The Austrian capital Vienna hosted this year's AUTOBEST Awards Festivity. The event, which traditionally brings together the automotive industry, was marked by serious technological applications and the return of legendary names to the market.
This year's focus was on innovations that are changing the way we perceive mobility - from ultra-fast charging to artificial intelligence in navigation.
Technological leaders and big winners
Chinese giant BYD walked away with two key awards, solidifying its dominance in electric technologies. Their Super e-Platform Flash Charging charging system was named technological breakthrough of the year, thanks to its ability to handle peak power of up to 1000 kW. In parallel, Stella Li was honored for the strategic rise of the brand in global market.
Polestar also won accolades for its integration of Google Maps into the Polestar 4 model, which offers real-time directions directly in front of the driver’s eyes – a step towards more intuitive driving. In the environmental category, the award went to the new Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric, which was recognized as the most promising urban electric vehicle for mass use.
One of the most interesting moments was the presentation of the “A Star Is Back“ award. It was awarded to the Honda Prelude, marking the return of the iconic Japanese coupe in a modern, technological interpretation.
The ranking for “Best Buy for Europe“
The culmination of the season is approaching with the final stage for the title of Best Buy Car of Europe. Six cars are competing for the prestigious award, with the winner to be announced in a few days. Here are the contenders, who managed to pass the jury and consumer vote:
BYD Dolphin Surf – the compact player with high ambitions.
Citroën C3 Aircross – practicality and French chic in SUV format.
Fiat Grande Panda – the revival of an icon in the electric era.
Ford Puma Gen-E – the bestseller that no longer needs gasoline.
MG S5 EV – the new proposal that aims to change the price-quality balance.
Renault 4 – retro charm disguised as a modern crossover.
Among the other awards, Toyota deserves to be named company of the year for its balanced strategy between hybrids and hydrogen, as well as Pirelli for the smart tire Cyber Tyre, which transmits data to the car in real time.
The grand finale and the announcement of the winner among the six models will take place on March 28, when it will become clear which car offers the best value for the European consumer in 2026.