The BYD Seal and Volvo EX30 are among the top contenders for the prestigious European car of the year title in 2024. These two electric vehicles, manufactured by Chinese automakers BYD and Volvo respectively, have made it to the list of Europe’s leading cars for the year 2024. The winner of this esteemed competition will be announced at the Geneva Motor Show in February 2024. Both the BYD Seal and Volvo EX30 will be competing against five other vehicles for this honor.
Chinese Cars Shine in the Initial Shortlist
Out of the 28 vehicles initially shortlisted for Europe’s car of the year, seven of them are Chinese cars. However, only two of these Chinese cars, the BYD Seal and Volvo EX30, managed to make it to the final round. The other five Chinese cars that did not make the cut were the BYD Atto 3 (Yuan Plus), BYD Han, BYD Dolphin, Smart #1, and Nio ET7. Interestingly, both the Smart #1 and Volvo EX30 models are based on the SEA architecture and are mass-produced by Geely Group, a Chinese company. The strong presence of Chinese models in the initial and final shortlists of the European Car of the Year competition is a testament to the progress of Chinese cars in Europe’s automotive market. The remaining cars in the competition are produced by manufacturers from Korea, Germany, France, and Japan. Among the finalists, China and France each account for 28.5% of the shortlist, while South Korea, Germany, and Japan each have a 14.3% share.
Finalists for European Car of the Year 2024
The seven cars that have made it to the finals for the European Car of the Year 2024 are the BMW 5-Series, BYD Seal, Kia EV9, Peugeot E-3008/3008, Renault Scenic, Toyota C-HR, and Volvo EX30. All of these finalists boast impressive performance metrics and features that make them stand out in the competition. Let’s take a closer look at the BYD Seal and Volvo EX30.
BYD Seal: A Mid-Sized Sedan with Advanced Features
The BYD Seal is a mid-sized sedan that offers a range of advanced features. It comes with a 15.6-inch rotatable screen, a 10.25-inch LCD instrument cluster, and a 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system. In Europe, the BYD Seal is available in two powertrain options, with the top model boasting a capacity of 530hp. The rear-wheel-drive version of the Seal offers an impressive range of 570km.
Volvo EX30: An SUV with Cutting-Edge Technology
The Volvo EX30 is an SUV that is based on the SEA platform. It features a portrait screen setup, adding a touch of modernity to its interior design. The twin motor version of the Volvo EX30 offers 422hp and is equipped with a 69kWh battery pack, providing a range of 460km.
As the competition for the European Car of the Year 2024 heats up, these seven finalists will be closely evaluated based on their performance, features, and overall appeal. The ultimate winner will be crowned at the Geneva Motor Show, solidifying its place as the best car in Europe for the year 2024.
