2013 European Car of the Year finalists announced

The finalists for the European Car of the Year have been announced, a total of 5 finalists from a total of 34 nominees.

It’s coming to the end of another year, so we’re going to be inundated with ‘Best Car of the Year’ awards for the next few weeks from all on sundry.

Out of the gate today comes the final list for the European Car of the Year’ with a selection of eight cars (it was too close to call for the normal seven finalists) with the only real surprise perhaps being the inclusion of two French cars – the Renault Clio and Peugeot 208. Two important cars for the ailing French Motor industry, no doubt, but among the top cars of 2012?

More sensible is the inclusion of Volvo’s most important car in a generation – the very good Volvo V40 – and the new Mercedes A Class, a car that has redefined Mercedes’ small car offerings and promises much.

Hyundai make a very valid appearance with the Hyundai i30, a car that conspires to offer real competition to the sector leaders – and does so on ability rather than price – and one of the i30′s main competitors – the new VW Golf Mk 7 – is a default inclusion.

Ford has managed to make an appearance with the new B-Max – which deserves its place on the basis it’s a quantum leap on from the Fusion – and the only rear wheel drive car in the list – the Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ – deserves to be there for its fun factor alone.

Not much to complain about this year (which makes a change) and we’ll find out in March, at the Geneva Motor Show, which of the list takes the gong as the 2013 European Car of the Year.

In the meantime, there’s links to information on all the cars in the final list below (and to photos too) to remind you what each offer. And if you care to pick a winner – or tell us what cars should have been there but aren’t – tell us in the comments.

By Cars UK