2025 World Car Awards finalists announced

The Top 10 finalists in the running for the prestigious World Car of the Year title have been announced, along with the Top 5 in the 6 individual categories.

Now in its 21st year, the World Car Awards has been the world’s top motoring awards programme for the past 12 years (source: AITASTIC’s 2024 report, which analysed the WCA’s media reach in 47 markets) and the 2025 World Car Awards winners will be announced at the New York Auto Show on 16 April 2025.

A jury of 96 distinguished international automotive journalists from 30 countries selected the finalists based on their evaluation of each eligible vehicle as part of their professional work. Cars.co.za’s Head of SentiMETAL & Special Projects, Hannes Oosthuizen is South Africa’s longest-serving juror.

“With cars such as the locally-manufactured BMW X3, the recently-launched Ford Mustang, Mini Cooper, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Prado and Volkswagen Tiguan all in the running, this year’s World Car Awards are particularly relevant to our market,” said Oosthuizen. “Furthermore, several of these finalists are also in the running in the 2024/25 Cars.co.za Awards – sponsored by Absa,” he added.

Top 10 finalists: World Car of the Year

The trophy that car brands want most is the overall World Car of the Year title. The following 10 vehicles are competing for this prestigious trophy – the initial list consisted of no fewer than 52 contenders.

For the record, the current World Car of the Year is Kia’s EV9.

Audi A5 / S5
See also: Audi A5 (2025) International Launch Review
BMW X3
See also: All-New 2025 BMW X3 Price & Specs
Ford Mustang
Video: One night stand with new Ford Mustang: Is old school still cool?
Hyundai Inster / Casper Electric
Kia EV3
Mini Cooper Electric
Suzuki Swift
Video: We compare the new Suzuki Swift with its predecessor
Toyota Camry
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado / Land Cruiser 250
Video: Tank 500 vs New Toyota Prado | Comprehensive offroad comparison
Volkswagen Tiguan / Tayron
See also: Volkswagen Tiguan (2024) Launch Review
Video: Jacob Moshokoa reviews the Tiguan 1.4TSI R-Line

Top 5 finalists: World Electric Vehicle

Thirty-one vehicles competed in the World Electric Vehicle category this year. The top 5 finalists are:

Hyundai Inster / Casper Electric
Kia EV3
Porsche Macan Electric
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
See also: VW ID.Buzz (2023) International Launch Drive
Volvo EX90

Top 5 finalists: World Luxury Car

There were 10 cars in the 2025 World Luxury Car class – progressing to the finals are:

Lexus GX
Porsche Macan
Porsche Panamera
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Volvo EX90
See also: Volvo EX90 (2025) International Launch Review

Top 5 finalists: World Performance Car

The 2025 World Performance Car had 17 cars competing in the category. The top 5 finalists are:

Bentley Continental GT Speed
BMW M5
Video: Drag Race! New BMW M5 vs Mercedes-AMG C63 S
Ford Mustang
See also: Ford Mustang (2024) Launch Review
Porsche 911 Carrera GTS
See also: Porsche 911 Carrera S (2025) Price & Specs
Porsche Taycan Turbo GT
See also: Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (2025) Price & Specs

Top 5 finalists: World Urban Car

There were 12 candidates in the 2025 World Urban Car class. The top 5 finalists are:

BYD Seagull / Dolphin Mini
Hyundai Inster / Casper Electric
Mini Cooper
Mini Cooper Electric
Video: We compare Mini Cooper SE with the BMW X1 and Volvo EX30
Suzuki Swift
See also: Suzuki Swift (2024) Price & Specs

Top 5 finalists: Car Design of the Year

Furthermore, all vehicles competing in the 5 categories above are eligible for the 2025 World Car Design of the Year award.

A design panel comprising 5 highly respected world design experts was asked to 1st review each candidate and establish a short list of recommendations for the jurors’ final vote. The design experts were in alphabetical order: Anja Bracht (Germany – Pforzheim University), Gert Hildebrand (Germany – Owner Hildebrand-Design), Tom Matano (USA – Academy of Art University, Former Head of Design – Mazda), Victor Nacif (USA – Chief Creative Officer, Brojure.com and Design instructor, New School of Architecture and Design) and Shiro Nakamura (Japan – CEO, Shiro Nakamura Design Associates Inc.)

The 5 finalists chosen by the design panel for the jurors’ vote in February are: