VDe Vector

All finalists for European Car of the Year are electric

For the first time, the election’s final consists exclusively of fully electric models.

All seven finalists for the 2027 European Car of the Year election are fully electric. The list includes models from BMW, Cupra, Hyundai, Kia, Renault, Volkswagen and Volvo.

The Car of the Year organisation announced the seven finalists on Friday. They are the BMW iX3, Cupra Raval, Hyundai Ioniq 3, Kia EV2, Renault Twingo, Volkswagen ID.Polo and Volvo EX60.

The result is not a sales ranking, but the outcome of a jury vote by European motoring journalists. The jury will assess the models in a further testing phase before choosing a winner in December.

The fact that all the finalists are electric is, according to the organisation, a historic moment for the election. In previous years, the shortlist also included models with an internal-combustion engine or hybrid powertrains. The current list mainly shows which powertrain technology manufacturers are using in new models attracting attention in Europe.

The seven cars differ greatly in size and positioning. The Renault Twingo, Kia EV2 and Volkswagen ID.Polo target the compact segment. The BMW iX3 and Volvo EX60 are larger models, while the Cupra Raval and Hyundai Ioniq 3 sit between compact city cars and family hatchbacks.

The composition of the final does not mean that all European motorists are already driving electric cars. Purchase price, charging options, range and availability remain important factors in consumers’ choices. Nor does the jury selection indicate which car will ultimately be the most commercially successful.

For manufacturers, the final is nevertheless a visible benchmark. The models are assessed in a market where European brands are trying to compete with Chinese manufacturers while also having to meet stricter European emissions rules. The winner will be announced in the first week of December.

Respond to this article

← Back to the edition