The Car of the Year shortlist has been announced, and there are several contentious exclusions. | Carscoops

      Nissan's latest Leaf and the Hyundai Ioniq 9 are just a couple of noteworthy models that did not make it to the final selection.

      

      9 hours ago

      

      by Chris Chilton

      

      

      The group responsible for Europe’s Car Of The Year has unveiled its seven finalists for 2026.

      Included among the finalists are the Renault 4, Kia EV4, Mercedes CLA, and Dacia Bigster.

      However, the Jeep Compass, Nissan Leaf, and Toyota C-HR+ did not make the cut.

      

      The competition for the esteemed Car Of The Year title in Europe is intensifying, just like an EV's battery while hot-lapping around Nurburgring. The judges have disclosed their seven finalists for the 2026 award, featuring several strong contenders for the top spot, yet several well-known models are absent.

      

      Also: Renault 5 Takes European Car Of The Year; The American Ranger, Civic, and ID. Buzz

      This year, the finalists include Renault 4, Kia EV4, Mercedes CLA, Dacia Bigster, Fiat Grande Panda, Citroen C5 Aircross, and Skoda Elroq. As is frequently—but not always—the case with the COTY awards, the finalists are primarily mass-market options rather than premium vehicles, with five featuring crossover or SUV designs.

      A Diverse Powertrain Lineup

      Additionally, it’s noteworthy that three of the seven finalists are all-electric, while three others allow consumers the option of either combustion or electric power.

      Leading the pack is the Renault 4, a revived classic that combines nostalgic appeal with modern technology. This model strikes an emotional chord while offering practical utility, positioning itself as a strong contender, particularly after its sibling, the Renault 5, won the same accolade last year.

      Sharing the limelight is the new Mercedes-Benz CLA, Stuttgart’s response to the very successful Tesla Model 3, and the only premium vehicle on the shortlist. However, the CLA must remain vigilant as Kia gains ground with models like the EV4.

      COTY judges, especially those from outside the UK, favor high-value, affordable vehicles, which means the reborn Grande Panda, the Bigster, Dacia’s largest vehicle to date, and the unobtrusive Elroq could also be potential gold medalists.

      Nonetheless, creating a shortlist inevitably leads to the exclusion of certain models, and there may be some surprises regarding what was overlooked.

      Who Did Not Make It?

      Nissan’s new Leaf was left out of the final seven despite its updated design and extended range. Hyundai’s striking Ioniq 9 electric SUV also missed the mark, along with the Toyota C-HR+, Jeep Compass, and BYD Dolphin Surf.

      What would your ideal final seven include, and which model do you think will take home the title of 2026 champion? The winner will be revealed on January 9.

      COTY 2026 – Finalists in Bold

      Image Nissan