2027 European Car of the Year. For the first time, all finalists are electric vehicles
The list of 7 candidates to succeed the Mercedes-Benz CLA as European Car of the Year has been revealed, featuring only 100% electric models.
The European Car of the Year award remains one of the most prestigious honors in the automotive industry. Established in 1964, it is judged by a panel of specialized journalists from various European countries. Among the Portuguese representatives are journalists Joaquim Oliveira and Francisco Mota.
The 2027 edition is already underway, and the seven finalists for car of the year have now been announced. This year will see a historic moment: for the first time in the award’s 63-year history, all finalists are 100% electric.
The list of candidates, in alphabetical order, is as follows:
BMW iX3
CUPRA Raval
Hyundai IONIQ 3
Kia EV2
Renault Twingo
Volkswagen ID.Polo
Volvo EX60
Seven electric cars to succeed the Mercedes-Benz CLA
The seven models aim to succeed the Mercedes-Benz CLA, winner of the 2026 edition, and represent different approaches to electric mobility. There are compact options, family models, and SUVs, in a selection that puts some of the most significant newcomers in the European market head to head.
The exclusive presence of electric cars changes the direction of the award. Recall that after the consecutive victories of the electric Renault Scenic (2024) and Renault 5 (2025), the Mercedes-Benz CLA’s win brought victories back to combustion engine models, although the CLA also has 100% electric versions.
This time, there are no internal combustion engines among the contenders. The selection of the winner will take shape on November 25th and 26th, when the jury members gather at the Balocco circuit in Italy to test the seven finalists.
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After the tests, each judge will have until December 31 to distribute 25 points among the candidates, with a maximum of 10 points awarded to a single model in each vote.
The successor to the Mercedes-Benz CLA will be unveiled on January 8, 2027, at the Brussels Motor Show, where the winners of the previous three editions were also announced.