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World Car Awards 2025: Kia EV3 Wins World Car of The Year; Porsche 911 Bags Performance Car Award

<p>The New York International Auto Show hosted the final announcement of the 2025 World Car Awards.&nbsp;While the <a href="https://www.autox.com/new-cars/kia/ev3/">Kia EV3</a> took home&nbsp;the title of World Car of the Year, the BYD Seagull (Dolphin Mini) earned the World Urban Car Award,&nbsp;beating the Hyundai Inster/Casper Electric&nbsp;and Mini Cooper Electric. On the mechanical front, the Seagull offers a choice&nbsp;between a 30kWh and a 38kWh battery, with the larger unit offering a claimed&nbsp;range of over 300 kilometres,&nbsp;making it suitable not&nbsp;just for short errands&nbsp;but also for longer daily commutes.&nbsp;The 75bhp motor&nbsp;promises agile, efficient&nbsp;performance in city driving.</p><p>Commenting on the big win,&nbsp;Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD, said, 'We are incredibly proud and honored&nbsp;that the BYD Seagull/Dolphin Mini&nbsp;has been recognised as the World Urban Car&nbsp;in the prestigious World Car Awards 2025.&nbsp;This achievement reflects our commitment&nbsp;to providing sustainable technologies&nbsp;and exceptional service&nbsp;to customers worldwide.'</p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/2025-world-car-awards-kia-ev3-wins-world-car-of-the-year-120463/">2025 World Car Awards: Kia EV3 Wins World Car of the Year</a></p><p>She also added, 'At BYD,&nbsp;we are dedicated to accelerating green&nbsp;mobility and contributing&nbsp;to the global effort&nbsp;to cool the Earth by 1°C.'</p><h2>World Urban Car of the Year Award: Who Selects the Winners?</h2><p>Winners of the World Car of the Year (WCOTY) awards have been selected through a comprehensive process&nbsp;led by a panel of 96 highly respected automotive&nbsp;journalists from 30 countries. These experts,&nbsp;known for their in-depth industry knowledge&nbsp;and hands-on experience, dedicate months&nbsp;to evaluating eligible vehicles through test drives,&nbsp;detailed comparisons, and performance assessments.&nbsp;Their judgment goes far beyond&nbsp;technical specifications, focusing&nbsp;equally on the driving experience,&nbsp;design quality, innovation, and overall craftsmanship.</p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/world-car-awards-2025-porsche-911-carrera-gts-wins-world-performance-car-award-120465/">World Car Awards 2025: Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Wins World Performance Car Award</a></p><p>Dhruv Behl, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of autoX,&nbsp;represented the country&nbsp;on this global jury,&nbsp;contributing to the selection&nbsp;of the best cars in multiple categories.</p><h2>World Urban Car of the Year Award: Eligibility Criteria</h2><p>A World Urban Car nominee must be street legal and no longer&nbsp;than 4.25 meters.&nbsp;It also needs a yearly production&nbsp;of at least 5,000 units. The contender must be on sale in&nbsp;at least two major&nbsp;markets across two continents&nbsp;(including China, Europe,&nbsp;India, Japan, Korea,&nbsp;Latin America, USA)&nbsp;within the January 1, 2024, to March 30,&nbsp;2025 timeframe.</p>

World Car Awards 2025: BYD Seagull Named World Urban Car of the Year

The BYD Seagull (Dolphin Mini) earned the 2025 World Urban Car Award, beating the Hyundai Inster/Casper Electric and Mini Cooper Electric.

<p>World Car Awards 2025: The Volkswagen ID. Buzz has been awarded the World Car Design of the Year, beating strong contenders like the Kia EV3 and Toyota Land Cruiser. The announcement took place at the New York International Auto Show. A panel of 96 automotive journalists, known as the World Car Jury, made the final decision. Among them was Dhruv Behl, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of autoX. The jury evaluated all eligible models thoroughly and shared their insights on World Car TV.</p><p>Kjell Gruner, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, said: 'We set out to create an electric vehicle that not only pays homage to the iconic Microbus but also propels us into the future of automotive design.</p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/2025-world-car-awards-kia-ev3-wins-world-car-of-the-year-120463/">2025 World Car Awards: Kia EV3 Wins World Car of the Year</a></p><p>'The ID. Buzz was always intended to be more than just transportation; it's our brand's electric soul, a halo that radiates fresh energy and excitement. The ID. Buzz is reconnecting us with our roots while boldly stepping into the electric era, and this award is recognition of that vision,' he added.</p><h2>2025 World Car Design of the Year: Volkswagen ID. Buzz</h2><p>The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a modern take on the iconic VW Type 2 Microbus, built on the VW Group's modular MEB platform. Unveiled as a concept in 2017, the ID. Buzz has been available in global markets since 2024. Designed to offer a fresh, contemporary feel, it pays homage to the original VW bus with subtle nods to its heritage.</p><p><img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/04/1744822523956-ny54-VOLKSWAGEN-ID.-BUZZ-REAR.webp" alt="Volkswagen ID. Buzz Rear" style="width: 100%; height: auto;"></p><p>The ID. Buzz is offered with two powertrain options: a rear-wheel-drive single-motor version and an all-wheel-drive dual-motor variant. The single-motor model delivers 281bhp and 560Nm of torque, while the dual-motor version generates 335bhp and 693Nm of torque. Both variants are powered by an 86.0kWh battery, offering an EPA-estimated range of 377km for the single-motor and 371km for the dual-motor model.</p><h2>2025 World Car Design of the Year: Eligibility Criteria</h2><p>As in previous years, the finalists for the 2025 World Performance Car title were carefully assessed against a clear set of criteria. According to World Car Awards rules, vehicles eligible for other categories are automatically considered for the World Car Design of the Year award.</p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://autox.com/news/car-news/world-car-awards-2025-porsche-911-carrera-gts-wins-world-performance-car-award-120465/">World Car Awards 2025: Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Wins World Performance Car Award</a></p><p>The selection process starts with a panel of design experts who create a shortlist of recommended cars for jurors to evaluate. This year's design panel included respected figures such as Anja Bracht (Pforzheim University, Germany), Gert Hildebrand (Owner of Hildebrand-Design, Germany), Tom Matano (Academy of Art University and former Mazda Head of Design, USA), Victor Nacif (Chief Creative Officer at Brojure.com, USA), and Shiro Nakamura (CEO of Shiro Nakamura Design Associates Inc., Japan).</p><p>The 2024 World Car Design of the Year award was won by the Toyota Prius, setting a high benchmark for this year's contenders.</p>

World Car Awards 2025: Volkswagen ID. Buzz Wins World Car Design of the Year

World Car Awards 2025: Volkswagen ID. Buzz wins World Car Design of the Year, blending retro charm with modern design inspired by the classic VW bus.

<p>The all-electric <a href="https://www.autox.com/new-cars/volvo/ex90/">Volvo EX90</a> has claimed the prestigious World Luxury Car of the Year title for 2025. It has surpassed the two well-known Porsches in the final round—the Macan&nbsp;and the Panamera—and marked the Volvo Group's third World&nbsp;Car Award, following the XC60's win in 2018. The electric SUV is based on the EV SPA2 architecture, and has a claimed WLTP range of up to 600 kilometres (with top-spec version and 111kWh battery).&nbsp;Among the other prestigious titles, the Kia EV3 secured top honour as the World Car of the Year. It was joined on the podium by the Hyundai Inster/Casper EV,&nbsp;which earned the title of World Electric Vehicle of the Year. In the performance category,&nbsp;the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS emerged as the winner. Meanwhile, the compact and efficient BYD Seagull/Dolphin Mini made its mark in urban mobility, winning the World Urban Car of the Year award.</p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/2025-world-car-awards-kia-ev3-wins-world-car-of-the-year-120463/">2025 World Car Awards: Kia EV3 Wins World Car of the Year</a></p><p>Commenting on the achievement,&nbsp;Hakan Samuelsson, chief executive officer of Volvo Cars, said 'We’re pleased to see the EX90 get the recognition it deserves.'</p><p>He added,&nbsp;'It was up against some tough competition,&nbsp;but this award proves that the EX90 appeals to some&nbsp;of the most demanding customers across the world.'</p><h2>2025 World Luxury Car Award: Who Chooses the Winners?</h2><p>The winners across different categories in WCOTY are chosen by a distinguished panel of 96 automotive journalists&nbsp;from 30 countries. These experts, renowned for their deep knowledge and passion&nbsp;for the automotive industry, spend months engaging in hands-on evaluations, test drives, and rigorous comparisons to assess&nbsp;the most exceptional vehicles across various categories.&nbsp;The selection process goes beyond just technical specs—it’s&nbsp;about understanding the driving&nbsp;experience, luxury features,&nbsp;innovation, and overall craftsmanship.</p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/world-car-awards-2025-hyundai-inster-casper-named-electric-vehicle-of-the-year-120464/">World Car Awards 2025: Hyundai Inster, Casper Named Electric Vehicle of the Year</a></p><p>Among the esteemed members&nbsp;of this global jury was Dhruv Behl,&nbsp;Founder and Editor-in-Chief of autoX,&nbsp;who represented India and brought his expertise&nbsp;to the table in selecting winners across the multiple segments.&nbsp;</p><h2>2025 World Luxury Car Award: Eligibility Criteria</h2><p>To qualify for the World Luxury Car category, vehicles must meet several key criteria. For instance, they must have&nbsp;a production volume of at least 5,000 units per year, carry&nbsp;a luxury price tag in their primary markets, and be available for sale&nbsp;in at least two major global markets—such as China, Europe, India,&nbsp;Japan, Korea, Latin America, or the USA—across two different continents.&nbsp;These vehicles must be on the market between&nbsp;January 1, 2024, and March 30, 2025.</p>

World Car Awards 2025: Volvo EX90 Wins World Luxury Car Award

The all-electric Volvo EX90 is the World Luxury Car of the Year for 2025. It has surpassed the two well-known Porsches in the final round—the Macan and the Panamera—to earn the prestigious title. 

<p>World Car Awards 2025: At the 2025 World Car Awards, the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS won the World Performance Car title, beating rivals like the BMW M5 and Taycan Turbo GT. The award was announced at the New York International Auto Show. A jury of 96 automotive journalists from around the world, known as the World Car Jury, made the final decision. Among the jurors was Dhruv Behl, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of autoX. The panel conducted thorough assessments of all eligible models and shared their expert reviews on World Car TV.</p><p>This win reinforces Porsche's position in the performance segment and reflects the increasing integration of electric-hybrid technology in high-performance vehicles.</p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/2025-world-car-awards-kia-ev3-wins-world-car-of-the-year-120463/">2025 World Car Awards: Kia EV3 Wins World Car of the Year</a></p><p>Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche AG, said: 'Performance has been in the DNA of the 911 since it was first introduced in 1963. With each of the eight generations since then, our aim has been to set the bar higher. The 911 Carrera GTS with the innovative, lightweight T-Hybrid system is the latest advancement in that quest. We are thrilled that the World Car jury could experience the power and performance of the car first-hand and are very grateful for the recognition.'</p><h2>2025 World Performance Car: Porsche 911 Carrera GTS</h2><p>In its 992.2-generation update, the Porsche 911 enters the hybrid era with the debut of the Carrera GTS variant. This marks the first time a hybrid system has been integrated into the 911 lineup.</p><p><img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/04/1744819386919-pqh4-Porsche-911-Carrera-GTS-Rear.webp" alt="Porsche 911 Carrera GTS-Rear.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: auto;"></p><p>The new T-Hybrid powertrain features a compact 1.9kWh battery that powers two electric motors—one mounted within the transmission tunnel and another integrated into the turbocharger for enhanced efficiency and response.</p><p>At its core, the 911 Carrera GTS is equipped with a 3.6-litre boxer engine that alone produces 478 bhp and 570 Nm of torque. With hybrid assistance, total system output rises to 532bhp and 609Nm. This represents an increase of 59bhp over the previous-generation 911 Carrera GTS.</p><h2>2025 World Performance Car: Eligibility Criteria</h2><p>As in previous editions, the finalists for the 2025 World Performance Car title were judged against a well-defined set of criteria. According to the World Car Awards, eligible vehicles must be produced in volumes of at least 1,000 units per year and must clearly prioritise performance in their overall design and character.</p><p>To qualify, a model must also be available for sale in at least two major automotive markets—such as China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, or the USA—across two different continents between 1 January 2024 and 30 March 2025.</p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/world-car-awards-2025-hyundai-inster-casper-named-electric-vehicle-of-the-year-120464/">World Car Awards 2025: Hyundai Inster, Casper Named Electric Vehicle of the Year</a></p><p>In addition, significantly updated versions of existing models that are engineered to improve performance may also be considered eligible, subject to the organisers' discretion.</p>

World Car Awards 2025: Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Wins World Performance Car Award

World Car Awards 2025: The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS wins World Performance Car, beating the BMW M5 and Taycan Turbo GT to claim the top spot.

<p>The World Car Awards have finally announced its winners at the 2025&nbsp;New York International Auto Show, after a month of anticipation&nbsp;since the finalists were revealed. The <a href="https://www.autox.com/new-cars/hyundai/">Hyundai</a> Inster/Casper Electric emerged&nbsp;as the World Electric Vehicle of the Year, surpassing rivals like the Kia EV3&nbsp;and the Porsche Macan Electric. This sub-compact EV distinguishes itself&nbsp;through its design, impressive range (up to 370 kilometres for the 49kWh version),&nbsp;and fast charging, achieving an 80% charge in roughly 30 minutes.&nbsp;Notably, Hyundai's track record&nbsp;at the World Car Awards has remained remarkable, evidenced by the Ioniq&nbsp;5 N's 2024 World Performance Car title&nbsp;and the Ioniq 5 and 6's&nbsp;impressive triple victories in 2022 and 2023.</p><p>Commenting on the achievement, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, 'The Hyundai Inster has been a winner with customers since&nbsp;we introduced it. It’s very gratifying that the experts on the prestigious World Car Awards jurors&nbsp;feel the same way. The combination of compelling design, range, enjoyable driving characteristics,&nbsp;intuitive infotainment, and technology that customers appreciate is emblematic of Hyundai’s&nbsp;approach of delivering exceptional value to our customers.'</p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/2025-world-car-awards-kia-ev3-wins-world-car-of-the-year-120463/">2025 World Car Awards: Kia EV3 Wins World Car of the Year</a></p><p>He also added, 'The fact that our global&nbsp;portfolio is successful both commercially and critically speaks to the hard-working&nbsp;people throughout the Hyundai value chain who are delivering some of the best vehicles&nbsp;on the road today. Thank you to all the jurors for your service to this great industry.'</p><h2>2025 World Electric Vehicle Award: Who Chooses the Winners?</h2><p>The winners of the prestigious World Car Awards have been selected by the expert opinions of 96 respected automotive journalists&nbsp;across 30 countries.&nbsp;For the 2025 edition, the jury conducted months&nbsp;of hands-on evaluations, test drives, and detailed comparisons to determine&nbsp;the standout vehicles across various categories.</p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/world-car-awards-2025-porsche-911-carrera-gts-wins-world-performance-car-award-120465/">World Car Awards 2025: Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Wins World Performance Car Award</a></p><p>Among the jurors was Dhruv Behl,&nbsp;Founder and Editor-in-Chief of autoX, representing India on the global stage.</p><h2>2025 World Electric Vehicle Award: Eligibility Criteria </h2><p>The World Electric Vehicle of the Year award has specific entry requirements. Eligible vehicles must be exclusively&nbsp;powered by electric motors, have a minimum production volume&nbsp;of 5,000 units annually, and be available for sale in at least&nbsp;two major markets across two separate continents (China, Europe, India, Japan,&nbsp;Korea, Latin America, USA) between January 1, 2024, and March 30, 2025.</p>

World Car Awards 2025: Hyundai Inster, Casper Named Electric Vehicle of the Year

The Hyundai Inster/Casper emerged as the World Electric Vehicle of the Year, surpassing rivals like the Kia EV3 and the Porsche Macan Electric.

<p>The <a href="https://www.autox.com/new-cars/kia/ev3/">Kia EV3</a> has secured the 2025 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) title, surpassing the Hyundai Inster/Casper EV and BMW X3. The announcement took place at the New York International Auto Show, where the prestigious award was presented. A panel of 96 renowned automotive journalists, forming the World Car Jury, selected the winner after evaluating all eligible vehicles. The World Car Jury, which includes Dhruv Behl, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of autoX, carried out detailed evaluations of all shortlisted vehicles. Their findings were featured on World Car TV, where they presented in-depth reviews of the finalists. Kia's victory highlights its growing presence in the global electric vehicle market.</p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/kia-syros-gets-5-star-crash-test-safety-rating-from-bharat-ncap-watch-video-120408/">Kia Syros Gets 5-star Crash Test Safety Rating from Bharat NCAP</a></p><p>Ho Sung Song, President and CEO at Kia said: 'It is an immense honor for everyone at Kia that the EV3 has been awarded the 2025 World Car of Year title. This award highlights Kia’s global leadership in providing design-led, technologically advanced, sustainable mobility solutions and how the EV3’s class-leading attributes redefine the user experience for customers worldwide.' </p><h2>World Car Awards 2025: Kia EV3 </h2><p>The Kia EV3 features a bold design with vertical headlamps, a clean front face, and the brand’s updated Tiger Face with Star Map lighting. Its sleek roofline flows into a hatchback-style tailgate, while the rear includes geometric lamps and a thick trim for a strong, high-tech look.</p><p><img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/04/1744816664616-gseu-2025-Kia-EV3-Rear.webp" alt="2025 Kia EV3 Rear" style="width: 100%; height: auto;"></p><p>Inside, the EV3 offers a spacious cabin for five. A near-30-inch widescreen spans the dashboard, including a 12.3-inch driver display, a 5-inch AC panel, and a 12.3-inch AVN screen, all with intuitive touch controls and access for both driver and front passenger.</p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/new-kia-ev6-launched-at-rs-6590-lakh-in-india-120244/">New Kia EV6 Launched at Rs 65.90 Lakh in India</a></p><p>Built on Kia’s E-GMP platform, the front-wheel drive EV3 uses fourth-gen battery tech. It comes in Standard (58.3kWh) and Long Range (81.4kWh) versions, both powered by a 201bhp motor. It does 0–100km/h in 7.5 seconds, with a top speed of 170km/h and up to 600km range (WLTP). Key safety features include eDTVC, Forward Collision-Avoidance, Lane Keeping Assist, and Highway Driving Assist.</p><h2>2025 WCOTY: Eligibility Criteria</h2><p>As in previous years, the finalists for the 2025 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) were evaluated based on clear criteria. According to the World Car Awards, eligible vehicles must be produced in volumes of at least 10,000 units per year, priced below the luxury segment in their main markets, and be available for sale in at least two major markets—such as China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, or the USA—across two different continents between 1 January 2024 and 30 March 2025. In the 2024 edition, the Kia EV9 was honoured as the World Car of the Year.</p>

2025 World Car Awards: Kia EV3 Wins World Car of the Year

World Car Awards 2025: The Kia EV3 has been crowned World Car of the Year (WCOTY), announced live at the New York International Auto Show.

<p>The 2025 World Car Awards has announced the top three finalists. Categories include World Car of the Year, World Electric Car, World Performance Car, and World Luxury Car. The winners will be announced at the 2025 New York International Auto Show, a well-known event for car enthusiasts and industry professionals.</p><p>A panel of 96 top automotive journalists, known as the World Car Jury, selects the winners. This expert group, which includes Dhruv Behl, founder and Editor-in-Chief of autoX, conducts thorough testing of all eligible vehicles. Their insights are featured on World Car TV, offering viewers detailed reviews of the finalists.</p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.autox.com/news/industry-news/2025-world-car-person-of-the-year-announced-byd-executive-vice-president-stella-li-bags-honour-119738/">2025 World Car Person of the Year Announced, BYD Executive Vice-President Stella Li Bags Honour</a></p><p>Here are the top three finalists for the 2025 World Car of the Year.</p><h2>2025 World Car of the Year</h2><p>The 2025 World Car of the Year top three finalists are the <a href="https://www.autox.com/new-cars/bmw/x3/">BMW X3</a>, Hyundai Inster/<a href="https://www.autox.com/new-cars/hyundai/casper/">Casper</a> Electric, and Kia EV3. These vehicles reflect advancements in automotive technology and design, meeting the evolving needs of consumers.</p><h2>2025 World Urban Car of the Year</h2><p>
    
  <img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/03/1742393242831-he82-Hyundai-Inster.webp" alt="Hyundai Inster" style="width: 100%; height: auto;"></p><p>In the Urban Car category, the finalists are the BYD Seagull/Dolphin Mini, Hyundai Inster/Casper Electric, and Mini Cooper Electric. This category focuses on vehicles designed for city driving, highlighting the shift towards sustainable and practical cars.</p><h2>2025 World Luxury Car of the Year</h2><p>
    
  <img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/03/1742393445197-2uqf-Porsche-Macan.webp" alt="Porsche Macan" style="width: 100%; height: auto;"></p><p>The 2025 World Car Awards has announced the top three finalists for the World Luxury Car category. Porsche claims two spots with the <a href="https://www.autox.com/new-cars/porsche/macan/">Macan</a> SUV and <a href="https://www.autox.com/new-cars/porsche/panamera/">Panamera</a> sedan, while the <a href="https://www.autox.com/new-cars/volvo/ex90/">Volvo EX90</a>, an electric SUV, joins the race with its focus on technology and sustainability.</p><h2>2025 World Performance Car of the Year</h2><p><img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/03/1742393793325-6wfh-Porsche-Macan-(1).webp" alt="Porsche Macan" style="width: 100%; height: auto;"></p><p>The 2025 World Car Awards performance category features the BMW M5, Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, and Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. </p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/2025-world-car-of-the-year-top-10-finalists-announced-suzuki-swift-toyota-camry-bmw-x3-and-moremakethecut-119569/">2025 World Car of the Year Top 10 Finalists Announced: Suzuki Swift, Toyota Camry, BMW X3 and More Make the Cut</a></p><p> Last year, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, Hyundai's first electric performance model, won the category.</p><h2>2025 World Electric Vehicle of the Year</h2><p>
    
  <img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/03/1742393904152-xzzk-Kia-EV3-(1).webp" alt="Kia EV3" style="width: 100%; height: auto;"></p><p>The 2025 World Car Awards has announced the top three finalists for the World Electric Car category: Hyundai Inster/Casper Electric, Kia EV3, and Porsche Macan Electric. Last year, the Kia EV9 claimed the title.</p><h2>2025 World Car Design of the Year</h2><p>
    
  <img src="https://images.autox.com/uploads/2025/03/1742394049131-xt2l-2025-toyota-land-cruiser.webp" alt="2025 Toyota Land Cruiser" style="width: 100%; height: auto;"></p><p>The 2025 World Car Awards has named the top three finalists for the World Car Design of the Year: Kia EV3, Toyota Land Cruiser/Land Cruiser 250, and Volkswagen ID. Buzz. These models stand out for their distinctive styling. In 2024, Toyota’s revamped Prius took the title.</p>

2025 World Car of the Year: Top 3 Finalists Revealed

2025 World Car Awards: Top 3 finalists revealed in Car, Electric, Performance, and Luxury categories. Winners will be announced at NY Auto Show.

<p>Stella Li, Vice President of <a href="https://www.autox.com/new-cars/byd/">BYD</a>, has made history by becoming the first woman to win the World Car Person of the Year award. This recognition is part of the World Car of the Year (WCOTY) and also marks the first time a Chinese automaker has won an official WCOTY award. Li's leadership has played a key role in BYD's strategic growth and global expansion, reaching new milestones in 2024. To those unaware, 2024 recipients of the World Car Person of the Year award include Adrian Newey OBE, former CTO of Red Bull Racing, who is set to join Aston Martin’s Formula One team in 2024.</p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/2025-world-car-of-the-year-top-10-finalists-announced-suzuki-swift-toyota-camry-bmw-x3-and-moremakethecut-119569/">2025 World Car of the Year Top 10 Finalists Announced: Suzuki Swift, Toyota Camry, BMW X3 and More Make the Cut</a></p><p>A panel of 96 international automotive journalists from 30 countries, including Dhruv Behl, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of <em>autoX</em>, chose Li for her valuable contributions to the automotive industry. Her leadership has helped BYD achieve significant progress, including launching new models, entering new markets, and reaching the milestone of producing its 10-millionth new energy vehicle. These successes highlight Li's influence and position her as a key figure in the future of the global automotive industry.</p><p>Jens Meiners, World Car Awards Chair Emeritus,&nbsp; said: ‘Stella Li has impressed the World Car judging panel with her exceptional work as a key figure in BYD’s continued global growth. Her international vision and drive have seen BYD become a major player on the automotive stage in a short space of time, and her influence is not only felt within BYD, but across the automotive industry as a whole. We’re delighted to announce Stella as the 2025 World Car Person of the Year.’</p><p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/bharat-mobility-expo-2025-byd-sealion-6-makes-india-debut-119625/">Bharat Mobility Expo 2025: BYD Sealion 6 Makes India Debut</a></p><p>2025 World Car Person of the Year, Stella Li said: ‘I am incredibly honoured to receive this prestigious award. This award is the result of the 1,10,000 R&amp;D engineers at BYD who continue to provide us with the latest technological advances that are reflected in our electric vehicles and Super Hybrid DM-i technology. I am glad to play my part in putting these sustainable technologies in the hands of as many consumers as possible around the world.’</p><h2>2025 World Car of the Year Top 10 Finalists Announced</h2><p>The World Car Awards has announced the top ten finalists vying for the 2025 World Car of the Year title, along with the top five finalists in six other categories, including World Electric Car, World Performance Car, and World Luxury Car.  The 'Top Three in the World' for each category will be revealed in April.  Winners will be announced live at the 2025 New York International Auto Show.  This year's awards also celebrate the 20th anniversary of the partnership between the World Car Awards and the New York International Auto Show.</p>

2025 World Car Person of the Year Announced, BYD Executive Vice-President Stella Li Bags Honour

Stella Li, Vice President of BYD, was named 2025 World Car Person of the Year for her significant contributions to the automotive industry.

<p>The World Car Awards announced the top three finalists for World Car of the Year, as well as the top contenders in World Electric, Performance, and Luxury Car categories. On March 27, during the New York International Auto Show, the winners will be announced.</p>

<p>"The Road to the World Car Awards" is a crucial component of the World Car Awards season every year. It involves 100 international jurors taking part in rigorous test drives to determine which vehicles are worthy of the honours. World Car TV carefully documents this actual road test challenge, giving viewers insights into the jurors' opinions. Jurors then discuss their findings after carefully examining each of the six prize categories' qualifying automobiles.</p>

<p>The following 3 vehicles have advanced to the final round of voting for the prestigious 2024 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) award, from a starting pool of 38. All right, let's dive into the category finalists and get ready for the announcements that are coming.</p>

<h2>2024 World Car of the Year (WCOTY)</h2>

<p><img alt="BYD Seal Exterior" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/01/BYD-Seal-Exterior.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>- <a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/byd-seal-electric-sedan-to-be-launched-in-india-on-march-5-heres-all-you-need-to-know-116187/">BYD Seal</a> / Atto 4<br />
- Kia EV9<br />
- Volvo EX30</p>

<h2>2024 World Luxury Car</h2>

<p>- BMW 5 Series / i5<br />
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class<br />
- Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV</p>

<h2>2024 World Performance Car</h2>

<p>- BMW M2<br />
- BMW XM<br />
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 N</p>

<h2>2024 World Electric Vehicle</h2>

<p>- BMW i5<br />
- <a href="https://www.autox.com/news/car-news/kia-ev9-suv-spotted-undisguised-ahead-of-india-launch-shows-vertical-led-headlamps-upright-bonnet-and-more-116061/">Kia EV9</a><br />
- Volvo EX30</p>

<h2>2024 World Urban Car</h2>

<p>- BYD Dolphin<br />
- Lexus LBX<br />
- Volvo EX30</p>

<h2>2024 World Car Design of the Year</h2>

<p>- Ford Bronco<br />
- Ferrari Purosangue<br />
- Toyota Prius</p>

<p>“We’re pleased to kick off the New York Auto Show each year by celebrating the winners of the World Car Awards,” said Mark Schienberg, president of NYIAS. Receiving this distinction from 100 of the world’s top automotive journalists is a major victory for all those involved and is a perfect way to open North America’s first and largest-attended auto show. Congratulations to the World Car team on 20 years of excellence, and best of luck to all the finalists!”</p>

<p>“Congratulations to the finalists of the prestigious World Car Awards,” says Daniele Schillaci, Brembo’s Chief Executive Officer.” Today, more than ever, cutting-edge technologies and megatrends are shaping the automotive landscape. For Brembo, being forward-looking has always made a difference, and your special achievement embodies exactly this spirit of innovation.We eagerly await the announcement of the winners and extend our best wishes to all of the participants."</p>

<p>At the 2023 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) awards, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 was named the best electric vehicle, best overall car, and best design of 2023. It is worth mentioning that the Citroen C3 achieved a remarkable feat by being the first vehicle from India to win a World Car Award—the esteemed 2023 World Urban Car of the Year.</p>


2024 World Car of the Year Awards: Top Three Finalists Announced

The 2024 World Car of the Year is decided by a jury of more than a hundred international automotive journalists from 29 different nations casting secret ballots.

Wcoty