If you ever need proof that the EV transition is closing in on the point of ‘really happening now’, look no further than the finalists for the prestigious 2027 European Car of the Year award. All seven finalists are full-battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
The seven finalists, in alphabetical order, are the BMW iX3, the Cupra Raval, the Hyundai Ioniq 3, the Kia EV2, the Renault Twingo, the Volkswagen ID. Polo, and the Volvo EX60.
Historic
This year marks a historic milestone. The seven cars competing in this final are all 100% electric, a development that fits the broader trend in the European market, which is advancing rapidly in this area. The fuel crisis triggered by the war in Iran has increased the number of electric car users.
Following two consecutive years of victories for electric models (and for Renault), with the Scenic in 2024 and the Renault 5 E-tech in 2025, last year’s edition saw the Mercedes-Benz CLA restore a premium brand to the throne (with electric and internal combustion engines).
The first fully electric car to win the award was the Nissan Leaf in 2011. Since then, 4 other BEVs have already reached the number one ranking, while others, like the Peugeot 208 (2020) or the Jeep Avenger (2023), were also available with fully electric drive. The COTY for 2027 will, obviously, be fully electric too.
Two very different parts of the market
Another notable point: five of the seven finalists compete in the same electric compact category, which has grown strongly in recent years. The Twingo is the smallest and cheapest of the lot and can be placed in the A Segment, while the other four are more B Segment, with two pairs being technically almost identical: a European one with the Raval and the ID. Polo from the Volkswagen Group, and a Korean one with the Hyundai Ioniq 3 and the Kia EV2.
Almost at the other end of the car segment, as well in size as in price, are two of the newest electric competitors in the mid-size SUV class: the BMW iX3, the first model of BMW’s ‘Neue Klasse’, and the Volvo EX60, the new full electric version of Volvo’s worldwide SUV best-seller, the XC60.
Result in January, at the BMS
On 25 and 26 November, all jury members will meet at the Balocco circuit (Italy) to thoroughly test the seven finalists and establish the criteria for selecting the best Car of the Year in Europe.
Until 31 December, jury members can cast their votes, allocating 25 points among the finalists, and must designate a winning model in each round of voting with a maximum of 10 points. The award will be presented (and announced) on 8 January at the press day of the Brussels Motor Show, the same venue as the last three editions.
