The Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive is Finland's EV of the Year 2027, or Vuoden sähköauto 2027. The title is awarded by Sähköinsinöörit – SIL ry, the Finnish association of electrical engineers, and the winner was announced on Saturday 14 November 2026, MTV Uutiset reported. It is the first win for a Tesla since SIL started the award in 2018: its list of winners runs from the Hyundai Kona Electric to last year's Škoda Elroq 85.
Why the jury picked the Model Y
The jury, made up of experts from the electrical sector, was looking for the new electric car best suited to family use. It praised the Model Y's large cabin, its user interface and its price compared with rival cars, as well as the big boot and the separate storage space under the bonnet. It judged the range sufficient and the drive pleasant and quiet.
There were two criticisms. The jury found the car somewhat clumsy to manoeuvre, and not every juror liked that controls such as the gear selector and the seat adjustment have moved into the touchscreen. The final decision was between the Tesla and the XPENG.
| Finalist | Praised for | Criticised for |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive (winner) | Interior space, user interface, price, boot and front storage | Manoeuvrability, gear selector and seat controls in the screen |
| XPENG P7+ RWD Standard Range | Upmarket feel, roomy cabin | Rear-seat comfort, small boot for its size |
| Toyota bZ4X Touring 74.7 kWh 2WD | Handling, large boot, battery protection | Road noise |
A new category this year, for small cars that suit a small family or work as a second car, went to the Kia EV2 FWD, which beat the Cupra Raval in the final. The jury liked the Kia's clear controls, smooth driver assistance and easy-to-judge size; it found the Cupra sportier.
What the award measures
The award is a consumer's-eye verdict, not a measured test. SIL says only reasonably priced, fully electric cars that went on sale in the selection year can take part. Its criteria weight what matters to an ordinary driver, such as range, use of space and how easy the controls are to use, while power, acceleration and top speed count for less than in car-magazine tests. The jurors look at each car in the showroom, take a short test drive and read published reviews, SIL explained last year. Besides SIL, sector bodies such as Finnish Energy and the Finnish EV owners' association Sähköautoilijat take part.
| Year | Vuoden sähköauto |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Hyundai Kona Electric |
| 2019 | Nissan Leaf e+ |
| 2020 | Volkswagen ID.3 |
| 2021 | Škoda Enyaq |
| 2023 | Polestar 2 Long Range |
| 2024 | MG4 Luxury |
| 2025 | Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric |
| 2026 | Škoda Elroq 85 |
| 2027 | Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive |
There is no 2022 title: that year SIL switched from naming the award after the current year to naming it after the next one.
A busy week for Tesla in Finland
The award follows the decision by Traficom, the Finnish transport agency, that made Finland the 11th EU country to recognise Tesla Assisted Driving on 10 November; the first Finnish cars received the software the next evening. For buyers who want measured data on the same version, the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive earned five stars from Green NCAP in October for efficiency and lifecycle emissions.