AION earns three nominations for 2027 Car of the Year awards
AION has received its first-ever nominations for major international Car of the Year awards, with the Chinese electric vehicle brand securing three nominations across the 2027 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) and European Car of the Year (COTY) awards.
The AION V electric SUV and AION UT supermini have both been nominated for the 2027 World Car of the Year award, while the AION UT is also among the contenders for the prestigious 2027 Car of the Year award in Europe.
The nominations mark an important milestone for AION as the brand continues its expansion into international markets, including the UK, where both models have now been introduced.
The World Car of the Year awards, established in 2003, are judged by more than 100 automotive journalists representing 33 countries around the world. To qualify for the overall World Car of the Year award, vehicles must be sold on at least two continents and have annual production of more than 10,000 units.
Both the AION V and AION UT meet the eligibility requirements and will undergo testing by WCOTY jurors over the coming months. Voting will begin at the end of December, with the winner due to be announced at the New York International Auto Show on March 24, 2027.
The nominations put AION alongside established global automotive brands as the company seeks to build recognition for its electric vehicle line-up outside its domestic market.
AION UT enters European Car of the Year contest
The AION UT has also been selected as one of 39 models under consideration for the 2027 Car of the Year award, one of the most closely watched automotive awards in Europe.
The COTY jury comprises 60 leading automotive journalists from 23 European countries. To qualify for the 2027 award, each nominated vehicle must be available for sale in at least five European markets by the end of 2026.
The AION UT meets the criteria following its European launch, including its arrival in UK dealerships this month.
The judging process will see the 39 contenders tested and assessed before the field is reduced to seven finalists. The 2027 Car of the Year will then be announced at the Brussels Motor Show on January 8, 2027.
For AION, securing a place on both the World Car of the Year and European Car of the Year lists provides an opportunity to raise the profile of its electric vehicles among both consumers and fleet decision-makers.
Jon Wakefield, Managing Director, AION Auto UK, said: “To be recognised amongst the top players in an ever-growing industry is a reflection of our commitment to driving a new standard in the UK. These Car of the Year Awards are among the highest honours in the automotive industry and I would like to thank the committees for their recognition of our products.”
AION V electric SUV offers 317-mile range
The AION V is positioned as the larger and more premium model of the two UK offerings. The electric family SUV is priced from £36,450 OTR and combines a spacious interior with premium equipment and a claimed range of up to 317 miles.
Its inclusion in the World Car of the Year nominations comes as competition in the electric SUV market continues to grow, with manufacturers competing on range, charging capability, interior space, technology and overall ownership costs.
For UK buyers, AION has also made specific changes to the driving characteristics of its vehicles. Both the AION V and AION UT have been extensively tuned for their introduction to the UK, with the suspension, ride and handling developed to suit British roads, traffic conditions and driving styles.
That local development work is intended to ensure the cars feel suited to UK conditions rather than simply being European-market vehicles adapted for right-hand-drive use.
AION UT targets growing electric supermini market
The smaller AION UT is priced from £28,950 OTR and is aimed at customers looking for an electric supermini with a higher level of equipment and comfort.
AION describes the UT as combining premium features with comfort and a distinctly European design approach. It also offers a claimed standard range of up to 268 miles.
The model’s nomination for both the World Car of the Year and European Car of the Year awards comes shortly after its arrival in the UK, giving the company an opportunity to establish the UT among the growing number of electric cars competing for attention in the European market.
The UK launch also forms part of AION’s wider European expansion, with the company looking to establish its brand and electric vehicle technology across multiple markets.
Eight-year AION Great 8 Promise
AION is also seeking to differentiate its UK ownership proposition through its AION Great 8 Promise.
Every AION vehicle sold in the UK is covered by the package, which provides eight years of support across warranty, servicing, MOT and roadside assistance.
For fleet and company car operators, the ownership package could form an important part of evaluating the total cost and practical implications of adding newer EV brands to a vehicle portfolio. Alongside the vehicles’ range and specification, warranty and aftersales support are increasingly important considerations as businesses assess electric vehicles for operational use.
The nominations for the 2027 World Car of the Year and Car of the Year awards therefore come at an important stage in AION’s UK expansion.
While the awards do not guarantee that either model will progress to the final stages, the initial nominations give the AION V and AION UT an opportunity to be assessed directly by some of the industry’s most experienced automotive journalists.
With both models now available to UK customers, the coming months will provide a further test of AION’s ability to establish itself in the increasingly competitive European and UK electric vehicle markets.
