The 2025 ‘World Car Finals Powered by Brembo’ - otherwise known as the World Car Awards - kicked off this month with the release of the shortlist of contenders for 2025 World Car of the Year (WCOTY), the six individual vehicle categories and the Person of the Year prize. A global jury of 96 motoring journalists from 30 countries (including yours truly representing Ireland) conducted evaluation of the cars and voted in a detailed ballot resulting in the below.
Ten finalists eligible for overall WCOTY
From an initial list of 52 cars, the World Car Awards jury has selected ten 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
2025 World Electric Vehicle
Out of a total 31 eligible electric cars, the top five finalists are:
- Hyundai Inster / Casper Electric
- Kia EV3
- Porsche Macan Electric
- Volkswagen ID. Buzz
- Volvo EX90
2025 World Luxury Car
Out of ten eligible cars, the top five finalists are:
- Lexus GX
- Porsche Macan
- Porsche Panamera
- Volkswagen ID. Buzz
- Volvo EX90
2025 World Performance Car
Out of 17 eligible cars, the top five finalists are:
- Bentley Continental GT Speed
- BMW M5
- Ford Mustang
- Porsche 911 Carrera GTS
- Porsche Taycan Turbo GT
2025 World Urban Car
Out of 12 eligible cars, the top five finalists are:
- BYD Seagull / Dolphin Mini
- Hyundai Inster / Casper Electric
- MINI Cooper
- MINI Cooper Electric
- Suzuki Swift
2025 World Car Design of the Year
A separate panel of design experts was recruited to compile a shortlist from all the eligible cars for the jurors to subsequently vote on. The five finalists are:
- Baojun Yunduo / Cloud / MG Windsor EV
- Kia EV3
- MINI Cooper
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- Volkswagen ID. Buzz
2025 Person of the Year
Finally, following suggestions from all jury members, the finalists for 2025 Person of the Year are Ralph Gilles, Chief Design Officer of Stellantis; Simon Humphries, Chief Branding Officer of Toyota; and Stella Li, Executive Vice-President of BYD. The overall winner will be revealed on January 28.
The road to the World Car Awards
Next up, the ‘Top Three in the World’ finalists will be announced on March 4, while the winning cars in all categories will be revealed on April 16 at the New York auto show.