The finalists for the Car of the Year 2026 have been revealed. Among 35 contenders, seven models will compete for the prestigious European automotive award, with the winner announced at the Brussels Motor Show in January.
The seven finalists competing for Car of the Year 2026
The countdown has begun for what many call the “Oscars of the automotive world.” The Car of the Year 2026 finalists have been announced, following last year’s victory by the Renault 5. Out of 35 eligible models on the European market, seven vehicles have made it to the final round. The jury, composed of 62 automotive journalists from 24 countries, has selected the contenders for this prestigious award, established in 1964 to recognize the best car of the year.
The seven Car of the Year 2026 finalists
- Citroën C5 Aircross
- Dacia Bigster
- Fiat Grande Panda
- Kia EV4
- Mercedes-Benz CLA
- Renault 4
- Skoda Elroq
The seven finalist cars will take center stage on January 9, 2026, during the Brussels Motor Show. Among the finalists, three are fully electric, three offer both electric and internal combustion options, and one is a dual-fuel vehicle. It’s notable that the jury included three battery electric vehicles (BEVs), balancing the lineup almost evenly with hybrids and featuring only one purely combustion-powered model.
However, this distribution does not reflect Europe’s current market share for electric cars, which stands at around 18%. Hybrids, on the other hand, mirror the actual buying trends more closely. European consumers remain open to hybrid options, while diesel continues to decline despite still holding a considerable portion of the market.
Who won the 2025 edition?
Last year’s title went to the Renault 5 E-Tech, which we at Rinnovabili also tested. The iconic French model triumphed over six rivals: Alfa Romeo Junior, Citroën C3/eC3, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster, Hyundai Inter, and Kia EV3.
Renault/Alpine led the ranking with 353 points, followed by Kia EV3 with 291 points, and Citroën C3/eC3 with 215 points. Fourth place went to the Hyundai Interster (172 points), fifth to the Dacia Duster (168 points), sixth to the Cupra Terramar (165 points), and seventh to the Alfa Romeo Junior, scoring 136 points.
Also worth noting is Fiat’s comeback to the shortlist after several years. The Italian automaker has a strong history in the competition, having last won in 2008 with the Fiat 500 and in 2004 with the Fiat Panda.
Predictions for the Car of the Year 2026 winner
While any prediction remains speculative, both the Renault 4 and the Fiat Grande Panda stand out for their fresh design and simplicity, offering strong appeal to European drivers. The Kia EV4, on the other hand, presents a technologically advanced and well-balanced approach. If the jury favors emotional design over technical innovation, the Renault 4 might have a real chance at claiming the Car of the Year 2026 title.
