- All seven finalists for the 2025 European Car of The Year competition have been named ahead of the winner being announced on January 10.
- The Alfa Romeo Junior, Citroen C3, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster, Hyundai Inster, Kia EV3 and Renault 5/Alpine A290 are all in with a shot of glory.
- Renault’s Scenic E-Tech bagged last year’s award with the Jeep Avenger, Kia EV6 and Toyota Yaris picking up the three previous titles.
Judges at the prestigious European Car of The Year (ECOTY) organization have revealed the final selection of vehicles that will duke it out for an outright win in the 2025 competition.
Starting with over 40 models, the 60 jurors whittled down the selection, casting aside notable newcomers including the Ford Explorer EV, Mini Cooper SE, Aceman and Countryman, Polestar 4, MG Cyberster and Hyundai Santa Fe.
Related: Nearly Half Of The 2025 NACTOY Semifinalists Are EVs
When the dust had settled, only seven candidates remained, the shortlist including four EVs and several SUV-style models. The jurors now have eight weeks to decide how they’re going to allocate their 25 points, the rules stipulating that they must give some to at least five models and no one car can score higher than 10. Take a look at the potential winners below and let us know which you think should take the title.
Alfa Romeo Junior
Alfa’s smallest SUV, but more importantly, its first ever EV, the Junior is built on the same platform as the Jeep Avenger that won ECOTY 2023. A 134 hp (136 PS) hybrid version is on the way – and likely to prove more popular than the EV – but for now buyers get a choice of two electric models, both powered by a single motor driving the front wheels. The base car makes 154 hp (115 kW / 156 PS) while the flagship Veloce kicks out 278 hp (207 kW / 280 PS).
Citroen C3 / e-C3
The C3 takes on a boxy SUV-like shape for its fourth generation, and is available with both ICE and EV powertrains. Combustion versions comes with a 1.2-liter engine that can be ordered with or without 12 hp (12 PS) of 48-volt hybrid assistance, while the fully-electric e-C3 features a single 111 hp (83 kW / 113 PS) motor that gets it to 62 mph (100 km/h) in a leisurely 11 seconds.
Cupra Terramar
ECOTY judges didn’t think VW’s new Euro Tiguan was worthy of a place in the final seven, but they did take a shine to its Cupra cousin. The Terramar’s more arresting styling obscures the fact that it and the Tiguan are very similar under the skin, down to their MQB EVO platforms and a choice of straight combustion, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains making up to 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS).
Dacia Duster
The original Duster was a huge hit for Renault’s budget brand, and thanks to a little extra luxury, styling cribbed from the Bigster concept and the option of hybrid power, the new one looks even more appealing. True to Dacia’s no-frills roots, the base car comes without a touchscreen and no version makes more than 138 hp (103 kW / 140 PS), but most models are well equipped and the Duster can be ordered with front or all-wheel drive.
Hyundai Inster
This cute subcompact crossover is a stretched version of Hyundai’s Asian-market Casper fitted with an electric motor instead of a combustion powertrain. Despite gaining 230mm (9 inches), the Inster is still only 3,825 mm (150.6 inches) long, meaning it’s dwarfed by Hyundai’s own Kona. Power choices are between 95 hp (71 kW / 97 PS) and 113 hp (84.5 kW / 115 PS) electric motors, the punchier version getting a slightly bigger battery that helps bump range from 186 miles (300 km) to 221 miles (355 km).
Kia EV3
Kia’s EV6 took ECOTY 2022, so there’s a good chance the brand’s newest EV will also impress the judges. The subcompact SUV doesn’t get its big brother’s fancy 800-volt electrics, but it looks great and the long range variant is rated at 373 miles (600 km) of WLTP range. The only available powertrain right now is a single motor generating 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) that’s good for a 7.5-second 0-62 mph time, but more versions will follow. And unlike the other shortlisted cars, this one is confirmed for sale in the US.
Renault 5 / Alpine A290
The retro-styled but modern-powered Renault 5 EV and its sporty Alpine A290 hot hatch alter ego aren’t short on visual wow, and looking at the other judging criteria, they seem like strong candidates. In addition to assessing each car’s design, the jurors take comfort, safety, handling, functionality and value into account when handing out their final allocation of points.
We think the regular Renault 5 looks every bit as good as the more expensive Alpine A290, but while 5 buyers only get to pick from 94 hp (70 kW / 95 PS), 121 hp (90 kW / 122 PS) and 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS) motors, the A290 offers a choice between 178 hp (180 PS / 130 kW) and 217 hp (220 PS / 160 kW) setups.
So, which one gets your vote? Cast it below!