North American Vehicles of the Year 2025: winners announced
The winners of the 2025 North American Vehicle of the Year Awards were announced Friday morning at the opening of the Detroit Auto Show. Let's just say there were no real surprises, except perhaps in the utility vehicle category.
“With so many vehicles to review, our jurors worked overtime to choose the best of the best,” said NACTOY President Jeff Gilbert. This year's winners are at the cutting edge of technology, style and value.
North American Car of the Year 2025
None of this year's finalists came from an American manufacturer. As expected, the Honda Civic hybrid (205 points) beat the Kia K4 (165 points) and the new-generation Toyota Camry (130 points). For the Japanese compact, it's a fourth title after being crowned in 2006, 2016 and 2022. It succeeds the Toyota Prius/Prius Prime.
“The Honda Civic has been winning awards for half a century, and the new Civic Hybrid integrates Honda's superb fuel-efficient hybrid system into one of the best compact sedans on the market. Fun, fuel-efficient and more stylish than its predecessors, it's a clear winner,” says Car and Driver deputy editor John Voelcker.
North American Truck of the Year 2025
In this category, the Detroit Giants take their revenge. The new-generation Ford Ranger (183 points) finally got the better of the Ram 1500 (161 points), which is benefiting from a good update for 2025. The other finalist was the Toyota Tacoma (156 points). Ford retains the top honours, having won in 2024 with its Super Duty.
“Ford's truck-building expertise is evident in the Ranger 2025, which offers many features as well as an extra dose of comfort and convenience,” says journalist Jack Nerad (America on the Road Radio, Sports Byline Radio Network).
North American Utility Vehicle of the Year 2025
Finally, the last category this year included three vehicles that were extremely different in terms of approach, design and powertrain: the Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric van (187 points), the Hyundai Santa Fe three-row mid-size SUV (185 points) and the Chevrolet Equinox EV compact electric crossover (128 points). It was the former that took the prize, a year after the Kia EV9's victory.
“If you're going to drive a minivan, why not drive the one that everyone greets and wants to hug? Seriously, the ID. Buzz has a respectable range of over 230 miles (370 km), plenty of room inside, lots of useful features and a fun ride,” points out freelance journalist Ken Gross.
The North American Vehicle of the Year awards are determined by a jury of 50 American and Canadian journalists, including Antoine Joubert, Gabriel Gélinas and Marc Lachapelle of The Car Guide.
