The seven finalists for the 2027 European Car of the Year (COTY) are exclusively electric

The race to win the title of European Car of the Year 2027 (COTY) now has its seven contenders. The organisers of the prestigious award have published the list of finalists for an edition that will go down in history for an unprecedented fact: all seven selected vehicles feature exclusively electric propulsion technology.

This is a particularly significant circumstance for an award that this year reaches its 64th edition and which, since its creation, has reflected the evolution of the European automotive industry. Electrification thus becomes the main protagonist of a final that highlights the change of direction the sector is undergoing.

The seven candidates were selected by a jury made up of 62 specialist car journalists from 23 European countries. Spain has seven representatives in this group, tasked with evaluating the most relevant new arrivals on the market. The finalists emerged from a first shortlist of 38 models presented in Europe throughout 2026.

Seven electric models, most of them city cars

The definitive list includes the BMW iX3, Cupra Raval, Hyundai Ioniq 3, Kia EV2, Renault Twingo, Volkswagen ID. Polo and Volvo EX60. A selection that combines compact urban proposals with larger SUVs, showing the diversity of formats that electric mobility is adopting.

The range of performance is also noteworthy. The power outputs of the candidate models span from the 80 CV of the Renault Twingo to the 680 CV of the Volvo EX60, a gap that reflects both the different commercial approaches and the ability of electric technology to adapt to very different segments and needs.

Another relevant aspect is that all seven finalists are sold in Spain, so the outcome of the competition will be of special interest to the national market. Models such as the Cupra Raval, Kia EV2, Hyundai Ioniq 3, the Renault Twingo or the Volkswagen ID. Polo represent a commitment to democratising access to electric cars, while proposals such as the BMW iX3 and the Volvo EX60 sit in larger, higher-performance categories.

The question will be resolved on January 8, 2027, when the jury announces its verdict during the official opening of the Brussels Motor Show. Until then, the seven candidates keep their chances intact of succeeding the previous winner and claiming one of the industry’s most prestigious recognitions.

Beyond who ultimately wins the title, this edition of the Car of the Year already leaves a historic conclusion: for the first time, the electric future of the European car will be represented exclusively by the seven contenders for the continent’s highest recognition.

Images of the finalists

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