The World Car Awards has unveiled the top 10 finalists for the prestigious 2025 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) title, alongside the leading contenders across five additional categories. These vehicles were selected through a rigorous secret ballot process, evaluated on criteria such as safety, value, environmental impact, global significance, and emotional appeal—often referred to as the “Wow!” factor.
The WCOTY panel comprises 96 esteemed automotive journalists representing 30 countries. Among them are Hormazd Sorabjee, Editor of Autocar India, and Renuka Kirpalani, Consulting Editor (Video) of the same publication.
Highlights from the Finalists
- Porsche dominates with five vehicles across categories, though none are in the WCOTY list.
- Electric vehicles continue their strong presence, accounting for 17 of the contenders, nearly half of all finalists.
Finalists by Category
World Car of the Year
- Audi A5 / S5
- BMW X3
- Ford Mustang
- Hyundai Inster / Casper Electric
- Kia EV3
- Mini Cooper Electric
- Suzuki Swift
- Toyota Camry
- Toyota Land Cruiser / Land Cruiser 250
- Volkswagen Tiguan / Tayron
World Urban Car
- BYD Seagull / Dolphin Mini
- Hyundai Inster / Casper Electric
- Mini Cooper
- Mini Cooper Electric
- Suzuki Swift
World Luxury Car
- Lexus GX
- Porsche Macan
- Porsche Panamera
- Volkswagen ID. Buzz
- Volvo EX90
World Performance Car
- Bentley Continental GT Speed
- BMW M5
- Ford Mustang
- Porsche 911 Carrera GTS
- Porsche Taycan Turbo GT
World Electric Vehicle
- Hyundai Inster / Casper Electric
- Kia EV3
- Porsche Macan Electric
- Volkswagen ID. Buzz
- Volvo EX90
World Car Design
- MG Windsor EV
- Kia EV3
- Mini Cooper
- Toyota Land Cruiser / Land Cruiser 250
- Volkswagen ID. Buzz
What’s Next?
The next stage involves comprehensive test drives and evaluations, running until February. Following this, the top three finalists in each category will be announced on March 4. The ultimate winners will be revealed during the New York Auto Show on April 5, 2025.
The 2025 awards promise a competitive lineup, reflecting the automotive industry’s strides in innovation, sustainability, and design excellence.
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