by Finalists for the Prestigious European “Car of the Year” Award
The Battle for the Best Car Title
The battle for the prestigious European Car of the Year title is gaining momentum. Experts have just published a list of seven finalists for 2026, which includes both clear favorites and demonstrates the absence of some well-known models.
List of Finalists
The final list includes: Renault 4, Kia EV4, Mercedes CLA, Dacia Bigster, Fiat Grande Panda, Citroen C5 Aircross, and Skoda Elroq. As is often the case in the COTY competition, most finalists are mass-market models, not premium ones, with five of them having a crossover or off-road body type.
Diversity of Powertrains
It is worth noting that three of the seven models are fully electric, and another three offer buyers a choice between internal combustion engines and electric powertrains.
Competition Favorites
The Renault 4 deserves special attention – a revived iconic car that combines retro charm and modern technology. It has every chance of winning, considering that its “brother” the Renault 5 won this award last year.
Along with it, the new Mercedes-Benz CLA is in the spotlight – Stuttgart’s answer to the phenomenally successful Tesla Model 3, and the only premium participant in the shortlist. However, the CLA should be careful, as Kia is quickly catching up with models like the EV4.
Affordability as a Criterion for Success
COTY jury members, especially those not from the UK, appreciate cars with a high value-for-money ratio, so the revived Grande Panda, Bigster (the largest Dacia car to date), and the quietly competent Elroq can also hope for the gold award.
Shortcomings of the Selection
However, forming the shortlist also means creating a list of models that did not receive an invitation, and you might be surprised by who was left out.
Who Did Not Make It to the Final
The new Nissan Leaf did not make it to the final seven, despite its updated design and improved performance. The bold electric SUV Hyundai Ioniq 9 was also overlooked, as were the Toyota C-HR+, Jeep Compass, and BYD Dolphin Surf.
Awaiting the Result
The competition winner will be announced on January 9th. What would your list of seven finalists be, and who would you bet on as the future 2026 champion?
Full List of Participants
The full list of contenders for the 2026 Car of the Year title included numerous models from various manufacturers, demonstrating the diversity of the modern European car market. The finalists were selected from among other participants, which included representatives of almost all major automakers active in the European market.
The list of finalists reflects several key trends in modern automotive manufacturing: the growing popularity of electric vehicles, the return to retro design in a modern interpretation, and the constant expansion of the affordable crossover segment. The absence of some expected models in the final may indicate the jury’s high demands for new developments and their compliance with the needs of European consumers.
