Europe to face a turning point in 2026: only one gasoline model

The jury of the prestigious European ‘Car of the Year 2026’ award has announced the list of finalists, including 7 models reflecting the main trend in the global automotive industry – the shift to electric traction. From 35 nominees, the finalists include Citroen C5 Aircross, Dacia Bigster, Fiat Grande Panda, Kia EV4, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Renault 4, and Skoda Elroq. According to experts at SPEEDME.RU, only one of the participants – Dacia Bigster – is equipped with a traditional gasoline engine. The rest of the models feature hybrid or fully electric technologies. The final tests will take place in Spain, on the Parc Motor Castelloli circuit near Barcelona, where 60 journalists from 23 countries will evaluate the handling, comfort, and energy efficiency of the finalists.
The winner will be announced on January 9, 2026, at the Brussels Motor Show. Analysts predict that once again an electric vehicle will triumph – as in 2025 when the Renault 5 outperformed the Kia EV3 and Citroen eC3. However, experts do not rule out surprises: Dacia Bigster could become a popular favorite, and the electric Mercedes CLA could be a symbol of a new era in the premium class.