BMW takes the top honour at the Royal Dublin Convention Centre as Ireland’s leading motoring journalists gather to recognise the best new cars and commercial vehicles on the Irish market. It wasn’t just European leaders attending to important business in Ireland’s capital this week. While Dublin was playing host to significant political gatherings, another important decision was being made at the Royal Dublin Convention Centre, where members of the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI) gathered to cast their final votes and crown the winners of the 2027 Irish Car and Van of the Year Awards. Following months of driving, testing and assessing the latest vehicles to arrive on the Irish market, the BMW iX3 emerged as the overall winner, securing the prestigious title of 2027 Irish Car of the Year. It was a particularly significant victory for BMW, with the new iX3 representing the beginning of the German manufacturer’s much-anticipated Neue Klasse generation of electric vehicles.
The result also marked the seventh consecutive year that a fully electric vehicle has claimed the overall Irish Car of the Year title. It is a remarkable run of success for electric motoring and reflects just how far battery technology, charging infrastructure and vehicle efficiency have progressed in recent years. With improvements in range, charging speeds and overall usability, electric vehicles are increasingly proving themselves capable of meeting the demands of Irish motorists. The new BMW iX3 faced stiff competition from a particularly strong field of contenders, with 51 eligible vehicles assessed across nine categories. However, its combination of advanced technology, driving capability, practicality and impressive electric range ultimately secured the support of the judging panel. With a claimed driving range of up to 805 kilometres and the ability to add more than 350 kilometres of range in just ten minutes under suitable charging conditions, the iX3 represents a substantial technological leap forward for BMW. It is also the first production model to emerge from the company’s Neue Klasse programme, which will influence the design, engineering and technology of future BMW electric vehicles.
Michael Sheridan, Chairman of the MMAI, congratulated BMW on its achievement, highlighting the significance of the new model and the continued success of electric vehicles in the competition.
“Congratulations to BMW on its iX3 taking the coveted Irish Car of the Year Award for 2027. A clear winner, beating off stiff competition across all segments, the BMW iX3 stood out with jurors for its 805km range, its ability to charge over 350km in 10 minutes and being the first vehicle from what BMW calls its electrified Neue Klasse era.”
Sheridan also pointed to the wider significance of the result, noting that seven consecutive electric vehicle victories demonstrate the continuing shift towards electrification in the Irish new car market. First established in 1978, the Irish Car of the Year Awards remain the longest-running automotive awards of their kind in Ireland. The winners are selected by 29 motoring journalists from the Motoring Media Association of Ireland, who independently drive and assess the new vehicles introduced to the Irish market throughout the year.
Unlike awards based solely on popularity or sales figures, the MMAI judging process considers a broad range of factors, including overall capability, affordability, design, innovation and practicality. The objective is to recognise vehicles that make a meaningful contribution to the Irish motoring market while providing consumers with valuable guidance when choosing their next new car. This year’s eligible vehicles covered everything from small city cars and compact crossovers to larger family SUVs, premium models and high-performance machinery. Electric vehicles featured prominently throughout the categories, although petrol, hybrid and other powertrain options remained firmly in contention.
2027 Irish Car of the Year Category Winners
The individual category awards highlighted the diversity of new vehicles entering the Irish market, with several manufacturers enjoying success.
Irish Small Car of the Year: Nissan MICRA
Irish Small Crossover of the Year: Kia EV2
Irish Compact Car of the Year: Hyundai IONIQ 3
Irish Small/Compact Crossover of the Year: Nissan LEAF
Irish Medium SUV of the Year: Citroën C5 Aircross
Irish Large Car / 7-Seater of the Year: Kia PV5 Passenger
Irish Premium Car of the Year: Mercedes-Benz CLA
Irish Performance Car of the Year: Honda Prelude
Irish Premium SUV of the Year: BMW iX3
The overall Irish Car of the Year title was subsequently awarded to the BMW iX3 from among the category winners.
Commercial vehicles were also recognised during the ceremony, with the 2027 Irish Van of the Year title awarded to the Kia EV5 Cargo. It was another notable result for Kia, which also secured recognition in the passenger car categories with the EV2 and PV5 Passenger. The awards underline the growing importance of electrification within the commercial vehicle sector, where businesses are increasingly considering electric alternatives for their everyday transport requirements. The KGM Musso EV was named Irish Pick-Up of the Year, while the Citroën C5 Aircross Commercial secured the Commercial SUV of the Year award.
The awards ceremony brought together representatives from Ireland’s leading automotive manufacturers, importers, distributors and motoring media for an occasion that remains one of the highlights of the Irish automotive calendar. For those of us fortunate enough to serve on the MMAI judging panel, the awards represent the culmination of a considerable amount of work throughout the year. Every new vehicle brings something different to the table, and with the standard of engineering, technology and design continuing to improve, selecting an overall winner is rarely straightforward.
What was particularly evident this year was the sheer breadth of choice now available to Irish motorists. From affordable small cars to sophisticated premium electric SUVs, manufacturers are delivering vehicles that would have seemed remarkably advanced just a few years ago. The BMW iX3 is certainly a worthy recipient of the 2027 Irish Car of the Year title, but the strength of the competition across all nine categories demonstrates just how competitive the Irish new car market has become.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable occasion, a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues and friends from across the industry, and another reminder of the important role independent motoring journalism continues to play in helping Irish consumers make informed decisions. Congratulations to BMW and all of this year’s category winners!
