European Car of the Year Selects Its 7 Nominees for 2014

BMW i3

The i3 is BMW's new electric car. Sales will begin in November in Europe and in early 2014 in the US and China. It is a major gamble for the company given the lack of popularity of EVs. However, it is a technological marvel.

Citroën C4 Picasso

The C4 Picasso is Citroën's blend of hatchback and MPV. The latest generation moves back to the quirkier styling that Citroën is known for.

Mazda 3

Mazda is in the middle of a styling overhaul as it brings its Kodo design language from concepts to the road. The Mazda3 is the latest to get the treatment in its new generation, and it is available as either a sedan or hatchback.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The S-Class is the pinnacle of German luxury sedans. It epitomizes understated elegance and class. The latest generation shows a commitment to advancing technology and better fuel economy. A plug-in hybrid version is coming soon. 

Peugeot 308

The Peugeot 308 begins Peugeot's plan to not increase the final number each generation. So while it is the second generation, it is till the 308. It is wider and lower, rides on a longer wheelbase but is shorter overall.

Skoda Octavia

The Octavia also rides on the Volkswagen MQB platform like last year's winner the Golf and the Seat Leon. However, the Octavia is a sedan and offers more interior cargo space, and Skoda's understated styling.

Tesla Model S

The Tesla Model S has been on sale for two years in the United States but is just making it to Europe this year. The cars have been praised for their advanced technology and long EV range.

BMW 4 Series

The BMW 4 Series is the Bavarian brand's latest coupe based on the 3 Series. However, for the latest generation, it drops the 3 Series naming and increases a digit to become its own model.

BMW X5

The third BMW on the list of nominees is the third generation BMW X5. The latest generation of BMW's big SUV gets sleeker, less truck-like styling. 

Ford EcoSport

The EcoSport is Ford's smallest crossover and was not initially planned for the European market. It went on sale first in South America and India. The compact crossover is part of Ford's model onslaught to have cars ready when the European auto market rebounds.

Ford Kuga

The Kuga is the next stop up from the EcoSport in Ford's crossover lineup. While still small, it offers a little more room to buyers. 

Hyundai i10

The i10 is Hyundai's entry-level model. The second-generation car grows slightly for its update for extra cargo space and more room.

Jaguar F-Type

It took Jaguar decades, but there is now a successor to the E-Type.  The F-Type is a two-seat sports car with a range of supercharged V6 and V8 engines. It has been grabbing headlines of praise all summer.

Kia Carens

The third generation Carens, also known as the Rondo, seven-seater uses a modified version of the Ceed platform but with three rows of seats.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The latest Range Rover Sport now rides on the same modular platform as its more expensive Range Rover sibling. That makes the new car nearly as capable off-road for a lower price. The new aluminum platform also dropped the weight to improve acceleration and economy.

Lexus IS

Lexus has gotten serious about styling for its latest generation of cars. The cars all have spindle grills and knife-sharp styling. It has been a polarizing changing, but it shows creativity. 

Maserati Ghibli

Maserati brought back the Ghibli name for its new mid-size sedan. While sales have just started, Maserati is having its best year ever because of the popularity of the Ghibli and larger Quattroporte. 

It certainly is a striking, mid-size sedan.

Mitsubishi Space Star

The Mitsubishi Space Star is known as the Mirage in many markets. It has a new family of Mitsubishi three-cylinder engines. It won the 2012-2013 award for Car of the Year in the Philippines. 

Nissan Note

The second generation Note was inspired by the Nissan Invitation concept and uses Renault-Nissan's new three-cylinder engine family.

Opel Cascada

With the Cascada, Opel felt that it spotted a niche that had gone unfilled - that being the mid-size, mid-priced, four-seat convertible. 

Peugeot 2008

The 2008 is Peugeot's entry into the popular compact crossover market. It shares a platform with the 208.

Porsche Cayman

The second generation Porsche Cayman gets the new platform from the updated Boxster with a wider track and longer wheelbase. 

Renault Captur

Every major automaker released a compact crossover this year. The Captur injects some style into the segment. It is a great looking little car.

Renault Zoe

The Zoe is Renault's attempt to join the EV market like its partner Nissan with the Leaf. The Zoe is probably better looking, but whether it is a success is yet to be seen.

Seat Leon

The new Leon has an advantage in this competition. It rides on the same platform as the seventh generation Golf, which won European Car of the Year for 2013.

Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forrester takes on models like the Honda CR-V and Rav4 but offers features like standard all-wheel drive and an available turbocharged engine for better performance.

Suzuki SX4

The latest SX4 is larger in every dimension than its predecessor and offers either a 1.6-liter petrol or diesel engine with an available CVT transmission.

Toyota Auris

Toyota has three models among the nominees this year. The second generation five-door hatchback is offered in a standard version or longer Touring Sport. It has a hybrid engine option as well.

Toyota Corolla

The latest Toyota Corolla is just hitting showrooms. The looks are taken from the Furia concept, and it is larger than the previous generation.

Toyota RAV4

The Rav4 moves into its fourth generation. The car is shorter overall, but the wheelbase grows. It also gets slightly wider. It has already proven popular in Russia by leading its market segment and being the bestselling Toyota there.