There are many disagreements about the importance of the ‘Car of the Year in Europe’ competition, but there is no doubt that it is the only stage that brings together all the standout cars at once to try to separate the good and the outstanding through an international journalistic filtering system that takes this seriously. It is traditionally held every year at the Geneva Motor Show, but due to its cancellation due to the Corona virus, the car was announced with the majority of judges’ votes online.
59 journalists from 23 countries participated in the competition, qualifying for the finals 7 favorites. Toyota Yaris won first place with 266 points, followed by Fiat 500 with 240 points, Copra Formentor (first entry) with 239 points, Skoda Octavia scooped 199 points, Land Rover Defender with 164 points and last place was the new Citroen C4 with 143 points. The Yaris incidentally picked up the title in 2000 as well, in fact shortly after it was first launched in the automotive industry.
The European Car of the Year competition has been officially held since 1964 as part of which Rover won 2000. The criteria for participation require continuous marketing for 12 months in 5 European countries. Note that unlike the previous year, where two electric cars competed among the finalists – Porsche Taken and Tesla Model 3 (the winner was a Peugeot 208 by the way), in a competition now held only one electric representative – Fiat 500e. In 2019 the electric Jaguar I PACE screwed up in first place and won by a big margin.
Competition organizer Frank Jensen said at the end: “A worthy winner who stood in front of six cars that put up a tough competition in front of her.” Toyota Europe Vice President Matt Harrison (pictured main): “It’s a great honor for Toyota and I want to thank the jury for their consideration and recognition … I also want to take this opportunity to compliment Toyota’s development teams in Europe and Japan. This is the best Hyaris we have ever produced “As Tokyo Toyota (the president of Toyota Worldwide) wanted, it put a smile on our customers’ faces.”
A little revolutionary: the new Toyota Yaris in a road test