Car of the Year 2019 - the shortlist

A shortlist of seven nominations for the Car of the Year 2019 award has been announced, chosen from 38 eligible candidates.

Eligible cars must essentially be new models, and available in at least five European countries at the time of voting. Some 60 judges, representing 23 European countries, select the shortlist in a simple vote. Second-stage voting takes place in the new year, with the winning car announced at the Geneva motor show in March 2019. 

Autocar is one of seven organising publications. The Volvo XC40 won the Car of the Year 2018 award. Let's take a look at the seven finalists:

Alpine A110

Rarely does a car come along so devoted to driver involvement, and so singularly effective at it, even among sports cars.

Alpine A110 - interior

The A110 is quick, agile, effusive and ultimately enormous, accessible fun. 

Autocar Rating: 5 out of 5

Citroën C5 Aircross

Despite dynamic weaknesses, a typical family buyer would find enough to like about the C5 Aircross’s easy-going nature on the road, and we suspect it would make a very good motorway companion.

Citroën C5 Aircross - interior

The design and interior ambience are enough to help it stand out visually, while competitive pricing and a practical cabin means it’ll likely achieve what’s expected in the sales charts. Yet the expectation of a revolutionary level of comfort afforded by trick suspension just hasn’t been met.

Autocar Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Ford Focus

The new Focus is a pretty compelling proposition. Away from having a premium badge on the nose, this is a car from a mainstream car maker offers something that the opposition just don’t.

Ford Focus - interior

But there’s no car in this segment (fast versions aside) that drives as pleasingly as a Focus does.

Autocar Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Jaguar I-Pace

With its first all-electric model, Jaguar has not only beaten wealthier rivals to the punch but also set a high bar for those to come after it. The I-Pace is not quite the dynamic masterstroke some might have expected, but plainly has enough dynamism for owners to take much encouragement and satisfaction from the car’s driving experience.

Jaguar I-Pace - interior

Jaguar has produced a true driver’s car here – and a bold, appealing and hugely innovative one at that.

Autocar Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Kia Ceed

Though not a class-leader, it certainly has a roster of static and dynamic qualities that’s long enough to make it more worthy of recommendation than all but the very best cars in one of the toughest market segments in the world.

Kia Ceed - interior

The Ceed is now a top-five contender and outranks the Astra, Octavia, Mégane and others that shoppers at the value end of the hatchback spectrum might be considering. And if that sounds like a bit of a coming of age for Kia, that’s exactly how it seems to us.

Autocar Rating: 4 out of 5

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

For all of this compact Mercedes’ strengths, though, there are a few dynamic foibles. Although it’s an agile and balanced car through the bends, its ride can be choppy at low speeds.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class - interior

If success in the premium hatch class were judged on the quality of a car’s interior alone, the A-Class would have it licked. No other comparable car comes close for aesthetic appeal and material quality.

Autocar Rating: 4 out of 5

Peugeot 508

It's sharply dressed and visually alluring but is hampered by a tight second row. The i-Cockpit cabin is more appealing than it has ever been but is marred slightly by materials that aren’t as rich as they first appear to be.

Peugeot 508

And while the 508 is a decently agile and largely composed steer, it isn’t quite as engaging as those predominantly rear-driven cars at the business end of our top five.

Autocar Rating: 4 out of 5