The finalists for the Car of the Year 2025 award
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Car of the Year 2025 award, to be presented on 10 January at the Brussels Motor Show.
Judges at the prestigious European Car of The Year (ECOTY) organization have revealed the final selection of vehicles that will duke it out for an outright win in the 2025 competition.
Starting with over 40 models, the 60 jurors whittled down the selection, casting aside notable newcomers including the Ford Explorer EV, Mini Cooper SE, Aceman and Countryman, Polestar 4, MG Cyberster and Hyundai Santa Fe.
When the dust had settled, only seven candidates remained.
Alfa Romeo Junior
Citroën C3/ë-C3
Cupra Terramar
Dacia Duster
Hyundai Inster
Kia EV3
Renault 5
As you can see, electrics are now taking the lead, with five models powered solely or supplementally by battery-powered powertrains. The only exceptions are the Cupra Terramar and the new Dacia Duster, both of which are also available with electrified systems.
(Alfa Romeo Junior)
A 134 hp (136 PS) hybrid version is on the way – and likely to prove more popular than the EV – but for now buyers get a choice of two electric models, both powered by a single motor driving the front wheels.
The base car makes 154 hp (115 kW / 156 PS) while the flagship Veloce kicks out 278 hp (207 kW / 280 PS).
(Citroen C3 / e-C3)
C3 is available with both ICE and EV powertrains. Combustion versions comes with a 1.2-liter engine that can be ordered with or without 12 hp (12 PS) of 48-volt hybrid assistance, while the fully-electric e-C3 features a single 111 hp (83 kW / 113 PS) motor that gets it to 62 mph (100 km/h) in a leisurely 11 seconds.
(Cupra Terramar)
ECOTY judges didn’t think VW’s new Euro Tiguan was worthy of a place in the final seven, but they did take a shine to its Cupra cousin.
Mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains making up to 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS)
(Dacia Duster)
The base car comes without a touchscreen and no version makes more than 138 hp (103 kW / 140 PS), but most models are well equipped and the Duster can be ordered with front or all-wheel drive.
(Hyundai Inster)
Power choices are between 95 hp (71 kW / 97 PS) and 113 hp (84.5 kW / 115 PS) electric motors, the punchier version getting a slightly bigger battery that helps bump range from 186 miles (300 km) to 221 miles (355 km).
(Kia EV3)
The only available powertrain right now is a single motor generating 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) that’s good for a 7.5-second 0-62 mph time, but more versions will follow.
(Renault 5 / Alpine A290)
Buyers only get to pick from 94 hp (70 kW / 95 PS), 121 hp (90 kW / 122 PS) and 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS) motors, the A290 offers a choice between 178 hp (180 PS / 130 kW) and 217 hp (220 PS / 160 kW) setups.
Ref: The finalists for the Car of the Year 2025 award (carscoops)
