Car of the Year 2027 finalists announced - historic first all-electric lineup

We are just two months away from finding out who has won the prize that every automotive brand craves: Car of the Year.

The upcoming 2027 award has already broken new ground, as first for the first time in its 63 year history, all seven finalists are 100% electric cars. A jury of 64 journalists from 25 countries assessed a total of 38 vehicles before choosing the seven finalists.

Let’s take a look at them all in further detail:

Renault Twingo E-Tech

Renault has secured its place among the finalists for the sixth year running with its Twingo E-Tech electric. Can the affordable city car add to the wins Renault has achieved in recent years with its Scenic E-Tech in 2024 and Renault 5 E-Tech in 2025?

With prices starting at under £20,000, the Twingo E-Tech has started strongly in terms of sales, with 26,000 units already sold since its release and a market share of about 25% in its segment across Europe.

The Twingo is powered by a 60kW electric motor putting out 80hp and a 27.5kWh battery giving 263 miles of range. Among its features are a twin-screen display and connected multimedia system, 360 litres of boot capacity and up to 24 driving aids, complemented by the One Pedal function for city driving.

READ: Renault Twingo E-Tech Review | Here's Proof That Less is More!

Volvo EX60

Volvo’s mid-sized luxury SUV comes with plenty of choices.

Three different versions to choose from mean three different power outputs, three different range capabilities and three different prices. It seemingly hasn’t deterred customers, though, as in March, Volvo confirmed it was increasing 2026 production volumes due to strong customer demand for the car in Sweden and Germany.

This is an electric SUV that has been designed to end range anxiety, with the top spec version boasting 503 miles of range. It is also Volvo’s most intelligent car yet and is packed with plenty of tech, including being the first Volvo car to launch with Gemini, the new AI assistant from Google.

READ: Volvo EX60 Review: Is This Now the Most Likeable Car Brand in the World?

BMW iX3

Having already been named ‘World Car of the Year’ and ‘World Electric Vehicle’ 2026 earlier this year at the World Car Awards, the BMW iX3 will look to add one more honour to its trophy cabinet.

The BMW iX3 is the first Neue Klasse model and was presented at the IAA Mobility 2025 show. It showcased a new design language for BMW and set new standards in range, with 500 miles achievable.

The iX3 also saw the first use of the new BMW Panoramic iDrive, which brought innovation to the interior.

READ: BMW iX3 2026 Review - The ‘Neue Klasse’ EV Capable of 500 Miles

Cupra Raval

The Cupra Raval’s Car of the Year finalist place follows previous appearances for the Formentor in 2021, Born in 2022 and Terramar in 2025.

The Spanish brand launched in 2018, and its Raval is the culmination of its electrification drive, which has seen €3 billion invested in its Martorell plant in recent years. It has become Cupra’s most successful launch to date, with 60,000 customer orders since April and over 20,000 vehicles already delivered.

The Raval was the first model to be launched within the Volkswagen Group’s Electric Urban Car Family, and comes with a range of exclusive new features including Smart Light technology, matt and paint finishes, CUP Bucket seats with 3D knitting and 3D-printed elements in the dashboard.

It also comes with plenty of choice for the customer, with four power outputs (85 kW, 99 kW, 155 kW and 166 kW) alongside two battery options of 37 kWh and 52 kWh and the choice of four trim levels. Prices for the Cupra Raval range from £23,785 for the entry-level model up to £36,310.

READ: CUPRA Raval VZ - First Drive: Is This The EV Hot Hatch We've Been Waiting For?

Hyundai Ioniq 3

Available for as little as £18,495 with a government grant, the Hyundai Ioniq 3 has only recently hit the market in the UK. Being part of Hyundai’s popular Ioniq range should stand it in good stead as it does battle with the other nominated finalists.

So what stands it apart?

Well, range is the name of the game here; however, with the Ioniq 3 offering a class-leading driving range of up to 308 miles thanks to its 61kWh battery. It is also compatible with DC rapid charging and is the first Hyundai model developed for Europe to feature the new Pleos Connect infotainment system with the largest central touchscreen in the segment at 14.6 inches, while SmartSense driver assistance tech is fitted as standard.

Kia EV2

This is Kia’s sixth consecutive appearance in the Car of the Year final, making it the first Asian manufacturer to do so. The run began with the 2022 award-winning EV6, which became the first South Korean vehicle to claim the title.

Kia unveiled the EV2 at this year’s Brussels Motor Show as a compact SUV and an entry point into its EV range, with UK prices starting at £24,245. It was the brand’s second fully electric model to be produced at its European manufacturing facility in Slovakia following the EV4 and has a range of between 201 and 265 miles depending on which edition you go for.

READ: Kia EV2 Review: Is Kia Still Beating the Chinese EV Revolution?

Volkswagen ID.Polo

Fresh from winning the German Car of the Year awards’ Best Small Car of the Year, the Volkswagen ID.Polo will now attempt to take its success continental by winning Car of the Year 2027.

It is the electric variant of a name which has been one of VW’s most successful models and comes with a range of 282 miles. It also has the ability to charge from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes and comes with 441 litres of boot space.

The ID.Polo was recently launched to the market at the Paris Motor Show alongside fellow finalist the Cupra Raval and two other models as part of the Electric Urban Car Family. The Raval and ID.Polo are both being produced at the SEAT and Cupra plant in Martorell.

READ: Volkswagen ID. Polo Review - Always the Sensible Choice

What happens next?

Later this month, all members of the jury will meet at Italy’s Balocco circuit to give each of the seven cars a thorough test and establish the criteria for choosing the winner.

Jury members will then have until December 31 to cast their votes, with the winning car to be announced and presented at the Brussels Motor Show in Belgium on January 8.

words: Mike Booth