Car Of The Year 2025: the race begins

As we move into the second half of the year, the automotive world turns its attention to the Car of the Year 2025 competition. The organizers have just unveiled the first list of candidates, marking the beginning of an exciting journey to determine the best car of the upcoming year.

This initial list features 41 cars from 29 different brands. These vehicles will undergo a rigorous selection process before a final vote early next year. To qualify for the Car of the Year award, each car must be on sale or set to be on sale in at least five European countries by the end of the year.

Car Of The Year 2025: who will be the winner?

There are many interesting cars in this first selections. Models such as the two Maserati (Gran Turismo and Grecale) or Porsche Macan have not high chances to be finalists. But others, such as the new Fiat Grande Panda or its cousins, the Citroën C3, could be the new Car Of The Year.

Renault leads the pack with the most nominations, featuring the new Renault 5 E-Tech, Rafale, and Symbioz. The brand aims for a consecutive win after securing the title in 2024 with the Scenic.

Chinese automakers are making a significant impact, with several models in the running. MG, BYD, and the debut of Xpeng are noteworthy. The MG3 from MG, in particular, is considered a strong candidate.

According to our speculations, some models are already seen as potential finalists. These include the new Dacia Duster, Hyundai Inster, Xpeng G6, Lexus LBX, and Renault’s 5 and Symbioz.

The Voting Timeline

The journey to the final decision involves a key date: November 15, 2024. On this day, the initial list will be finalized, and the first round of voting will occur on November 22, 2024. Fifty-nine jurors from 22 European countries will participate in this critical voting phase.