for cleaner technologies, echoing 2025, when the Renault 5 edged past the Kia EV3 and Citroen eC3.

Even so, experts allow for surprises: the affordable, practical Dacia Bigster could emerge as the crowd-pleaser, while the Mercedes CLA Electric would neatly symbolize the premium segment’s step into a new era.