09:27 05-11-2025

European Car of the Year 2026 shortlist: EVs and hybrids lead, Dacia Bigster stands alone on gasoline

The jury of the prestigious European Car of the Year 2026 award has unveiled its shortlist: seven models that read like a snapshot of where the market is heading. From an initial field of 35, five fully electric cars, one hybrid, and just one gasoline-powered model—the Dacia Bigster—made the cut. That balance, experts note, once again highlights the dominance of cleaner technologies across the industry.

Among the finalists are the Citroen C5 Aircross, Dacia Bigster, Fiat Grande Panda, Kia EV4, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Renault 4, and Skoda Elroq. Notably, only the Dacia Bigster sticks with a traditional internal-combustion engine, while the others arrive as hybrid or fully electric propositions. The lineup makes the direction of travel hard to miss: electrification and hybrid systems are setting the pace.

For the first time, the final evaluations will take place in Spain, at the Parc Motor Castelloli circuit near Barcelona. There, 60 journalists from 23 countries will assess handling, comfort, and energy efficiency—a setting likely to make each car’s character stand out.