Small EVs dominate Car of the Year 2025 shortlist

The list of the seven finalists for the 2025 edition has just been published, and the 60 jurors from 23 European countries have had to choose from among 42 models those they consider most likely to win the continental award. The winner of ‘The Car Of The Year’ award will be announced on January 10, during the Brussels International Motor Show.

In September, the first big test of the candidates took place at the Tannistest in Denmark, and now, after the first vote was closed, the seven chosen were (in alphabetical order) Alfa Romeo Junior, Citroen C3/e-C3, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster, Hyundai Inster, Kia EV3 and Renault 5 / Alpine A290 (considered as the same model).

From now on, the jurors will have eight weeks to thoroughly test the candidates and forge a vote that will allow them to choose the best in Europe. Finally, all seven car models will be brought together for a joint test at the Mettet Test facility in Belgium right up to the final vote for the title of The Car of the Year 2025.

The Car of the Year shortlist for 2025 is dominated by small electric cars. Hyundai's new Inster city car is the smallest car on the list, while the Renault 5 (nominated jointly with the Alpine A290) and Citroen’s e-C3 (ditto with the petrol C3) are B-segment cars.

The Alfa Romeo Junior is a crossover that's offered in both electric and hybrid forms and is closely related to 2023’s Car of the Year, the Jeep Renegade.

The EV3 is the latest electric Kia to make the shortlist. The Kia EV6 won the 2022 Car of the Year award and the Kia EV9 came fourth last year.

As for the non-electric models, the Cupra Terramar is a hybrid SUV that’s closely related to the Volkswagen Tiguan and competes in a new market for the fast-growing Cupra brand.

Remarkably, the Duster SUV is the first Dacia to ever make the Car of the Year shortlist.

The 2024 Car of the Year was the Renault Scenic electric SUV. The BMW 5 Series and Peugeot 3008 completed the podium.

To qualify for Car of the Year, cars must be all-new. Facelifts are not permitted, nor are derivatives allowed.

Car of the Year statutes dictate that: "The main criteria on which a car should be judged are the following: general design, comfort, safety, economy, handling and general roadworthiness, performance, functionality, general environmental requirements, driver satisfaction and price. Technical innovation and value for money are major factors." 

Autocar UK is a sponsor of and has a jury place on Car of the Year, which was first held in 1964, when the Rover 2000 took the prize.