The seven finalists for the European Car of the Year 2025 have been announced. This year’s shortlist is a mix of compact SUVs and practical city cars. The winner will be announced on January 10 during the Brussels Motor Show.
The finalists, chosen from a longer list, are:
Alfa Romeo Junior: The chic and compact model from the Italian brand; a combination of style and urban practicality.
Citroën C3/ë-C3: A quirky and affordable hatchback that promises a fresh take on efficiency.
Cupra Terramar: A sporty medium-sized SUV with plug-in hybrid drive.
Dacia Duster: updated to remain competitive in the ever-popular compact SUV segment.
Hyundai Inster: A new small contender from Hyundai that combines futuristic technology with a sleek design.
Kia EV3: Kia’s compact electric SUV that builds on the brand’s growing EV success.
Renault 5 / Alpine A290: A nostalgic yet progressive electric hatchback, with Alpine’s sporting flair at play.
The road to victory
The journey to this shortlist started with 42 models, which were thoroughly tested by a jury of 60 members from 23 European countries. The Tannistest in Denmark in September gave the judges their first chance to scrutinize the candidates. Now the next phase begins: eight weeks of extensive testing, culminating in a joint evaluation at the Mettet test site in Belgium.
During the final round, each jury member has 25 points to distribute, with a maximum of 10 points for a single model. The rules require points to be distributed among at least five finalists, ensuring a balanced and thoughtful evaluation.
Review
Last year, the electric Renault Scenic took home the top prize with 329 points, beating the BMW 5 Series (308 points) and the Peugeot 3008 (197 points). Traditionally, a brand rarely wins twice in a row. Fiat did it with the Tipo and Uno, Renault with the Clio and the Renault 19. Renault may succeed again this year with the Renault 5/Alpine A290.
The winner will be announced on January 10.
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Source: www.bright.nl
