Affordable electronics and compact SUVs set the tone for 2026 Car of the Year

Candidates for Car of the Year always reflect the current state of the car market that year and are carefully reviewed to assess how they adapt to the needs of drivers from a mechanical, aesthetic and comfort perspective.

Through the editions, you can clearly see what kind of engines and silhouettes the manufacturer is offering to the market. The 2026 awards will also see that of the 12 cars announced, all have some kind of electrical assistance for propulsion, with only two of them not offering a zero-emissions version.

Another trend is design. There are no sedans among the candidates, 10 of which are SUVs, most of which are compacts, the most popular segment on the market. Furthermore, 2026 marks the definitive arrival of the type of model expected in the European market: affordable electric cars. Renault 5 materialized its first model last year. Three of the cars competing this year will therefore have zero emissions and cost less than €26,000 before purchase incentives, meaning that a significant proportion of the population will be able to achieve decarbonization.

Chinese brands have already participated in the contest, but this year, in line with the market reality, we see Chinese brands occupying a larger share. In this way, BYD, Chery Group (Ebro) and Leap Motor will face their European rivals.

candidate

BYD, the world’s largest electric car maker, has a compact urban model called the Dolphin Surf, but its biggest selling point is its starting price of 18,870 euros. This, together with a range of up to 322 kilometers in the most capable version, underlines the brand’s commitment to the general market.

The Citroen C5 Aircross is the Chevron brand’s largest SUV and is available in hybrid versions (both light and plug-in) and electric versions. This also represents the brand’s new, more futuristic design language.

The Dacia Bigster marks the Romanian manufacturer’s entry into a new segment: medium-sized SUVs. It also features “luxuries” such as electric seat adjustment for the first time.

With an SUV silhouette but more compact dimensions, the Ebro S400 is produced from the Chery Group’s factory in Barcelona. It is equipped with only a hybrid engine and is also characterized by a very low price.

In addition to Citroën, Stellantis has also mentioned Fiat, Leap Motor and Opel as candidates. The first is a compact, urban SUV that evolves the iconic Panda design with a hybrid and electric motor, while the second larger one showcases a long-range hybrid system that operates like electricity while using gasoline as a generator.

Frontera stands out for its versatility and efficiency. Measuring 4.38 meters long, the SUV has a large 460-litre boot, which reaches up to 1,600 liters when the seats are folded down. Hybrid and 100% electric versions are available.

The Leapmotor C10 is the first model of the Chinese brand sold in Spain by Stellantis Group. This 4.73 meter long SUV has a large 435 liter trunk and a versatile 32 liter front trunk. There are two versions of C10. The 218 horsepower electric model (BEV) has a range of 420 km. The Extended Range Version (REEV) combines petrol and electricity for an impressive total range of up to 970 km.

Inster is Hyundai’s entry into the affordable electric segment with its compact size, futuristic design and spacious, versatile interior. Its industrial group sibling, the Kia EV3, only offers a non-negligible output of 204 horsepower, but can choose a range of over 600 kilometers.

At the top of the list is the Lexus RZ, with build quality that increases brand recognition and power reaching 408 horsepower.

The Renault 4 is based on the architecture of last year’s winner, but instead of being extremely compact, it has SUV dimensions and a design reminiscent of legendary models of the past.

Finally, the Škoda Elroc is VW Group’s take on a compact electric SUV. At 4.49 meters long, it stands out for its large 470-litre trunk, making it ideal for families.

Several engine options are available, from the Elroq 50 with 170 hp and 376 km of autonomy to the powerful Elroq 85 with 286 hp and 578 km of autonomy.

vote

Voting for the Best Car of the Year 2026 will begin at 9:00 today on the “mejorcoche.abc.es” page, which will close at midnight on December 5, 2025. The jury will be comprised of 29 journalists specializing in automobiles, and their participation will account for 70% of the final decision.

The remaining 30% will be distributed to ABC readers. 25% is allocated to newspaper subscribers and the remaining 5% to any registered user. Each registered user may vote once per day during the specified period. ABC Premium subscribers may only vote once for the entire contest. The expert jury will be required to send an email with their considerations to the notary public responsible for announcing the winners of the 54th ABC Car of the Year in early December.