Countdown begins for global awards
The finalists for six gongs to be handed out as part of the World Car Awards have been announced after a jury of 96 automotive journalists from 30 countries cast their votes.
There are 10 models in contention for the 2025 World Car of the Year honour and shortlists of five have been chosen for the electric vehicle, luxury, performance, urban and design categories.
As part of the countdown to the winners of the World Car Awards being announced at the New York International Auto Show on April 16, the top three finalists for each section will be revealed online on March 4 after further voting by jurors next month.
Nine marques are represented among those models vying for the main award, with Toyota appearing on the list twice with its Camry and Land Cruiser.
Joining them are the Audi A5, BMW X3, Ford Mustang, pictured, Hyundai Inster / Casper Electric, Kia EV3, Mini Cooper Electric, Suzuki Swift and Volkswagen Tiguan / Tayron.
Organisers say those models were selected from an initial list of 52 contenders.
Doing battle in the World Electric Vehicle category this year are the Hyundai Inster / Casper Electric, Kia EV3, Porsche Macan Electric, Volkswagen ID. Buzz and Volvo’s EX90.
The World Luxury Car class pits the Lexus GX against the Porsche Macan, Porsche Panamera, Volkswagen ID. Buzz and Volvo EX90.
Porsche also has two models – the 911 Carrera GTS and its Taycan Turbo GT – in the World Performance Car section. The other finalists are Bentley’s Continental GT Speed, the BMW M5 and the Ford Mustang.
The top five chosen to contest the World Urban Car category are the BYD Seagull / Dolphin Mini, Hyundai Inster / Casper Electric, Mini Cooper, Mini Cooper Electric and Suzuki Swift.
All vehicles competing in the above five categories were eligible for the World Car Design of the Year award, which has now been whittled down to the Baojun Yunduo / Cloud / MG Windsor EV, Kia EV3, Mini Cooper, Toyota Land Cruiser and Volkswagen ID. Buzz.
2025 World Car of the Year award finalists
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
