New all-electric models dominate the shortlist for Europe’s prestigious Car of the Year 2022. From a list of 38 new models arriving on European markets this year, the seven finalists are (in alphabetical order):
- Cupra Born
- Ford Mustang Mach-E
- Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Kia EV6
- Peugeot 308
- Renault Megane E-Tech
- Skoda Enyaq
The two Korean finalists - Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 - share the same technology, while the Skoda Enyaq and Cupra Born share the same MEB platform from its Volkswagen parent, albeit with notably different driving characteristics.
Ford’s finalist is its rival to the Tesla Model Y, which didn’t make the final cut, and has already picked up the 2021 North American SUV of the Year award, along with Car and Driver magazine’s EV of the Year.
Renault continues its impressive run of electric models with a crossover take to the new Megane range.
Peugeot’s new 308 is the only finalist powered by a range of regular combustion engines.
Eligible cars must essentially be new models, available in at least five European countries before the end of 2021.
Some 61 judges, representing 23 countries, select the seven-strong shortlist in a simple vote.
The 2022 Car of the Year winner will be announced at 2pm Irish time on February 28th. In the meantime, the jury members from across the Continent will carry out further testing on the finalists, including a two-day event at the Ceram car testing facility at Mortefontaine, north of Paris.
In autumn jury members completed a week-long test event in northern Denmark where this year’s newest arrivals were pitched against each other on public roads, motorway stretches and on a private airfield test event where safety equipment like traction control was put to the test.
