Car of the Year 2027 has begun and this could become one of the most important finals yet

A very different kind of competition

The Car of the Year award has existed since 1964, when the Rover 2000 became the first winner. More than six decades later, the formula remains serious and demanding: 65 jurors from 25 countries test, analyse and compare the most important new cars of the year.

The criteria remain broad but crucial: value for money, driving dynamics, innovation, design and market relevance. That last point may matter more than ever in 2027. Because this year’s candidate list is not just about cars. It is about the direction of the entire industry.

The B-segment could become the real battlefield

Early signs suggest that compact cars will play a major role in this edition. That makes sense. While brands love to talk about luxury EVs, flagship SUVs and 1,000 hp technology showcases, the real European market is still built around usable, efficient and attainable cars.

Models such as the Renault Clio, Renault Twingo, Kia EV2 and Volkswagen T-Roc could therefore become far more important than their size suggests. This also links directly to what we recently said about the Volkswagen ID. Polo: Europe does not just need more electric cars. It needs electric cars that normal people can understand, afford and use every day. That is where the real battle will be fought.

EVs remain dominant, but not alone

Electric cars are expected to form the majority of the candidate list again, with models such as the BMW iX3, Kia EV5, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Porsche Cayenne Electric, Volvo EX60 and Zeekr 7 GT already among the early names.

But this will not be an EV-only story. Plug-in hybrids and conventional hybrids are still part of the conversation, especially as European buyers continue to balance range anxiety, charging infrastructure, pricing and real-world usability. That nuance matters. The best car for Europe in 2027 may not necessarily be the most futuristic one. It may be the one that best fits the transition we are actually living through.

Chinese brands are no longer outsiders

Another major trend is impossible to ignore: Chinese manufacturers are becoming increasingly present in the European market. Brands such as MG and Zeekr are no longer fringe players. They bring technology, competitive pricing and increasingly mature product execution.

Their presence in the Car of the Year conversation shows how much the market has changed. The old European establishment is no longer competing only with itself. And that pressure will make this edition more interesting.

The timeline to watch

Models can be submitted until 28 October 2026, provided they have published prices and are available in at least five European markets by the end of the year, including two high-volume markets.

The shortlist of seven finalists will be announced on 30 October 2026, after which the jury will carry out deeper testing. Final voting closes on 29 December 2026, with the winner announced on 8 January 2027 at the Brussels Motor Show. In other words, the race has only just started. And many important models may still enter.

AutoNext Take

This could become one of the most meaningful Car of the Year editions in years. Not because the cars are necessarily more emotional or more spectacular, but because the market itself is at a turning point.

Personally, we think the most interesting battle will happen between compact EVs, practical family SUVs and the new wave of Chinese challengers. But the real winner could just as easily be something smaller, smarter and more accessible.