For the first time in the 63-year history of the Car of the Year awards, every single vehicle making the final ballot is powered exclusively by a battery.
The seven finalists vying to succeed the Mercedes-Benz CLA, which won the 2026 title, are the BMW iX3, Cupra Raval, Hyundai Ioniq 3, Kia EV2, Renault Twingo, Volkswagen ID.Polo, and Volvo EX60. The all-electric roster underscores how deeply zero-emission technology now dominates new vehicle development across Europe, shifting industry investment toward compact urban models and entry-level electric platforms alongside larger luxury offerings.
Two of the finalist vehicles, the Cupra Raval and the Volkswagen ID.Polo, are built at the Seat plant in Martorell, Spain.
A Historic Break From Combustion Engines
The all-electric final represents a definitive departure from previous years of the contest. While battery-powered cars have captured the trophy recently—with Renault securing back-to-back victories with the Scenic in 2024 and the R5 E-Tech in 2025—earlier ballots routinely featured a mix of powertrain options. Even the 2026 winner, the Mercedes-Benz CLA, claimed the prize with a proposal available both with electric and combustion engine motorizations.
This year’s field features zero internal combustion engines, hybrids, or diesel alternatives. The nominees span a broad commercial spectrum, ranging from relatively accessible urban options like the Cupra Raval, the Renault Twingo, and the Volkswagen ID.Polo to larger, premium-positioned SUVs including the BMW iX3 and the Volvo EX60.
The exclusion of combustion models follows an initial longlist of 38 candidates that included mixed powertrains. Vehicles that failed to make the final cut include the Audi A2 e-tron, Denza Z9GT, DS Nº 7, Leapmotor B05, Mazda CX-6e, Skoda Epiq, and Volkswagen ID. Cross. Cross.
Testing Schedule and Winner Announcement
The diverse mix of vehicle segments will challenge the awards jury, which must weigh vastly different price points, body styles, and target audiences against one another. Jurors evaluate candidates based on technology, engineering, performance, equipment, and the relationship between quality and price.
More than 50 automotive journalists from across Europe, including seven from Spain, are scheduled to test all seven finalist models on November 25 and 26 at the Balocco proving grounds in Italy. That testing session will coincide with the organization’s general assembly.
Jurors have until late December to cast their ballots following the track sessions. The winner will be formally announced on January 8 at the Brussels Motor Show, which is hosting the award ceremony for the fourth year.
