The Car of the Year 2025 shortlist is dominated by small electric cars.
Among the seven nominated models are the Alfa Romeo Junior and Citroën ë-C3, Hyundai Inster And Renault 5. The shortlist is completed by the Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster and Kia EV3.
The winner will be announced at the Brussels Motor Show on January 10.
Sixty judges from 23 countries each selected seven cars from a longlist of 42 eligible candidates to be launched in 2024, and the seven cars with the most votes will form the shortlist.
Hyundai’s new city car is the smallest car on the list, while the 5 (nominated together with the Alpine A290) and ë-C3 (same with the petrol C3) are superminis.
The Junior is a crossover that is offered in both electric and hybrid form and is closely related to the 2023 Car of the Year, the Jeep Renegade.
The EV3 is the latest electric Kia to be shortlisted. The Kia EV6 won the 2022 Car of the Year award and the Kia EV9 came fourth last year.
As for non-electric models, the Terramar is a hybrid SUV closely related to the Volkswagen Tiguan and competing in a new market for the fast-growing Cupra brand.
Remarkably, the Duster SUV is the first Dacia to ever be shortlisted for Car of the Year.
The Car of the Year 2024 was the electric SUV Renault Scenic. The BMW 5 Series and Peugeot 3008 completed the podium.
To qualify Car of the yearcars must be completely new. Facelifts are not allowed, and derivative products are not allowed either.
Car of the year The statutes prescribe: “The main criteria on which a car is to be judged are the following: overall design, comfort, safety, economy, driving and general road safety, performance, functionality, general environmental requirements, driver satisfaction and price. Technical innovation and value for money are important factors.”
Autocar is a sponsor of and has a jury seat Car of the yearwhich was first held in 1964, when the Rover 2000 took the prize.