Car of the Year 2026 revealed at the Brussels Motor Show

As every year, the Car of the Year election brought together a jury of 60 automotive journalists from 23 European countries. After testing 35 new models during the September evaluation phase, the jury carried out a first round of eliminations to select seven finalists.

This year’s shortlist included the Citroën C5 Aircross, Dacia Bigster, Fiat Grande Panda, Kia EV4, Renault 4, Skoda Elroq and the Mercedes-Benz CLA.

It was ultimately the electric CLA from Mercedes-Benz that was crowned Car of the Year 2026 by the European Car of the Year jury at the Brussels Motor Show. A major accolade that underlines the model’s ambition to redefine standards in the compact premium segment.

Beyond its striking design and advanced safety systems, the CLA stands out for its onboard intelligence and the coherence of its driving experience. The new MB.OS operating system and the latest generation of AI-powered MBUX deliver a smooth, intuitive interface that quickly feels natural. After spending a full week behind the wheel, it becomes clear why the CLA managed to convince the jury. Our full road test will be published later this week.

In fully electric form, the CLA also impresses with its efficiency, offering a driving range of up to 792 kilometres and an 800-volt architecture capable of recovering up to 325 kilometres of range in around ten minutes. Available in Europe since mid-2025, it is already enjoying strong commercial success, with order books extending well into 2026, confirming its key role in Mercedes-Benz’s electric future.