00:18 01-11-2025

European Car of the Year 2026 finalists: EVs lead the pack

Seven finalists for European Car of the Year 2026 revealed: EVs and hybrids dominate, with Dacia Bigster the lone gas model. Tests at Parc Motor Castelloli.

The jury of the prestigious European Car of the Year 2026 award has unveiled its shortlist: seven contenders that capture the industry’s decisive pivot toward electric power. From an initial field of 35, the finalists are the Citroen C5 Aircross, Dacia Bigster, Fiat Grande Panda, Kia EV4, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Renault 4, and Skoda Elroq. The lineup places mainstream and premium names side by side, a telling snapshot of where Europe’s car scene is heading.

According to SPEEDME.RU experts, only one entrant—the Dacia Bigster—features a classic gasoline engine; the rest adopt hybrid systems or go fully electric. For the first time, the decisive tests will be held in Spain at the Parc Motor Castelloli circuit near Barcelona, where 60 journalists from 23 countries will evaluate the finalists for handling, comfort, and energy efficiency. The setting should make differences in powertrains and chassis tuning especially noticeable.