The 7 finalists
The shortlist of Car of the Year 2023 finalists has been announced. The following electrified models will compete for the coveted title:
Car of the year
For the first time in its history, the Brussels Motor Show will host the final voting round of the 'Car of the Year' election, which has crowned the best car on the European market ever since 1964. This confirms the growing international impact of the Brussels Motor Show.
The 'Car of the Year' jury consists of 61 international senior motoring journalists, who assess thirty to forty new cars every year on the basis of various criteria, such as design, comfort, safety, fuel economy, environmental performance, handling, functionality, driver satisfaction, technical innovation and value for money. The jury then elects a shortlist of seven cars in a simple vote. For the second stage at the Motor Show, each jury member will have 25 points to award to at least five cars, with a maximum of 10 points for any one of them, and will produce a statement of justification for the vote.
The award winning car and the finalists will be on display throughout the Motor Show in Hall 9, where the results of the election will also be announced on 13 January in the context of the Press Day. The all-electric Kia EV6 won the Car of The Year award in 2022.
Jeep's first 100% electric model achieves a range of 400 km powered by a 54 kWh battery. The iconic Jeep look was retained for the exterior design and contributes to its muscular and sporty appearance. The 4 m long electric adventurer is powered by one 115 kW (156 hp) electric motor. The Jeep Avenger is equipped with the Selec-Terrain and Hill Descent Control systems which, together with its outstanding approach and departure angles and generous ground clearance, deliver impressive all-terrain capability. In addition, 24 minutes are sufficient to charge the battery from 20 to 80% charge.
With its futuristic lines, the Kia Niro brings a stylish, sleek and striking design to the streets. The car is equipped with technological features designed for all-round connectivity. With its 64.8 kWh battery, the Kia Niro has a driving range of 460 km. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7.8 seconds.
The all-electric coupé crossover strikes the perfect balance between power and unparalleled handling with its e-4ORCE technology, twin electric motors and unique all-wheel drive system. The spacious, electric SUV achieves an impressive range of 533 km. The Nissan Ariya features innovative technology such as the ProPILOT driver assistance system and Heads-up Display. The Nissan ARIYA is equipped with a 63 kWh battery or an 87 kWh battery and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in only 5.7 seconds.
The Peugeot 408 saloon is characterised by its dynamic "fastback" stance. Its modern elegance gives it a powerful presence on the road. With its raised ground clearance yet limited height, it looks sporty, while its flowing lines underline its aerodynamic character. The car is equipped with a powerful 115 kW (156 hp) electric motor, achieving a driving range of more than 400 km.
The all-new Renault Austral is a mid-sized SUV with sporty design elements. The range consists of a number of electrified powertrains, culminating in a 1.2 three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine supported by a 50 kW (68 hp) electric motor in the E-Tech Hybrid engine. The infotainment of the Renault Austral runs on Android Automotive OS.
The 4.690 m long Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X SUVs are almost identical, except for different bumpers and proprietary LED headlamps for the Solterra. Subaru is launching a front-wheel drive model and an all-wheel drive model. Both versions are equipped with a 71.4 kWh battery. The front-wheel drive model is equipped with a 204 hp electric motor and has a driving range of up to 530 km. Motive power on the four-wheel drive Solterra comes from dual 109 hp electric motors, somewhat increasing its performance with a system capacity of 218 hp, and however decreasing range to 460 km. The fastest version accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. Image  |
The re-imagined Volkswagen ID.Buzz is all-electric, fully connected with a visionary and attractive design. The sustainable ID.Buzz is delivered net-carbon-neutral, drives around emission-free and has an interior made partly from recycled and 100% animal-friendly material. It is equipped with a powerful 150 kW (204 hp) / 310 Nm electric motor and a battery with a capacity of 77 kWh, bringing the WLTP range of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz to 402 or even 423 km.
