This industry is full of car awards. Obviously, the Electrifying awards are the ones that really matter, but I'm also a juror on the European Car of the Year award, which some might say is the most prestigious of them - although Ginny might argue otherwise as she's a juror on the World Car of the Year!!
Anyway, it's getting towards awards season, but before we can dust off the evening gowns and bow ties, and practice our acceptance speeches, there's the small matter of deciding which cars should win.
And d'you know what? I think this year has been one of the toughest for choosing which cars should feature on the European COTY shortlist. The award works by taking votes from the 64 jurors across 25 countries, who all decide which seven cars they think should be on the shortlist. This year, that's resulted in the following shortlist for the European COTY 2027:
What do you think? Which one would you give the overall Car of the Year 2027 award to? I really struggled to choose the cars I though should go on the shortlist as there's just been so such a glut of brilliant EVs this year. Ranging from the super-affordable stuff like the Renault Twingo and Hyundai Ioniq 3 through to the long range Volvo EX60... We've seen the landscape change all over again when it comes to the choices available to consumers who are shopping for an electric car this year.
Interestingly, this year is the first time that the European COTY shortlist has been an all-electric lineup. And that's only as it should be, to my mind. Because I stopped thinking of electric cars as being something different years ago, and now they're just... cars. Right? But it is significant that there are no petrol cars on this list, as the award factors in votes from a lot countries - many of which aren't yet as evolved as the UK when it comes to infrastructure and EV acceptance, so it does show that the transition to electric cars is gaining a foothold even in territories where electric cars have taken longer to become 'just a car'.
Anyway, I'm really pleased with this list. There's a good spread of premium and affordable EVs. My only quandary is that I really like all of them, and I'm not at all sure which one I should vote for as my overall 2027 European Car of the Year. I really love the plucky Renault Twingo, but I was also seriously impressed with the Hyundai Ioniq 3's real-world efficiency and general funkiness when I drove it in the UK recently - plus it's great value (especially after the grant).
And the Polo's such a grown up car, for great money. Gah. I really don't know. I also love the Volvo EX60 and BMW iX3. Yes, the iX3 is in the award as it didn't make the deadline for last year's European COTY... Annoyingly. But still, the Mercedes CLA was a hugely deserving winner last year, and if the iX3 takes it for 2027? Well, better late than never, I guess!
I'm torn about what car I'll vote for next, but more than anything I'm just pleased to see such a spread of brilliant EVs now flooding the market. I mean, we've got fantastic electric cars from £18k?! And range of over 500 miles in the family Volvo?! Yes, please! Honestly, the fact that my job this year is harder than ever is good news for you, the consumer.
So what do you reckon? What should win? Leave a comment on the latest podcast vid to let us know, or send an email to [email protected], and we'll shout out some of your comments on a pod very soon.
