My judgement is based on following grounds:

Three of  the seven finalists have seemed to me that met better the requirements to be chosen Car of the Year in Europe 2010. These are the Toyota iQ, the Volkswagen Polo and the Opel Astra. Finally, my decision to give more votes (7) to Toyota is based on the greater newness of its concept: a mini-car with three places plus one. iQ improves the idea of the Smart, with just two places, that is not giving full satisfaction to the demand of the clients. Toyota has displayed its technical resources making a very interesting car, but not cheap. In addition, its engines are a little bit disappointing regarding CO2 emissions.
The opposite happens with the Volkswagen Polo (6). It is an excellent automobile, with a range of very interesting engines that satisfy every demand. It is necessary to emphasize the BlueMotion versions. Nevertheless, it responds to a very classic concept of the automobile. Finally, with the new Astra (5), Opel is upgrading the model. Not only by increasing its size. Opel has transferred to it some of the contents of the Insignia (the last year winner) and has improved the weak points of the previous model, like the suspension comfort without losing anything in roadholding. There is an Achilles’heel of the new model: the diesel engines are below the competition because of its vibrations. 
Next, all three with two points, I have placed the Citroën C3 Picasso, Peugeot 3008 and Mercedes Class E.
The two French cars suppose also a certain fresh air in the design of the automobile. In both cases they are well thought and attractive cars.
In the Mercedes, still very classic in spite of more angular outer lines than the preceding model, I have to applaud the effort of the brand to recover in it all the things that makes feel that you are driving a great quality car, as it was in the past.
Regarding the Skoda Yeti (1 point) it is a correct declination, in more compact size, of the VW Tiguan.