The European Car of the Year jury has revealed its seven finalists for the 2025 presentation of the award that is much coveted across the automotive industry.
The Alfa Romeo Junior, Citroën C3, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster, Hyundai Inster, Kia EV3 and Renault 5 /Alpine A290 (the jury considering both cars as the same model) were whittled down from an initial long list of 42 cars.

The inclusion of the Dacia Duster sees the first time the Romanian budget brand has been shortlisted for the award. Of the other finalists Hyundai and Cupra have never won previously the award though the Cupra Formentor finished third in 2021 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 replicated the result in the following year.
Business Motoring Award Winners 2024
Business Motoring Award Winners 2024
Business Motoring Award Winners 2024
Business Motoring Award Winners 2024
Business Motoring Award Winners 2024
Business Motoring Award Winners 2024
Business Motoring Award Winners 2024
Business Motoring Award Winners 2024
A major test of all 42 candidate models was carried out at the Tannistest in Denmark in September by the 60 jurors, who consist primarily of leading motoring journalists from 23 European countries. They will now have another eight weeks to thoroughly test the finalists before a joint test at the Mettet Test facility in Belgium.
Each jury can distribute 25 points, offering a maximum of 10 points to an individual car. They are required to vote at least five vehicles of the seven finalists.
The winner will be announced at the Brussels Motor Show in Belgium on 10th January and will succeed the Renault Scenic, which took the 2024 award ahead of the BMW 5 Series, BYD Seal, Kia EV9, Peugeot 3008, Toyota C-HR and Volvo EX30.