Seven cars have entered the race for the title of The Car of the Year 2027, with all finalists being exclusively electric models. This is the first time in the 63-year history of the European Car of the Year selection that the final shortlist consists solely of electric vehicles, the expert jury announced.
In alphabetical order, the finalists are BMW iX3, Cupra Raval, Hyundai Ioniq 3, Kia EV2, Renault Twingo, Volkswagen ID.Polo and Volvo EX60. Among them are various body styles, with a high proportion of compact vehicles. The current title holder is the Mercedes-Benz CLA, which is available in both electric and internal combustion engine versions.
The jury narrowed the field down from an extended list of 38 candidates. On that list, in alphabetical order, were Audi A2 e-tron, BMW iX3, BYD Dolphin G, Changan Deepal S05, Cupra Raval, Denza Z9GT, DS No.7, Honda Prelude, Hyundai Ioniq 3, Kia EV2, Kia EV5, Kia K4, Kia Seltos, Leapmotor B05, Leapmotor B03X, Lexus ES, Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-6e, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Mercedes-Benz GLB, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Mercedes-Benz VLE, MG IM5, MG MG4 Urban, MG MGS6, Polestar 5, Porsche Cayenne, Renault Clio, Renault Twingo, Škoda Epiq, Škoda Peaq, Toyota RAV4, VW ID. Cross, VW ID. Polo, VW T-Roc, Volvo EX60, Xpeng P7+ and Zeekr 7GT.
The evaluation criteria include technology, engineering solutions, performance, equipment, as well as the price-to-quality ratio. The growing number of electric vehicle users was further aided, according to the jury, by the energy crisis caused by the war in Iran.
The jury consists of specialist journalists from 25 countries, represented according to the size of the automotive market. France and the United Kingdom have six members each, while Germany, Italy and Spain have seven each. Slovenia has had its representative for many years, most recently Sebastjan Plevnjak, while Croatia has had its own jury member this year — Kristijan Tićak, editor-in-chief of the specialist magazines Auto motor i sport and Motorevija.
All jury members will meet on 25 and 26 November at the Balocco test track in Italy, and can vote until 31 December, distributing a total of 25 points among the finalists. The official announcement of the winner and the award ceremony will take place on 8 January at the Brussels Motor Show, which has hosted the selection for the third consecutive year. The winner will be known in early 2027.
Following two consecutive wins for electric models — both times by the Renault brand, the Scenic in 2024 and the 5 E-Tech in 2025 — last year's edition saw a premium brand return to the winner's throne.
