2025 European Car of the Year finalists revealed

ABU DHABI: The finalists for the 2025 European Car of the Year have been announced, with the jury narrowing it down to seven models, most of which are crossovers.

A jury of 60 experts from 23 European nations selected the top cars from a pool of around 42 models, with the first test drives conducted in September in Denmark. The finalists for the 2025 European Car of the Year are the Citroën C3/ë-C3, Alfa Romeo Junior, Cupra Terramar, Hyundai Inster, Dacia Duster, Renault 5/Alpine A290, and Kia EV3.

On the list, Hyundai's Inster is the smallest car while the Renault 5, Citroën e-C3, and Alpine A290 are superminis. The Alfa Romeo Junior is a crossover offered in hybrid and electric variants, related to the Jeep Renegade.

The Kia EV3 also made the list, following the success of the EV9 and EV6. The Duster becomes the first Dacia model to make the Car of the Year shortlist, alongside the Cupra Terramar, a hybrid SUV. The Renault Scenic electric SUV was named the 2024 Car of the Year, with the Peugeot 3008 and BMW 5 Series securing third and second place, respectively.

Seven finalists will be tested by the Car of the Year jurors based on safety, design, comfort, performance, and more. 

Jurors will be testing these models extensively over the next eight weeks, evaluating them based on safety, design, comfort, performance, and more. All cars will undergo joint testing at Belgium's Mettet Test Facility ahead of the final vote.

Also read: 2025 Renault Duster: What to expect?