Car of The Year 2026, the seven finalists of the Car of the Year X-rayed

Plug-in: 4 cylinders 1,600 cc with 195 hp, weight 1799 kg, front wheel drive, 220 km/h, 0-100 km/h 8.3", 2.7 l/100 km, prices from 42,990 euro.

Electric: 73 kWh battery, 141 hp, weight 2184 kg, front wheel drive, 170 km/h, 0-100 km/h 8.9, consumption 17.2 kWh/100 km, range 520 km, prices from 37,690 euro.

The Dacia Bigster is the big sister of the Duster with which it shares much of the mechanicals, as well as the look and the interior. The most important difference is in the length: in fact, there are 23 cm more, combined with a 4 cm longer wheelbase. This provides much more space, especially for the rear passengers, plus additional luggage space. With the rear sofa folded, in fact, the boot is almost moveable. There is a wide choice of engines and equipment.

The technical data of all versions

Dacia Bigster, length 457, width 181 and height 171 cm

MHEV: 3 cylinders 1,200 cc, 131 hp, weight 1,590 kg, front-wheel drive or switchable, 180 km/h, 0-100 km/h 11.2", consumption 6.0 l/100 km, prices from 27,200 euro.

Eco-G: LPG 3 cylinders 1,200 cc, 140 hp, weight 1514 kg, front-wheel drive, 180 km/h, 0-100 km/h 9.8", consumption 6.0 l/100 km, prices from 24,800 euro

Eco-G MHEV: 3 cylinders 1,200 cc, 140 hp, weight 1553 kg, front-wheel drive, 180 km/h, 0-100 km/h 10.5", consumption 7.0 l/100 km, prices from 24,800 euro

The Fiat Grande Panda is a small crossover about four metres long, built on the Smart Car platform of the Stellantis group. It does not replace the Panda, which is in fact about thirty centimetres shorter, but sits alongside it. The Grande Panda is reminiscent in shape of the first Panda of the 1980s and has an original Panda inscription stamped into the side plate. In the most complete versions, the daytime running lights are LED and made up of small squares that complete the style of the grille.

The technical data of all versions

Fiat Grande Panda, length 400, width 176 and height 159 cm

Petrol: 3 cylinders 1200 cc, 100 hp, weight 1315 kg, front-wheel drive, 160 km/h, 0-100 km/h 11.2", consumption 4.8 l/100 km, prices from 18,400 euro

Mhybrid: 3 cylinders 1.2 cc, 110 hp, weight 1327 kg, front-wheel drive, 160 km/h, 0-100 km/h 10.0", consumption 5.0 l/100 km, prices from 20,400 euro

Electric: 44 kWh battery, 72 hp, weight 1515 kg, front-wheel drive, 132 km/h, 0-100 km/h 11.0", consumption 16.7 kWh/100 km, range 320 km, prices from 23,900 euro

The Kai EV4 is a five- or four-door personal saloon designed for the European market. Marketed with electric motorisation only, it is offered in two different battery variants of 58 or 81 kWh and in two trim levels: the Air is the entry-level version, available in Standard Ranage, to which is added the top GT-Line that includes a head-uo display, multimedia system with hi-fi from specialist Harman Kardo and blind spot monitoring as well as a sunroof.

The technical data of all versions

Kia EV4, length 443, width 186 and height 149 cm

Electric: 58/81 kWh battery, 204 hp, weight 1811 kg, front wheel drive, 186 km/h, 0-100 km/h 7.4", consumption 14.7 kWh/100 km, range 410-630 km, prices from 37,950 euro.

Exterieur: AMG Line Plus, MANUFAKTUR patagonienrot metallic exterior: AMG Line Plus, MANUFAKTUR patagonia red metallic

The Mercedes CLA shares with the generation it replaces only its name, being three centimetres longer, while the MMA platform, which allows the electric version to run on 800 volts, is also new. The main advantage of this is the speed of recharging, as the car accepts 320 kW from direct current or 11 kW from alternating current stations. The two battery variants will be joined by mild hybrid and Shooting Break versions from the beginning of 2026.

The technical data of all versions

Mercedes CLA, length 472, width 186 and height 147 cm

Electric: 85 kWh battery, 224 hp/272 hp, weight 2045/2055 kg, rear-wheel drive, 210 km/h, 0-100 km/h 7.5"/6.7", consumption 13.0 kWh/100 km, range 792 km, prices from 50,608 euro

Electric 4 Matic: 85 kWh battery, 353 hp, weight 2135 kg, all-wheel drive, 210 km/h, 0-100 km/h 4.9", consumption 14.0 kWh/100 km, range 792 km, prices from 62,265 euro.

The Renault 4 E-Tech, heir in style and name to the hatchback sold from the 1960s to the 1990s, is a small crossover that uses the same platform as the R5 E-Tech, but is 22 centimetres longer and has an 8 centimetre longer wheelbase. The styling offers clear references to the model of the past. The front is vertical with a transparent plastic panel covering the headlights and grille. Among the options available, albeit not immediately, is a canvas sunroof.

The technical data of all versions

Renault 4 E-Tech, length 414, width 181, height 155 cm

Electric: 40 kWh/52 kWh battery, 120 hp/150 hp, weight 1485/1537 kg, front-wheel drive, 150 km/h, 0-100 km/h 9.2"/8", consumption 14.7 kWh/100 km, range 308-408 km, prices from 29,900 euro

The Skoda Elroq is a crossover with a balanced and modern line. The styling is different from the other models of the Czech brand of the Volkswagen group since it anticipates the solutions foreseen for future cars of the brand. There is no longer, for example, the classic chrome grille replaced by a black band that hides the radar and the front camera. The winged arrow logo disappears, replaced by the Skoda inscription. There are many standard or optional solutions such as the net where the charging cables are stored.

The technical data of all versions

Skoda Elroq, length 449, width 188 and height 163 cm

Electric: battery from 55 kWh to 84 kWh, 170 hp to 340 hp, weight 1946/2226 kg, rear or all-wheel drive, 150 km/h, 0-100 km/h 9.4", consumption 15.8 kWh/100 km, range 428-560 km, prices from 34,500 euro.